Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury backyard rectangular lap pool in Brisbane with with privacy feature and tile.

Masterfully Designed Outdoor Living Space in Arcadia

After a day of fun outdoors, it is always nice to spray off before going back into the house. This complete shower is tucked away around the corner of the house to add to the feel of privacy.

Villa à Toulon

KAST DESIGN

Large beach style side yard rectangular pool in Paris with with a pool and concrete slab.

Losken Pool

Georgian Landscape Design

Complete Landscape Makeover including pool and spa, walls, pavers, artificial turf and plants!
Photo of a small modern backyard rectangular natural pool in Atlanta with with a pool and concrete pavers.

N44° 44' 19" | Lake O'Dowd

Unfold Architecture

Simple Modern Scandinavian inspired gable home in the woods of Minnesota
Design ideas for a mid-sized scandinavian backyard rectangular aboveground pool in Minneapolis with with privacy feature and concrete slab.

Highwater Garden

Sean Walters

A vanishing edge pool and waterfall are focal points for a constraint-driven project governed by a wetlands and associated no-build zone, extensive rock outcrops, steep slopes, and a small, tough-to-access work area. A team of consultants was required in order to obtain variances and other approvals across multiple agencies and meetings. The end result is a beautiful outdoor living space that expresses the architecture and utility of the owner's home into a highwater garden for relaxation and enjoyment.

Pools

MOD Construction, LLC

Swim spa with custom water features
Small backyard rectangular pool in Salt Lake City with with a pool and stamped concrete.

Small Modern Pool

Big Rock Landscaping

Take an evening dip or enjoy your morning coffee poolside in this small, modern backyard pool.
This is an example of a small modern backyard rectangular pool in Salt Lake City with with a pool and decking.

Inspiration Point

Square One Landscape Group

Inspiration for a small backyard custom-shaped pool in New Orleans with with a pool and natural stone pavers.

Coconut Point

Vogl Architects

Mid-sized beach style backyard rectangular pool in Miami with with privacy feature and natural stone pavers.

The Ultimate in Design Efficiency

Betz Pools Limited

To help set the mood the pool features an Atom LED lighting system. It can be programmed to display a single colour or one of its colour-changing light shows. Although this backyard is small, it is brimming with a bounty of alluring practical features.

Urban Swimming Pool Project

Little Miracles Designs - Toronto

A client, an avid swimmer, wanted an exercise pool / spa installed and garden landscaped. Garden has contemporary touches yet classical layout. Clipped hedges match the shape and dimensions of the Ipe benches. Corten borders keep the compact garden in check and easy to maintain.

Pool and Seating Area

Liebo Builders

Photo of a large contemporary backyard lap pool in Los Angeles with with a pool.

Concord Pool Deck

Lynch Landscape and Tree Service, Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard custom-shaped pool in Boston with with a pool.

Wilmette, IL Rectilinear Swimming Pool with Separate Hot Tub

Platinum Poolcare

Request Free Quote This lovely rectilinear swimming pool measures 20’0” x 46’0”, and has a separate, raised hot tub measuring 9’0” x 9’0”. On top of the hot tub is a raised wall water feature with three sheer descent waterfalls. The shallow end features a 20’0” sun shelf with two sets of attached steps. On the opposite end of the pool, there is a 20’0” infinity edge system overlooking Lake Michigan. Both the pool and hot tub feature Bluestone coping. Both the pool and hot tub interior finishes are Ceramaquartz. The pool features an automatic hydraulic pool cover system with a custom stone walk-on lid system. The pool and hot tub feature colored LED lighting. There is an in-floor cleaning system in the pool. Photography by e3.

Sloping Terrain Beautifully Transformed

Betz Pools Limited

This young family in Whitby worried it might not be possible to have a pool in their backyard. Their lot sloped steeply toward the back and dropped off sharply just fifteen feet behind the house. Also, they were on a ravine conservation area with its own challenges. Fortunately, the Betz design department had the solution.

Canning Vale

MPM Perth

Design ideas for a small backyard rectangular aboveground pool in Perth with with a pool and natural stone pavers.

Livingston Woods Residence

CGU Homes

Photo of a tropical courtyard custom-shaped pool in Other with with a pool and natural stone pavers.

R Residence

archer design

This is an example of a large modern rectangular pool in Sydney with with privacy feature and tile.

Reflections

Ryan Hughes Design

Relaxation extends beyond the pool from loungers on the sun shelf to a hanging swing in front of a mosaic design wall and ipe wood decks. Photography by Jimi Smith.

Pool Design Ideas with with Privacy Feature and with a Pool

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.