Create an ideabook for your next remodeling project!
Browse more than 1,000,000 photos from top designers and save your favorites
19 Spectacular Pools Near and Far
These incredible infinity pools, heavenly oceanside pools and luxurious lap pools around the world have unmatched allure. Take a dip
A well-designed swimming pool is the liquid centerpiece of your home and can turn your backyard into a decadent escape. Whether you prefer to lounge poolside, dip your toes before diving in or cannonball your way to the center with panache, the images below are sure to have you dreaming of chlorinated, saltwater or natural water pools. Let's suspend reality for a few minutes and imagine that we're looking out into the gorgeous waters of the pools below.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| This pool is the azure jewel of a villa that overlooks neighboring islands in the Caribbean. Although the cabanas draped in yellow fabric and the lounges look inviting, I'd probably spend all of my time in the water looking out into the horizon at sunset. No music, no reading material, no phones — just water all around. |
| Aptly called "The Matador," this crimson-tile lap pool and its retaining wall completely contrast with the surrounding landscape. The pool adds visual interest beyond its striking hue. From this angle it looks like one step over the ledge would take someone straight into an abyss of trees and branches. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| The undulating curves of the chairs are repeated in the arc of the infinity pool, which begs the question: Which came first, the pool or the deck chairs? |
|
by Lewis Aquatech
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| This pool comes alive at night with underwater LED lights. The landscape lighting is pretty amazing as well; the tree in the background looks ablaze. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| I consider this image to represent my holy trifecta of water at home: a dipping spa, an infinity pool and an ocean right at my fingertips. Whoever lives here must have the most amazing tan. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| This image shows the holy trifecta of pools for kids: A waterfall, a slide and a diving board give the young and the young at heart plenty to do on a hot summer day. |
|
by Lewis Aquatech
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| This contemporary indoor lap pool makes no attempt to replicate nature. Instead, it imitates the strong lines and sleek features of the house that surrounds it. |
|
by escale design
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Here we're transported to Kerala, India, where a seamless edge and sand-colored stone fool us into thinking that we're at the beach instead of poolside. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| This wintry concrete pool image conveys what it must feel like to be a polar bear in the Arctic. Fortunately, a combination of gas heaters, an automatic safety cover and freeze protection keep the pool and swimmers from freezing. |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
There's something very Zen and slightly aquarium-like about this pool, with its glass surround and stone and pebble flooring. Walking from one end to the other must feel like getting a gentle foot massage.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Contemporary homes and pools don't have to be angular. This spa and pool form a figure eight that echoes the arc of the staircase in the interior, throwing this massive home a few curves.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Here's another seamless "beach entry" pool. The stone colors of the pool walls complement the burnt orange, brown and green landscape; the pool looks like a small oasis, a liquid mirror reflecting the beauty that surrounds it. |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
A trough filled with art glass at the bottom of the pool makes the coolest, most original lane marker, don't you think? I'd have no trouble swimming straight in this water.
| This is definitely an article about dream pools, because I think I see a tree in the middle of this pool with sapphire and pearl tiles. |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
The wide steps and shallow water level of this pool are perfect for days when you feel like just being partially submerged. The steps, the view and the way the arch frames the entire backyard and landscape make this pool image one of my favorites.
|
by MCM Design
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Handrails may interrupt the sight lines of infinity pools, but for families and people with difficulties in the water, they add a safety element that makes them a winner. |
| Multiple waterfalls activated by remote control, a swim-through grotto that leads to a swim-up bar, a kitchen, a flagstone patio with a TV and a sound system, plus a dizzying array of custom light shows created just for the homeowner make this the pool version of a man cave. |
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| The scuppers and water bowls must surely have a calming effect, but the real winner of this pool is the Italian tile island table, where cocktails and fruit drinks can await. |
| This tiered pool takes its cues from the agrarian structure of rice terraces and perfectly blends in with the lush landscape that surrounds it. It's the perfect place in which to watch the sky turn from blue to shades of orange and purple, ushering in the night. Next: Dip into more dream spaces |
Ideabook updated on May 31, 2012.
What are you working on?
News From Our Partners
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
Marie Meko
Should publishers stop producing books about Picasso or galleries stop displaying his paintings simply because most people can't afford to put one on our walls? No. His paintings are amazing and beautiful and for those of us (being most of us) who cannot afford them the books and exhibitions offer us the opportunity to enjoy his creativity and the beauty of his artworks for a fraction of the cost of actually purchasing one.
Visiting Houzz for me is the same idea. Some of the articles are about practical ideas that most people can afford to implement in their homes. Some of the articles however are eye-candy. They are images of beauty or wonder. Most people could not afford to include such extravagances in our homes. Many people might enjoy the images but for practical reasons not actually want what's on offer on their property day-in day-out.
Did you not read books like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Alice in Wonderland or the Wizard of Oz and get transported somewhere magical, just for a moment? Do you have to be able to own everything you like? Can you not just look at something beautiful or unique and just enjoy it for what it is?
If you actually own a home as your comment suggests you do then seriously you have little to whine about. I do not own a home and the possibility of owning one seems like a far-away dream. I used to live in Christchurch New Zealand when we were struck by two large earthquakes recently. I know of many people who lost their homes in that earthquake. Most of those people still look at housing magazines though and dream and hope that one day they will replace the homes they lost and fill them once again with the types of items they love - many of which were destroyed.
Thankfully most people I know still have it in our hearts to admire the beauty other people are able to inject into their own properties. Sure sometimes it makes people sad to think that we can never afford to do some of the amazing expensive things some home-owners can. Sometimes though I like to just be inspired by it. I might not be able to have a swimming pool exactly like the ones featured here, but they get me excited that one day I might have a swimming pool, and one day I might own my house.
Comments like yours, though, ruin my ability to enjoy these articles. If you want to only read articles about things you can afford then please do that and leave your criticism of articles like these in your own mind. I do not want those that run and write this website to think that they should stop offering beautiful images like the ones featured here because of comments like yours.
My husband and I would not have been able to afford this if we didn't have a vision or a hope or goal to work towards. We've been married for 18 years now and having our own dream home has been our goal for the past 19 years. It's been tough but the hope is before us constantly, compounded with the fact that we now have 2 children...a teenager and a 10 year old.
Nonetheless, I understand persons like Meezer 3, it's actually depressing for them to see things THEY believe they can't afford. It's a mind set, Meezer 3 probably gives up very easily too. It's frustrating for them to look at these sites & magazines, however, they enjoy them until they start comparing what they have to what is there.
I agree with your advise to Meezer 3...don't voice negativity when really and truly, it's not needed.
Meezer 3, my advise to you is that you need to dream a little, there are inexpensive things you can do to achieve some of what you see. Houzz is just an inspiration tool to be used to either jump start your own creativity or provide you with an option. Don't be too hard on yourself, if it's too depressing then I'm sure there are other things you can surf for on the net.
Living in Florida, we have to think about hurricanes. I have to be able to keep the inside protected from the outside elements.
I have talked to 2 pool companies and they just can't think out of the box.
It is very frustrating to have an unfinished pool area. Most of the fantastic designers won't leave their areas to work. I have made contact with some.
Is there anyone out here that can help this central Florida home owner?
Any image can be redesigned as a mosaic mural for a pool or surrounding areas.
http://aliciatappdesigns.com/mosaic.htm
Photo is mosaic for client 96x72