A backyard pool is the perfect place to cool off during the warmer months — and since you'll be spending a lot of time there, thoughtful landscaping makes all the difference.
Great landscaping doesn't just enhance the look of your backyard retreat — it also gives you something beautiful to look at while you swim. Here's how to landscape around your pool and make the most of the space.
Start With a Great Pool Deck
The deck is the transition zone between the pool and the rest of your backyard — and the spot where you'll spend the most time soaking up the sun. Make it generous in size, especially on the side where the pool steps are, to break up the pool's rigid geometric shape. A few ways to elevate your deck:
- Add colorful lounge chairs, a sun umbrella or pergola for shade, and a few outdoor benches.
- Set up a stylish outdoor dining set so you can enjoy meals by the water in the evening on your poolside terrace.
- Add planters, flower pots, and shrubs — as they grow, they'll soften the pool's edges and create a natural privacy screen from neighbors.
Your deck is one of your biggest assets for decorating and landscaping the area around your pool — make the most of it.
Choose the Right Poolside Flooring
Whatever surface material you go with around your pool, make sure it's non-slip, frost-resistant, and weather-proof. Here are the main options.
Tile
Available in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, tile works with virtually any pool style — classic, contemporary, or modern. For safety, always choose anti-slip tiles rated R11 or PC20. If your pool is close to the house, consider matching the deck tile to your indoor flooring for a seamless look.
Wood Decking — Natural, Exotic, or Composite
Wood is naturally non-slip, dries quickly, and integrates beautifully into any backyard. For poolside use, rot-resistant exotic species like teak and ipe are top picks — low maintenance and they actually look better with age.
Treated pine is a more budget-friendly option that holds up well against water. And composite wood is a great eco-friendly alternative — extremely durable, frost and insect-resistant, and with minimal slip risk.
Natural or Reconstituted Stone
Stone is durable, timeless, and works with almost any aesthetic. Avoid overly white slabs (blinding in sunlight and quick to show dirt) and very dark tones (they heat up fast and can burn bare feet). For a modern look, natural stone is easy to maintain and adds real elegance. Reconstituted stone pavers mimic the look of natural stone and are easy to lay.
Concrete
Concrete offers excellent durability and a naturally cool feel underfoot — perfect for hot summer days. It delivers clean, minimalist lines, though installation is more complex and typically requires a professional.
The Best Poolside Plant Ideas
Whether your pool is fully in-ground or semi-in-ground, green spaces are a key part of great pool landscaping. Here are some ideas to inspire you.
Succulents and Cacti
Spineless succulents are trending for poolside planting — evergreen, season-resistant, and beautiful alongside flowering plants. There's a wide range to choose from (Aeonium, Agave attenuata, Crassula, Cotyledon, and more) in all shapes and colors.
Ornamental Grasses
Low-maintenance and visually striking, ornamental grasses look stunning near a pool. Options include bamboo, rushes, blue fescue, fountain grass, and zebra grass.
Tropical Plants
If your climate allows, create a lush tropical vibe with palms, birds of paradise (Strelitzia), elephant ears, hibiscus, or papyrus.
Fragrant Plants
There's nothing like natural fragrance around a pool. Plant lavender, roses, jasmine, rosemary, or lemongrass near the pool, patio, or along a path for a beautiful sensory experience.
Lawn and Grass
Grass near a pool is a personal choice — frequent mowing can introduce debris into the water. Depending on your climate and soil, synthetic turf may be a smarter option. Natural alternatives include ryegrass, fescue, and bluegrass.
The Best Practical Poolside Amenities
A backyard pool is more than just a swimming spot — it's a full outdoor living space where you eat, relax, read, and entertain. Here are the key amenities worth adding — and helpful covering and design ideas to explore.
An Outdoor Summer Kitchen
A sheltered outdoor kitchen near the pool is a game-changer. Include a sink, generous countertop, and a built-in grill or flat-top cooker. For materials, tile, wood, or stone work beautifully and tie in with the rest of your outdoor landscape.
A Pool House
The pool house is a versatile structure that can house your pump and filtration system, store pool accessories, and provide a changing area. Built from concrete block or wood, it's an excellent way to keep loungers, deckchairs, sun umbrellas, inflatable floats, and cushions neatly out of the way.
Looking to expand your pool float collection? Browse our trendiest models here:
A Solar Shower
A solar shower is a practical and eco-friendly addition — perfect for rinsing off chlorine or salt after a swim. Go for a dark-colored metal model so the water heats up faster, and look for one with at least 8 gallons of capacity. Install it in a sheltered corner of your deck — and if privacy is a concern, a removable screen does the trick.
A Privacy Screen or Hedge
Easy to install, a privacy screen shields you from wind and curious neighbors alike — and can also visually separate the pool area from the rest of the yard. Decorate it with climbing plants for a natural finish.
For a greener solution, bamboo makes an excellent natural privacy screen — just use an anti-rhizome barrier to keep it contained. Tall ornamental grasses and climbing star jasmine are also beautiful, low-key alternatives that blend naturally into the landscape.
Common Landscaping Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring Overall Visual Harmony
Great pool landscaping isn't about adding more — it's about creating cohesion. Your deck, furniture, and walls should work together visually, and your outdoor décor should feel like a natural extension of your home's interior style. Prioritize harmony across all elements.
Choosing High-Maintenance Plants or Materials
Avoid planting anything near your pool that drops a lot of leaves, seeds, or bark — it'll end up in the water and significantly increase cleaning time. Fruit trees and berry bushes are also problematic — they attract insects and can clog your filtration system.
Steer clear of thorny, creeping, or extremely thirsty plants near the pool too. Root systems from water-hungry plants can actually puncture a pool liner as they search for moisture. The same applies to heavy, hard-to-maintain furniture — keep things practical and low-effort wherever possible.
We hope these tips inspire you to create a pool area you'll love spending time in all summer long!
