Photo of a small country backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Austin with natural stone pavers and a hot tub.

This classic plunge pool with spa is designed to take advantage of a small space and stylistically enhance a contemporary home. The result is a fine example of clean lines and symmetrical visual appeal. The use of Merbau timber decking and narrow honed Himalayan sandstone surrounds create a fresh and welcoming space. The pool features blue glass mosaic waterline and step tread tiles, beautiful navy blue pebbled lining and a small spill-over mouth with sandstone coping. The spa component is a reliable and straightforward set-up, with blower and spa jets delivering perfect relaxation at the touch of a button. There is also a deep and shallow end to the pool, a sandstone skimmer box lid and integrated gas heating for both the swimming pool and spa.

Isabella

Aleck Wilson Architects

Matthew Millman Photography http://www.matthewmillman.com/
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in San Francisco with a hot tub and tile.

Luxurious, Rugged Natural Stone Spa

Neave Group Outdoor Solutions

This beautiful kidney-shaped spa, with natural flagstone coping and bluestone tiling, gets a special touch from a gorgeous waterfall that cascades all the way down the slope behind the whirlpool. Matching natural stone pavers and retaining wall make it all look like a natural part of the rustic landscape.

Modern Pool

Design ideas for a small modern backyard rectangular pool in Atlanta with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

view to covered sitting area

Narofsky Architecture + ways2design

Phillip Ennis
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard rectangular pool in New York with a pool house.

Dolans Road Woolooware - Nash/Wardrop Residence

BK Cavanagh Constructions Pty Ltd

Plunge pool with spa jets at each end.
This is an example of a small contemporary courtyard rectangular lap pool in Sydney with tile.

All in the details

L A Custom Pools and Spas, Inc.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in Los Angeles with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Windsor - 5.5m x 2.6m

Sapphire Pools

The Windsor offers a lengthy swim space perfect for lap swimming, with the added benefit of being able to fit into small and narrow yards. This is the perfect family pool, with sleek side entry steps, bench seat, a corner swim-out and safety ledges. • Unique safety ledge, ideal for children and those learning to swim • Unobtrusive, side entry steps on both sides of the pool • Extended 2.5m bench seating area • 2.6m width is perfect for small and narrow backyards • Extended Lifetime Structural Warranty

Desert Highlands III

Merit Landworks

Mark Boisclair Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard custom-shaped pool in Phoenix with natural stone pavers and a water feature.

Kerdon Home Resort

Majestic Pools & Landscapes

Glenn Weiss
This is an example of a mid-sized modern backyard custom-shaped aboveground pool in Brisbane with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Residential - small patio pool

Rushing Design

Photo of a small arts and crafts courtyard rectangular lap pool in Other with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Pool Renovation

AquaTerra Outdoors

AquaTerra was hired to transform this dated pool and landscaping to a new outdoor environment more suited to the current home owners. We demolished everything down to the pool shell and started over. Working with an existing shell forced us to be creative with what was existing; we added the tanning ledge and the raised water feature wall all on the existing structure. Features of this renovation that add aesthetic appeal include: New tanning ledge with bubblers, new raised water feature wall, all new pool tile, coping, plaster and led lights, new pool equipment, new travertine decks, new fire pit, new artificial turf putting green and all new landscaping. The finished project gave the clients more than could have imagined! Photography:Daniel Driensky

Pool Landscape Designs

Spaces Landscape Architecture

Design ideas for a mid-sized asian backyard rectangular pool in New York with natural stone pavers.

Ocean Front

TMS Architects

TMS Architects
Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style backyard rectangular lap pool in Boston with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

palm beach house

justin long design

Small contemporary infinity pool in Sydney with decking.

Rivertowne Pool and Spa

Josh Atkinson - Atkinson Pools and Spas

Karson Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular natural pool in Charleston with natural stone pavers and a hot tub.

Majestic Oaks Residence

Cockfield Jackson Architects, APAC

Don Kadair
Inspiration for a small traditional backyard rectangular pool in New Orleans with brick pavers.

Straightline Pools

American Heritage Pool Corporation

Infinity (vanishing) edge reflection pool in Thunderbird Cove Country Club in Palm Desert. The deck and coping are inlaid quartz stone. American Heritage Pool Corporation

Lap Pool with Sheer Descent Waterfalls and Retaining Walls

Land Art Design, Inc.

This lap pool maximizes the space in a Bethesda backyard with fieldstone retaining walls that offer privacy and structure. Three sheer descent waterfalls add sound and movement to the swimming pool.

Mid-sized and Small 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.