Exterior solar shades and awning systems are the most efficient solution to protect your windows and patio areas from the sun's damaging heat and UV rays. Blocking up to 99% of UV, motorized retractable shading systems allow you to block the sun and heat or reverse the strategy to allow in natural light and heat as desired.

Pool

User

Taking advantage of a long and narrow backyard, this pool design fits perfectly, while allowing for outdoor seating, a barbecue area and a shaded patio. Scottsdale, AZ

Pool & Patio Design - Exeter, NH

Mandeville Canyon Designs

This family friendly shape lends itself toward games and relaxation. The fiberglass pool ranges in depth from 3.6' to 6'. Aberdeen pavers from Techo-bloc mimic natural stone but do not retain the heat, therefore staying cool to the touch. Photo Credit: Nat Rea

Highland Park, IL Swimming Pool and Raised Hot Tub

Platinum Poolcare

Request Free Quote This pool is perfect for swimming laps or for diving. Both the swimming pool and raised hot tub have Indiana Limestone coping, and the deck is brussels block pavers. The pool has an automatic safety cover with custom stone walk-on lid system, and the hot tub has a waterfall spillover feature. Photos by Linda Oyama Bryan

Transitional Outdoor Living, Pool and Dining

Matthew Murrey Design

Designed to entertain, this site was maximized to create an extension of the home. The project boasts a complete outdoor kitchen, multiple covered seating areas, a gas fireplace, outdoor TV's and state-of-the-art sound system, a pool, spa, and putting green. From daytime swimming to an intimate evening dinner party, followed by a late night game on the putting green, this backyard has something for the whole family to enjoy.

Green Oaks Atherton

Dennis Mayer - Photographer

Dennis Mayer Photographer
Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean backyard rectangular lap pool in San Francisco with concrete pavers.

An East Bay Garden

Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

This property has a wonderful juxtaposition of modern and traditional elements, which are unified by a natural planting scheme. Although the house is traditional, the client desired some contemporary elements, enabling us to introduce rusted steel fences and arbors, black granite for the barbeque counter, and black African slate for the main terrace. An existing brick retaining wall was saved and forms the backdrop for a long fountain with two stone water sources. Almost an acre in size, the property has several destinations. A winding set of steps takes the visitor up the hill to a redwood hot tub, set in a deck amongst walls and stone pillars, overlooking the property. Another winding path takes the visitor to the arbor at the end of the property, furnished with Emu chaises, with relaxing views back to the house, and easy access to the adjacent vegetable garden. Photos: Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

Phoenix Custom Pools - Tribal Waters

Tribal Waters Custom Pools

Tribal Waters Custom Pools Phoenix area pool builder
Inspiration for a mid-sized backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Phoenix with with a pool and natural stone pavers.

Schultz Project Weston Lakes Fulshear

Sunset Pools Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized backyard rectangular pool in Houston with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Modern Backyard Resort

Lavender Landscape Design Co.

Introducing our sleek and luxurious new backyard design project! This project features: • Stunning water features • Gorgeous plantings • Outdoor kitchen • Spacious dining area • Relaxing spa • Cozy fire feature • Beautiful modern spheres Visit the link to get started! www.lavenderlandscape.com

Roseville Pool & Backyard

Luxury Outdoor Living, Inc.

This was a backyard remodel with the addition of a contemporary pool, patio and custom steel framed shade structure with a metal standing seam roof and shiplap ceiling, custom gas fireplace and surrounding landscape.

1221 Mohawk

3rd Street Custom Homes

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

Concord Pool Deck

Lynch Landscape and Tree Service, Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard custom-shaped pool in Boston with with a pool.

Fort Hill- Pool House

LDa Architecture & Interiors

TEAM Architect: LDa Architecture & Interiors Interior Design: LDa Architecture & Interiors Builder: Stefco Builders Landscape Architect: Hilarie Holdsworth Design Photographer: Greg Premru

North Barrington, IL Rectilinear Swimming Pool with Geometric Parquet-style deck

Platinum Poolcare

Request Free Quote This stunning traditional pool in North Barrington, IL measures 18 '0 `` x 36’0” with a depth ranging from 3’6” to 5' 0 `` to 3’6” in a Sport pool configuration. The shallow area features a 63 square foot sun shelf with 4 steps attached and 2 LED colored bubbler water features.. The opposite end has a 4 square foot swimout. The pool coping is Bullnose Bluestone. There is an automatic hydraulic pool safety cover with a custom stone walk-on lid system. The pool finish is ceramaquartz. There are also volleyball and basketball systems installed. Photography by e3.

Westhampton

SMS Architects

Photo of a mid-sized modern pool in Richmond.

Sunset

Currin Outdoor Living

Mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Raleigh with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

DeRosa Residence, Orange,Ca.

Influence Outdoors Landscape Design & Build

Mid-sized traditional backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Orange County with a hot tub and concrete slab.

Clayton Modern

Randy Angell Designs

Photo of a mid-sized modern backyard rectangular pool in Dallas with natural stone pavers.

South Morang

Intrinsic Landscapes

Our clients in South Morang know one thing for sure. There’s nothing better on a hot summer day than having a barbeque on the deck after cooling off in the pool! The poolside has been paved in beautiful pale travertine to complement the two-tone rendered external walls. The large pergola frame is made of laminated Cypress beams with multiple coats of Cutek oil to create a rich gloss surface. Oversized galvanised post stirrups and brackets make the structure extremely stable and strong and when paired with the warmth of the glossy, dressed timber it creates a bold and stylish modern-industrial look. That look is completed by the flat Ampelite roof sheeting which requires no battens, allowing for a much more open, clean roof space and Colorbond guttering. The additional height and opaque sheeting allow the maximum amount of light and breeze through without compromising on coverage. A perfect outdoor entertainment area for any type of weather really!

Mid-sized 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.