The client's came to us wanting a design that was going to open up their small backyard and give them somewhere for their family to enjoy and entertain for many years to come. This project presented many technical challenges due to the levels required to comply with various building regulations. Clever adaptations such privacy screens, floating deck entry and hidden pool gate behind the raised feature wall were all design elements that make this project more suitable to the smaller area. The main design feature that was a key to the functionality of this pool was the raised infinity edge, with the pool wall designed to comply with current pool barrier standards. With no pool fence between the pool and house the space appears more open with the noise of the water falling over the edge into a carefully concealed balance tank adding a very tranquil ambience to the outdoor area. With the accompanying fire pit and sitting area, this space not only looks amazing but is functional all year round and the low maintenance fully automated pool cleaning system provides easy operation and maintenance.

Camino Real Residence

April Balliette

Photographer: Ryan Gamma
Photo of a small modern backyard custom-shaped lap pool in Tampa with a water feature and concrete slab.

Small Pool/Spa and Landscape

User

Photo of a small contemporary courtyard rectangular pool in Houston with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Small Pools (Spools)

Premier Pools and Spas

Small contemporary backyard custom-shaped aboveground pool in Miami with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Portfolio

Sonoran Landscape Design

Photo of a small traditional backyard custom-shaped pool in San Diego with a hot tub.

Glasshouse custom tiled salt-water spa

Linden L.A.N.D. Group

The spa is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. A very energy efficient design, the salt-water spa holds 1200 gallons, is heated with solar electricity from the house PV, and the tub is insulated with a 6" cover in winter. photo: Rebecca Lindenmeyr

Backyard Escape

Intex Design and Construction

Small space pool and spa design with turf landscape. www.IntexDandC.com @IntexDandC
Design ideas for a small contemporary backyard rectangular natural pool in Los Angeles with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Contemporary Plunge Pool in Roanoke

Liquid Concept Pools

Small contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Dallas with a water feature and concrete slab.

Edison Ave. June '15

Landscape-Fusion

A very small South Tampa backyard (typical) turned into a very usable space. Approx. 265 sq. ft. this small pool or spool (spa pool) has everything one needs to enjoy outdoor living life. Offset to one side of the yard, it allows for max use of the space. The approx. 330 sq. ft. french pattern silver travertine pool deck and straight edge pool coping gives this backyard a clean, simple, modern feel. With the soft zoyisa grass expanding almost to pool edges it gives the small space a vast, clean feel. The sunshelf in the pool adds a place of pause before entering the pool which has a max depth of 6 feet. No matter what time of year the spool is equiped with a pool heater that will have this oasis to 87 plus degrees within several hrs or less. Landscape Fusion

Rustic Pool

Small country backyard custom-shaped pool in Dallas.

"A Simple Face lift" Irvine Remodel Gary& Larry

Alfresco Creations

Dave
Inspiration for a small mediterranean backyard rectangular lap pool in Orange County with tile.

Techo-Bloc Styling Shoot

Deborah Martin Designs

Symmetrically two lounge chairs are angled on either side of the pool with centered floral arrangement of modern black urns and round boxwood and white hydrangea. Photographer: Darren Setlow

Swim Spa With Custom Fire Bowls and Outdoor Kitchen in Cooper City, Florida

Van Kirk & Sons Pools and Spas

This swim spa with custom fire bowls and outdoor kitchen in Cooper City provides the perfect relaxing atmosphere.
Small modern backyard custom-shaped aboveground pool in Miami with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

DC Ranch Spool

Liquid Evolution Pools

This Spool was designed to fit into a small backyard without taking up the majority of the space. At 5,700 gallons it is the perfect size. We shut down a lane of traffic and craned in locally sourced boulders and field stone from the DC Ranch development. Details include a custom lounge bench finished with river rock, spa jets in the bench and in the shallow area and travertine water line tile. We used Pentair equipment, Intellitouch control system, paramount PV3 in-floor system, and Pebble Sheen interior finish.

Residential New Build - Small Pool

Clear Tech, Inc

Our customer came to us with a bit of an issue.. a small backyard and big dreams. Guess what? Clear Tech took on the challenge and created a space that was enjoyable. We started from grass and turned the space into a relaxing pool area. We completed the look with outdoor furniture that brought the whole project together. Our customer is so excited to enjoy their new and useable outdoor living space.

Urban Small Backyard Makeover with Plunge Pool

Soake Pools

Soake Pool project complete! This is one of our favorites. The customer had a super tight space with a walk out patio that was about 4' above ground. Pool was installed above ground and a wood deck was built up to and around it. Great use of space and super appealing!

Hunting for Perfection

Hobbs' Ink, LLC

Kurt Forschen of Twist Tours Photography
Photo of a small contemporary backyard rectangular infinity pool in Austin with concrete pavers and a hot tub.

Johnston Custom Spool

Thunderbird Pools And Spas

Madrid Photography
Small backyard custom-shaped pool in Phoenix with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Glendale

Newton Landscape Group

This is an example of a small arts and crafts front yard pool in New Orleans with brick pavers.

Garden of Tranquility

Oak Design Group

Welcome to the Garden of Tranquility, a serene retreat where nature and tranquility harmoniously coexist. Nestled within this sanctuary, you will discover a captivating Zen garden, an oasis of serenity and peace. The Zen garden, meticulously designed and carefully curated, immerses you in a realm of simplicity and balance. Smooth gravel ripples like waves, symbolizing tranquility, while meticulously placed stones create a sense of harmony and order. The garden invites you to stroll along meandering pathways, inviting contemplation and mindfulness with every step.

Small 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.