E.S. Templeton Signature Landscapes
Inspiration for a large country backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Philadelphia with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Luxury Pool with Modern Cabana

Boyce Design + Build

This stunning pool has an Antigua Pebble finish, tanning ledge and 5 bar seats. The L-shaped, open-air cabana houses an outdoor living room with a custom fire table, a large kitchen with stainless steel appliances including a sink, refrigerator, wine cooler and grill, a spacious dining and bar area with leathered granite counter tops and a spa like bathroom with an outdoor shower making it perfect for entertaining both small family cookouts and large parties.

Outdoor Pool Cabana

Terra Ferma Landscapes

Inspiration for a large traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in San Francisco with a pool house and brick pavers.

Modern Pool Retreat

Vernon Wentz

This is a wonderful lap pool that has a taste of modern with the clean lines and cement cabana that also has a flair of the rustic with wood beams and a hill country stone bench. It also has a simple grass lawn that has very large planters as signature statements to once again give it a modern feel. Photography by Vernon Wentz of Ad Imagery

Stratford Residence

AquaTerra Outdoors

This pool and spa is built in an affluent neighborhood with many new homes that are traditional in design but have modern, clean details. Similar to the homes, this pool takes a traditional pool and gives it a clean, modern twist. The site proved to be perfect for a long lap pool that the client desired with plenty of room for a separate spa. The two bodies of water, though separate, are visually linked together by a custom limestone raised water feature wall with 10 custom Bobe water scuppers. Quality workmanship as required throughout the entire build to ensure the automatic pool cover would remain square the entire 50 foot length of the pool. Features of this pool and environment that enhance the aesthetic appeal of this project include: -Glass waterline tile -Glass seat and bench tile -Glass tile swim lane marking on pool floor -Custom limestone coping and deck -PebbleTec pool finish -Synthetic Turf Lawn This outdoor environment cohesively brings the clean & modern finishes of the home seamlessly to the outdoors to a pool and spa for play, exercise and relaxation. Photography: Daniel Driensky

Traditional Cape Cod remodel

Studio 6 Architects

Large Remodel to an Existing single Family Home
This is an example of a large traditional backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Orange County with natural stone pavers.

Backyard & Barn

Forte Building Group, LLC

This is an example of a large country backyard custom-shaped pool in Nashville with natural stone pavers.

Lakeside Modern Luxury

Keith Zars Pools

This beautiful, modern lakefront pool features a negative edge perfectly highlighting gorgeous sunset views over the lake water. An over-sized sun shelf with bubblers, negative edge spa, rain curtain in the gazebo, and two fire bowls create a stunning serene space.

Idyllic Modern

David Thorne Landscape Architect

Marion Brenner Photography
This is an example of a large modern backyard rectangular pool in San Francisco with decking.

Steeplechase Landscape and Pool

Spayd's Landscape and Design

Large transitional backyard rectangular lap pool in Philadelphia with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Mediterranean Elegance by Custom Design Pools

Ledge Lounger

This project, by Houston based pool builder and authorized Ledge Lounger Dealer, Custom Design Pools, features multiple seating areas, both in pool and out of pool, making it ideal for entertaining and socializing.

San Juan Capistrano

Design Works

Photography: Ryan Garvin
This is an example of a large transitional backyard rectangular lap pool in Orange County with concrete slab.

Alhambra Valley

Envision Landscape Studio

Photography by Paul Dyer
Inspiration for a large transitional backyard rectangular pool in San Francisco.

"Big Time"

Ryan Hughes Design

Appearing to float within the pool, the 8 foot circular lowered fire lounge and patio area provides a prime vantage point for embracing the total outdoor experience. Photography by Joe Traina

Pool design with Travertine and Bluestone inlay

Sexton’s Landscape Concepts, Inc.

M. Sexton
Photo of a large traditional backyard rectangular pool in Chicago with a water feature and tile.

Luxury on the Lake

Southview Design

The infinity swimming pool is the centerpiece of this dramatic yard. The upper and lower travertine patios give depth to the entertaining space. The retaining walls double as a garden bed to bring color into the yard. The fire bowls on either side of the pool light add to the ambiance for evening entertaining.

EVERNATURAL CALSSIC - $2.79 / SF.

Blue Wagon Synthetic Turf Supply (Peninsula)

EVERNATURAL CALSSIC - $2.79 / SF. Evernatural Classic offers the most realistic, all-in-one product on the synthetic grass market today, next only to our Evernatural Premium. This product offers a 96-ounce weight and 1-3/4” height offering a variation to the Evernatural Premium for customers who want a more economical option with slightly less density and shorter blade height. But all the benefits are still the same! The blades are designed to reduce shine, reduce heat, and act as a memory foam so blades return to their original shape after bent by foot traffic. More specifically: Double W Blade (Lime color) is designed to diffuse light, making it look more realistic with less shine. The ability to deflect light also helps keep the turf cooler. In addition, it is great for high traffic as it can withstand high wear and pressure. Double S Blade (Field color) is designed to replicate natural grass in both appearance and function. The Double S has an uneven surface, consisting of seven sublayers. This provides effective insulation and reflection of the sunlight. Diamond Blade (Emerald and Brown colors) is designed to make the grass look more realistic and gives it a soft touch. The Evernatural Classic has all these benefits, all while looking and feeling like real lawn! For more information, please contact Jesus (theturfguy) Phone: 510-753-4773 Email: theturfguy@bwlandscapesupply.com

Contemporary Buckhead Pool

Atlantis Pools & Spas, LLC

Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Atlanta with with a pool and concrete slab.

Sonora Rd. Moraga

Alderland - SF Bay Area Pool & Landscape Co.

Contemporary backyard with an Infinity edge swimming pool with a raised porcelain patio under a pergola, sun loungers with syn lawn.
Large contemporary backyard rectangular infinity pool in San Francisco with with a pool and tile.

Franklin Park Pool

WINN Design+Build

Inspiration for a large backyard rectangular pool in DC Metro with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Large Backyard 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.