Pool landscape with Northern-theme of deciduous trees and evergreens, fall color, spring-blooming trees, native blueberries and hydrangeas,
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury backyard pool in Orlando with gravel.

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

Roman Pool in Dundas, ON

The Pool Shoppe

18x36 Roman Inground pool with Exposed Aggregate pool deck, Stamped Concrete border and bullnose coping. Thanks to David Charles Media for the photos.

Pools & Spas

OC WEST Landscape

Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard pool in Orange County with a hot tub and gravel.

Simply + Modern - Sunnylands Las Vegas

Byron Mason Photography

Inspiration for a midcentury rectangular pool in Las Vegas with gravel.

LakeMary-LapPool

Signature Pools Inc.

Signature Pools Inc.
Photo of a large tropical backyard rectangular lap pool in Orlando with gravel.

An East Bay Garden

Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

This property has a wonderful juxtaposition of modern and traditional elements, which are unified by a natural planting scheme. Although the house is traditional, the client desired some contemporary elements, enabling us to introduce rusted steel fences and arbors, black granite for the barbeque counter, and black African slate for the main terrace. An existing brick retaining wall was saved and forms the backdrop for a long fountain with two stone water sources. Almost an acre in size, the property has several destinations. A winding set of steps takes the visitor up the hill to a redwood hot tub, set in a deck amongst walls and stone pillars, overlooking the property. Another winding path takes the visitor to the arbor at the end of the property, furnished with Emu chaises, with relaxing views back to the house, and easy access to the adjacent vegetable garden. Photos: Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

Santa Barbara Canyon Garden

Holly Lepere - Lepere Studio, Photographer

Grace Design Associates
This is an example of a mediterranean round aboveground pool in Santa Barbara with a water feature and gravel.

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.

Troon Residence

Dillon Kyle Architects (DKA)

the design offers generous, flowing open spaces on the main level, which overlooks a small courtyard. The site’s woodland characteristics inspired the use of exterior stone. Accoya, a fast-growing softwood that is impervious to decay in the Houston humidity, was used for siding. The combination of the site strategy, program and aesthetic direction respond to the site’s challenges to create an elegant solution. Peter Molick Photography

Custom Home: Private Rd. AH I San Antonio, Texas

MSA ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS

Inspiration for a mediterranean courtyard infinity pool in Austin with gravel.

St. Helena Addition & Remodel

AVCO Design

Inspiration for a country rectangular pool in San Francisco with a pool house and gravel.

Aménagement complet de jardin

Daniel Tur Paysage

This is an example of a large contemporary side yard rectangular lap pool in Montpellier with with a pool and gravel.

Piscine nature

Diffazur Piscines Avignon

Diffazur Piscines
This is an example of a mid-sized beach style custom-shaped natural pool in Marseille with gravel.

AIX - Piscine et Studio de jardin

VAIREO SARL - Aménagements Piscines et Jardins

J. Courcoux
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary front yard rectangular pool in Marseille with gravel.

VIO 302 - Traumhaus für Zwei

User

Einfamilienhaus VIO mit großer Terrasse und Pool im Garten © FingerHaus GmbH
This is an example of a contemporary pool with gravel.

Hornsby Heights 9m Rockpool

Narellan Pools - Sydney

Dave Tozer
Large beach style backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Sydney with a water slide and gravel.

Above Ground Pools

Cavanaugh Pool, Spa & Patio, Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard custom-shaped pool in Other with gravel.

Natural Swimming Pool

Gary McDonald and Son Inc.

Gary McDonald and Katy Boggs
Photo of a large beach style backyard custom-shaped natural pool in San Francisco with gravel.

Sky Pool

Beyond the Borders Garden Design

This is an example of a traditional pool in Cornwall with a hot tub and 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.