This backyard leisure retreat is the highlight of a new retirement residence for a couple in Aurora. They pursued an outdoor living lifestyle and asked Betz to include features they could enjoy throughout the day, from morning to evening. The yard may be compact, but it is brimming with aesthetic appeal and practicality.

My Projects

H2O Pools & Custom Design LLC

Mestang Park

AquaTerra Outdoors

Wade Griffith

Viking Pools, Superior, Granite - Concord Pools and Spas

Latham Pool Products Inc.

This humble Viking Fiberglass Pool completes this beautiful backyard oasis in Latham, NY. Perfect for a few people to take a dip and relax, this pool was installed by Concord Pools and Spas.

Gallery

Premier Pools and Spas

Pools

Signature Custom Pools

Very small lot on a new construction with an elevation change

Lucas Firmin Pools

Amelia Park Courtyard Home

Lola Interiors

Lola Interiors, Interior Design | East Coast Virtual Tours, Photography

Backyard Retreat

Lawns of Dallas

Spa with a View

Southern Splash Pools Inc

Elegant

Randy Angell Designs

Our clients wish list was fairly simple: a small, traditional pool with a raised spa. They wanted enough deck space for light entertaining around the pool, but due to their generous covered veranda, they did not require much more than that. Oh--and a little yard space for the dog! The entire design was really driven by a very strong central sight line through the house, all the way from the front door. Using this as the center-line for the pool, we pushed the pool as far toward the rear property line as code would allow and then created the main focal feature of the project: a seven-foot-tall limestone and cast stone wall, with a laser-cut steel sculpture, created the project designer. The cast stone columns and center arch echo the architecture of the home and create the perfect backdrop for the raised spa. The same wrought-iron gas lanterns used at the front entry of the home are repeated on columns here. The color palette is subtle and classic, much like the interior of the home and the decor within the grand veranda directly adjacent the pool. 18"x30" blocks of limestone were used to create the wall at the rear of the property, and harmonizing with the veneer on the home. The pool is finished with Pennsylvania Premier coping, with a bull-nosed edge, shadowed by a 2" band of black granite. The surrounding decks are Travertine pavers in a 'Versailles' pattern, bordered by a 12" band of Pennsylvania stone. The pool utilizes three different glass tiles for a highly customized style. The glass mosaic on the wet deck and in the spa is a custom blend created by the homeowner and the designer. A grey/green Diamondbrite interior finish completes the soft hues that make this project aesthetically soothing to the eye. The homeowner had been through 4 different home builders during the construction of their dream home. Understandably, when it came to the pool, they wanted to be certain they didn't go through the same difficulties and sought out a company with the reputation and the creativity that would exceed their expectations. After seeing our detailed design study for their admittedly "compact space", they knew they had found just the right company.

Murrietta Rock Pool

American Heritage Pool Corporation

freeform pool with Honey Quartz boulder raised back, raised spa; natural Quartzite rock drip edge spillway; natural rock coping on front edge of pool and spa, Tropics Blue mini pebble interior. American Heritage Pool Corporation

Gallery - Geometric Vinyl Pools

Betz Pools Limited

This mid-town Toronto family with young children had a dilemma, how to get maximum enjoyment from their small backyard? The answer was to turn it into a low maintenance paradise for relaxation and entertainment, with a 12’ x 27’ vinyl pool with spa as the focal point.

Atherton Pool House

Johnston Home Interior Design

Konstrukt Photo

Beautiful well designed pool

Catalina Pools and Design

Here is a beautiful view of the rock waterfall. The falls cascade down over the grotto

Small Pools (Spools)

Premier Pools and Spas

Lucas Firmin Pools

Petite Bistro Dining Poolside

Deborah Martin Designs

Techo-Bloc pavers are laid surrounding the in-ground pool. Photographer: Darren Setlow

Atlanta, GA - New Neoclassical Home

Heirloom Design Build

Location: Atlanta, Georgia - Historical Inman Park Scope: This home was a new home we developed and built in Atlanta, GA. The pool's water feature is centered on the 12' slider door in the living room to bring the sound of the sheer falls into the home. The pool is a black plaster, polished aggregate pool. It is zero entry as well with a umbrella holder in the pool so it can be used to place chairs in for lounging. High performance / green building certifications: EPA Energy Star Certified Home, EarthCraft Certified Home - Gold, NGBS Green Certified Home - Gold, Department of Energy Net Zero Ready Home, GA Power Earthcents Home, EPA WaterSense Certified Home Builder/Developer: Heirloom Design Build Architect: Jones Pierce Interior Design/Decorator: Heirloom Design Build Photo Credit: D. F. Radlmann www.heirloomdesignbuild.com

Radiant Display Pool

Cryer Pools and Spas, Inc.

Cari Eaton

Small Transitional 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 transitional 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 transitional 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 transitional 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 transitional 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 transitional 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.