A Sympathetic In-between Positioned at the edge of the Field of Mars Reserve, Walless Cabana is the heart of family living, where people and nature come together harmoniously and embrace each other. In creating a seamless transition between the existing family home and the distant bushland, Walless Cabana deliberately curates the language of its surroundings through the Japanese concept of 'Shakkei' or borrowed scenery, ensuring its humble and respectful presence in place. Despite being a permanent structure, it is a transient space that adapts and changes dynamically with everchanging nature, personalities and lifestyle.

Gwinganna, Kiama

Lime Building Group

Beach Haven House

Milieu: Architecture + Design

Esteswood

Chateau Properties, Inc.

Hilltop home in Lafayette, CA

Melanie Stewart Designs

East Hampton New Traditional

Chango

Interior Design, Custom Furniture Design, & Art Curation by Chango & Co. Photography by Raquel Langworthy Shop the East Hampton New Traditional accessories at the Chango Shop!

Kennett Square Pool House

Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.

E.S. Templeton Signature Landscapes

Bay Front Property

Tipton Spires Design|Build

Luxury bay front waterfront property with a geometric contemporary pool, vanishing edge, lower basin, vanishing edge hot tub, custom tile, large format natural stone decking, artificial turf banding and a coastal landscape. A custom koi pond in the front entry creates an elegant entrance to thehome.

Backyard & Barn

Forte Building Group, LLC

Custom Pool and Backyard in Boca Raton

Van Kirk & Sons Pools and Spas

This custom pool and spa have everything a backyard needs. The custom pergola over the spa rains water to keep you warm. There is also a raised wall with 2 bubblers and a fire feature.

Paradise Preserve | Atlantic Beach Contemporary Backyard

Cascade Outdoor Design

This compact space allows for a lot of outdoor living options, without feeling too cramped. The homeowners really wanted a pool and spa, but didn't believe their yard was big enough. Not only did they get both by incorporating a spool, they also have plenty of room for seating and dining, lush landscaping, and a lawn where their child and dogs can play! Photo by Craig O'Neal

Pools

User

Amazing Pool / outdoor living space

RVP Photography

Ross Van Pelt - RVP Photography

Pool & Patio Design - Exeter, NH

Mandeville Canyon Designs

This family friendly shape lends itself toward games and relaxation. The fiberglass pool ranges in depth from 3.6' to 6'. Aberdeen pavers from Techo-bloc mimic natural stone but do not retain the heat, therefore staying cool to the touch. Photo Credit: Nat Rea

10x12 Poolside Retreat & Living Space

Studio Shed - Live Large. Build Small.

Rather than a home addition, this customer thought outside the box - a satellite lounge area next to the backyard pool is a great space to hang out and relax after a dip. This Studio Shed is coordinated with the exterior space through color matching and orientation.

Pool Design

MJM Design Group, Inc.

Modern Compact Space

Tipton Spires Design|Build

Small space. No problem. This compacy yet luxurious modern contemporary space features an island rim flow hot tub with floating steppers, baja shelf for sun bathing, raised beam wall with three custom natural stone water sheers, deep blue glass tile, natural stone travertine decking, outdoor living covered patio and kitchen, raised composite trex wood deck with custom fire pit and a swim up bar to the hot tub. A native evergreen landscape package completes this beautifuul space.

Inspiration Point

Square One Landscape Group

Balcones Tiny Pool

Texas Tiny Pools

We really pushed the limits with this 12’x17’-ish Tiny Pool! Using our tiniest construction equipment to navigate super narrow access to the backyard was just the beginning – we also dealt with engineering and utility challenges to bring this pool dream to reality. The result is stunning!

Concord Pool Deck

Lynch Landscape and Tree Service, Inc.

Kidney-shaped and Custom-shaped 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 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.