Tuscan style Courtyard with pool and pergola.

The view to the upper terrace includes a pool featuring custom designed Macedonia limestone coping that is convex at each corner where the sunflowers are prominently on display. The paving is produced from our Uxmal limestone which compliments the terra cotta roof tiles. The landscape beds are surrounded with a raised Macedonia limestone edging to compliment the raised edge of the pool. The vista leads to a Macedonia limestone pergola. The natural custom stone columns that support the open wood frame roof are Tuscan in style with an entasis. The colors are rich and reflective of the Tuscan style of central Italy. Photography by Tom Campbell

New Ranch House Near Austin, Texas

David Manning Architecture

Norman Garrettson Photography. View from the Master Bedroom Terrace to the Gust House. Please notice the stone sculpture fountain pouring water into the pool.

ARCHITECTURAL MOUNTAIN RESERVE

BOXHILL

Our favorite feature of this desert Shangri-La included a free-form pool with multiple water features.

Southwestern Tropical Pool & Spa in Parker County

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

Welcome to Parker county. This arched custom cedar door provides entrance & exit from the garden to the driveway. This helps screen the view of the cars from the adjacent pool area. This Parker county beauty has shade on both sides of the pool thanks to the 2 arbors. There is a flagstone beach entry, built in table, multiple waterfalls to give views from all areas of the yard. The raised spa has a natural looking stream going into the pool. The spa also has top step surrounding the seating well to give larger visual look without larger gallons & heating time. The LED lights and low voltage lighting around the pool give it a calming atmosphere at night. It is enclosed in Granbury chopped stone screen walls with stone archway. Photos by Mike Farley

730 6th Ave. N

T. Jerulle Construction, LLC

Matt Steeves Photography

West Lake Hills Infinity Edge Pool & Decks (Ipe, Cable Railing)

TimberTown

An infinity edge pool with imported tile and a waterfall. The decks are Ipe. Built by Greg Neff of CGN Premier Lonestar

Arden Mediterranean Backyard Living

Alan Dunn Landscape Design

Perimeter Overflow Pool with Spa

Rosebrook Pools, Inc.

Frankfort reflective perimeter overflow pool with spa, multiple tanning ledges, and water features along enhanced by color changing LED lighting. By Rosebrook Pools. 847-362-0400

Spring Branch, Texas Multi Level Pool/Spa

Land Design | Swimming Pools & Landscape Designs

Earth Model (by: Kargar Construction)

MJS Designers Group

Photos provided by Kargar Construction

Lake Oconee Dream Home

Freesia is a courtyard style residence with both indoor and outdoor spaces that create a feeling of intimacy and serenity. The centrally installed swimming pool becomes a visual feature of the home and is the centerpiece for all entertaining. The kitchen, great room, and master bedroom all open onto the swimming pool and the expansive lanai spaces that flank the pool. Four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a summer kitchen, fireplace, and 2.5 car garage complete the home. 3,261 square feet of air conditioned space is wrapped in 3,907 square feet of under roof living. Awards: Parade of Homes – First Place Custom Home, Greater Orlando Builders Association Grand Aurora Award – Detached Single Family Home $1,000,000-$1,500,000 – Aurora Award – Detached Single Family Home $1,000,000-$1,500,000 – Aurora Award – Kitchen $1,000,001-$2,000,000 – Aurora Award – Bath $1,000,001-$2,000,000 – Aurora Award – Green New Construction $1,000,000 – $2,000,000 – Aurora Award – Energy Efficient Home – Aurora Award – Landscape Design/Pool Design Best in American Living Awards, NAHB – Silver Award, One-of-a-Kind Custom Home up to 4,000 sq. ft. – Silver Award, Green-Built Home American Residential Design Awards, First Place – Green Design, AIBD

765 studio/residence, a modern residence in Atlanta, Georgia

TaC studios, architects

Pool oasis in Atlanta with large deck. The pool finish is Pebble Sheen by Pebble Tec, the dimensions are 8' wide x 50' long. The deck is Dasso XTR bamboo decking. Michael Tavel - photographer

French: Rheims

Harold Leidner Landscape Architects

A recently completed country French estate in Dallas, Texas. This home features expansive gardens, stone walls, antique limestone paving, a raised pool, a putting green, fire pit and lush gardens with relaxing shade and blooming shrubs

Landscaped Pools

Glen Gate Company

An unusually shaped pool fits perfectly into the terrace of this tudor style home.

Avalon Alderwood

Rutledge Maul Architects, P.S. Inc.

This 491 unit apartment complex is conveniently located adjacent to a scenic wooded wetland area onsite, and a large commercial center across the street.

Avalon Alderwood

Rutledge Maul Architects, P.S. Inc.

This 491 unit apartment complex is conveniently located adjacent to a scenic wooded wetland area onsite, and a large commercial center across the street.

Hidden Pearl

skaala architecture, LLC

Osborn Exterior

Luxe Design Group

Courtyard Pool Design Ideas with a Water Feature

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.