A Palm Springs inspired, arid garden provides a beautiful backdrop to this stunning modern home by Latitude 37 Homes. The courtyard swimming pool is wrapped on all sides by the home with large window walls providing views at every angle. Succulents provide accent against the pavement and boundary walls.

Central Residence

Dylan Barber Building Design

This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Geelong with natural stone pavers.

Twin Lakes Outdoor Living

Canin Associates' Architecture Studio

Jeremy Flowers Photography
This is an example of a small mediterranean backyard rectangular pool in Orlando with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Livingston Pool, Pergola and Patio

Artscape Land Design

Photo of a mid-sized traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in New Orleans with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Stratford Residence

AquaTerra Outdoors

This pool and spa is built in an affluent neighborhood with many new homes that are traditional in design but have modern, clean details. Similar to the homes, this pool takes a traditional pool and gives it a clean, modern twist. The site proved to be perfect for a long lap pool that the client desired with plenty of room for a separate spa. The two bodies of water, though separate, are visually linked together by a custom limestone raised water feature wall with 10 custom Bobe water scuppers. Quality workmanship as required throughout the entire build to ensure the automatic pool cover would remain square the entire 50 foot length of the pool. Features of this pool and environment that enhance the aesthetic appeal of this project include: -Glass waterline tile -Glass seat and bench tile -Glass tile swim lane marking on pool floor -Custom limestone coping and deck -PebbleTec pool finish -Synthetic Turf Lawn This outdoor environment cohesively brings the clean & modern finishes of the home seamlessly to the outdoors to a pool and spa for play, exercise and relaxation. Photography: Daniel Driensky

Traditional Cape Cod remodel

Studio 6 Architects

Large Remodel to an Existing single Family Home
This is an example of a large traditional backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Orange County with natural stone pavers.

Weston Home

Paul Maue Associates Landscape Architects

The top of the hill shows how dramatic the surrounding landform is while looking through the plantings on the hillside down to the pool and bluestone pool paving. A key feature of the design is the stone coping that merges seamlessly into the stone paving without a definitive edge. This required the gunite shell to be accurately formed to support the jogs in the coping stones. Photo: Paul Maue

Honolua Ridge, Maui, Residence

Rick Ryniak Architects

Mark Ammen
Inspiration for an expansive tropical backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Hawaii with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

River Knoll

Outdoor Lifestyles

Photo of a traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in New York with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Small Geometric in North Richland Hills

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

This North Richland Hills, TX pool designed by Mike Farley is a geometric with clean lines. The PebbleSheen is Aqua Blue and the coping is Oklahoma flagstone. It was designed for privacy in a small yard. The elevation change allows more privacy and the stone pedestals with flowerpots and stone scuppers provide a soothing environment while masking the street traffic. Pool constructed by Claffey Pools and landscaping done by Brad Land of Allscapes, Inc. To see videos and more information check out Mike's Reference Site at FarleyPoolDesigns.com

Modern Pool

Photo of a small modern courtyard rectangular pool in Dallas with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Hinsdale, IL Rectangular Swimming Pool, Sunshelf and Spa inside

Platinum Poolcare

Request Free Quote This pool and hot tub in Hinsdale, IL, completed this year, measures 20'0 x 40'0" and has a 7'0" x 8'0" hot tub inside the pool. The sunshelf measures 5'0" x 11'0" and has steps attached. The pool coping is Valders Wisconsin Limestone. The pool also features LED colored lighting. An automatic cover protects and preserves the pool and spa together. Photos by Larry Huene

"Big Time"

Ryan Hughes Design

Appearing to float within the pool, the 8 foot circular lowered fire lounge and patio area provides a prime vantage point for embracing the total outdoor experience. Photography by Joe Traina

Pool Projects

Allison Companies Inc

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional backyard rectangular pool in Nashville with natural stone pavers and a hot tub.

Luxury on the Lake

Southview Design

The infinity swimming pool is the centerpiece of this dramatic yard. The upper and lower travertine patios give depth to the entertaining space. The retaining walls double as a garden bed to bring color into the yard. The fire bowls on either side of the pool light add to the ambiance for evening entertaining.

Green Brook Concrete Lazy River

Contemporary Pools & Spas LLC

This is an example of an expansive transitional backyard custom-shaped natural pool in New York with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Mirror Lake Designs - Pools

Mirror Lake Designs

www.DanielKellyPhotography.com
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard round pool in Houston with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Westchester Whimsy

Daniel Contelmo Architects

Westchester Whimsy This project was a two phase addition to a simple colonial house in Chappaqua, NY. Challenges for Daniel Contelmo included the hilly site, as well as the fact that the front entry lacked presence and the garage was the primary entry. Phase one added a family room, kitchen and breakfast room to the main level, and renovated a bedroom. New overhangs and brackets draw the eye away from the garage and place the focus on the house. Phase two completed the renovation and added space to the front of the house; this was an opportunity to add character to the bedrooms with a turret, and a vaulted ceiling in the bedroom over the entry. A new car pulloff allows visitors to view the front door rather than the garage. An open-air pool cabana with an outdoor fireplace and kitchen serves as a space for year-round activities. The final product was an exquisitely detailed and tastefully decorated home that integrates colonial and shingle style architecture with whimsical touches that give the house a more animated feel.

Pinnacle Canyon Southwest Contemporary

ArchitecTor, PC

Expansive contemporary backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Phoenix with with privacy feature and natural stone pavers.

Lean On Me House

North Arrow Studio

Pool courtyard featuring cantilevered sky frames to extend the living spaces.
Photo of a modern backyard rectangular pool in Austin with decomposed granite.

Pool Design Ideas with Decomposed Granite 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.