Ensure Lighting Is Top Of Your Landscaping List
Good outdoor lighting ideas are vital in small backyard landscaping. ‘Lighting any backyard at night is important, but more so in a small backyard,’ says Rachel Crow, Homes & Gardens‘ Gardens Editor. ‘Having layered lighting will make the space feel larger, while accent lighting can be focussed on interesting architecture, landscaping or plants. All this can of course be enjoyed from indoors, as well as out.’
Combine Planting With Paving
Olive trees will bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your yard, and theyre hardier than you think. Perfect for small spaces, mature olive tress with gnarled trunks will allow to eye to see beyond the immediate space.
‘The key to creating a successful garden of this type is to choose the two main elements planting and paving carefully,’ says designer . ‘This space makes use of natural materials to create a calming oasis in a big city.’
Plant these drought-tolerant plants along a paved pathway to create a welcoming archway inspired by Mediterranean gardens, as Fiorella has done here. Then pour yourself a glass of wine, sit beside your olive trees, and bask in the sun while imagining that youre holidaying on the shore of the Med.
Landscape Ideas For Small Backyards With Pools
A pool is a welcome backyard addition to almost any home. On the downside, if the yard is small, the pool likely takes up a good portion of it. Landscaping around the pool poses a challenge — areas around the pool are going to get wet and could become muddy. Permanent structures set next to the pool may be in the way, hindering access to the pool or the rest of the yard. Proper planning and space management maximize the utility and enjoyability of the pool and the yard around it.
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Small Pool Ideas To Improve Every Yard
If gloomy weather has you daydreaming of a sunny poolside vacation, weve got good news for you! Adding a pool to your backyard might be a more accessible option than you think.
Large, spacious pools are always popular, but a whole variety of small pool designs have skyrocketed in popularity and made home pools an option for many more homeowners. No matter the size of your backyard, youve got pool options to keep you cool on the hottest summer daysand hot tub options to keep you toasty year round.
Weve compiled some of some of our favorite pool landscape design ideas from the Tilly catalog for some major backyard makeover inspiration! But before we dive into those, lets define some of the trendy new pool lingo on the block. Youre going to need to know the difference between a container pool and a cocktail pool so that you know exactly which one to ask for!
Mix Up Some Drinks At A Poolside Bar
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If you are building a pool, a swim-up bar can be included in the design. Or, if you are adding to your existing pool landscaping, consider building a freestanding combo bar and grilling space for the best dinner parties. And once you have the bar installed, all you need to find is someone willing to make the drinks.
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Spool & Cocktail Pools
The spool might win the prize for silly names, but the combined spa and pool is actually a luxurious and functional addition to your landscape design. Also called cocktail pools, these miniature pools are generally less than 400 square feet. They are essentially small swimming pools with all the benefits of a spa or hot tub combined into one landscape installation. That means you can cool off in your spool in the midday sun, and then crank up the heater and jets for a hot tub experience after night falls.
These cocktail pool ideas will have you dreaming of your own backyard spa!
What Do You Need To Consider Before Add A Pool To A Small Backyard
‘The first thing that you need to consider is where your property lines are, what are your property line setbacks to a pool or spa, and whether the pool equipment must be within the setbacks or can sit on the property line.’ advises landscape architects .
‘This seems like a small detail but can make a big difference in your design. With every pool small or large comes pool equipment and zoning restrictions! Once you know the buildable envelope on your property for a pool, you can start to consider what kind of a pool will fit and look right in that space. Do not forget to consider that your pool needs to be fenced according to state and federal law. Think about this carefully, as it will affect your space in a small yard.’
Now you should consider the orientation of the pool and sitting areas. There is nothing nicer than evening sun on the pool so a western orientation is optimal. I always look to have reflections in a pool so siting a pool where a large tree will create reflections is important for the best Monet effect.’
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The Best Pool Design Ideas For Your Backyard
Buying a swimming pool for your backyard is an exciting and worthwhile experience. But it is important to plan carefully if you want this important investment to offer you maximum value for money.
Here are some of the main factors you need to consider, and some of our favourite pool design ideas, to make sure your project runs smoothly and your pool can be a beautiful central feature in your backyard.
Add A Touch Of Greenery
If you have a spacious wood or stone , break up the space with some thoughtfully placed greenery. Adding patches of grass with small shrubs or flowers on either side of the pool and in a few other areas around the deck can define the space and add visual appeal. Plus, grass feels good on those wet, bare toes!
