Inspiration for a large traditional backyard custom-shaped pool in New York with a pool house.

Pool house with bathroom fireplace, full kitchen, and swimming pool.
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional backyard rectangular pool in Houston with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Franklin Park Pool

WINN Design+Build

Photo of a large transitional backyard rectangular pool in DC Metro with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Tuscan Style Outside Kitchen Living

Corinthian Fine Homes

These homeowners loved their outdoor space, complete with a pool and deck, but wanted to better utilize the space for entertaining with the full kitchen experience and amenities. This update was designed keeping the Tuscan architecture of their home in mind. We built a cabana with an Italian design, complete with a kegerator, icemaker, fridge, grill with custom hood and tile backsplash and full overlay custom cabinetry. A sink for meal prep and clean up enhanced the full kitchen function. A cathedral ceiling with stained bead board and ceiling fans make this space comfortable. Additionally, we built a screened in porch with stained bead board ceiling, ceiling fans, and custom trim including custom columns tying the exterior architecture to the interior. Limestone columns with brick pedestals, limestone pavers and a screened in porch with pergola and a pool bath finish the experience, with a new exterior space that is not only reminiscent of the original home but allows for modern amenities for this family to enjoy for years to come.

Coastal Virginia Idea House York Lane

Stephen Alexander Homes & Neighborhoods

Jonathan Edwards Media
Large modern backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Other with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

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.

Outdoor Kitchen & Entertainment

Sunfish Pools

Pool house with rock fireplace, outdoor bar and seating and outdoor kitchen.
Photo of a large traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in Dallas with tile and a pool house.

Large Contemporary Pool & Spacious Cabana with Fireplace

Thrasher Pool and Spa

This is an example of a large contemporary rectangular pool in Atlanta with tile and a pool house.

Carlisle Pool Enclosure

Sunspace Design, Inc.

Although less common than projects from our other product lines, a Sunspace Design pool enclosure is one of the most visually impressive products we offer. This custom pool enclosure was constructed on a beautiful four acre parcel in Carlisle, Massachusetts. It is the third major project Sunspace Design has designed and constructed on this property. We had previously designed and built an orangery as a dining area off the kitchen in the main house. Our use of a mahogany wood frame and insulated glass ceiling became a focal point and ultimately a beloved space for the owners and their children to enjoy. This positive experience led to an ongoing relationship with Sunspace. We were called in some years later as the clients were considering building an indoor swimming pool on their property. They wanted to include wood and glass in the ceiling in the same fashion as the orangery we had completed for them years earlier. Working closely with the clients, their structural engineer, and their mechanical engineer, we developed the elevations and glass roof system, steel superstructure, and a very sophisticated environment control system to properly heat, cool, and regulate humidity within the enclosure. Further enhancements included a full bath, laundry area, and a sitting area adjacent to the pool complete with a fireplace and wall-mounted television. The magnificent interior finishes included a bluestone floor. We were especially happy to deliver this project to the client, and we believe that many years of enjoyment will be had by their friends and family in this new space.

Saltwater Inground Pool and Outdoor Kitchen

MARK IV Builders, Inc

MARK IV Builders removed a small gazebo and built a new entertainment space adjacent to this Bethesda inground pool. The new outdoor kitchen includes covered seating with an outside television. Flagstone lines the floor in the kitchen and on the patio. The pool deck is travertine. The pergola includes pendant lighting and a firepit.

Indoor Pool with retracting skylight in Chicago

Benvenuti and Stein

Chicago Lakeview home remodel includes an indoor pool with retracting skylight and open to four seasons room. Need help with your home transformation? Call Benvenuti and Stein design build for full service solutions. 847.866.6868. Norman Sizemore-Photographer

Cowan Heights 1

Stratos Form

Design ideas for a mid-sized country backyard rectangular pool in Orange County with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Entertaining Oasis

Eisler Landscapes

This grilling island is a grill master's dream with a mini refrigerator, storage cabinets, plenty of counterspace, and a bar to keep diners close to the action but out of the grill master's way.

North Ocean Custom

Marc Julien Homes

Situated on a three-acre Intracoastal lot with 350 feet of seawall, North Ocean Boulevard is a 9,550 square-foot luxury compound with six bedrooms, six full baths, formal living and dining rooms, gourmet kitchen, great room, library, home gym, covered loggia, summer kitchen, 75-foot lap pool, tennis court and a six-car garage. A gabled portico entry leads to the core of the home, which was the only portion of the original home, while the living and private areas were all new construction. Coffered ceilings, Carrera marble and Jerusalem Gold limestone contribute a decided elegance throughout, while sweeping water views are appreciated from virtually all areas of the home. The light-filled living room features one of two original fireplaces in the home which were refurbished and converted to natural gas. The West hallway travels to the dining room, library and home office, opening up to the family room, chef’s kitchen and breakfast area. This great room portrays polished Brazilian cherry hardwood floors and 10-foot French doors. The East wing contains the guest bedrooms and master suite which features a marble spa bathroom with a vast dual-steamer walk-in shower and pedestal tub The estate boasts a 75-foot lap pool which runs parallel to the Intracoastal and a cabana with summer kitchen and fireplace. A covered loggia is an alfresco entertaining space with architectural columns framing the waterfront vistas.

Franklin Park Pool

WINN Design+Build

Large backyard rectangular pool in DC Metro with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Private Estate

Sacha Jacq Interiors LLC

This is an example of a large country backyard rectangular pool in Boston with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Pool House with Accordion Doors

Kimmel Studio Architects

Inspiration for an expansive transitional backyard pool in Baltimore with a pool house.

Royal Oak Renovation

Wiedemann Architects LLC

View of interior of pool house with french doors open. © REAL-ARCH-MEDIA
Inspiration for a large country side yard rectangular pool in DC Metro with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Sunset Residence

Hoke Ley

Blake Worthington, Rebecca Duke
Design ideas for an expansive contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Los Angeles with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Steeplechase Landscape and Pool

Spayd's Landscape and Design

Inspiration for a large transitional backyard rectangular lap pool in Philadelphia with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Pool Design Ideas with a Pool House

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.