The spa is covered in split face stone in the color silver. The coping is travertine in Antico. The decking is sprayed with Kool Deck in silver. We used a 6x6 waterline tile to mimic the water color. The Pebble Tech color is Blue Surf. The grotto and spa make the most relaxing sounds. photo by Michelle Yeatts

The Pool

Conscious Environments Inc.

This home featured an existing pool that needed a facelift along with needing some additional entertainment space. The pool was updated with new natural stone veneer, tile, & pebble plaster while preserving the existing brick coping. Many of the existing walls & hardscape elements were preserved; however, this made the project a challenge in that we had to carefully integrate the new with the old and maintain continuity throughout. A large outdoor covered room separated from the home was designed and constructed to create a comfortable venue for entertaining and relaxing. Added features such as BBQ island, fire pit, TV with entertainment center, outdoor heaters, carefully placed lighting, and comfortable furniture make it hard to escape from this backyard oasis.

A break in the pool deck provides a visual separation between the fire feature seating area and the pool lounge chairs.

Modern by Nature

Gulch Design Group

Palm Springs Residence

Carte Blanche Studio

Lanai Bifolding Doors in Santa Rosa, CA

Lanai Doors

Bifolding Doors, stacking to each side letting our customer open their entire wall. Lanai doors give a comfortable sunroom a sense of high end luxury.

Swan Pools-Swimming Pool Construction Company

Swan Pools Southern California

Swan Pools | Desert Oasis Create a relaxing and fun environment for those warm summer days.

Las Alturas, Santa Barbara

RRM Design Group

Michelle Torres-grant Photography

Plano - Pool, Spa, Fire Pit, & Attached Roof

Ortus Exteriors

Ortus Exteriors worked closely with the homeowner of this beautiful Plano home to design and build a custom pool and patio. The pool finish shows PebbleSheen's Aqua Blue color and an elevated wall for a rain descent waterfall and planters. The exposed cedar attached roof allowed for a large patio extension and a natural gas fire pit with gorgeous blue crushed glass to accent the water. We design and build luxury swimming pools and outdoor living areas the way YOU want it. We focus on all-encompassing projects that transform your land into a custom outdoor oasis. Ortus Exteriors is an authorized Belgard contractor, and we are accredited with the Better Business Bureau.

Willow Bend Plano Modern Renovation

Randy Angell Designs

When modernizing a curve-lined ("free-form") pool, the best way to give it that contemporary look is to incorporate straight lines and sharp angles wherever you can. Seeing as how demolishing and altering the existing pool beam can be incredibly expensive (if not logistically impossible in some cases), the most cost-effective way to incorporate those straight lines is to reconfigure/re-shape the pool decking. This was one of the many things that happened on this West Plano project. Notice the straight line saw cuts in the decking, coupled with the squared-off outside deck edges that those lines run into.

Natural Swimming Pool 2

Gary McDonald and Son Inc.

Gary McDonald

WAYCOOL Modern & Contemporary EXteriors

20-20 Custom Homes, by Pinnacle Builders of Texas

Outdoor Spaces

Elaine Romero Designs

Plano, TX, Collin County Residential Project

Dal-Rich Design & Construction

Newport Beach - Belcourt Remodel

David A. Kaech & Associates, Inc.

Rear Elevation - Remodel Photo by Robert Hansen

Luxury Backyards

Cody Pools, Inc.

Cody Pools - Gibson

Urban Design Associates

Photography: Dino Tonn Builder: RS Homes Interiors: KT Tamm

Custom-shaped Pool Design Ideas with Concrete Slab

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.