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Barbecue & Outdoor Kitchen
Whats a pool party without great food? Build your outdoor kitchen or set up your barbecue area so that its easily accessible to the pool. It keeps it far enough from the back door to avoid the dangers of starting a fire while also keeping it convenient while you take a dip you dont have to plod all the way across a hot deck to check on the food!
How Well Do Your Pool Design Ideas Suit Your Property
Your pool design has to fit with the overall appearance of your property. It must blend seamlessly into the space of your backyard, so it looks like part of your home and becomes a beautiful design feature in your yard.
This means you need to look at the architectural style of your house when choosing your pool. Would a contemporary or traditional pool coordinate better with your house? Should the edges be straight and streamlined, or would a softer, more rounded look suit your property? Many pool manufacturers enable their pools to be styled in different ways, with either straight-edged or rounded-edged paving around them. This can completely transform the look of your pool and enable it to blend in better with the rest of your property.
Another element to consider here is the right pool colour to choose. If you are having a concrete pool built, you can choose from any number of different tiles. Fibreglass pools, on the other hand, come with gelcoat surfaces, which are easier to keep clean, but they are only available in as many colours as the manufacturer provides. Take a look at your home and yard, and consider which colour would coordinate best with the surroundings. Choosing the right colour can make all the difference when it comes to fitting your pool with the landscape and helping it to stand out as a feature.
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Use Pavers To Zone An Area For Entertaining
Dont get too carried away when planning your small back yard landscaping ideas. A carefully chosen palette of colors, materials and outdoor furniture is often the most satisfying.
However, this doesnt mean you cant be adventurous and experimental just be mindful that trying to squeeze too much into a compact space will make it cluttered and decrease usability.
In this compact garden, interior designer Elizabeth Cooper has used garden zoning to create a cozy seating area centered around a table perfect for intimate conversation.
Earthy materials, such as clay pavers and timber, add warmth and charm, and age beautiful over time. For this garden ‘room’ she has used paving stones in a similar color palette as the property, to visually expand the space.
A Permanent Solution For Relaxation
Stop using the lousy chairs and floats to settle your body. The main purpose of installing a pool is to achieve the utmost relaxation. So, try to take the full advantage of this opportunity by installing permanent chairs in the pool. This will help you soak up the splash and help flirt up with the sun. We would recommend you to install the pool chairs as close to the water as possible. It will help you to enjoy the best of both worlds.
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How Can I Make My Small Yard Look Nice
Making a small yard look nice is easier than you might think. Despite its small square footage, there are many elements to consider when planning how to landscape your backyard.
Isa Hendry Eaton, who launched Isa Bird Landscape Design in her hometown of Santa Barbara in 2013, released a book on designing small gardens in February 2020 with lifestyle writer Jennifer Blaise Kramer, and has a ‘special love’ for small gardens, because the details matter so much.
‘Theres no space to waste,’ she says. ‘In big gardens, you can try and fail many times, but you really dont have that luxury when designing small garden ideas.’
Even with space constraints, however, Eaton believes back yards should be treated as an extension of the home. Much like the homes interior, a small yard should focus on function over form, and you should have an idea of all the things you want to do in the space and how you want to feel there.
Small Backyard Pool Ideas
Looking for ideas for a small swimming pool in the backyard? Well, we have just the thing for you. Building a swimming pool when your backyard space is limited may seem like an impossible task. If you have a small, narrow, or just awkwardly shaped backyard, how and where can you install a swimming pool? All it takes is a little creativity.
And if youre smart, you wont have to sacrifice your entire outdoor space for a swimming pool. Small swimming pools are usually around 12 feet and can be even smaller if you are just looking for a plunge pool to cool off in. Small pools go by a variety of names: Lazy River, Plunge Pool, Cocktail Pool, Mini Pool, and Wading Pool. Some are even above ground, while others have interesting features like fountains, built-in ledges, and other special details. Find small backyard pool ideas here.
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Embrace Minimalist Industrial Style
Surrounded by concrete walls and stone slabs, this small urban garden has a very paired-back industrial feel and a simple rectangular pool fits perfectly in with the minimalist style.
And look at the positioning too. The positioning of a small pool can make all the difference when square footage is limited. Floating a pool in the center of your garden will only work if you have enough space to them be able to comfortably move around the pool, so having a pool closer to the house, as can be seen here, leaves plenty of room on one side for loungers.
