Located on a large farm in southern Wisconsin, this family retreat focuses on the creation of large entertainment spaces for family gatherings. The main volume of the house is comprised of one space, combining the kitchen, dining, living area and custom bar. All spaces can be enjoyed within a new custom timber frame, reminiscent of local agrarian structures. In the rear of the house, a full size ice rink is situated under an open-air steel structure for full enjoyment throughout the long Wisconsin winter. A large pool terrace and game room round out the entertain spaces of the home. Photography by Reagen Taylor

PISCINE CASTIGLIONE

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Bari with a pool house and decking.

Essex Custom

Christiano Homes, Inc.

Tim Krueger
Country backyard rectangular pool in Orange County with a water feature and decking.

Bundaroo St

Vantage Windows & Doors

Photography: Tom Ferguson
Design ideas for a contemporary courtyard custom-shaped pool in Sydney with decking.

Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs

User

Photo of a small tropical backyard rectangular aboveground pool in Tampa with a hot tub and decking.

Southlake Modern

Randy Angell Designs

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Dallas with a water feature and decking.

Jefferson Residential Project

Emeritus

Architecture by Emeritus | Interiors by Audrey Sterk Design | Photos by Tom G. Olcott
Inspiration for a beach style backyard rectangular pool in Other with decking.

WR House

RENATA MATOS . ARCHITECTURE & BUSINESS

Camilla Bandeira
Inspiration for a tropical backyard rectangular infinity pool in Other with a water feature and decking.

V. - VANNES

Archiconcept

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Rennes with decking.

decks with pools.

Hickory Dickory Decks

Inspiration for a large mediterranean backyard custom-shaped pool in Toronto with decking.

JACUZZI

Oregon Hot Tub

Design ideas for a mid-sized tropical backyard rectangular aboveground pool in Portland with a hot tub and decking.

Pool Slides

Richard's Total Backyard Solutions

Ken Bullock
This is an example of a mid-sized modern backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Houston with a water slide and decking.

Ventana de la Montaña

Raymond Jungles, Inc.

FFF House

Frassinago

Giovanni De Sandre
Contemporary rectangular pool in Bologna with decking.

Extension contemporain avec Piscine

Bati Mailan France

Mid-sized contemporary indoor rectangular pool in Paris with decking.

C'est laVie Vila

Fast Forward Unlimited

Inspiration for a contemporary backyard custom-shaped pool in New York with decking.

Rouse Hill - Plunge pool

Crystal Pools

This classic plunge pool with spa is designed to take advantage of a small space and stylistically enhance a contemporary home. The result is a fine example of clean lines and symmetrical visual appeal. The use of Merbau timber decking and narrow honed Himalayan sandstone surrounds create a fresh and welcoming space. The pool features blue glass mosaic waterline and step tread tiles, beautiful navy blue pebbled lining and a small spill-over mouth with sandstone coping. The spa component is a reliable and straightforward set-up, with blower and spa jets delivering perfect relaxation at the touch of a button. There is also a deep and shallow end to the pool, a sandstone skimmer box lid and integrated gas heating for both the swimming pool and spa.

Sedona Vanishing Edge Glass Tile Pool Spa

Hydroscapes LLC

Scott Sandler
This is an example of a mid-sized modern backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Phoenix with a water feature and decking.

Cottesloe Renovation

D-Max Photography

Joel Barbitta D-Max Photography
Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Perth with decking.

California Spa Retreat from a No-Tell Motel Pool

Michael Norpell's Wall To Wall

Using the existing shell, we were able to transform the look and feel of the pool and its surroundings. Poured concrete, Trex decks, planters, and a fly-over bridge create an engaging space with intentional poolside social areas. Linda Oyama Bryan Photography

Pool Design Ideas with Decking

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.