Spencer Lowell
Photo of a country front yard rectangular pool in Los Angeles with gravel.

This is an example of a mid-sized tropical backyard rectangular infinity pool in Orlando with a water feature and gravel.

Landscape Lighting

BEGA North America

BEGA's bollard luminaire used to illuminate poolside decking and gravel side yard.
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern backyard custom-shaped natural pool in San Luis Obispo with gravel and a water feature.

Woodcliff Lake Pool and Patio

CLC Landscape Design

This backyard offers a lot! There is a swimming pool with slide, grotto, and spa. Also, there is a patio, fireplace, and outdoor kitchen.
Inspiration for a large traditional backyard custom-shaped lap pool in New York with a water slide and gravel.

Back Yard Landscape

Tri County Landscape

Backyard landscape with tropical plants.
Inspiration for a mid-sized tropical backyard pool in Tampa with gravel.

Privatgarten Ahaus

JOSEF PÖTTER GmbH

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard round natural pool in Other with gravel.

Exterior Landscaping & Lighting

C&L Landscape Lighting

Backyard/ Landscape Lighting Installation: Installed Staircase lighting in backyard to lead up to patio/lounge area overlooking pool. Lighting installed in pool also.

Lighthouse Completed

Hobbs' Ink, LLC

Backyard with lake view
Mid-sized eclectic backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Austin with a water slide and gravel.

Outdoor Pool

Remcon Design Build

This is an example of a large mediterranean backyard rectangular lap pool in San Diego with a water feature and gravel.

Arwoods backyard pool area

Garden Of Eden Landscaping Services

When planting, look for more than blooms.
This is an example of a mid-sized backyard aboveground pool in Columbus with gravel.

Spa's

Wind River Spas

Mid-sized traditional backyard pool in Denver with a hot tub and gravel.

Atkinson

California Pools & Landscape

This is an example of a custom-shaped pool in Phoenix with gravel.

Laura's Barn

Hobbs' Ink, LLC

outside living with sunset
Design ideas for a mid-sized eclectic backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Austin with a pool house and gravel.

Plant Filter Bog in Natural Swimming Pool

Genus Loci Ecological Landscapes Inc.

Plant filter adjacent to the natural swimming pool. Photo by Genus Loci Ecological Landscapes Inc.
Design ideas for a mid-sized country backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Toronto with a water feature and gravel.

Mid-Century Ranch Makeover

Native Edge Landscape

Detail shot of Backyard
Design ideas for a mid-sized backyard pool in Austin with gravel.

ISABELLA residence

Symmetry Architects

This is an example of an expansive mediterranean backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Dallas with gravel.

Caruth

Bonick Landscaping

The challenge with this residence was to seamlessly bridge the home and pool house in a confined space. A casual, outdoor environment utilizes straight forward materials of gravel, concrete and limestone, and a central Corten fire pit provides evening enjoyment. Upholstery materials are carefully considered to create rhythm through the space.

Poolside Timber Tech Deck by Batavia, IL Deck Designer Archadeck of Chicagoland

Archadeck of Chicagoland

This poolside deck features Timber Tech low maintenance decking in Sandy Birch with white vinyl rails. The white rails contrast with the gray deck boards to really make the space pop! The lattice skirting and access door are great storage features and a great way to keep animals out. This spacious deck has plenty of room for lounging and relaxing in the sun on a warm summer day. This poolside deck was custom designed and built by Batavia, IL deck designer, Archadeck of Chicagoland

1411 Cometa A Pool Area

Paradisa

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Austin with with privacy feature and gravel.

Pool Flowerbed Install

Three Kings Grounds Keeping

David Czerniecki
Design ideas for a mid-sized tropical backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Dallas with gravel.

Pool Design Ideas with Gravel

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.