Photo of a traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in New York with a water feature.

Classic Hamptons

Urban Design Solutions

Inspiration for a transitional backyard rectangular natural pool in Brisbane with a water feature and decking.

Cocktail Pool- Cypress, TX

Richard's Total Backyard Solutions

Beautiful resort-like cocktail pool with a cocktail table. Includes three water features and glass tile. Custom outdoor kitchen with a Big Green Egg and a cozy covered seating area.

Swim Spas

hydropoolswimspas

Inspiration for a mid-sized backyard pool in Toronto with a water feature and decking.

Naples Beach Coastal Retreat Pool Deck

41 West

View of Covered Patio, grass sun deck, and pool from kitchen: 41 West Coastal Retreat Series reveals creative, fresh ideas, for a new look to define the casual beach lifestyle of Naples. More than a dozen custom variations and sizes are available to be built on your lot. From this spacious 3,000 square foot, 3 bedroom model, to larger 4 and 5 bedroom versions ranging from 3,500 - 10,000 square feet, including guest house options.

Stratford Residence

AquaTerra Outdoors

This pool and spa is built in an affluent neighborhood with many new homes that are traditional in design but have modern, clean details. Similar to the homes, this pool takes a traditional pool and gives it a clean, modern twist. The site proved to be perfect for a long lap pool that the client desired with plenty of room for a separate spa. The two bodies of water, though separate, are visually linked together by a custom limestone raised water feature wall with 10 custom Bobe water scuppers. Quality workmanship as required throughout the entire build to ensure the automatic pool cover would remain square the entire 50 foot length of the pool. Features of this pool and environment that enhance the aesthetic appeal of this project include: -Glass waterline tile -Glass seat and bench tile -Glass tile swim lane marking on pool floor -Custom limestone coping and deck -PebbleTec pool finish -Synthetic Turf Lawn This outdoor environment cohesively brings the clean & modern finishes of the home seamlessly to the outdoors to a pool and spa for play, exercise and relaxation. Photography: Daniel Driensky

Pool | Southern Highlands | 03106 by Pinnacle Architectural Studio

Pinnacle Architectural Studio

Designed by Pinnacle Architectural Studio
Design ideas for an expansive traditional front yard round lap pool in Las Vegas with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

More Outdoor Fun!

Lawanna Wood Designs

Bringing the Indoors out!
Design ideas for a large mediterranean custom-shaped pool in Dallas with natural stone pavers and a water feature.

SOLITUDE 4500 Model

Sonora West Development, Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized backyard rectangular infinity pool in Phoenix with a water feature and tile.

Modern infinity pool with view of the golf course

Michelle Drake, Designer, Puryear Custom Pools

This is an example of a large midcentury backyard rectangular infinity pool in Dallas with with privacy feature and stamped concrete.

The Colony, TX - Modern Linear Pool and Fire Pit

Randy Angell Designs

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard custom-shaped pool in Dallas with a water feature.

Dallas Small Modern Pool, Flush Spa with Safety Fence

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

Dallas small yard - beautiful modern pool project with outdoor living and a putting green designed by Mike Farley. Pool is surrounded by a safety fence. FarleyPoolDesigns.com

GILLON

DDLA Design Landscape Architecture

This new residence was completed in 2019 features a modern style, luxury pool & spa along with an inviting outdoor living area. The front walk is enhanced by specimen globe boxwoods and lush landscaping along with a front porch seating area. The rear patio is covered by a louvered shade structure over an inviting outdoor living, kitchen and dining area. The pool and spa feature a modern look and fountain feature wall. The rear lawn is open to provide a play area for the kids and pets along with a generous driveway that allows for pickle ball and basketball.

Kelli small pool build

JSQ IMPROVEMENTS

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard custom-shaped pool in Orange County with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Best of Summer 2018

Charleston Home + Design Mag

This is an example of a beach style backyard custom-shaped aboveground pool in Charleston with a water feature and tile.

New Construction Landscaping

Visionscapes Land Design, Inc.

The synthetic turf was laid down to keep debris and maintenance to a minimum around the pool. The homeowner wanted a variety of textures and colors to bring their backyard together.

Azure | Paradise Valley | Residence One

Shea Homes - Arizona

Christopher Mayer
Photo of a contemporary backyard custom-shaped pool in Phoenix with a water feature and decking.

Camino Real Residence

April Balliette

Photographer: Ryan Gamma
Inspiration for a small modern backyard custom-shaped lap pool in Tampa with a water feature and concrete slab.

Sofronas Residence

Altera Landscape

Landscape Design: AMS Landscape Design Studios, Inc. / Photography: Jeri Koegel
Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Orange County with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Sonoma Craftsman

Wade Design Architects

Design ideas for a contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in San Francisco with a water feature.

Pool Design Ideas with a Water Feature and with Privacy Feature

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.