This was a remodel of the homeowners "florida room" - the roofline used to be much lower, and we had to raise the ceiling line to make it taller so that we could have as much of the door be glass and open space to see the great view. We put in travertine tiles in the Florida Room which was then carried out to the new patio, but the existing pool - previously, was much larger, however they were looking for something more along the lines of a "dipping pool" so we replaced the larger pool with a smaller pool with additional levels. The deck was extended and we planted new palm trees and new landscaping. We also incorporated water features alongside the pool to give the feel of a unique aquatic oasis.

Greenwood Lake Beautiful Planting

CLC Landscape Design

After photo of the pool waterfall.
Photo of a mid-sized beach style backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in New York with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Pergola- East Memphis

Robbins Construction

Design Works
Inspiration for a large traditional backyard pool in Other with a water feature and brick pavers.

Tropical Pool

Photo of a large tropical backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Dallas with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Silcott Meadow

SURROUNDS Landscape Architecture + Construction

Landscape Architect: Chad Talton
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in DC Metro with a water feature.

Indian Creek

Archiverde Landscape Architecture

Photo: Pool Environments (www.poolenvironments.com)
Photo of a mediterranean lap pool in Dallas with a water feature.

Great Waterfall Designs-Saddle River NJ–Swimming Pools NJ

Cipriano Landscape Design & Custom Swimming Pools

On the mountainous backdrop of this swimming pool, the custom waterfall design and grotto provides a peaceful retreat. The artificial rock formation accurately mimics one of nature’s unique wonders by providing a natural escape behind the privacy of a large waterfall. The concrete matches natural stone formations with meticulous placement, specific coloring, and purposeful cracks and crevices. Conveniently, the Saddle River NJ homeowners can swim into the grotto from the pool, or they can enter and exit through a rugged gap in the stone, leading directly to the cabana.

San Marino Island House

Robert Kaner Interior Design

Photo of a small tropical backyard rectangular lap pool in Miami with concrete pavers and a water feature.

Majestic Santa Barbara Stone Veneer Pool - Coronado Manufactured Stone Veneer

Coronado Stone Products

This amazing outdoor pool and patio oasis is adorned with Coronado Stone Products Santa Barbara stone veneer in the color Brookshire. This large stone veneer with a subtly chiseled texture adds the perfect accent to any secluded backyard hideaway. Santa Barbara is a large thin manufactured stone veneer that can be applied to most substrates. Create your own beautiful backyard oasis with products from Coronado Stone. Image courtesy of Toll Brothers. View more images at http://www.coronado.com

Farmview

User

Anthony Crusafulli
Design ideas for a contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in New York with a water feature.

Pools

yardscapes Inc.

David Kopfmann of Yardscapes, designed this natural concrete pool, using boulder outcroppings and a water feature at the end. He also created a sunning deck, for those days you just need to be in the water!

Rustic Urban Design Makes a Splash

Betz Pools Limited

The trio of custom-made scuppers not only lend a dramatic focal point but also deliver a practical benefit. The sounds of falling water have a calming effect while at the same time helping to block out neighbourhood noise.

SOLITUDE 4500 Model

Sonora West Development, Inc.

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

Backyard Pool

Amy Storm & Company

Design ideas for a large contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Chicago with a water feature.

Outdoor Living

Riverbend Sandler Pools

Photo of a contemporary pool in Dallas with a water feature.

Fire Creek

AquaTerra Outdoors

Inspiration for an eclectic backyard custom-shaped lap pool in Dallas with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Ligntness vs Darkness Transitional Gem in FlowerMound

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

The Lightness vs Darkness theme carries throughout this project including never used materials and details to create this transitional gem in FlowerMound, TX. The axis and cross axis have stunning water and fire feature elements in the asymmetrical design. The black precise stacked slate spillway provides sound and visual effects and contrasts with the fire line burner visible from everywhere inside. This draws you out to enjoy the pool, and a lot more. The pool offered great places to hang out with the tanning ledge and built in bar stools and lots of room for the game of volleyball. The cross axis from the master bedroom draws the eye across the pool, through the black all tile vanishing edge spa, splitting the dual cabanas, through the fire pit, to gaze on the "Dark Planet" starburst light. The cabanas were divided into entertainment and dining. The graphite air slate, from Spain, covered the entertainment floating center and the cooking counter. Ivory Travertine in a stack bond pattern accented the cabanas, porch, fire pit and key areas blending with the coping and some veneers. The cabana steel roof matched the front home entry roof and helps unify the existing home with the additions. Details were important down the lighted and tiled vanishing edge channel for the spa. This project is one to be enjoyed any day of the week but it really is the shiny star every night. Project designed by Mike Farley. Photos by Mike & Laura Farley.

Gibson Island Haven

Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Inc.

An overall design that feels spacious even with a big group, with a coherent flow between several small areas, from the grilling and food prep center to a dining table to the fire circle, made for hanging out and conversing, and finally to an area just made for serene times soaking up the sun, at the diving rock end of the pool.

Lap Pool | Houston, TX

Richard's Total Backyard Solutions

Hidden to the side of this gorgeous house which was remodeled after it got destroyed by Hurricane Harvey, is this peaceful and beautiful small lap pool with a raised ledger stone wall and Magic Bowls (no-fire water feature.)

North Dallas Modern Backyard

Randy Angell Designs

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

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.