A Sympathetic In-between Positioned at the edge of the Field of Mars Reserve, Walless Cabana is the heart of family living, where people and nature come together harmoniously and embrace each other. In creating a seamless transition between the existing family home and the distant bushland, Walless Cabana deliberately curates the language of its surroundings through the Japanese concept of 'Shakkei' or borrowed scenery, ensuring its humble and respectful presence in place. Despite being a permanent structure, it is a transient space that adapts and changes dynamically with everchanging nature, personalities and lifestyle.

Paradise Preserve | Atlantic Beach Contemporary Backyard

Cascade Outdoor Design

This compact space allows for a lot of outdoor living options, without feeling too cramped. The homeowners really wanted a pool and spa, but didn't believe their yard was big enough. Not only did they get both by incorporating a spool, they also have plenty of room for seating and dining, lush landscaping, and a lawn where their child and dogs can play! Photo by Craig O'Neal

Modern Compact Space

Tipton Spires Design|Build

Small space. No problem. This compacy yet luxurious modern contemporary space features an island rim flow hot tub with floating steppers, baja shelf for sun bathing, raised beam wall with three custom natural stone water sheers, deep blue glass tile, natural stone travertine decking, outdoor living covered patio and kitchen, raised composite trex wood deck with custom fire pit and a swim up bar to the hot tub. A native evergreen landscape package completes this beautifuul space.

Inspiration Point

Square One Landscape Group

Inspiration for a small backyard custom-shaped pool in New Orleans with with a pool and natural stone pavers.

Balcones Tiny Pool

Texas Tiny Pools

We really pushed the limits with this 12’x17’-ish Tiny Pool! Using our tiniest construction equipment to navigate super narrow access to the backyard was just the beginning – we also dealt with engineering and utility challenges to bring this pool dream to reality. The result is stunning!

Dallas Small Modern Pool, Flush Spa with Safety Fence

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

Dallas small yard - beautiful modern pool project with outdoor living and a putting green designed by Mike Farley. Pool is surrounded by a safety fence. FarleyPoolDesigns.com

Existing house new pool

NovaForma Architecture & Interior Design

Pool designed for a 4 people family, as an spa and parties place. the tiles used are made of resined concrete.
Small tropical backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Los Angeles with with a pool and concrete slab.

Stratton Woods Residence

Smelek Design

Design ideas for a small modern backyard custom-shaped pool in Houston with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Small Modern Pool

Geremia Pools

This is a clever way to hide equipment and other yard items. A second box was built on the other side of the yard.
Photo of a small contemporary backyard custom-shaped pool in Sacramento with a hot tub and decking.

Mestang Park

AquaTerra Outdoors

Wade Griffith
This is an example of a small transitional backyard custom-shaped pool in Dallas with concrete slab.

Country Club of Louisiana - Savoie

Ewing Aquatech Pools

Small contemporary backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in New Orleans with a pool house and concrete pavers.

A Backyard Where Small is Beautiful

Betz Pools Limited

The backyard’s low maintenance deck of architectural stamped concrete is beautifully complemented by the curving lines of the Wiarton pebble top stone coping. The soothing sounds of the spillover spa and sheer descent waterfall help to create a tranquil atmosphere.

Peacock Pavers by Josh Moates

Peacock Pavers

Josh Moates
This is an example of a small country backyard custom-shaped pool in Miami with concrete pavers.

Lucas Firmin Pools

Inspiration for a small transitional courtyard custom-shaped natural pool in New Orleans with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Indoor-Outdoor Stone Villa Pool

Poolside Gardens, Inc.

This is an example of a small mediterranean custom-shaped natural pool in Los Angeles with decking and a hot tub.

Paradise Preserve | Atlantic Beach Contemporary Backyard

Cascade Outdoor Design

Pool

Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc.

12x12 inground gunite pool with steel rock granite (suede) surround and automated cover. Sun deck surrounded by cable rail system. This timber framed home is a modern architectural masterpiece blended into a majestic rural landscape. Covered walkway leads to detached shop with fully finished mancave. Board and batten siding and stone exterior. Metal roofing and GAF Slateline shingles. Marvin Ultimate windows and doors. Custom cable rail system from Viewrail. Hope's Landmark Series 175 Steel doors. General Contracting by Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc.; James S. Bates, Architect; Interior Design by InDesign; Photography by Marie Martin Kinney.

Slice Of Heaven Lake View Pool Project

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

Slice of Heaven Lake View Pool Project in Flower Mound designed by Mike Farley. FarleyPoolDesigns.com
This is an example of a small country rooftop custom-shaped aboveground pool in Dallas with with privacy feature and decking.

Pool 9470, Pool, Spa, Pond, Toorak

Neptune Swimming Pools

This project was highly innovative because of its use of steel as a stepping-stone framework rather than traditional concrete. As a fully functioning fishpond, the concrete slabs generally used to suspend the stones would not provide enough room for fish to inhabit comfortably, therefore a steel frame was constructed so that the fish can swim freely underneath the stones and around the pond. The ‘Koi Pond’ is 7.9m x 2.6m and 0.9m deep and was created with specific details that would help the fish species thrive in the pond’s environment, including the use of a dark tile and a filtration system that was carefully selected to accommodate the fish. Along with being a functioning fishpond, this space doubles as a standout water feature. With black glass mosaic tiles and Tundra Marble stone coping, the features are highlighted by the surrounding greenery and a pedestal for a feature pot adds dimension and detail.

Custom Fiberglass Hot Tub done in Turks & Caicos

Affordable Pools Custom Made Fiberglass

For this project we built a custom fiberglass Hot Tub with a infinity edge spill over. It was also completely covered with glass tile. It had a bench that faced towards the ocean, so when you sat inside the spill over looked like it was spilling into the ocean.

Small Custom-shaped 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.