Our clients wish list was fairly simple: a small, traditional pool with a raised spa. They wanted enough deck space for light entertaining around the pool, but due to their generous covered veranda, they did not require much more than that. Oh--and a little yard space for the dog! The entire design was really driven by a very strong central sight line through the house, all the way from the front door. Using this as the center-line for the pool, we pushed the pool as far toward the rear property line as code would allow and then created the main focal feature of the project: a seven-foot-tall limestone and cast stone wall, with a laser-cut steel sculpture, created the project designer. The cast stone columns and center arch echo the architecture of the home and create the perfect backdrop for the raised spa. The same wrought-iron gas lanterns used at the front entry of the home are repeated on columns here. The color palette is subtle and classic, much like the interior of the home and the decor within the grand veranda directly adjacent the pool. 18"x30" blocks of limestone were used to create the wall at the rear of the property, and harmonizing with the veneer on the home. The pool is finished with Pennsylvania Premier coping, with a bull-nosed edge, shadowed by a 2" band of black granite. The surrounding decks are Travertine pavers in a 'Versailles' pattern, bordered by a 12" band of Pennsylvania stone. The pool utilizes three different glass tiles for a highly customized style. The glass mosaic on the wet deck and in the spa is a custom blend created by the homeowner and the designer. A grey/green Diamondbrite interior finish completes the soft hues that make this project aesthetically soothing to the eye. The homeowner had been through 4 different home builders during the construction of their dream home. Understandably, when it came to the pool, they wanted to be certain they didn't go through the same difficulties and sought out a company with the reputation and the creativity that would exceed their expectations. After seeing our detailed design study for their admittedly "compact space", they knew they had found just the right company.

Canturbury- Dallas

Summerhill Pools

Mid-sized transitional backyard l-shaped natural pool in Dallas with concrete pavers.

Blending a new spa into an existing patio

Boilini Company

Design ideas for a transitional backyard pool in Chicago with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Widen Your Horizon

Unilock

The combination of Umbriano, Ledgestone and Lineo Dimensional Stone for this backyard pool deck are perfect. The colors, Midnight Sky and Winter Marvel, worked perfectly with the home and helps provide a modern look as well.

Forest Hill

Land-Con LTD

Photo of a transitional backyard rectangular pool in Toronto with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

431 Balmoral Road

Zoltan Construction LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional backyard rectangular natural pool in Orlando with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

Private Residence

K2 Builders

Photo of a large transitional backyard rectangular lap pool in Miami with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Swimming Pool with Slides and Waterfall Stone Features

Millenium Stone Works

Swimming pool with slides installation and waterfalls surrounded by stone features in NJ and NY residential backyard. Contact us for more beautiful hardscape designs that will transform your home.

Maximizing a Small-ish Backyard w/ Poolside Entertaining

Brendan McHugh, Architect, Manasquan, NJ

This open covered area on the patio has an outdoor bar area with seating & television. It is poolside, at patio level, and it is attached to the garage.

Freshwater Farmhouse

Blok Builders, Inc.

Design ideas for a transitional rectangular pool in Grand Rapids with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Traditional Pool and Cabana - Cedarburg

Ginkgo Leaf Studio

Looking back towards the pool pavilion. Allium and buxus line both sides of the pool. Westhauser Photography
Photo of a mid-sized transitional backyard pool in Milwaukee with concrete pavers.

Custom Design Home - Hamptons style

Orbit Homes

Michelle Williams Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional backyard l-shaped lap pool in Melbourne with concrete pavers.

Weir Residence

Geoff Chick & Associates

Inspiration for a large transitional backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Other with a hot tub and concrete pavers.

My Projects

H2O Pools & Custom Design LLC

Design ideas for a large transitional backyard l-shaped lap pool in Other with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Steeplechase Landscape and Pool

Spayd's Landscape and Design

This is an example of a large transitional backyard rectangular lap pool in Philadelphia with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Upper West Side

Jay McKinnon Company

Small transitional backyard rectangular pool in Other with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Modern Farm House

Design Ecology

Jimi Smith Photography Tim Brown Architecture
This is an example of a large transitional backyard rectangular lap pool in Austin with concrete pavers.

Transitional Style Custom Home

Custer Homes Inc

Design/Build custom home in Hummelstown, PA. This transitional style home features a timeless design with on-trend finishes and features. An outdoor living retreat features a pool, landscape lighting, playground, outdoor seating, and more.

Franklin Park Pool

WINN Design+Build

Photo of a large transitional backyard rectangular pool in DC Metro with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Transitional Pool

Design ideas for a large transitional backyard rectangular lap pool in Other with a pool house and concrete pavers.

Transitional Pool Design Ideas with Concrete Pavers

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 transitional 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 transitional 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 transitional 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 transitional 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 transitional 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.