Small contemporary infinity pool in Sydney with decking.

Infinity (vanishing) edge reflection pool in Thunderbird Cove Country Club in Palm Desert. The deck and coping are inlaid quartz stone. American Heritage Pool Corporation

Lap Pool with Sheer Descent Waterfalls and Retaining Walls

Land Art Design, Inc.

This lap pool maximizes the space in a Bethesda backyard with fieldstone retaining walls that offer privacy and structure. Three sheer descent waterfalls add sound and movement to the swimming pool.

Fibreglass Plunge Pool, Swim Spa, Spa Combo

CA Pools

David Noel
This is an example of a small contemporary backyard rectangular natural pool in Vancouver with a hot tub and decking.

Urban Small Backyard Makeover with Plunge Pool

Soake Pools

Soake Pool project near completing- just a few trim pieces left to install. Homeowner's dog went in for a quick dip!
Photo of a small contemporary backyard rectangular natural pool in Boston with a hot tub and decking.

Ledge Lounger in-pool Chaise

Ledge Lounger

Small contemporary backyard custom-shaped lap pool in Houston with a hot tub.

Contemporary Pool

Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard rectangular pool in Dallas with a water feature.

Winnington Road

Ungar Architects

Inspiration for a small contemporary indoor rectangular natural pool in London with natural stone pavers.

Contemporary Plunge Pool in Roanoke

Liquid Concept Pools

Here is a small Plunge pool with clean lines, simple materials and a raised wall with a sheer descent
Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Dallas with a water feature and concrete slab.

Salon d'extérieur du jardin

Terrasses des Oliviers - Paysagiste Paris

Design ideas for a small contemporary front yard rectangular aboveground pool in Paris with with a pool and decking.

Beton- Folienbecken 6,50 x 2,50 x 1,50 m mit Strukturfolie anthrazit

Pro Pool Schwimmbadtechnik

Beton- Folienbecken 6,50 x 2,50 x 1,50 m mit Alkorplan 3000 Strukturfolie Elegance, Einbauteile in Edelstahl, Wandmassage, Gegenstromanlage, Wasserrschwall, Unterflur- Rollladenabdeckung mit Edelstahl- Sitzbank.

Original Endless Pools®

Endless Pools

The bold oranges and pinks catch the eye, but it's that deep blue that you just want to luxuriate in! The Original Endless Pool easily becomes the centerpiece of this stunning backyard. The pool's adjustable current lets you swim in place, exercise, or just relax. By installing this model partially in-ground, the coping (the perimeter edge) creates bench seating to soak your feet or enjoy it as a reflecting pond. It's perfect for everything from fitness to entertaining.

Hillside Pool and Spa

Z Pool Designs

With an ascending slope, we were able to tuck this pool and spa into the hillside and maximize their outdoor space. We used travertine for coping on the upper edge of the raised bond beam and tie that into the pool using a split faced travertine on the face and highlighted columns

Carlsbad Residence

Latitude 40|25 Studio

I was brought into this project while the pool was under construction and asked to tie the back yard together with patio areas, discreet drainage solutions, and plantings. Photo Credits : California Pools

Interior and Outdoor Lighting

Hinkley

Voted Best of Westchester by Westchester Magazine for several years running, HI-LIGHT is based in Yonkers, New York only fifteen miles from Manhattan. After more than thirty years it is still run on a daily basis by the same family. Our children were brought up in the lighting business and work with us today to continue the HI-LIGHT tradition of offering lighting and home accessories of exceptional quality, style, and price while providing the service our customers have come to expect. Come and visit our lighting showroom in Yonkers.

Clean lines and contemporary style

User

Outdoor Elements maximized the available space in this beautiful yard with a contemporary, rectangular pool complete with a large tanning deck and swim jet system. Mosaic glass-tile accents the spa and a shell stone deck and coping add to the contemporary feel. Behind the tanning deck, a large, up-lit, sheer-descent waterfall adds variety and elegance to the design. A lighted gazebo makes a comfortable seating area protected from the sun while a functional outdoor kitchen is nestled near the backdoor of the residence. Raised planters and screening trees add the right amount of greenery to the space.

Elegance of Simplicity in a Small Backyard

Betz Pools Limited

The 11’ x 23’ dry Gunite pool’s dark grey Armourcoat interior contrasts beautifully with the deck of Wiarton flagstone set on concrete. Across the deep end a series of flagstone slabs are separated by strips of ground cover to help the runoff water the shrubs. The entire backyard is essentially low maintenance.

Ringwood North

Southern Cross Swimming Pools

Patrick Redmond
Small contemporary rectangular pool in Melbourne with a water feature and decking.

Maison KS1

Atelier d'Architecture Baobab

Photo of a small contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Bordeaux with decking.

Modern Small Space-GOLD International Awards of Excellence Winner

Pool Environments, Inc.

Randy Angell, Designer GOLD International Award of Excellence winner - The transitional modern home was designed with large amounts of glass opening into the courtyard, creating an indoor-outdoor feel, and a visual connection among the spaces that could not be ignored. The neighboring wall, however, was not only rather imposing, but also of a style completely disconnected from our clients home. Our goal was to create a layering effect, with features of varying heights, both to add depth and dimension to the space, and to take the focus of the viewer off of the neighbor's wall.

Small Contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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 contemporary 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.