Customizing Hot Tub Installations (Massapequa/NY):

Next, in order to offer more natural charm from the handsome patio into the spa, moss rock steps replaced the ones that came with the delivery. Boulders were also brought in, plus soil and plants.

Farmhouse Estate

Scott Christopher Homes

Nestled in the countryside and designed to accommodate a multi-generational family, this custom compound boasts a nearly 5,000 square foot main residence, an infinity pool with luscious landscaping, a guest and pool house as well as a pole barn. The spacious, yet cozy flow of the main residence fits perfectly with the farmhouse style exterior. The gourmet kitchen with separate bakery kitchen offers built-in banquette seating for casual dining and is open to a cozy dining room for more formal meals enjoyed in front of the wood-burning fireplace. Completing the main level is a library, mudroom and living room with rustic accents throughout. The upper level features a grand master suite, a guest bedroom with dressing room, a laundry room as well as a sizable home office. The lower level has a fireside sitting room that opens to the media and exercise rooms by custom-built sliding barn doors. The quaint guest house has a living room, dining room and full kitchen, plus an upper level with two bedrooms and a full bath, as well as a wrap-around porch overlooking the infinity edge pool and picturesque landscaping of the estate.

River's End

Pineapple House Interior Design

The rear patio’s limestone columns have electric roll-down screens & allow outdoor living without pests, when preferred. We project the fire pit into the lap pool so from most angles, it appears to be floating, as does the house.

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Les Arcades de Saint Alban

Atelier Olea

Atelier Olea
This is an example of a mediterranean rectangular pool in Grenoble.

Pool Fences

Peerless Fence

Design ideas for a transitional backyard rectangular infinity pool in Chicago.

Pool Pavilion

Gregory Thomas, Architect, AKBD, CG&S Design-Build

C-shaped pavilion has an outdoor kitchen at the left, a covered fire pit (with a custom copper hood) in the center, and a game area and bathroom on the right. Tapered slate columns match those at the front entry to the home.

English Tudor

Sims Luxury Builders

Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean backyard custom-shaped lap pool in Houston.

TREX COMPANY INC

Design ideas for a contemporary pool in DC Metro.

French Country House

HOBBS INC

Mark P. Finlay Architects, AIA Warren Jagger Photography
Design ideas for a traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in New York with a pool house and tile.

2017 ARDA Best In Show

AIBD - American Institute of Building Design

This home was designed with a clean, modern aesthetic that imposes a commanding view of its expansive riverside lot. The wide-span, open wing design provides a feeling of open movement and flow throughout the home. Interior design elements are tightly edited to their most elemental form. Simple yet daring lines simultaneously convey a sense of energy and tranquility. Super-matte, zero sheen finishes are punctuated by brightly polished stainless steel and are further contrasted by thoughtful use of natural textures and materials. The judges said “this home would be like living in a sculpture. It’s sleek and luxurious at the same time.” The award for Best In Show goes to RG Designs Inc. and K2 Design Group Designers: Richard Guzman with Jenny Provost From: Bonita Springs, Florida

Pool Builder Bucks County, PA

FS Landscaping Contractors, Inc.

Country pool in Philadelphia.

PISCINE CASTIGLIONE

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Bari with a pool house and decking.

Toll Brothers Verde River, Rio Verde

Toll Brothers, Inc.

CDC Designs and Josh Caldwell Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Phoenix with tile.

Tuscan Style Horse Farm in Santa Ysabel, CA

J. W. McCarter & Associates

Custom lap and soaking pool designed for party entertainment and swimming in this Southwestern Style home in San Diego, CA County.
Design ideas for a large backyard rectangular lap pool in San Diego with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

New England Stone Farmhouse in Los Angeles, CA

Ward Jewell Architect AIA

Ward Jewell, AIA was asked to design a comfortable one-story stone and wood pool house that was "barn-like" in keeping with the owner’s gentleman farmer concept. Thus, Mr. Jewell was inspired to create an elegant New England Stone Farm House designed to provide an exceptional environment for them to live, entertain, cook and swim in the large reflection lap pool. Mr. Jewell envisioned a dramatic vaulted great room with hand selected 200 year old reclaimed wood beams and 10 foot tall pocketing French doors that would connect the house to a pool, deck areas, loggia and lush garden spaces, thus bringing the outdoors in. A large cupola “lantern clerestory” in the main vaulted ceiling casts a natural warm light over the graceful room below. The rustic walk-in stone fireplace provides a central focal point for the inviting living room lounge. Important to the functionality of the pool house are a chef’s working farm kitchen with open cabinetry, free-standing stove and a soapstone topped central island with bar height seating. Grey washed barn doors glide open to reveal a vaulted and beamed quilting room with full bath and a vaulted and beamed library/guest room with full bath that bookend the main space. The private garden expanded and evolved over time. After purchasing two adjacent lots, the owners decided to redesign the garden and unify it by eliminating the tennis court, relocating the pool and building an inspired "barn". The concept behind the garden’s new design came from Thomas Jefferson’s home at Monticello with its wandering paths, orchards, and experimental vegetable garden. As a result this small organic farm, was born. Today the farm produces more than fifty varieties of vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers; many of which are rare and hard to find locally. The farm also grows a wide variety of fruits including plums, pluots, nectarines, apricots, apples, figs, peaches, guavas, avocados (Haas, Fuerte and Reed), olives, pomegranates, persimmons, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and ten different types of citrus. The remaining areas consist of drought-tolerant sweeps of rosemary, lavender, rockrose, and sage all of which attract butterflies and dueling hummingbirds. Photo Credit: Laura Hull Photography. Interior Design: Jeffrey Hitchcock. Landscape Design: Laurie Lewis Design. General Contractor: Martin Perry Premier General Contractors

Outdoor Living

Knauf-Koenig Group

This is an example of a backyard custom-shaped pool in Other.

Spanish Revival

Rollins Andrew Interiors

Poolhouse
Large mediterranean backyard rectangular lap pool in Los Angeles with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Gallery - Geometric Concrete Pools

Betz Pools Limited

The homeowners had a keen eye for design, so the designers at Betz got helpful suggestions and input throughout the process. The architecture and construction materials of the cabana match the home to provide a seamless overall look, while the mature evergreen plantings helped to lend privacy right from the start.

Contemporary Modern

Atlantis Pools & Spas, LLC

This is an example of a large contemporary pool in Atlanta.

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.

Essex Custom

Christiano Homes, Inc.

Tim Krueger
Country backyard rectangular pool in Orange County with a water feature and decking.