Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Dallas with a water feature and tile.

Riverdale, NJ

Everclear Pools & Spas

Traditional backyard kidney-shaped pool in New York with a water feature.

Montecito

Tracy Lynn Studio

Photography: Ryan Garvin
This is an example of a midcentury courtyard rectangular lap pool in Phoenix with stamped concrete and a water feature.

Contemporary and Infinity Pools

Ultimate Water Creations Inc.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Los Angeles with a water feature and tile.

Formaler Stadtgarten

Daldrup Gärtner von Eden

Small contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Other with a water feature and concrete slab.

Arbogast Custom Homes Belvedere Clean Line Soft Contemporary

Arbogast Custom Homes

This is an example of a contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Austin with a water feature.

Traditional Style Outdoor Living Space

Pristine Acres

This is an example of a traditional backyard rectangular pool in Richmond with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Twin Lakes

Canin Associates' Architecture Studio

Jeremy Flowers Photography
Design ideas for a small transitional backyard rectangular pool in Orlando with a water feature and tile.

The Art of Fountain Hills

Hydroscapes LLC

Removed existing pool to make way for new pool and outdoor living area. Worked in conjunction with Kathy Mouallem, Artful Design. Client wanted areas for relaxation and to give it a resort feel for their friends/families and many visitors.

Straight Line Pools

Big Daddy Construction and Design

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional backyard custom-shaped lap pool in Phoenix with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Pools & Spas

Cording Landscape Design

Organic-shaped pool with a beach entry and in-pool granite table & bench! Bluestone coping and quartzite pool patio.
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard custom-shaped pool in New York with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Transitional Farmhouse

J. Montgomery Designs, Inc.

This welcoming and unique property is adjacent to the Diablo Country Club golf course, nestled at the foot of Mt. Diablo. The grounds needed updating to compliment the home's transitional farmhouse-style remodel. We designed a new pavilion for a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience. The pavilion houses a cozy kitchen & grill, sleek bar, TV, ceiling fan, heaters, wall speakers, and inviting dining area. A pergola and trellis flank the modernized swimming pool and spa, the larger pergola featuring a square fire pit. To the expansive lawn we added two natural stone patios, clean gravel and stone pathways, retaining walls and fresh plantings.

West Lake Hills Infinity Edge Pool & Decks (Ipe, Cable Railing)

TimberTown

An infinity edge pool with imported tile and a waterfall. The decks are Ipe. Built by Greg Neff of CGN Premier Lonestar
Photo of a large modern courtyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Austin with a water feature and decking.

Rosamond

Water's Edge Outdoor Living

© Javier Guillen Photo
Inspiration for a small contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Houston with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Modest Urban Plunge

Water's Edge Outdoor Living

© Javier Guillen Photo
Small contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Houston with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Masters of Design 2017 Award Winner

Red Rock Pools and Spas and Red Rock Contractors

Amazing Contemporary Home in Scottsdale AZ. Impressive lautner Edge and Negative Edge Entry feature and Gravity Defying, Acrylic Panel Walled, All Bisazza Glass tile Roof top pool and spa is an example of engineering excellence Photo Credit Michael Duerinckx of INCKX Photography

Weightman new in raised spool.

JSQ IMPROVEMENTS

James Queen
Photo of a small traditional backyard rectangular pool in Orange County with a water feature and brick pavers.

Residence - Wesley Heights, DC

Horn & Co. (Previously JHLA)

A long, narrow swimming pool fits into the otherwise slim side yard. Bronze spouts, fabricated by a west coast artist, allow the pool to function as a decorative water feature.

Raised Vanishing Edge Pool

Splash Pools & Construction

Located at the Toll Brothers Model Homes the Enclave at Yorba Linda. Toll Brothers envisioned a raised overflow pool with glass walls, allowing guests to see underwater from the outside. Extensive care was taken during the difficult design and build process to ensure that excellence was achieved and Toll Brothers was completely enamored with the results. This pool features a very modern look with straight, clean lines, square columns and LED lights accenting the acrylic pool walls. The bar area touts an acrylic wall and in-pool bar stools, while the tile inside the pool matches the house, bringing continuity to the entire space. An extreme amount of coordination was required for the 2.5 inch thick pieces of acrylic to fit perfectly within the slots on the columns while still maintaining the structural integrity of the pool. We were in continual communication with the structural engineer and acrylic manufacturer, ensuring that each piece fit perfectly. The completed acrylic walls were then craned over the house due to their weight. With a vanishing edge on the front three sections and a negative edge along the back, it was absolutely imperative that the pool was perfectly level and that the water filtration system operated perfectly so that the flow was even over each wall. The water cascading over the front walls collects in a trough that ties into to the rear negative edge basin, where it recirculates back into the pool. The rear negative edge was designed so as not to distract from the breathtaking view of the valley below, while the lounging deck overhangs the pool with a freestanding cover ensuring that the view is completely unobstructed. An elegant piece of artwork frames the back of the pool, completing the look for this intriguing swimming pool.

Boulder Waterfall Pool

Blue Haven Pools & Spas By Calvitti

This pool project in Titusville, NJ features a Natural boulder waterfall with other boulders built into the coping and a diving stone. These natural boulders blend in nicely with the natural surrounding forest. To contrast the natural boulders, there is a paver sitting wall and paver fire pit alongside the pool. The pool also features a cozy corner and blue tiling to accent the natural boulders and surrounding forest.

Pool Design Ideas with a Water 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.