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

Steeply pitched roofs, brick exterior with half-timbering, and steel windows and doors which are all common features to the English Tudor style. While staying true to the character of the property and architectural style, unique detailing like bracketed arbors make it well suited for its garden setting.

Traditional Pool

Inspiration for a large traditional backyard custom-shaped pool in New York with a pool house.

Elegant Country Estate

Artemis Landscape Architects, Inc.

Inspiration for a large traditional backyard rectangular pool in New York with natural stone pavers.

Duxbury Haven

Amy Martin Landscape Design

An unremarkable back yard was turned into a resort-style pool and spa for a large family.
This is an example of a large traditional pool in Boston.

Luxury Swimming Pool with straight lines and perimeter overflow spa

Tipton Spires Design|Build

Gorgeous luxury straight line swimming pool featuring travertine decking, glass tiles, perimeter overflow spa, CSW creations fire woks and slide
Inspiration for a large traditional pool in Houston.

Pool & Spa with Natural Stone Diving Board

Neave Group Outdoor Solutions

Whitewater Imagery
Large traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in New York with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Gold river extensive pool and landscape remodel

Majestic Builders Inc.

At night, this project is lit by a beautiful soft glow of landscape and pool lighting. The travertine is able to reflect the ambient light, giving the yard a stunning look at night. This project involved an extensive renovation of the client's exiting free form pool. The renovation involved growing the pool to create a larger deep end, and adding a large Caribbean shelf. The extension had to match and compliment the existing form of the pool and natural rock waterfall. The entire back and side yard were renovated to include an extensive travertine deck, integral color light broom concrete band, and new landscaping. There are various destinations around this project, including this sundeck lounge area next to the pool.

Traditional Pool House

KohlMark Architects and Builders

The clients wanted a small, simple pool house to compliment their historic farmhouse and provide abundant capabilities for outdoor entertaining. They settled on a small, open structure with a vaulted cedar ceiling and task/ambient lighting. An outdoor kitchen, a covered seating area, a storage/changing room and an all-weather Azek pergola with party-lighting were included. A structural retaining wall was needed to provide level ground for both the in-ground pool and pool house, along with strategically planted ornamental grasses for privacy. The green standing seam roof, sliding barn door, board & batten siding and period-correct trim all mirror details from the residence and detached barn.

Outdoor Kitchen & Entertainment

Sunfish Pools

Pool house with rock fireplace, outdoor bar and seating and outdoor kitchen.
Photo of a large traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in Dallas with tile and a pool house.

Taylor Residence

Alleanza Custom Homes

Design ideas for a large traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in Houston with a hot tub and brick pavers.

Agamenticus Pool Project

Robert Reed Associates, Inc.

This is an example of a large traditional backyard rectangular infinity pool in Portland Maine with a pool house and concrete slab.

Avon Pool

The Kenmark Company

Inspiration for a large traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in Bridgeport with a pool house and tile.

Custom Pools

McKinney Custom Pools

Inspiration for a large traditional backyard rectangular natural pool in Orange County with concrete pavers.

Country French Estate

Traditional Concepts Inc.

Inspiration for a large traditional backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Other with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Freeform Pool and Spa with Pool House

Boyce Design + Build

This gorgeous multi-level pool and flag stone patio houses a spa and water slide on the terrace level with stacked stone steps leading down to the pool house which features an open air cabana, custom pizza oven, dining area, bathroom and storage room. The lower level includes a custom fire pit and manicured lawn.

Perimeter Overflow Pool and Spa

Thrasher Pool and Spa

galina juliana
Design ideas for a large traditional backyard rectangular infinity pool in Atlanta with natural stone pavers and a hot tub.

South Seas Backyard

Sunsational Landscapes inc.

Design ideas for a large traditional backyard pool in Toronto with stamped concrete.

Modern Inspiration

SURROUNDS Landscape Architecture + Construction

Landscape Architect: Howard Cohen. Surrounds Inc.
This is an example of a large traditional backyard pool in DC Metro with natural stone pavers.

Wrought Iron Fence

Riverside Fence

Large traditional backyard rectangular pool in New York with a water feature and concrete slab.

Large Traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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 traditional 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.