Pool designs like this are my very favorite because they make any backyard feel like you are staying in a tropical resort. By building inground swimming pools alongside large boulders or existing landscaping elements, you make these eye-catching elements blend in a little bit better and help them to enhance the landscaping rather than take away from it. The thing I like most about this particular design is that, not only did they create waterfalls with the large rocks in their backyard, but the also lined the pool in a deep blue green to make it look like a lagoon. This really takes their backyard pool designs to the next level and gives it the appearance of a tropical grotto tucked away in Fiji.

I have always loved pool designs like this that flow naturally into the property and the surrounding features. If you are going to go through all of the trouble of taking on the inground pool cost and maintenance it should beautify and improve the value of your space rather than take away from it. That's why we had our architect create a plan that would tuck the pool into an unused corner of the yard but that would make it reflex the beautiful lake beyond. We specifically looked at lap pool designs like this that flowed into the the lake but that was large enough for our kids to swim. Plus we picked a crisp aqua that brought in the shades of the sky so that it would reflect nicely.

With summer coming up quickly I have been spending all of my extra time researching pool designs for our backyard. My husband and I have been talking about how much we love backyard pools for years now and have been considering adding one to our own property -- I think we are finally ready to take the plunge (ha ha). Of all of the different sizes and shapes I have seen, my favorite has always been these fiberglass kidney units. I think that the rounded edges are very elegant and also tend to blend in with the surrounding landscape better than your more traditional rectangular inground swimming pool designs. They are a bit more expensive to install because the material is more costly, but the finished design is well worth it.

If you like large pool designs than this is the perfect backyard for you. Some people don't like to overwhelm their property with a swimming pool design, but this homeowner took full advantage of their spacious backyard and installed a giant water feature with expansive deck. I actually respect their decision because it drastically cuts down on the yard maintenance required to keep up with a lawn and heavy landscaping. Now they have a huge entertaining space to enjoy with friends and family all throughout the year (must be nice to live in Florida). In my opinion, if you are going to spring for high inground pool prices you may as well get your moneys worth and enjoy it.

I have been looking far and wide for pool designs that would give me that grotto feel that celebrity backyards have. I think I finally found the right look for our space in these inspiration photos because I love how it doesn't look like your average backyard swimming pool, but instead a small pond tucked beside their landscaped hill and paver deck. The only think that I think that I would alter about the design they chose is the color of the pool liner. I would like a darker greenish blue shade that resembles the look of an actual natural body of water. That way, between the pool landscaping and the color of the water, it will look like an actual grotto tucked away in my backyard.

I have been looking all over for unique pool designs like this that make these often unsightly backyard features into something absolutely gorgeous that really enhances your landscape. I love the ideas of small backyard pools because they provide a water feature for you to enjoy with only a fraction of the cost and maintenance. Plus they tend to be easier to blend into existing landscaping without turning into a giant eye sore. I particularly love this home because the actually incorporated the pool into their patio architecture by building an open roof above it. This takes their inground pool designs to the next level and gives it a very elegant Grecian flare.