Black and white home exterior with a plunge pool in the backyard.

Swimming pool & spa

Haver & Skolnick LLC Architects

The pool features a submerged spa and gradual entry platforms. Robert Benson Photography.

Rainbow Lodge Remodel

Centre Sky Architecture Ltd

The Yellowstone Club, America’s most exclusive ski resort, is located in Big Sky, Montana and is a playground for the outdoor enthusiast who enjoys luxury. Centre Sky Architecture renovated the mid-mountain Rainbow Lodge from 5,000 square feet to almost 14,000 square feet. The original lodge had a heavy emphasis on a traditional feel, touting log walls and trusses and boasting the log cabin feel. The color scheme went to grey and beige tones, lightening the interior. The dining room and kitchen were both expanded, a patio, two spas, a copper pool, and a workout facility were also added to the lodge. (photos by Gibeon Photography)

Anthology Farm

Unique Homestays

Burr Ridge Swimming Pool and Hot Tub Project

Platinum Poolcare

This project feaures a 18’0” x 35’0”, 4’0” to 5’0” deep swimming pool and a 7’0” x 9’0” hot tub. Both the pool and hot tub feature color-changing LED lights. The pool also features a set of full-end steps. Both the pool and hot tub coping are Valders Wisconsin Limestone. Both the pool and the hot tub are outfitted with automatic pool safety covers with custom stone lid systems. The pool and hot tub finish is Wet Edge Primera Stone Midnight Breeze.. The pool deck is mortar set Valders Wisconsin Limestone, and the pool deck retaining wall is a stone veneer with Valders Wisconsin coping. The masonry planters are also veneered in stone with Valders Wisconsin Limestone caps. Photos by e3 Photography.This project feaures a 18’0” x 35’0”, 4’0” to 5’0” deep swimming pool and a 7’0” x 9’0” hot tub. Both the pool and hot tub feature color-changing LED lights. The pool also features a set of full-end steps. Both the pool and hot tub coping are Valders Wisconsin Limestone. Both the pool and the hot tub are outfitted with automatic pool safety covers with custom stone lid systems. The pool and hot tub finish is Wet Edge Primera Stone. The pool deck is mortar set Valders Wisconsin Limestone, and the pool deck retaining wall is a stone veneer with Valders Wisconsin coping. The masonry planters are also veneered in stone with Valders Wisconsin Limestone caps. Photos by e3 Photography.

Lakeside Modern Luxury

Keith Zars Pools

This beautiful, modern lakefront pool features a negative edge perfectly highlighting gorgeous sunset views over the lake water. An over-sized sun shelf with bubblers, negative edge spa, rain curtain in the gazebo, and two fire bowls create a stunning serene space.

Lamberth Drive

Plank & Pillow

Henry Jones

Farmhouse Estate

Scott Christopher Homes

Nestled in the countryside and designed to accommodate a multi-generational family, this custom compound boasts a nearly 5,000 square foot main residence, an infinity pool with luscious landscaping, a guest and pool house as well as a pole barn. The spacious, yet cozy flow of the main residence fits perfectly with the farmhouse style exterior. The gourmet kitchen with separate bakery kitchen offers built-in banquette seating for casual dining and is open to a cozy dining room for more formal meals enjoyed in front of the wood-burning fireplace. Completing the main level is a library, mudroom and living room with rustic accents throughout. The upper level features a grand master suite, a guest bedroom with dressing room, a laundry room as well as a sizable home office. The lower level has a fireside sitting room that opens to the media and exercise rooms by custom-built sliding barn doors. The quaint guest house has a living room, dining room and full kitchen, plus an upper level with two bedrooms and a full bath, as well as a wrap-around porch overlooking the infinity edge pool and picturesque landscaping of the estate.

Outdoor Living Space - DeSoto

Schloegel Design Remodel

Elite Home Images

Westlake Hills 1

The Garden Design Studio

Jessica Mims, See In See Out

MENLO I

Carrington Hill Designs, Inc.

Pool House

HOBBS INC

Jane Beiles

Back Yard

Joseph Farrell Architecture

Interior Design by Pamala Deikel Design Photos by Paul Rollis

Custom Home Danville, CA

SDG Architects

Ipswich River Pool House

Carpenter & MacNeille

Richard Mandelkorn

Classic Carolina

Bradford Products

This Classic Carolina Bradford spa is fully recessed into the stone decking. Bradford spas are uniquely resistant to difficult weather conditions because of their extremely durable stainless steel shell. A Bradford spa will not crack in extreme temperatures and comes with a standard 25 year warranty on the shell.

Lookout

Rockport Post & Beam

Stone Outdoor Fireplace

Eldorado Stone

Watermill Residence

Jack deLashmet and Associates

Doug Young

Outdoor Living II

Pool Environments, Inc.

Randy Angell, Designer

Country Rectangular 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 country 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 country 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 country 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 country 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 country 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.