The openness of the mid-century modern home shows through in the contemporary renovation. Photo: Ryan Farnau
Photo of a midcentury backyard rectangular pool in Austin with concrete pavers.

Traub - Long Beach, CA

Jeannette Architects

Inspiration for a midcentury backyard rectangular lap pool in Los Angeles with a hot tub and concrete slab.

Sag Harbor, NY

ALEX KHACHATURIAN GENERAL CONTRACTOR LLC

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury backyard rectangular lap pool in New York with decking.

Enchanting Estate

Johnson Custom Homes

Midcentury pool in Detroit.

11 Rock Road, Kentfield CA

MO Design

Midcentury pool in San Francisco.

Lively

AquaTerra Outdoors

Design ideas for a midcentury pool in Dallas.

East Hampton Cottage Exterior and Pool

Murdock Solon Architects

East Hampton Cottage Exterior and Pool
Small midcentury backyard rectangular pool in New York with decking.

Classic and Clean

Vernon Wentz

Looking for hints of whites and grays this pool and spa has it. With a water feature wall, spa and a tanning shelf with lounge chairs this pool is meant to relax and enjoy. The landscaping has a modern flair with clean lines and cement pots for accent pieces.

Mid-Century Modern Re-Creation

Built By Owner, Inc.

Photography by Stephanie LaVigne
Design ideas for a midcentury backyard custom-shaped lap pool in Miami.

Contemporary style pool with silver travertine deck and custom water feature

Thrasher Pool and Spa

Inspiration for a mid-sized midcentury backyard custom-shaped pool in Atlanta with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Musselman Residence

Hall Architects

Midcentury pool in Tampa.

Mid-Century Ranch Reinvented

Knaak Design Group

Designed and Built modern pool and spa complete with water features and synthetic turf patio. Tropical landscaping with lots of bright colored foliage.

Gaston Ave

Tyler Johnson, Realtor-Allie Beth Allman

Fence and landscaping are underway. Patio furniture is on its way as well.
This is an example of a midcentury pool in Dallas.

Reviving a bland mid-century ranch in Muttontown

Hoffman Grayson Architects LLP

The existing gunite pool was surrounded by a wood deck, raised about a foot from the surrounding landscape, and set at an odd angle to the house. The pool was renovated, and the grade was raised to be flush with the new stone coping. New York Bluestone was set in a random rectangular flagging pattern, to tie the pool back to the house architecturally. New York State Bluestone was selected for its multi-colorations, to complement the hand-moulded brick on the house. A new Screened Porch was added behind the Family Room and Kitchen, to create an outdoor room overlooking the new pool terrace. A Dining Room was added tot he right of the Kitchen, to replace the Dining Room that was repurposed as a Foyer. The Dining Room enjoys views out into the landscape through windows that wrap around the angled corner of the new room. Photo by Glen Grayson, AIA

Vintage Metal Patio Furniture Refinish, Repaint, Repair

Patio Furniture Doctors

Vintage Metal Patio Furniture Refinish, Repaint, Repair
This is an example of a midcentury pool in Other.

Outdoor Audio with New Pool Landscaping

Springboard Automation

How many speakers can you spot around this yard?
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury backyard kidney-shaped pool in Philadelphia.

Petree Family

Richard's Total Backyard Solutions

Have an idea you want to be brought to life? Our creative client Amanda Petree envisioned and drew out this backyard paradise with a floating deck in the middle of the pool! This gorgeous geometric custom pool features a floating Trex Deck with travertine pavers as stepping stones to the deck, plus you can swim UNDER the deck! This custom pool also features the PV3 In-floor cleaning system, it has a gorgeous raised wall with split face ledger stone, porcelain pool waterline tile, water features, travertine coping to match and Dhurrie Beige comfort deck to tie in the whole backyard together. Have you seen the sunset shots of this pool? Totally different vibe! Designer: Mike Richard Project Manager: Jose Zepeda Photographer: Cove Studio Productions

OPEN SPACE POOL

Haven Design Studio

Mid-sized midcentury backyard rectangular pool in San Francisco with with a pool.

French Country

Frazier Home Design

Loyd Builders
This is an example of a large midcentury pool in Raleigh.

Cedarhurst Residence

Hodgson Design Associates

Martin Tessler Photography
Photo of a mid-sized midcentury backyard rectangular lap pool in Vancouver with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Midcentury Green 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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 midcentury 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.