This young Kleinberg family wanted their backyard to become their “cottage at home” with a Betz custom shape 16' x 38' pool to occupy the kids and a cabana with full kitchen, outdoor lounge and dining areas to satisfy adult entertainment needs. A massive “Muskoka-look” rock feature with waterfall provides a focal point while the spacious deck area of architectural stamped concrete is surrounded by lush plantings featuring a selection of native species.

Studio City

Paradise Design Studio

www.paradisedesignstudio.com Sloped planting area was created behind the retaining wall. A stacked stone veneer gave the spa a more modern look. The pool was then updated with a fresh glass tile and colored plaster.

Swan Pools-Swimming Pool Construction Company

Swan Pools Southern California

Swan Pools | A Private Beach The 2004 NSPI Silver Design Award winner, this Laguna Niguel home was blessed with a generous, open space protected by a steep hillside. Broad, sweeping walkways and stone risers subtly break the islands housing the spa, sun deck and fire pit. A gently sloping beach entry and understated waterfalls suggest a tropical lagoon. The pool area is accented with several varieties of stone, natural brushed concrete and blue Pebblecoat, and finished with Swan landscaping.

Natural Water Feature

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.

Incredible Custom Pools and Spas

Urban Landscape

Natural Private Residence

Pool Environments, Inc.

A natural pool setting creates a oasis in the midst of a busy neighborhood.

Ellis Consulting Group Inc.

An East Bay Garden

Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

This property has a wonderful juxtaposition of modern and traditional elements, which are unified by a natural planting scheme. Although the house is traditional, the client desired some contemporary elements, enabling us to introduce rusted steel fences and arbors, black granite for the barbeque counter, and black African slate for the main terrace. An existing brick retaining wall was saved and forms the backdrop for a long fountain with two stone water sources. Almost an acre in size, the property has several destinations. A winding set of steps takes the visitor up the hill to a redwood hot tub, set in a deck amongst walls and stone pillars, overlooking the property. Another winding path takes the visitor to the arbor at the end of the property, furnished with Emu chaises, with relaxing views back to the house, and easy access to the adjacent vegetable garden. Photos: Simmonds & Associates, Inc.

Tropical pool with fire features

Cameo Pools

Pool Pavilion

John Bynum Custom Homes, Inc.

Travis Heights - Guest House

Risinger Homes

Whit Preston Photography

Multi-Level Patios, Waterfalls & Pool Utilizing The Native Oklahoma Terrain

CAVINESS LANDSCAPE DESIGN, INC.

Elaborate swimming pool with dry-laid stone retaining walls, flagstone patios and beach entry, with a natural boulder waterfall. Design and Installation by Caviness Landscape Design, Inc. Photo by KO Rinearson

Backyard Retreats

Mirage Landscape

Night Shot of a Rooftop Pool & Spa, Miami

Bradford Products

The South Beach Miami penthouse pool and spa is a custom designed project with stainless steel and 1x1 specialty glass tile created to continue the decadent vibe of a rooftop scene to take your breath away. The creative design includes unique pool features such as the submerged stools, the accessible table-functioning edge, and its step-level details that match the surrounding top deck environment. The overall pool design is to elevate you to the stunning view with the hot tub above the pool, yet keep the whole structure as a low-lying position on the deck. The stainless steel construction was ideally suited for ocean side, high salt area. A negative edge creates a stunning vanishing edge which effectively blurs the line between pool and the ocean beyond. It features stools as part of the pool structure allowing for seated access inside the pool to the table designed to overhang the pool edge. The weight of a large top floor pool was overcome by the customized stainless steel material.

Tropical Pool

Wonglepong Project

JB Pool Construction

Irvington Deck + Patio

Howells Architecture + Design

We converted an underused back yard into a modern outdoor living space. Functions include a cedar soaking tub, outdoor shower, fire pit, and dining area. The decking is ipe hardwood, the fence is stained cedar, and cast concrete with gravel adds texture at the fire pit. Photos copyright Laurie Black Photography.

Tudor Noir

Colossus Mfg.

Cream loungers and dark stone side tables line the edge of the pool with black and white subway tile accents.

Round 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.