New Single Storey Contemporary Home Outdoor Garden

Photo of a contemporary pool in Perth.

The Zen Garden Pool Deck is part of a five year project to build Prana Del Mar, a retreat and wellness center located in a remote region on the Pacific Coast of Baja, Mexico. Set in the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Ocean on one side, and the desert mountains on the other, the project was entirely off the grid, requiring the use of high efficiency lighting, photo voltaics, and solar hot water system, all integrated with one another. In 2015 it was named as one of the top six yoga retreat centers in North America. The layout of the pool and its elements was inspired by the seeming random, yet harmoniously balanced proportions of a Japanese Zen garden. We utilized the Golden Rectangle proportioning systems, circles and arcs to bring balance to the predominantly rectangular structure of the adjacent community building. We also created axial relationships between the adjacent building and the elements on the pool deck. For example, the stairs off the south west entrance to the pool deck and the pool stairs themselves are aligned with the interior stairs of the circulation tower. The sauna inside the Community building is aligned with the wet deck and the spa, while the outdoor shower is aligned with the changing rooms in one direction and the lap pool in the other direction. There is always a focal point of a statue or planter at the end of the circulation corridors, drawing the people from one place to the next. Black river stones set in the surface continue the Zen garden feel, while generous planters throughout bring the plants of the desert into the hardscaped pool deck.

Another Gorgeous Duxbury Job

Aquaknot Pools, Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional backyard rectangular natural pool in Boston with concrete pavers.

Northfield, IL Swimming Pool, Raised Spa with waterfall

Platinum Poolcare

Request Free Quote This swimming pool in Northfield, IL measures 20'0"x 40'0", and the raised spa measures 8'0" in diameter. The spa has a waterfall feature. There is an automatic pool cover on the pool with a custom stone lid. The pool has 5 deck spray water features, as well a large underwater bench. The coping is Valders Wisconsin Limestone, and the decking is a concrete paver with brick inlays. The pool finish is cool blue. Photos by Larry Huene.

Prince Residence

Venetian Outdoors

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard rectangular pool in Phoenix with natural stone pavers.

Beverly Hills, California

AquaView Fencing - Serving North America

Design ideas for a large contemporary backyard custom-shaped pool in Los Angeles with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

New Swimming Pool and Spa With Custom Van Kirk Built Fire Bowls In Boca Raton!

Van Kirk & Sons Pools and Spas

Amazing custom-built fire pit
This is an example of a mid-sized pool in Miami.

Fire Feature Project

Peek Pools And Spas

Outdoor Kitchen
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional pool in Nashville.

Rectangular

Tahitian Pools, Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Dallas with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Modern Pool with Fire Feature Citadel Drive

Thrasher Pool and Spa

Galina Juliana
Small modern courtyard rectangular pool in Atlanta with decomposed granite and a hot tub.

23rd St- Exterior Project

Urban Craftsman

Design ideas for a small backyard pool in Houston with with a pool and stamped concrete.

Custom Pools

McKinney Custom Pools

Photo of a mid-sized arts and crafts backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Orange County with a water slide.

Tarpon - Fort Myers, Florida

Sunset Pools

Pool 400 sqft, spa raised +18" (6'ID), 2 deck jets, Picture frame style screen enclosure, Florida Pearl pebble finish, Stonehurst Glacier color pavers, Sunshelf w/ 2 bubblers.

Pool Houses

Stoltzfus Structures

Inspiration for a small country backyard natural pool in Philadelphia with a pool house and concrete slab.

Pool Gallery

Taunton Pools

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional backyard custom-shaped lap pool in Toronto with concrete pavers.

Castle Hill Back Garden / Castle Hill Pool / Castle Hill Plants

Stylish Gardens

Photo of a large industrial backyard rectangular lap pool in Sydney with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Tuscan Pool Place

Landscape Design Associates, Inc.

Design ideas for a large mediterranean backyard rectangular pool in Cleveland with a water feature and concrete slab.

Reformas Vivienda Vacacionales

JFSMultiservice

Small mediterranean front yard rectangular lap pool in Other with a pool house and tile.

Hawthorn Pool

Momentum Pools

Inspiration for a large modern backyard rectangular pool in Melbourne with concrete pavers.

A Diamond in the Rough

Poseidon Custom Pools Inc.

Anthony
This is an example of a mid-sized arts and crafts pool in Sacramento.

Grey Pool Design Ideas

Swimming pools are heavenly during hot Australian and New Zealand summers and are the perfect way to cool down, relax, entertain friends and even get fit. A pool can also create visual interest, especially when you consider features like coloured pool tiles, lighting and landscaping. If you are short on space, you might still fit a lap pool, plunge pool or swim spa, all of which could be focal points in your small garden. As you plan your pool design, map out your space and determine what size, shape and style works best for you. Browse the photos on Houzz for design ideas for above ground pools, inground pools, as well as pool landscaping and novelty features like pool slides or water features. Then, save your favourite photos to an ideabook, and get in touch with the experts behind your favourite picks.

What type of pool should I install?

The dimensions of your backyard will determine the type of inground pools you can install. Take into account boundary restrictions and pool fencing compliance. Fibreglass versions are cheaper, and quicker to install; whereas concrete constructions are better suited to tricky sites and give you more freedom in design. If you’re on a tight budget or don’t want to commit to an inground pool, above ground pools are a more affordable alternative. If you only have a small backyard, a plunge pool is a great solution, and can easily run along a boundary wall or down the side of a house. This option is also low maintenance, can be heated for use in winter, and can do double duty as a swim spa. A long, narrow space, on the other hand, could fit a lap pool, whereas a water feature could fill an awkward space. If your backyard features a stunning vista, consider an infinity pool to accentuate the view.

What pool fencing options are available?

While the specifics vary from state to state, fencing is required of most pool designs. However, pool fencing doesn’t have to obscure your pool design. Glass fencing is increasingly popular for this reason exactly, and is available framed, frameless, semi-frameless and even in-ground. A cheaper alternative is aluminium or steel fencing, which, again, are available in a variety of styles: flat top, loop-top, double-top and wire-based.

What pool landscaping features should I consider?

To get the most out of your pool, design an area that offers multiple hangouts. Include a nearby barbecue, dining area, seating for lounging and outdoor shower. Having shaded areas will give you more reason to stay poolside longer, too. Timber decking and stone paving are popular choices for pool surrounds, and are also helpful in creating zones. Just imagine a raised timber platform with a daybed – a luxurious, resort-style addition to any pool design. Leafy trees and rocks will create a more natural-looking oasis, and will help provide more privacy for swimmers. Where you want your landscape to be the main focus, keep pool equipment and furnishings to a minimum.