Custom pool design with waterfall, diving rock, spa and tropical planters
This is an example of a large tropical backyard kidney-shaped lap pool in New York with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Southlake Tropical Oasis - Pool, Spa & Cabana

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

The clients had just bought the home and loved the inside but not the outside. They did not want the formal setting with Greek busts. Since remodeling the old pool would have restricted the new, they had it removed so they could start from scratch. Their favorite setting was much more organic with a cabana, fireplace, and an outdoor kitchen. The house needed an addition with an entertainment media room, cigar room and pool bath. Privacy was achieved by adding a cabana on the north side with a full stone wall. The spa needed to be close to the master bedroom and have visibility of the flat screen television in the cabana. The spa is flush with the upper patio so not to block the view of the pool. A natural boulder stream connects the pool and spa. To soften the house planting is between the cabana and house. Decks and coping are Travertine. Pebblesheen color is Ocean Blue. Access to the cabana was located between the spa and the pool on the floating pad. Remote controlled fire features accent both ends of the boulders. Retaining walls were built behind the waterfall to bring the grade up so plantings looked more natural and waterfalls appeared to come out of the hillside. The cabana features were to create three zones. It does not matter the season or time of day, this space provides the family's perfect outside setting to enjoy each other. Project designed by Mike Farley. Check out Mike's Reference Site at FarleyPoolDesigns.com for more info and videos.

Quality Craftsman Home Located in Kona Vista

Nicholson

This is an example of a large tropical backyard rectangular lap pool in Hawaii with concrete slab.

Ice Patio Pavers

StoneHardscapes, LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized tropical backyard custom-shaped pool in Miami with a hot tub and brick pavers.

Tropical Outdoor Living

Scenic Landscaping

Floating stepping stones used to separate pool from spa area
Design ideas for a mid-sized tropical backyard l-shaped pool in New York with tile.

Rock Pool with Lazy River - Tropical Garden Style

My Garden: Landscape Design by Wayne

This is an example of a large tropical backyard custom-shaped pool in Los Angeles with a water feature.

Custom pool with jacuzzi and screen enclosure

User

Tropical Infinity Pool with jacuzzi and screen enclosure
Design ideas for a large tropical backyard custom-shaped infinity pool in Other with a hot tub and tile.

Maron Pool

Catalina Pools and Design

A view from the landscaped background of the custom free form pool.
Inspiration for a large tropical backyard custom-shaped natural pool in Atlanta with a water feature and natural stone pavers.

Ohana Mau Loa

LiLu Interiors

Chris and Marna believe in Ohana Mau Loa which means “family forever.” As return clients, they knew LiLu could help them build a vacation home in Hawaii that would provide a desirable and comfortable gathering place for four adult children and their spouses and 11 grandchildren. A central common space at the heart of the home with separate living quarters surrounding it helps to accommodate everyone with both shared and personal living spaces. Each has its own personality that showcases playful references to Big Island life. And yet the overall design concept weaves together a love of world travel with traditional tastes. Built with mahogany wood that is a staple of island construction, treasured heirlooms and other personal keepsakes are the perfect complement to make this dream home feel welcoming and familiar. Fabrics, finishes and furnishings were selected with the sea in mind and to accommodate wet swim suits, bare feet, and sandy shoes. ----- Project designed by Minneapolis interior design studio LiLu Interiors. They serve the Minneapolis-St. Paul area including Wayzata, Edina, and Rochester, and they travel to the far-flung destinations that their upscale clientele own second homes in. ---- For more about LiLu Interiors, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/ ---- To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.liluinteriors.com/blog/portfolio-items/ohana-mau-loa/

Palm Beach Residence

INTERIORS BY ELENA

A custom-built steel frame cabana on coquina flooring, custom tenting and drapes, with a sauna and seating for two. And outdoor shower amidst tropical landscaped gardens

Las Planederas

Nina Williams Designs

Interior Design by Nina Williams Designs Photography by Chris Miller
Design ideas for a large tropical backyard rectangular lap pool in San Diego with concrete slab.

Cocon exotique au coeur de la ville

In-Vivo Paysage

Inspiration for a small tropical courtyard pool in Bordeaux with decking.

Tropical garden

Zones Landscaping Auckland Central Kate Ryan

A beautiful resort style landscaped garden with daybed.
Large tropical backyard rectangular lap pool in Auckland with with a pool.

Coconino Residence

Venetian Outdoors

Large tropical backyard custom-shaped pool in Phoenix with a water slide and natural stone pavers.

Lemon Ranch

SoCal Contractor

Lori Dennis Interior Design Erika Bierman Photography
Design ideas for a large tropical backyard kidney-shaped natural pool in Los Angeles with a hot tub and brick pavers.

pool remodel

User

Inspiration for a mid-sized tropical backyard custom-shaped lap pool in Tampa with a hot tub and natural stone pavers.

Rock Pool with Lazy River - Tropical Garden Style

My Garden: Landscape Design by Wayne

Photo of a large tropical backyard custom-shaped pool in Los Angeles with a water feature.

Wailea Golf Estates Residence

ARQUITECTURA

Architect- Marc Taron Contractor- Kanegai Builders Landscape Architect- Irvin Higashi Interior Designer- Tervola Designs/Mhel Ramos Photography- Dan Cunningham

Vieques Island Pool and Terrace Design

Johker Design

Vieques Island oasis multi tiered dipping pool and patio, with large hot tub.
Mid-sized tropical courtyard custom-shaped natural pool in Baltimore with a water feature and tile.

Natural Setting

The Pool Man Inc.

Design ideas for a large tropical backyard custom-shaped pool in Houston with a water feature and concrete pavers.

Tropical 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 tropical 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 tropical 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 tropical 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 tropical 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 tropical 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.