This is an example of a small modern backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Houston with a water feature and tile.

We converted an underused back yard into a modern outdoor living space. Functions include a cedar soaking tub, outdoor shower, fire pit, and dining area. The decking is ipe hardwood, the fence is stained cedar, and cast concrete with gravel adds texture at the fire pit. Photos copyright Laurie Black Photography.

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

A couple by the name of Claire and Dan Boyles commissioned Exterior Worlds to develop their back yard along the lines of a French Country garden design. They had recently designed and built a French Colonial style house. Claire had been very involved in the architectural design, and she communicated extensively her expectations for the landscape. The aesthetic we ultimately created for them was not a traditional French country garden per se, but instead was a variation on the symmetry, color, and sense of formality associated with this design. The most notable feature that we added to the estate was a custom swimming pool installed just to the rear of the home. It emphasized linearity, complimentary right angles, and it featured a luxury spa and pool fountain. We built the coping around the pool out of limestone, and we used concrete pavers to build the custom pool patio. We then added French pottery in various locations around the patio to balance the stonework against the look and structure of the home. We added a formal garden parallel to the pool to reflect its linear movement. Like most French country gardens, this design is bordered by sheered bushes and emphasizes straight lines, angles, and symmetry. One very interesting thing about this garden is that it is consist entirely of various shades of green, which lends itself well to the sense of a French estate. The garden is bordered by a taupe colored cedar fence that compliments the color of the stonework. Just around the corner from the back entrance to the house, there lies a double-door entrance to the master bedroom. This was an ideal place to build a small patio for the Boyles to use as a private seating area in the early mornings and evenings. We deviated slightly from strict linearity and symmetry by adding pavers that ran out like steps from the patio into the grass. We then planted boxwood hedges around the patio, which are common in French country garden design and combine an Old World sensibility with a morning garden setting. We then completed this portion of the project by adding rosemary and mondo grass as ground cover to the space between the patio, the corner of the house, and the back wall that frames the yard. This design is derivative of those found in morning gardens, and it provides the Boyles with a place where they can step directly from their bedroom into a private outdoor space and enjoy the early mornings and evenings. We further develop the sense of a morning garden seating area; we deviated slightly from the strict linear forms of the rest of the landscape by adding pavers that ran like steps from the patio and out into the grass. We also planted rosemary and mondo grass as ground cover to the space between the patio, the corner of the house, and the back wall that borders this portion of the yard. We then landscaped the front of the home with a continuing symmetry reminiscent of French country garden design. We wanted to establish a sense of grand entrance to the home, so we built a stone walkway that ran all the way from the sidewalk and then fanned out parallel to the covered porch that centers on the front door and large front windows of the house. To further develop the sense of a French country estate, we planted a small parterre garden that can be seen and enjoyed from the left side of the porch. On the other side of house, we built the Boyles a circular motorcourt around a large oak tree surrounded by lush San Augustine grass. We had to employ special tree preservation techniques to build above the root zone of the tree. The motorcourt was then treated with a concrete-acid finish that compliments the brick in the home. For the parking area, we used limestone gravel chips. French country garden design is traditionally viewed as a very formal style intended to fill a significant portion of a yard or landscape. The genius of the Boyles project lay not in strict adherence to tradition, but rather in adapting its basic principles to the architecture of the home and the geometry of the surrounding landscape. For more the 20 years Exterior Worlds has specialized in servicing many of Houston's fine neighborhoods.

A vanishing edge pool and waterfall are focal points for a constraint-driven project governed by a wetlands and associated no-build zone, extensive rock outcrops, steep slopes, and a small, tough-to-access work area. A team of consultants was required in order to obtain variances and other approvals across multiple agencies and meetings. The end result is a beautiful outdoor living space that expresses the architecture and utility of the owner's home into a highwater garden for relaxation and enjoyment.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Deck slides manually to cover/reveal pool area. Kelly Daacon
Small modern backyard rectangular pool in Austin with decking.

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

Stephen Dunn
Photo of a small tropical backyard custom-shaped lap pool in Miami with a water feature and tile.

Aerial view of pool with laminar jets, fire pit, marble patio seating areas.
Small modern backyard rectangular pool in New York.

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.

Jessica Mims, See In See Out
Small country backyard rectangular infinity pool in Austin with concrete pavers.

The existing pool was way too large for the space, it took up the entire back yard.
Small contemporary backyard rectangular lap pool in Miami with tile.

The client purchased this property with grand plans of renovating the entire place; from top to bottom, and from inside to outside. And while the inside canvas was very generous and even somewhat forgiving, the outside space would be anything but. We wanted to squeeze in as much seating space as possible in their limited courtyard area, without encroaching on the already compact-sized pool. The first and most obvious solution was to get rid of the trees and shrubs that separated this house from its zero-lot-line neighbor. With the addition of Lueder limestone pavers, this new area alone would free up nearly 120 additional square feet, which happened to be the perfect amount of space for a mobile gas fire pit and sectional sofa. And this would make for the perfect place to enjoy the afternoon sunset with the implementation of a custom-built metal pergola standing above it all. The next problem to overcome was the disconnected feel of the existing patio; there were too many levels of steps and stairs, which meant that it would have been difficult to have any sort of traditional furniture arrangement in their outdoor space. Randy knew that it only made sense to bring in a wood deck that could be mated to the highest level of the patio, thus creating and gaining the greatest amount of continuous, flat space that the client needed. But even so, that flat space would be limited to a very tight "L-shape" around the pool. And knowing this, the client decided that the larger space would be more valuable to them than the spa, so they opted to have a portion of the deck built over it in order to allow for a more generous amount of patio space. And with the edge of the patio/deck dropping off almost 2 feet to the waterline, it now created the perfect opportunity to have a visually compelling raised wall that could be adorned with different hues of plank-shaped tiles. From inside the pool, the varying shades of brown were a great accent to the wood deck that sat just above. However, the true visual crowning jewel of this project would end up being the raised back wall along the fence, fully encased in a large format, 24x24 slate grey tile, complete with a custom stainless steel, square-tube scupper bank, installed at just the right height to create the perfect amount of water noise. But Randy wasn't done just yet. With two entirely new entertaining areas opened up at opposite ends of the pool, the only thing left to do now was to connect them. Knowing that he nor the client wanted to eliminate any more water space, he decided to bring a new traffic pattern right into the pool by way of two "floating", Lueder limestone stepper pads. It would be a visually perfect union of both pool and walking spaces. The existing steps and walkways were then cut away and replaced with matching Lueder limestone caps and steppers. All remaining hardscape gaps were later filled with Mexican beach pebble, which helped to promote a very "zen-like" feel in this outdoor space. The interior of the pool was coated with Wet Edge Primerastone "Blue Pacific Coast" plaster, and then lit up with the incredibly versatile Pentair GloBrite LED pool lights. In the end, the client ended up gaining the additional entertaining and seating space that they needed, and the updated, modern feel that they loved.