We were asked to create a retreat for his family to relax in and enjoy year round. We did this by maximizing his lawn area, creating multiple sitting areas, adding a custom water wall and utilizing a relaxing play of plants to create the ambience he was looking for.

Chapel Hill pool, landscape

Down to Earth Designs, Inc.

Chapel Hill, NC custom concrete pool with infinity edge and waterfall. Landscape design and build. © 2012 Ben Case, Down to Earth Designs, Inc.
Mid-sized traditional custom-shaped infinity pool in Raleigh with stamped concrete.

Country Backyard

Taylor's Backyard Center

Custom rock work give this portable spa a unique look and keeps the design scheme consistent throughout the backyard. www.carsonartacphoto.com
Small country backyard pool in Seattle with a hot tub and stamped concrete.

Infinity Edge Elements - Whitpain, PA

Armond Aquatech Pools

Inspiration for a small traditional courtyard rectangular infinity pool in Philadelphia with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

French Gray with blue quartz

Vue Custom Pools

Custom plaster blend of gray plaster and blue quartz flake creates a beautiful aqua blue serine color water. A hue of blue with a distinguished look.

Gib - San Pools Ltd.

User

Gib-San Pools Ltd. Toronto
This is an example of a small contemporary backyard round pool in Toronto with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Madison Cabin

J Steven Kemp Architect

This is an example of a mid-sized country backyard rectangular pool in Atlanta with natural stone pavers and a hot tub.

niguel west mid-century modern

Moss Yaw Design studio

A small pool and spa at the rear yard are a feature at the spacious and private rear yard, framed by the natural coastal hillside landscape
Mid-sized midcentury front yard rectangular pool in Orange County with a hot tub and concrete slab.

Spray-Coat Resurfacing

CustomCrete, Inc.

Spray-Coat Resurfacing
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard custom-shaped natural pool in St Louis with stamped concrete.

Cool Pool in a Small Space - "I want a BIG pool!"

Tod Brown with Florida Aquatics Custom Pools

large pool in a small space
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional pool in Orlando.

Pool 9548, Infinity Pool, Hampton

Neptune Swimming Pools

The client's came to us wanting a design that was going to open up their small backyard and give them somewhere for their family to enjoy and entertain for many years to come. This project presented many technical challenges due to the levels required to comply with various building regulations. Clever adaptations such privacy screens, floating deck entry and hidden pool gate behind the raised feature wall were all design elements that make this project more suitable to the smaller area. The main design feature that was a key to the functionality of this pool was the raised infinity edge, with the pool wall designed to comply with current pool barrier standards. With no pool fence between the pool and house the space appears more open with the noise of the water falling over the edge into a carefully concealed balance tank adding a very tranquil ambience to the outdoor area. With the accompanying fire pit and sitting area, this space not only looks amazing but is functional all year round and the low maintenance fully automated pool cleaning system provides easy operation and maintenance.

Poolscapes & Patio's

Creative Design Landscaping

Photo of a mid-sized backyard pool in New York with natural stone pavers.

St. Andrews

Newton Landscape Group

Mid-sized traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in New Orleans with a hot tub and brick pavers.

Rooney House - San Diego, CA

Asquared Studios Inc.

Photography: Pierce Harrison
Mid-sized mediterranean backyard rectangular lap pool in San Diego with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Brantuk Project : Western Outdoor Designs

Western Outdoor Designs

Western Pavers, Inc. has been in business for over twenty years. Western Pavers is the Pioneer of all local paver companies in Southern California. Western Pavers has been transforming customers' visions into a reality for decades. We pride ourselves in providing our customers with 100% satisfaction and creating beautiful outdoor living spaces. Western Pavers can provide beautiful designs and take you from conceptual to the completion of your outdoor living project. We are Western Outdoor Designs’ paver specialist department.

Edison Ave. June '15

Landscape-Fusion

A very small South Tampa backyard (typical) turned into a very usable space. Approx. 265 sq. ft. this small pool or spool (spa pool) has everything one needs to enjoy outdoor living life. Offset to one side of the yard, it allows for max use of the space. The approx. 330 sq. ft. french pattern silver travertine pool deck and straight edge pool coping gives this backyard a clean, simple, modern feel. With the soft zoyisa grass expanding almost to pool edges it gives the small space a vast, clean feel. The sunshelf in the pool adds a place of pause before entering the pool which has a max depth of 6 feet. No matter what time of year the spool is equiped with a pool heater that will have this oasis to 87 plus degrees within several hrs or less. Landscape Fusion

Fiberglass Pool

Paradise Aquatics Llc

Fiberglass pool - rectangle shape
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard rectangular pool in Other.

Pebble Sheen

Ocean Blue Pools

Pebble Sheen Desert Gold
This is an example of a small contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Houston with a hot tub and stamped concrete.

Roman/Geometric Pool with Spa & Water Features Including Sun Shelf in Boynton Be

Van Kirk & Sons Pools and Spas

For those that lean towards a more classic, upscale pool design, Van Kirk & Sons offers our Roman or Geometric style pools. The overarching elegance and practicality of this timeless style makes it the perfect choice for a customer looking for a pool that is more symmetrical in form.

Yorkville, IL Freeform Swimming Pool and Hot Tub with Concrete Slide

Platinum Poolcare

Request Free Quote This inground freeform swimming pool in Yorkville, IL measures approximately 1040 square feet with a sunshelf that measures approximately 4'0"" x 6'0". Bubblers on the sunshelf and spillover features on the hot tub complement the outcropping slide feature. The coping is Indiana Limestone. The hot tub is approximately 6'0" x 14'0". This pool also features a swim-resistance system. Photography by Larry Huene

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.