Photo of a small country backyard custom-shaped pool in Dallas.

There's no lawn to worry about here, this is the full backyard. The home's patio doors open onto a cedar deck that extends over the edge of the pool lending the feeling of a "dock," complete with round posts. The pool's dark liner gives a natural pond look, while a limestone rock feature with water flowing from several points adds the drama of a waterfall. The entry stairs are bordered by Wiarton flagstone coping and a small deck in architectural stamped concrete. Privacy fencing punctuated by pocket gardens of greenery complete this tranquil poolscape. (16 x 27, custom free form)

Free Form

Tahitian Pools, Inc.

Photo of a small traditional backyard custom-shaped pool in Dallas with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

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.

Dallas Small Yard - Spectacular Pool/Fountain

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

Dallas Small Yard - Spectacular Fountain/Pool. This one of a kind fountain blends with this traditional home and is inspired by Italy's Villa D' Este Walk of 100 Fountains. To create a lush garden feel and still have lots of room for gatherings generally is a challenge but we were able to strike the right balance. The center fountain provides a focal point from the home. The brick patterns and color was an exact match to the home brick details and was carried to the brick surround of the fountain sconces. Also, the center water feature provides some seating with the raised basin and tied in with the raised planters which created maximum privacy with the plantings. The lower basin provided a wrap around feature to enjoy throughout the space and lengthen the line of sight. Black Granite was used inside the feature for more reflection and contrast. Lush plantings, pots, a living green wall and the synthetic grass create a definite garden feel, but still allow plenty of space to entertain all day or all night under the string lights. So come on over and enjoy this small but sensational backyard. FarleyPoolDesigns.com

Cutrer, Settlement at Willow Grove

Nautical Pools, LLC

ECO REGIONS DESIGN AND LANDSCAPE
Small traditional courtyard custom-shaped pool in New Orleans with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Murrietta Rock Pool

American Heritage Pool Corporation

freeform pool with Honey Quartz boulder raised back, raised spa; natural Quartzite rock drip edge spillway; natural rock coping on front edge of pool and spa, Tropics Blue mini pebble interior. American Heritage Pool Corporation

Watrous Ave June '15

Landscape-Fusion

Landscape Fusion Custom small pool /spool, built with spa jets and heater that quickly can make the pool feel like a spa. Very small backyard with a courtyard feel. Real clay brick deck/patio and all natural blue stone as the pool coping. Three lion heads spill out into the pool from the raised wall to give a fresh sound of falling water. All this surrounded by a traditional lush landscape and a custom pergola-trellis for the orchid garden.

Buford Georgia Swimming Pool

Sandals Luxury Pools, Inc.

Custom inground swimming pool with custom waterfalls, spa, and tons of beautiful stone work. Sandals Luxury Pools, Inc
This is an example of a small arts and crafts backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Atlanta with a hot tub and decking.

2014 Fall and Winter World's Greatest Pools submissions

Pebble Technology International

Indoor Pebble Tec® Tahoe Blue pool constructed by Aquatech Pools GC, Inc. The design goals of this pool were to incorporate natural materials with unique color, lighting, water and fire in a family setting geared for entertaining. A pool, spa, swim up bar with accent lighting, an outdoor kitchen, fire pit and 2 fire features were requested by the customer which all had to be fit into a very limited amount of space with restrictive site conditions. The pool is located seaward of the CCL line. Due to elevations of the existing ground, an elevated stemwall was required to be constructed around the entire pool project. We used travertine on the deck, Pebble Tec® Caribbean Blue, ColorLogic Lights, and 2 fire bowls from Grand Effects. The fire pit and chairs we formed in place and constructed out of gunite, tile and granite. The spa bar top was a custom piece of granite with under mounted color lighting. SPECIAL FEATURES: • (4) Underwater Bar Stools in pool around spa bar top with Pebble Tech Level 1 & Custom Granite Tops to match bar top • 16” Raised Spa with 3 spillways and a custom granite, curved bar top with under mounted color lighting • Swim up bar with accent lighting • Fire pit and benches we formed in place and constructed out of gunite, tile and granite • (2) Fire Bowls from Grand Effects with manually operated lava rock • 2-Level Travertine Deck in a French Pattern • Solar Panels: (9) 4’ x 12’ Panels with Auto Control • Tanning Shelf • Upgraded waterline tile • 2-Door Cage with Mansard Roof, 7” Super Gutter and Stainless Steel Screws • (2) Pool area landscape features • Outdoor kitchen area with custom granite countertops to match spa and (3) fire pit benches

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.

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!

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.

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.

Lucas Firmin Pools

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

Gallery – Small Concrete Pools

Betz Pools Limited

Want a great way to utilize a small Toronto yard? Build a 4 1/2-foot deep plunge pool with all the extras, including a winterized spill over spa. The pool's light gray Armorcoat interior is framed beautifully with Wiarton Ebel flagstone coping, deck and feature wall, which includes three sheer descent waterfalls. A convenient underwater bench extends from the entry stairs, while a notch on the end wall has a swim out bench for easy access to the adjoining sitting area. Pool equipment is quietly out of view in the garage and large mirrored panels on a custom perimeter fence lend a feeling of spaciousness. (15 x 18, custom rectangular)

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.

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.