Photo of a large mediterranean backyard rectangular infinity pool in Los Angeles with natural stone pavers.

The design of this new four bedroom house provides a strong contemporary presence but also maintains a very private face to the street. Composed of simple elements, the ground floor is largely glass overhung by the first floor balconies framed in white, creating deep shadows at both levels. Adjustable white louvred screens to all balconies control sunlight and privacy, while maintaining the connection between inside and out. Following a minimalist aesthetic, the building is almost totally white internally and externally, with small splashes of colour provided by furnishings and the vivid aqua pool that is visible from most rooms. Parallel with the central hallway is the stair, seemingly cut from a block of white terrazzo. It glows with light from above, illuminating the sheets of glass suspended from the ceiling forming the balustrade. The view from the central kitchen and family living areas is dominated by the pool. The long north facing terrace and garden become part of the house, multiplying the light within these rooms. The first floor contains bedrooms and a living area, all with direct access to balconies to the front or side overlooking the pool, which also provide shade for the ground floor windows.

Contemporary Pool

Photo of a large mediterranean pool in San Francisco.

A Dorset Grand Design

JPS Landscape Design

Denise Wright of Janine Pattison Studios
Inspiration for a large country backyard pool in Dorset with decking.

Dominion - Privada Yesa

CKC Custom Homes

Jason Roberts Also thank you to D'Ette Cole and Red Thank you to Oscar E Flores Design
Large contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Austin with decking.

Miami Beach Dream

Marmiro Stones, Inc

Materials: Afyon White Classic Sandblasted Pavers
Photo of a large contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Miami with a hot tub.

Natural Infinity Pool

Design Ecology

photo by Design Ecology
Large traditional backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Austin with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Napa Valley Roof + Pool Deck

JTA Stoneworks LLC

We installed the unseen Buzon roof deck pedestals and the Italian porcelain pavers in this 5,000 sf outdoor roof deck and pool patio.
Design ideas for a large contemporary rectangular infinity pool in Other with a pool house.

Mountain House

Kim Raymond Architects, Inc.

Beautiful lounge & pool exterior patio space. Michael Brands
Design ideas for a large country backyard rectangular lap pool in Denver with a water feature and tile.

Infinity Edge Pool With Custom Rock Waterfalls and Custom Spa in Boca Raton

Van Kirk & Sons Pools and Spas

This amazing vanishing edge overlooks a beautiful lake and the spa is handicapped accessible! the beautiful symmetric waterfalls on each side accentuates the rustic look of the architecture of the house! The tile that was selected is quite unique as it displays a huge variety of different shades of browns and blues to match those waterfalls!

Silverleaf Arcadia Residence

| SPIRAL ARCHITECTS |

The backyard is designed around a traditional rectangular pool, with custom-sized fired adobe pavers crafted in Mexico specifically for the project. The large steel sash window and door assembly, 12 feet tall and 12 feet wide, offers a luxurious view of the pool courtyard, and the view continues to the lushly vegatated Reatta Wash and up to the mountains beyond. The house wraps around the pool area, creating an "estate" feel that is more commonly in nearby residences of far grander sizes. The tones of three-coat stucco wall finish blend perfectly with the pavers, water, and desert vegetation to create an authentic and satisfying environment, well suited to Scottsdale's climate. Design Principal: Gene Kniaz, Spiral Architects; General Contractor: Eric Linthicum, Linthicum Custom Builders; Photo: Josh Wells, Sun Valley Photo

Aspen Residence

Zone 4 Architects, LLC

Outdoor living overlooking outdoor entertaining. With a spa and infinity edge lap pool, there are many options for enjoying the beautiful Colorado summers.

Traditional Cape Cod remodel

Studio 6 Architects

Great view overlooking the rear yard and main house from the guest house above
This is an example of a large traditional backyard custom-shaped pool in Orange County with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Rosebrook Pools, Inc.

Frankfort reflective perimeter overflow pool with spa, multiple tanning ledges, and water features along enhanced by color changing LED lighting. By Rosebrook Pools 847-362-0400 Norman Sizemore Photography

traditional

Pool Environments, Inc.

Randy Angell, Designer The beautiful estate already had a well-designed backyard by a prominent landscape architect. This included the upper spa area, which we had built for the previous owner. The challenge presented by the new homeowner was to create a seamless design that integrated the new with the existing, remained true to the original architects vision, and created a space to be enjoyed by the family's children, as well as the many business and charity event guests that would be frequenting the home.

Intracoastal Project

User

Photo of a large mediterranean backyard custom-shaped pool in Tampa with a water feature.

15 Degrees

Matthias J Pearson Architect PLLC

3,900 SF home that has achieved a LEED Silver certification. The house is sited on a wooded hill with southern exposure and consists of two 20’ x 84’ bars. The second floor is rotated 15 degrees beyond ninety to respond to site conditions and animate the plan. Materials include a standing seam galvalume roof, native stone, and rain screen cedar siding. Feyerabend Photoartists

Ely Farm Lane

Trueblood Design-Build

Pool cabana built by Trueblood . Exterior architecture by R. A. Hoffman, landscape design by Landscape Design Group. [photo: Tom Grimes]
This is an example of a large traditional custom-shaped pool in Philadelphia with a pool house.

Spanish Revival

Rollins Andrew Interiors

Large mediterranean backyard rectangular lap pool in Los Angeles with concrete pavers.

Schwimmteich

Garten- und Landschaftsbau Pohl GmbH

Inspiration for a large contemporary rectangular natural pool in Other with decking.

Large 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.