This steel and wood covered patio makes for a great outdoor living and dining area overlooking the pool There is also a pool cabana with a fireplace and a TV for lounging poolside.

u2014 ALE: Mountainside Living

Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association

PA Landscape Group INC Project Entry: Mountainside Living 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Hardscaping-Residential $120,000&over Award Level: Silver Photo Description: This residence sits on a mountain side, sloping wooded property. Water was an issue flowing down the mountain, so many rocked swales divert the flow. The area which we are presenting is the rear of the house that will be used to entertain family and friends, a place to unwind in the evenings and weekends. We designed the outdoor areas to meet the needs and desires of the owners. When one walks through the breezeway not only to see an expansive valley view, but a relaxing fireplace and living area below where relaxing begins. Walk down the stairway of natural cut stone, you wonder through a landscaped garden onto the living area patio. Looking to your left is the pool with ample hardscape pool deck; large enough for a party or just the intimacy of two. Separating, yet joining the two areas is the grilling island, bar and outdoor wood burning oven. On the other side of the living area we go down a few steps to the raised planters and conservatory/greenhouse where plant are enjoyed from seedling to flower, or one can read a good book. Each area has it’s own personality for conversation or contemplation. The area is surrounded with plantings to provide color or to silhouette on the gray winter sky.

1300 Rodeo Rd., Arcadia, CA

Mur-Sol Builders Inc

Photo of a large mediterranean backyard rectangular infinity pool in Los Angeles with natural stone pavers.

North Stamford Pool House

TR Design-Build Firm

This is an example of a traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in New York with a pool house and natural stone pavers.

Infinity Edge Pool with Stand Alone Spa

Neave Group Outdoor Solutions

Photo of a traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in New York with a water feature.

Bel Air Residence

User

Jim Bartsch
This is an example of a mediterranean backyard rectangular lap pool in Other with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Plunge Pool

Woodburn & Company Landscape Architecture, LLC

Vicky Martel
Small country backyard rectangular pool in Boston with natural stone pavers.

Pool House

David Edelman Architects

The design of this new four bedroom house provides a strong contemporary presence but also maintains a very private face to the street. Composed of simple elements, the ground floor is largely glass overhung by the first floor balconies framed in white, creating deep shadows at both levels. Adjustable white louvred screens to all balconies control sunlight and privacy, while maintaining the connection between inside and out. Following a minimalist aesthetic, the building is almost totally white internally and externally, with small splashes of colour provided by furnishings and the vivid aqua pool that is visible from most rooms. Parallel with the central hallway is the stair, seemingly cut from a block of white terrazzo. It glows with light from above, illuminating the sheets of glass suspended from the ceiling forming the balustrade. The view from the central kitchen and family living areas is dominated by the pool. The long north facing terrace and garden become part of the house, multiplying the light within these rooms. The first floor contains bedrooms and a living area, all with direct access to balconies to the front or side overlooking the pool, which also provide shade for the ground floor windows.

Camberwell

C.O.S Design

Tim Turner Photography
Contemporary rectangular pool in Melbourne.

Colonial Revival

PAGE | DUKE Landscape Architects

John Chiasson
Traditional rectangular pool in Nashville.

Traditional Pool

Photo of a traditional backyard rectangular lap pool in Vancouver.

French: Hathaway

Harold Leidner Landscape Architects

Luxury estate property set on expansive creekside lot with stately motorcourt entry, front fountain spacious pool, outdoor cabana, koi pond, spa and expansive gardens and lawn.

Hill Crest

Studio Jhoiey Inc.

Contemporary backyard rectangular infinity pool in Los Angeles with a hot tub and decking.

Eclectic Bay-front Home

Herscoe Hajjar Architects, LLC

Venjamin Reyes Photography
This is an example of a mediterranean backyard rectangular infinity pool in Miami with tile and a hot tub.

Miller Lane West

Wirth & Company

Design ideas for a beach style backyard rectangular pool in New York with decking.

Dominion - Privada Yesa

CKC Custom Homes

Jason Roberts Also thank you to D'Ette Cole and Red Thank you to Oscar E Flores Design
Large contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Austin with decking.

Miami Beach Dream

Marmiro Stones, Inc

Materials: Afyon White Classic Sandblasted Pavers
Photo of a large contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Miami with a hot tub.

Pool, Screen Wall, and Fountain

Debowsky Design Group

Mid-sized tropical backyard rectangular pool in Miami with a water feature and decking.

264 10th Ave South

Kukk Architecture & Design P.A.

Photo of a beach style backyard rectangular pool in Miami.

Quimby

BMA Architects

Mick Hales
This is an example of a midcentury backyard rectangular lap pool in New York 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.