Dennis Mayer Photographer
Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean backyard rectangular lap pool in San Francisco with concrete pavers.

Urban Oasis Backyard

Kelley Design Group

Black and white home exterior with a plunge pool in the backyard.
Photo of a country backyard rectangular pool in Austin with concrete pavers.

1209 Harbor Drive | delray Beach, Florida

Judi Lukens & Kim Lekas

Pool
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern backyard rectangular natural pool in Other with concrete pavers.

Traditional Pool

This is an example of a large traditional backyard custom-shaped pool in Nashville with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Franklin Park Pool

WINN Design+Build

Inspiration for a large backyard rectangular pool in DC Metro with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Palisades Traditional

Burdge & Associates Architects

Burdge Architects Palisades Traditional Home
This is an example of a mid-sized beach style backyard rectangular lap pool in Los Angeles with concrete pavers.

Wadsworth, IL Swimming Pool and Hot Tub

Platinum Poolcare

Request Free Quote This pool, measuring 20'0" x 45'0" is right in the middle of Horse country. The separate, raised 8'0" hot tub gives the bathers a great vantage point from which to watch the Equestrian activities. Pool and Spa coping is Valder's Wisconsin Limestone. The pool has an automatic safety cover with custom stone walk-on lid system. The pool finish is Exposed Aggregate. Photos by Linda Oyama Bryan

Woodvale Rd

Sophea Interior Designs

A rare and secluded paradise, the Woodvale Estate is a true modern masterpiece perfect to impress even the most discerning of clientele. At the pinnacle of luxury, this one-of-a-kind new construction features all the modern amenities that one could ever dream of. Situated on an expansive and lush over 35,000 square foot lot with truly unparalleled privacy, this modern estate boasts over 21,000 square feet of meticulously crafted and designer done living space. Behind the hedged, walled, and gated entry find a large motor court leading into the jaw-dropping entryway to this majestic modern marvel. Superlative features include chef's prep kitchen, home theater, professional gym, full spa, hair salon, elevator, temperature-controlled wine storage, 14 car garage that doubles as an event space, outdoor basketball court, and fabulous detached two-story guesthouse. The primary bedroom suite offers a perfectly picturesque escape complete with massive dual walk-in closets, dual spa-like baths, massive outdoor patio, romantic fireplace, and separate private balcony with hot tub. With a truly optimal layout for enjoying the best modern amenities and embracing the California lifestyle, the open floor plan provides spacious living, dining, and family rooms and open entertainer's kitchen with large chef's island, breakfast bar, state-of-the-art appliances, and motorized sliding glass doors for the ultimate enjoyment with ease, class, and sophistication. Enjoy every conceivable amenity and luxury afforded in this truly magnificent and awe-inspiring property that simply put, stands in a class all its own.

Private Waterfront Accessory Structures on the Chester River

Purple Cherry Architects

Located adjacent to the pool’s sun shelf, the pool house includes a large covered area with bar, lounge, dining, grilling, and pizza making areas, a ping pong deck, a changing room/laundry space, and a full bathroom. Sliding barn doors on each side allow the interior spaces to be fully open to the outside or enclosed for protection from the elements. The large windowed cupola floods natural light into the interior core of the curved ceiling structure.⁠⁠

Masterfully Designed Outdoor Living Space in Arcadia

Unique Landscapes and Custom Pools

The existing covered patio provides another outdoor room for relaxing and entertaining. This view could easily be mistaken for a high-end resort in Santa Barbara.

Southern California Inspired Poolhouse

Allison Ong Shreffler, Architect / AOS Architect

A So-CAL inspired Pool Pavilion Oasis in Central PA
Large transitional backyard rectangular lap pool in Other with a pool house and concrete pavers.

arcs entrelacés

Bianchi Design

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard pool in Phoenix with concrete pavers.

Shaker Heights

9th Avenue Designs

Photo by Scott Pease
This is an example of a traditional backyard rectangular pool in Cleveland with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Paradise Preserve | Atlantic Beach Contemporary Backyard

Cascade Outdoor Design

This compact space allows for a lot of outdoor living options, without feeling too cramped. The homeowners really wanted a pool and spa, but didn't believe their yard was big enough. Not only did they get both by incorporating a spool, they also have plenty of room for seating and dining, lush landscaping, and a lawn where their child and dogs can play! Photo by Craig O'Neal

Vinyl pool with Waterfall, Landscape Lighting and Landscaping

Neave Group Outdoor Solutions

Whitewater Imagery
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard custom-shaped pool in New York with a water feature and concrete pavers.

My Projects

H2O Pools & Custom Design LLC

Small transitional backyard l-shaped lap pool in Other with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Timberline Pool and Outdoor Entertainment

Spayd's Landscape and Design

Large contemporary backyard kidney-shaped pool in Philadelphia with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Timeless Balance: Patio, Gazebo, Pergola, Outdoor Kitchen, and a Putting Green

GARY DUFF DESIGNS,LTD

This hot tub is part of a backyard space that offers plenty of sunny and shaded areas with a cabana, a pergola, and plantings. Family and guests will find a thoughtfully located outdoor kitchen with visibility to all the outdoor entertaining. Near the swimming pool, is a built-in spa on the opposite side of the cabana - which contains foldaway glass doors for easy access. The golf enthusiasts will find themselves on the putting green tucked away in the corner of the property. Throughout the spaces, Unilock Brussels block, Cumberland brown, and a larger veneer stone was used to tie together the beiges on the house. Final pops of colors come from the plantings.

1600 Galaxy

Old Bones Co.

Design ideas for a midcentury backyard kidney-shaped pool in Orange County with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

West Juniper Modern

Treeline Homes, Inc.

Inspiration for a country courtyard rectangular pool in Denver with concrete pavers.

Pool Design Ideas with Concrete 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.