This gorgeous Roseville Plunge Pool combo is nestled into an Asian-inspired corner of a small backyard in Sydney’s Upper North Shore. Multi-purpose Plunge and Spa pools are a perfect solution in Sydney when you have a smaller backyard. They provide a refreshing break in the height of summer and warm comfort in winter. Fully tiled with Ela Fiji files and surrounded with natural, grey Granite, we’re not surprised this plunge pool won the MBA award for Best Spa in 2017.

Classic Carolina - Small Yard

Bradford Products

Partially recessed stainless steel spa with tile trim in this compact, San Fransisco backyard. Landscape design by Katharine Webster.

White Oak Timber Framed Pool Cabana

Carolina Timberworks

Enmore - Plunge Pool + Entertaining Deck

GOODMANORS Pool + Garden

Soake Plunge Pool

Soake Pools

This concrete plunge pool installation and finish work involved a collaboration between Soake Pools and Woodburn and Company. Photo credit Vicky Martel, Woodburn and Company

Hill Street

Jeffrey P. Gibbons Architect, PC

Backyard Escape

Intex Design and Construction

Small space pool and spa design with turf landscape. www.IntexDandC.com @IntexDandC

Key Biscayne Pool & Kitchen

Somar Pools

The existing pool was way too large for the space, it took up the entire back yard.

Olmos Park Rectangular Pool

Brad Sharpe Pools

Robert Shaw photographer

Infinity Edge, Negative Edge, Vanishing Edge and Rimless Pools

J. Tortorella Swimming Pools

This pool and spa combination has an Infinity Edge. The spa is raised slightly with a Negative Edge that overflows into the infinity gutter system. Both inside coping and tile are Black Absolute Granite with a honed finish. Outside coping is 2’ x2’ Bluestone pavers and both pool and spa are finished with a Black Galaxy Pebblefina.

Private Residences - Mediterranean

Fusch Architects, Inc.

Private Residence - Mediterranean

Coastal Stunner - Infinity Pool

eric gedney | ARCHITECT

Landon Acohido www.acophoto.com

u2014 ALE: Mountainside Living

Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association

PA Landscape Group INC Project Entry: Mountainside Living 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Hardscaping-Residential $120,000&over Award Level: Silver Photo Description: This residence sits on a mountain side, sloping wooded property. Water was an issue flowing down the mountain, so many rocked swales divert the flow. The area which we are presenting is the rear of the house that will be used to entertain family and friends, a place to unwind in the evenings and weekends. We designed the outdoor areas to meet the needs and desires of the owners. When one walks through the breezeway not only to see an expansive valley view, but a relaxing fireplace and living area below where relaxing begins. Walk down the stairway of natural cut stone, you wonder through a landscaped garden onto the living area patio. Looking to your left is the pool with ample hardscape pool deck; large enough for a party or just the intimacy of two. Separating, yet joining the two areas is the grilling island, bar and outdoor wood burning oven. On the other side of the living area we go down a few steps to the raised planters and conservatory/greenhouse where plant are enjoyed from seedling to flower, or one can read a good book. Each area has it’s own personality for conversation or contemplation. The area is surrounded with plantings to provide color or to silhouette on the gray winter sky.

Infinity Edge & Overflow Pools

Harold Leidner Landscape Architects

This modern Mediterranean residence features a private courtyard with a raised, zero edge, all-tile pool with stone terraces and seating areas around on all sides.

Black Reflective Infinity Edge Contemporary Pool

Selective Designs by Shane LeBlanc

Shane LeBlanc

2012 Home of the Year - Best Outdoor Space

SmartHouse Integration LLC

Custom Home of the Year 2012 Electronic House magazine Sarasota, FL Longboat Key, FL Casey Key, FL Siesta Key, FL Venice, FL Lakewood Ranch, FL

Pool & Pool House

Wagner Hodgson

Pool & Pool House Stowe, Vermont This mountain top residential site offers spectacular 180 degree views towards adjacent hillsides. The client desired to replace an existing pond with a pool and pool house to be used for both entertaining and family use. The open site is adjacent to the driveway to the north but offered spectacular mountain views to the south. The challenge was to provide privacy at the pool without obstructing the beautiful vista from the entry drive. Working closely with the architect we designed the pool and pool house as one modern element closely linked by proximity, detailing & geometry. In so doing, we used precise placement, careful choice of building & site materials, and minimalist planting. Existing trees were edited to open up selected views to the south. Rows of ornamental grasses provide architectural delineation of outdoor space. Understated stone steps in the lawn loosely connect the pool to the main house. Architect: Michael Minadeo + Partners Image Credit: Westphalen Photography

Applewood

ROYAL Decks and Landscapes

This modern backyard features a ICF tiled pool, cabana, shed, hot tub area, roof overhang from the house. All in same style to match the house

Pools

Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors

Rectangular and L-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.