The outdoor living room’s covered lounge area is located two steps above the main pool deck. Whether you’re indoor or out, the view over the lake is beautifully calming. That’s why it’s a focal point from the great room, with its impressive two-storey wall of glass.

Simply Modern

Vernon Wentz

This well placed modern pool was designed to fit in a small space and with keeping the area open has a large feel. The use of many types of finishes gives this home a lot of character with even more charm. Photography by Vernon Wentz of Ad Imagery.

Backyard Views

BuildGDG

A small Modern Marvel

Zier Pools

Custom Jacksonville Mediterranean

J.A. Long, Inc

North Omaha Pool and Outdoor Bar

T Hurt Construction

Saltwater Inground Pool and Outdoor Kitchen

MARK IV Builders, Inc

MARK IV Builders removed a small gazebo and built a new entertainment space adjacent to this Bethesda inground pool. The new outdoor kitchen includes covered seating with an outside television. Flagstone lines the floor in the kitchen and on the patio. The pool deck is travertine. The pergola includes pendant lighting and a firepit.

Uptown Southern Charm

Mullin

LazyEye Photography

Waterfront Home, Lake Norman NC

E S Johnson Builders, LLC

Serena Apostle

Calle Redonda

Two Hawks Design and Development

Poolside Perfection

Nordin Builders, Inc.

Exceptional Frames Photography

Onaway - Narrow Lakefront Bluff

Visbeen Architects

Designed with an open floor plan and layered outdoor spaces, the Onaway is a perfect cottage for narrow lakefront lots. The exterior features elements from both the Shingle and Craftsman architectural movements, creating a warm cottage feel. An open main level skillfully disguises this narrow home by using furniture arrangements and low built-ins to define each spaces’ perimeter. Every room has a view to each other as well as a view of the lake. The cottage feel of this home’s exterior is carried inside with a neutral, crisp white, and blue nautical themed palette. The kitchen features natural wood cabinetry and a long island capped by a pub height table with chairs. Above the garage, and separate from the main house, is a series of spaces for plenty of guests to spend the night. The symmetrical bunk room features custom staircases to the top bunks with drawers built in. The best views of the lakefront are found on the master bedrooms private deck, to the rear of the main house. The open floor plan continues downstairs with two large gathering spaces opening up to an outdoor covered patio complete with custom grill pit.

Burkett Residence

AquaTerra Outdoors

Our client wanted a complete transformation of their backyard and we were excited to be a part of this awesome project. This pool has cast stone coping and water features, glass waterline tile and water feature wall tile, durazzo plaster, travertine pavers and LED lighting. We also build an all new arbor, covered patio and outdoor kitchen. Photography: Wade Griffith

Polyesterbecken

Pool-Konzept GmbH & Co. KG

Thorsten Faust

Canyon Pass at Dove Mountain

Milestone Homes

This infinity pool and spa is designed to take advantage of the incredible views. Photo by Robinette Architects, Inc.

Raised Patio and Fire Pit

Swim Things

Raised patio area for seating with fire pit. Photo Credit - Anne Cannon Photography

Infinity Edge Elements - Newtown Square, PA

Armond Aquatech Pools

Q Stern Photography

California Beach House Remodel

Builder Boy

This backyard features a jacuzzi, grilling station and fire pit for outdoor entertaining that's sure to impress. We partnered with Jennifer Allison Design on this project. Her design firm contacted us to paint the entire house - inside and out. Images are used with permission. You can contact her at (310) 488-0331 for more information.

Ranch Reinvented

RD Architecture, LLC

Photography by Juliana Franco

Blue Pool Design Ideas with Natural Stone 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 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.