Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Raleigh with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Contemporary Look for a Small Backyard

Betz Pools Limited

One of the design challenges for this backyard was the need to remain within Toronto’s 50% lot coverage requirement. It would have been nice to have had a little more deck beyond the coping at the deep end to facilitate diving. Thankfully, the addition of a row of stepping stones in its place satisfied that need.

Beach Style Pool

Design ideas for a large beach style backyard rectangular natural pool in Phoenix with a water slide and natural stone pavers.

Cabana with Built-in Outdoor Television

B. Jane Gardens

Photo of a transitional backyard rectangular pool in Austin with natural stone pavers.

Palm Beach Residence (LudoSlate)

Ludowici Roof Tile

Roof Product: LudoSlate Roof Color: Ebony Mist
Mediterranean rectangular pool in Miami.

Orange County/LA

Aqua-Link Pools and Spas

Design ideas for a large modern backyard rectangular infinity pool in Orange County with with a pool and tile.

Tennyson Hermosa Beach

Tomaro Architecture

This is an example of a contemporary rectangular pool in Los Angeles.

Transitional Pool With Swim Up Bar

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

Transitional Infinity Pool with swim up bar and sunken kitchen designed by Mike Farley has a large tanning ledge with Ledge Loungers to relax on, This project has a large fire bar below for entertaining & a large cabana next to the raised spa. Interrior finish is Wet Edge. FarleyPoolDesigns.com

Clayton Modern

Randy Angell Designs

Mid-sized modern backyard rectangular pool in Dallas with natural stone pavers.

New City - New Pool House

ROAM Architecture

A new pool house structure for a young family, featuring a space for family gatherings and entertaining. The highlight of the structure is the featured 2 sliding glass walls, which opens the structure directly to the adjacent pool deck. The space also features a fireplace, indoor kitchen, and bar seating with additional flip-up windows.

Backyard Renovation

SCHEER CONSTRUCTION GROUP LLC

Inspiration for a contemporary rectangular pool in Miami with decking.

Outdoor String Lighting around Pool - Omaha, Nebraska | McKay Landscape Lighting

McKay Landscape Lighting

The pool in the backyard of this Omaha home is the perfect place to be on these hot summer days. It was an ideal spot to add outdoor bistro string lighting to create a unique ambiance for those warm summer nights. The light sconces on the wall and illuminating the trees, installed in an earlier phase, increases nighttime safety and creates an aesthetically pleasing backdrop while also increasing security around the pool. Learn more about the pool lighting design: https://www.mckaylighting.com/blog/outdoor-pool-lighting-design-with-bistro-string-lights-omaha

Pool 9548, Infinity Pool, Hampton

Neptune Swimming Pools

The client's came to us wanting a design that was going to open up their small backyard and give them somewhere for their family to enjoy and entertain for many years to come. This project presented many technical challenges due to the levels required to comply with various building regulations. Clever adaptations such privacy screens, floating deck entry and hidden pool gate behind the raised feature wall were all design elements that make this project more suitable to the smaller area. The main design feature that was a key to the functionality of this pool was the raised infinity edge, with the pool wall designed to comply with current pool barrier standards. With no pool fence between the pool and house the space appears more open with the noise of the water falling over the edge into a carefully concealed balance tank adding a very tranquil ambience to the outdoor area. With the accompanying fire pit and sitting area, this space not only looks amazing but is functional all year round and the low maintenance fully automated pool cleaning system provides easy operation and maintenance.

Outdoor Oasis & Pool House

Fiori Interior Design, LLC

A year round oasis.
This is an example of a large traditional backyard rectangular natural pool in New York with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Mini-piscine dans un jardin de ville

La Nostra Secrets d’Intérieur

Jardin après travaux Crédits photos La Nostra Secrets d'Intérieur, toutes utilisations est strictement interdite
This is an example of a small contemporary courtyard rectangular aboveground pool in Marseille with decking.

2019 Gold Award - Plantscape, Octopus Garden Design

LDI (Landscape Design Institute)

This is an example of a large contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Sydney with concrete slab.

Entwurf Privates Schwimmbad mit Lounge

Innenarchitektur Federleicht

Die Akzentwand, die man auch aus dem Wohnraum sehen kann, ist mit Holzstäben und LED Einsätzen verkleidet. Um eine tropische Atmosphäre wie im Urlaub zu erzeugen reihen sich verschiedene Kakteen aneinander.

Gallery – Small Concrete Pools

Betz Pools Limited

This family made evenings and weekends more enjoyable by creating a lifestyle backyard. The focal point is a compact custom Gunite pool. It includes a Badu swim jet for exercise, adjoining overflow spa and elevated Owen Sound ledgerock feature wall with sheer descent waterfall.

Custom Pools

DiSabatino Landscaping and Tree Care

Design ideas for a large transitional backyard rectangular pool in Wilmington with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Encino, CA

Regal X Inc.

Modern heated pool and spa
Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Los Angeles with a hot tub and concrete slab.

Rectangular Pool Design Ideas

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.