Mountain Mine-Themed Pool With Waterfalls, Slide and More

Color Kinetics light system in the pool and landscape provide multiple "light shows" that can be custom programmed to fit the client's desires. A dramatic mood setting for a totally different feel in the expansive pool and outdoor entertaining area. Design and Construction by Kelly Caviness, Caviness Landscape Design, Inc. Photography by KO Rinearson

Freeform projects

Atlanta Outdoor Designs, Inc.

Tropical Pool

Contemporary Hammered Steel Fire and Water Bowls

Matthew Murrey Design

Inspired by the contemporary architecture and vibrant lights and colors of the Las Vegas Strip, this previously designed, more traditional project, was transformed into a contemporary environment — built for entertaining. The transformation included removing an existing pool and paving, and working around existing palm trees. The project includes a pool, zero edge spa, fire pit seating area, fire and water features, outdoor televisions, sunken outdoor kitchen, poolside bar, underwater barstools, and a USGA specified putting surface as the lawn.

Traditional Elements - Ambler, PA

Armond Aquatech Pools

Plunge Pool

Integrated Diving Board

Legacy Landscape Design, LLC

This was a complete front and back transformation. We took the dirt from the back yard and used it to level the front yard and made both more useable. The main feature was a large gunite swimming pool, with built in diving board. We also built in the client's trampoline as well and left room for their play set and play house. It was a kids paradise! The kool deck was nice and cool in the summer and allowed for barefoot basketball games. We designed and installed a large Cedar screened in porch with fireplace and grill. Just off the porch was a hot tub. We completed it with lush landscaping, irrigation and lighting. Mark Schisler, Legacy Landscapes, Inc.

Waterfall

Anthony W Design

Hanover Project

Williams Exterior Design

Atlanta Modern Farmhouse - Stunning Pool

Sheehan Built Homes

Jeff Herr Photography.........Pool by JBrownlee Design

Bentwater Lakehouse

JAUREGUI Architecture Interiors Construction

Custom Rock Waterfall Pool with Stone Grotto, Stream and Tiki Hut

Lucas Lagoons Inc.

Beyond the grand stone veneer entrance, a breezeway opens to a stunning outdoor living space with views of Sarasota bay. Over 1,000 square feet of flagstone decking lays right up to the edge of the rock waterfall pool, the stonework continues around to an outdoor shower made with three large boulders and massive stone steps to a secret tropical pathway behind the pool grotto. From here you can climb the grotto rocks and jump into the swimming pool, or meander on to the tiki hut. Once in the pool, the the swim up ledge in the grotto can be accessed from the pool’s sun shelf and is large enough to stand in. If the walk-through grotto doesn’t make this one of the best lagoons in Florida, there is a fire pit peninsula between the lounge chairs on the sun shelf and the in-pool seating cove next to the oversize spa to maximize the space. Photo: Geza Darrah

Ultimate Trophy Club Pool Transformation

Mike Farley Pool Designer, SWD, ASLA

This beautiful geometric project designed by Mike Farley has a lot of elevation changes with a stunning view of the golfcourse. The flush spa was kept near the house for easy access and blended with the contemporary style of the home. Both the outdoor kitchen and fire pit area are used as retaining walls with the elevation change. It also gives lots of seating along with the bar stools - inside and outside the pool. The water feature is a sheer rain fall that is kept low so that the golf course view isn't blocked. There is a nice sized tanning ledge to hang out on. The outdoor kitchen has a grill, trash can, drop in cooler and lots of seating. The cabana has cam lights for evening fun. We used ceramic on the patio that looks like wood and has greys and browns in it. The concrete is grey with a heavy texture. The channels have Mexican Pebble to blend with the grey tones.

Claude C. Lapp Architects, LLC

Maryland Photography, Inc.

Outdoor Retreats

Tierney Pools

St. Ives Backyard Paradise

Georgia Classic Pool

Joshua Dover Photography

Royce Court

Cari Berg Interior Design

Rock Swimming Pools

Splash Pools & Construction

This expansive rock wall provides a secluded retreat pool in this backyard. Water flows from nearly every spot along the wall. An enclosed water slide ends with a water falling over the exit before you go into the pool. Rock was carefully detailed to match the oasis style backyard that this homeowner desired.

Custom-shaped 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.