Pool and outdoor living
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in Tampa with concrete pavers.

South Baton Rouge

EcoRegions

What a striking home! This home in South Baton Rouge was designed by Cockfield-Jackson and the clients wanted a complete landscape design that would accompany the architecture of this A. Hays Town inspired home. Featured in this design are a substantial entertainment area in the rear, complete with an outdoor kitchen (built by Joffrion Construction) expansive pool with water feature wall, and a bluestone courtyard. Additionally, this home features a quaint side yard complete with brick steps leading to a bluestone courtyard with an antique sugar kettle fountain. The clients also needed options for guests to park. A circular driveway in the front provided a grand entrance, as well as ample parking for plenty of guests.

Outdoor Living at its Best - Westfield, NJ

User

What a great outdoor space right in your own backyard. This expansive pavilion has a kitchen and an area for seating. No need to go back indoors when you want a cold drink or are hosting a party. It provides plenty of shade and has open pergola boards on the right side for some interesting shadow patterns. Photo Credit: D. Villane

Tarrytown Hillside

Clint Small Custom Homes

This is an example of a transitional backyard l-shaped pool in Austin with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Dallas Natural Freeform Oasis

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

This is a beautiful natural freeform pool and spa receltly on HGTV located in Dallas, TX. The big thing about this project that was unique was the trees. We were required to save all the trees. There are a lot of areas where the paving is not mortared together to allow moisture and air through to help the trees. There is a 6' elevation change that helps incorporate the boulders and waterfall into the hillside for a more natural look. There was an existing green house that was removed and the existing garage was turned it into a cabana/pool house with a covered area to relax in with furniture by the deep end of the pool. There is a big deep end for lots of activity along with a nice size shallow end for water sports, including basketball. The clients' wish list included a cave, slide, and waterfalls along with a firepit. The cave can comfortably sit 6 people and is cool in the hot Texas weather. We used pockets of plants around to soften things and break up all the rock to create a more natural look with the overall setting. A bridge was built between the pool and the spa to look like an illusion that the water is running from the pool down into the spa. 2013 APSP Region3 Bronze Award - Designed by Mike Farley. FarleyPoolDesigns.com

Holmes Residence

Utah Landscaping

Transitional backyard rectangular pool in Salt Lake City with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Bonita Springs Beach House

design styles architecture

Situated on a double-lot of beach front property, this 5600 SF home is a beautiful example of seaside architectural detailing and luxury. The home is actually more than 15,000 SF when including all of the outdoor spaces and balconies. Spread across its 4 levels are 5 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, his and her office, gym, living, dining, & family rooms. It is all topped off with a large deck with wet bar on the top floor for watching the sunsets. It also includes garage space for 6 vehicles, a beach access garage for water sports equipment, and over 1000 SF of additional storage space. The home is equipped with integrated smart-home technology to control lighting, air conditioning, security systems, entertainment and multimedia, and is backed up by a whole house generator.

Southlake Modern

Randy Angell Designs

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard rectangular pool in Dallas with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Lake Forest, IL Swimming Pool With Full Steps and Raised Spa With Sheer Descent

Platinum Poolcare

Request Free Quote This swimming pool and hot tub located in Lake Forest, IL measures 20'0" x 40'0" and is 3'6" to 9'0" deep with a diving board. The shallow end features full end steps with attached benches. Both pool and spa have an automatic pool safety cover with custom stone walk-on lid system. The pool surface is French Gray. The pool coping is Sandblasted Bluestone with a modified edge. The spa exterior is clad with brick, and the decking is full range bluestone. Photos by Larry Huene

Connecticut Home

William Briggs Studio

Design ideas for a tropical backyard custom-shaped pool in New York with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Birmingham Poolhouse

Phoebe Howard

Photo of a large traditional backyard rectangular pool in Birmingham with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Custom South Tampa Home 2937

Blake Building

Casual and beachy courtyard, with natural materials and pavers. Ceilings are wood beadboard, stained. Fastpix, LLC
Inspiration for a small beach style courtyard rectangular lap pool in Tampa with concrete pavers and a pool house.

Luxury Traditional Home

Campagna Homes

Photo of a large mediterranean backyard kidney-shaped natural pool in Tampa with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Trilogy Spas

DesRochers Backyard Pools, Inc.

This is an example of a large transitional backyard rectangular pool in Chicago with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Tiki Bar Pool Plus

Blue Haven Pools & Spas By Calvitti

This Doylestown, PA pool has a unique Tiki Bar. In addition it has all the water features an in ground pool can have, a huge paver patio pool deck, a fire feature, and to top it all off a low voltage lighting system that really brings the party to life at night. Lets not forget the pool house, and matching paver stone driveway entrance. This outdoor living space has it all and then some. A very impressive space. The water features include a raised heated spa, a large sun-shelf, a cozy corner, a boulder waterfall, water jet streams, and colored led night lights. The fire feature includes a natural boulder fire pit which is both elemental and essential to make this space a well rounded outdoor experience. A unique feature is the Tiki bar hut which just makes such a cool element for entertaining guests during parties. Lastly, a convenient pool house makes this place stand out as an awesome pool project.

Small Yard Pool | West Hollywood

Intex Design and Construction

Inspiration for a small modern backyard rectangular pool in Los Angeles with concrete pavers.

Transitional Pool

Photo of a large transitional backyard rectangular lap pool in San Francisco with natural stone pavers and a pool house.

Winding Fence Way

Promise Path Landscaping Inc

rectangle pool with spa. pavers on pool decking. Drought tolerant plant material.
Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean backyard rectangular pool in San Diego with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Our Work

Weaver's Pools & Spas

Large traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in Other with natural stone pavers.

French Classical House in Dallas, TX

Richard Drummond Davis Architects

This is an example of a large traditional courtyard rectangular lap pool in Dallas with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Pool Design Ideas with Concrete Pavers and Natural Stone Pavers

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.