Frameless Glass Pool Fencing - Aqua Vista Glass
This is an example of a small contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Brisbane.

Classic Swimming Pool Designs

Premier Pools & Spas of San Antonio

Custom Spa With Fire
Small mediterranean backyard custom-shaped pool in Austin with a hot tub.

White Twist

Prideaux Design

Kathryn Prideaux
Photo of a small modern backyard rectangular pool in Phoenix with concrete pavers.

Large Downtown Modern Spa with Glass Tile Fire Feature

Reliant Pools

Inspiration for a small modern backyard rectangular pool in Austin with a hot tub and stamped concrete.

Experience

Sundance® Spas

Photo by Sundance® Spas
Inspiration for a small contemporary backyard rectangular aboveground pool in Los Angeles with a hot tub and decking.

A Touch of Red

Water's Edge Outdoor Living

© Javier Guillen Photo
Small contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Houston with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Quilty

Artistic Landscaping & Design

This is an example of a small backyard rectangular lap pool in Denver with tile.

Loudoun Pool Project

Land & Water Design

We added a beautiful naturalistic pool, landscaping, travertine paving, outdoor shower, custom porch and deck. Low maintenance landscaping, and planted bamboo in a secure 60 mil EPDM containment trench to give the clients privacy. One of our other challenges was to solve the storm water runoff, which we handled with and underground drain system. The outdoor raised firepit is a nice addition for for sitting around those cool nights. To complete our project was the outdoor lighting design which highlights all of the awesome focal points.

Oxford Kidney Shape In-ground Pool 2014

A-1 Pools & Spas

Mario Capela
Design ideas for a small modern backyard kidney-shaped pool in Bridgeport with brick pavers.

Гостевой дом

Татьяна Ильина (Сорокина)

Inspiration for a small country rectangular pool in Moscow with decking.

Elegant Modern Design in a Small Backyard

Betz Pools Limited

To comply with Toronto’s 4-sided fence requirement, a series of clear tempered glass panels separate the pool and spa area from the rest of the yard. The home features large sliding glass panel walkouts on the main floor living level and the basement recreation/games room level. Both lead to patios with uninterrupted views thanks to the see-through glass railings.

Residential Swimming Pools

West Coast Custom Pools

This is an example of a small modern backyard rectangular pool in Perth with decking.

San Antonio Rectangle Plunge Pool/Spa

Land Design | Swimming Pools & Landscape Designs

Photo of a small traditional backyard rectangular pool in Austin with concrete slab.

Brazilian ipe Deck & Mahogany Waterfall Feature

Kanga Construction

Photo of a small tropical backyard l-shaped pool in Miami with a water feature and decking.

Highbury, London

Andrew Lucas London

In the garden, several waterproof speakers from Bowers & Wilkins create the perfect outdoor hosting space, while the sauna and steam room feature a weatherproof speaker and an in-ceiling speaker respectively to extend audio provision to these areas Photo by Maciek Kolodziejski

Our Work

Desert Sun Pools

Small traditional backyard kidney-shaped infinity pool in Phoenix with natural stone pavers.

Newport Heights Modern

Eric Aust Architect

Design ideas for a small contemporary side yard rectangular pool in Orange County.

Courtyard Modern

Randy Angell Designs

This project is proof that the challenges posed by limited space and accessibility can always be overcome in order to deliver stunning results. The space itself was rather small and also very close to the neighboring residence. Not only was the neighboring wall imposing, it was also of a completely different design style. The goal here was to create a layering effect with numerous features of varying heights. Not only would this add depth and dimension to the overall design, but it would cause the viewer to shift their focus from the encroaching wall to the beauty of the pool space. Instead of trying to maximize the water area by squaring off the pool, I decided to instead maximize the visual interest by gracefully rounding off the back wall of the pool. This was accomplished by implementing a raised stucco wall, and also a shorter, matching curved wall, featuring a "Sheer Descent" waterfall. Inside the taller, deep-plum stucco wall, I created three vertical windows which are all highlighted by LED uplighting. To give depth, dimension and some natural beauty, I implemented a simple bed of Horse Tail Reeds behind the short wall, and chose to place Banana Trees behind the taller wall. The main seating area is just outside the home's master suite, and is separated by a "Leuder" limestone fire pit. Aside from being a striking design feature, the floating stepper pads accomplish a number of things; they serve triple-duty as a walkway, a seating area adjacent to the fire pit, and also as a poolside rest for beverages. After discovering that the narrow courtyard acted as a sort of wind tunnel between the two houses, we opted to install tempered glass in order to better control the behavior of the flames. This solved the problem while remaining visually pleasing to the client as well. You'll notice in some of the leading photos for this project that I had originally intended to implement stepper pads on both sides of the pool closest to the house. And despite a thorough understanding of what would be necessary on an engineering and structural-design basis, we were eventually forced to turn this into a solid deck due to unrelenting city-required setbacks. However the client remained very understanding due to encountering a number of similar issues in their home-build process. In the end, they were delivered an outstanding pool design that had come to fruition only after coming up with numerous solutions to a number of challenges that only a unique space like this could provide.

Outdoor Oasis

Tindall Architecture Workshop

Design ideas for a small traditional backyard rectangular aboveground pool in Other with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Hot Tub Enclosure

Root Woodwork

Photo of a small arts and crafts backyard round aboveground pool in San Diego with a hot tub and decking.

Small Brown 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.