This is an example of a large contemporary side yard rectangular lap pool in Orange County with decking.

Our client constructed their new home on five wooded acres in Northern Virginia, and they requested our firm to help them design the ultimate backyard retreat complete with custom natural look pool as the main focal point. The pool was designed into an existing hillside, adding natural boulders and multiple waterfalls, raised spa. Next to the spa is a raised natural wood burning fire pit for those cool evenings or just a fun place for the kids to roast marshmallows. The extensive Techo-bloc Inca paver pool deck, a large custom pool house complete with bar, kitchen/grill area, lounge area with 60" flat screen TV, full audio throughout the pool house & pool area with a full bath to complete the pool area. For the back of the house, we included a custom composite waterproof deck with lounge area below, recessed lighting, ceiling fans & small outdoor grille area make this space a great place to hangout. For the man of the house, an avid golfer, a large Southwest synthetic putting green (2000 s.f.) with bunker and tee boxes keeps him on top of his game. A kids playhouse, connecting flagstone walks throughout, extensive non-deer appealing landscaping, outdoor lighting, and full irrigation fulfilled all of the client's design parameters.

East Lakeshore

EcoRegions

Situated on the University Lakes in Baton Rouge, LA, these homeowners were initially looking for a fence to contain their two dogs. Several conceptual designs and revisions later, we arrived at the concept that was constructed. The homeowners have an 80+ year old Live Oak in the backyard that they wanted to be a feature of their new outdoor oasis. They also wanted a spa to be able to use year-round for themselves and family parties. With the focus being on creating a New Orleans-style courtyard and preserving the fantastic specimen Live Oak, a sideyard courtyard was born.

Duxbury Pool

a Blade of Grass

Fieldstone walls with cedar picket topper and gate leading into the pool area. Photo by Charles Mayer
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional side yard rectangular pool in Boston with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Aprdale Tiny Pool

Texas Tiny Pools

This is an example of a small side yard pool in Austin.

Terrassengestaltung mit Pool

RAUCH Garten- und Landschaftsbau GbR

Inspiration for a small contemporary side yard rectangular aboveground pool in Nuremberg with natural stone pavers.

Pool House Retreat in Lake Geneva

Lowell Custom Homes

Lowell Custom Homes, Lake Geneva, WI. Pool House, Shingle style architecture, bluestone patio surrounding pool with relaxing views and seating areas .A wall of glass doors opens to allow fresh air and plenty of sunlight while guests enjoy views of the pool and surrounding landscape. White wood trim, glass wall, sliding doors open to bluestone terrace and pool area. Victoria McHugh

Friend's home

Liquidscapes

Howard Roberts
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional side yard custom-shaped pool in New York with brick pavers.

Westport Beach Area Pool and Plantings

Barbara Wilson Landscape Architect, LLC

Pool area at side of house with wood and mesh pool fence enclosure. New beachside plantings surround pool area to provide seasonal flowers and color. Stepping stones thru the lawn provide access to the nearby sunroom.

Wohnhaus am Albtrauf

HI ARCHITEKTUR

Jürgen Pollak
This is an example of an expansive modern side yard rectangular aboveground pool in Stuttgart with natural stone pavers.

Cobb Mountain Pool House

Haley Whiteside Design

A separate, detached pool house (presently under construction) featuring a south-facing sunning deck with a shade trellis above. A short bridge connects the pool house to the main residence.

Tropical Pool

Alan D. Holt, A.S.L.A., Landscape Architect

An amazing space envisioned by the Client and completed by a great team. An Ipe deck flows to the edge of the pool. The reclaimed brick wall and walkway give a sense that the space is much older. Several varieties of palms and flowering shrubs create an oasis with year-round color.

NIVEKO Polystone Fertigbecken Modell Top Level 9,00 x 3,70 x 1,50 in grau

Pro Pool Schwimmbadtechnik

NIVEKO Polystone Ferigbecken Modell Top Level in grau, Treppe nach Kundenwunsch, Unterflur- Rollladenabdeckung versteckt im Rucksackschacht, Technik im Gartenhaus.

Bristol Historic Home-Custom pool

Bradford Associates, LLC

The custom pool is the centerpiece of the landscape. It features a waterfall wall, jumping rock at the deep end and tiled sun shelves in the shallows.

Florencia Model

Alvarez Homes

Design ideas for a small mediterranean side yard custom-shaped natural pool in Tampa with a water feature and tile.

Tuxedo Park Residence

Karen Arent Landscape Architects

Inspiration for a large arts and crafts side yard rectangular lap pool in New York with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Louisiana Influence

McDugald-Steele

Rectangular Swimming Pool with Bluestone Coping and brick inlay. Elevated Spa that is independent of pool fronts the brick and masonry fencing. Water jet drainage grates compliment the natural stone paving, as does the custom brick and stone skimmer cover.

Mirror Lake Designs - Pools

Mirror Lake Designs

Photo of a mid-sized traditional side yard l-shaped pool in Houston with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Pools built or renovated by Swimm

Swimm Pools Inc.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary side yard rectangular pool in New York with a hot tub.

Contemporary Elements - Tredyffrin, PA

Armond Aquatech Pools

Q Stern Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary side yard rectangular lap pool in Philadelphia with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Side Yard 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.