Incorporating Landscape Design Throughout The Yard
The landscaping in this backyard contributes to the natural feel and adds several design accents. Two Pygmy Palms sit on each side of the waterfall and accentuate the focal point of the yard. There are 13 shrubs distributed throughout the area including Little John Bottlebrush, Petite Pink Oleanders and Arizona Yellow Bells. The Apache Brown screened granite rock is a natural transition from the travertine and runs around the perimeter of the outdoor environment.
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Small Backyard Pool Design Ideas: Queen Creek Ace
Our Pool Design Ideas series was created to help spark ideas of what might be a good fit for you in your backyard. When youre starting the process of building a pool, there are numerous decisions to make. A great place to get started is with the pool design and design elements. Whether its a freeform or geometric design, with modern, Tuscan, or retro design elements its really about the look that fits your home.
At California Pools & Landscape, weve been creating custom pools in the valley of the sun for more than 34 years. Weve designed thousands of backyards in all shapes and sizes, to meet the desires of every client.
Build A Rock Wall Along A Portion Of The Pool
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You can really enhance your pools landscaping by adding some elevated boulders around its edge. For the most custom look, rock can be incorporated directly into the design of the pool during construction. But even if you are retrofitting your landscaping to an existing pool, you can tap into this idea with both real or artificial bouldersincluding some that offer built-in speakers.
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Above Ground Pool Landscaping Ideas On A Budget 6 To 10
6. Dreamy Desert Pool
In a desert climate, it can be difficult to maintain a pool. In larger pools, the water heats up quickly and evaporates rapidly. Keep the pool small and shallow. A small wall can provide shade.
7. Add a Canopy for Shade
Next on the list of above ground landscaping ideas on a budget we have is a canopy. A canopy over your pool, similar to stringing lights around its perimeter, will enhance its aesthetic appeal and allow you to use it better. The canopy will filter out the suns harsh afternoon rays, making it the ideal environment for taking a refreshing dip.
8. Add Funky Tile for Style
If youre set on tackling a DIY project, consider adding a funky tile to personalize the style of your pool. Whether its on the pools exterior or around the deck, a playful tile offers an easy way to make your above ground pool look much more sophisticated and fun.
9. Add a Swim Bar
A swim-up bar is one of the most simple and effective ways to make an above-ground pool more attractive. You will only need a tall table to extend over your pools side to create the ideal spot for a pitcher of margaritas.
10. Add Brickwork
Last on the list of above ground pool landscaping ideas on a budget is adding brickwork to your pool. Although it might seem difficult to add brickwork to your above-ground pools exterior, it is actually very simple and economical with the right tools. You can build your own facade with mismatched bricks or use brick adhesives to make it even easier.
How Do I Create A Pool For My Small Backyard
Can you almost hear the splash and trickle of your new pool? Exquisite design and perfect tailoring are the best way to create a pool that works for a small backyard, using every inch of space to make it shine.
Here at Morehead Pools, we are a multi-award-winning pool builder and are experts at crafting custom poolscapes for any size backyard. Our designers will consult closely with you to create plans that well both be excited about, covering everything from shape, landscaping, features, and overall mood. By collaborating with an expert pool builder, you will guarantee a one-of-a-kind pool thats built for your space however much you have to spare.
Morehead Pools are luxury pool builders with over 50 years of experience. Whatever your ambitions or ideas, we bring our artistry and industry knowledge to the table creating a special pool you can call your own. Were proud to serve Shreveport, Bossier City, and surrounding areas of Louisiana simply get in touch today.
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Fall In Love With Curves
Not a conformist at heart? Not to worry, as there are plenty of other options that go beyond the classic rectangle. Circular pools, those with semi-circular designs and ones in irregular shapes with cool twists and turns are becoming more popular with each day. Instead of offering a sterile, modern vibe, these pools can mimic the dreamy ambiance of a tropical retreat right in your backyard! The exotic design along with some amazing lighting will also help you look past the fact that the pool is relatively small in size. Much like in the world of fashion, curves are definitely sexy in the world of small pools!
Plant Flowers With Your Senses In Mind
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Spending some time around the pool can be a complete sensory experience if you add aromatic blooms to the pool landscape design. With a microclimate of its own, youll want to do some research before planting new flowers or shrubs around your pool. However, some relatively safe bets for most climates include lavender and geraniums. Or grow your favorite flowers in pots to help extend the season.
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