Pool Landscaping the Easy DIY Guide

A swimming pool in your backyard is a fantastic way to take advantage of the sunny summer months and have a lot of fun with family and friends. The beauty of your pool, the area available for parties, and even the addition of additional safety elements can all be improved with the proper landscaping. A decent pool landscaping design will make your pool the center point of your yard and bring out much more. And it doesn’t have to be expensive.

There are many basic and inexpensive pool landscaping options available. It all depends on how inventive and resourceful you feel.

All of these suggestions are do-it-yourself, so there’s no need to hire a pro. They are quick, simple, and affordable to complete. Almost all of them take less than a day, certainly no more than a weekend if you really get crackin’.

15 Homemade Pool Landscaping Ideas

1. Build a Pool Deck.

A pool deck (Unsplash)

Installing a pool deck is a terrific way to expand your backyard’s outdoor living space and make accessing the pool easier. For extra comfort and an upscale feel, you can have built-in seating. Varying the heights of the seating at different levels is a good way to build an informal feel into your pool setting.

2. Install a Waterfall Feature.

Pool waterfall (Shutterstock)

To create a welcoming ambiance around your pool, install an eye-catching water feature like a waterfall or fountain. With a little creativity, you can make it look like the waterfall is feeding into the pool itself.

3. Create a Garden by the Pool

To create a tranquil, natural ambiance, add some flowers and plants to your pool area. Since most pools are built in the direct sun, your choice of plants should reflect that. A lot of pools with their straight corners and hard concrete perimeter can also give a very stark feeling. Try to choose plants that

4. Plants to Frame the Pool

Backyard pool (Unsplash)

Construct raised planters or surround your pool with potted plants for a more formal appearance. For privacy, think about planting hedges and other greenery that will block sightlines from intrusive neighbors and passers-by.

A hedge of plants or trees provides the ideal balance of aesthetics and seclusion.

Any list of excellent trees, plants, and shrubs for privacy hedges for your pool landscaping will include the following plants:

  • Bamboo
  • Colorado Blue Spruce
  • Emerald Green Arborvitae
  • Green Giant Arborvitae
  • Norway Spruce

5. Create a Patio Area

Pool patio (Unsplash)

Construct an outdoor living area close to your pool for hosting guests and unwinding in the summer.

6. Pool Lighting

Install lighting to light up your pool area at night using underwater LEDs, tiki torches, or string lights. A simple, inexpensive method to add atmosphere and safety to any pool scene is with backyard lights.

7. Plant Trees for Shade

Pick fast-growing trees, such as bamboo or willows, for an immediate shade solution along the perimeter of your pool decking. In order to avoid having to fish leaves out of the pool later in the season, look for trees that don’t lose their leaves.

8. Construct a Seating Area

Place some inviting chairs around the perimeter of your pool so people can relax in the sun or swim.

9. Include Landscaping Boulders

To add texture and aesthetic appeal to your outdoor environment, use big landscaping boulders.

10. Hang Outdoor Curtains

You can add outdoor curtains to the area surrounding your pool for privacy, shade, and wind protection on windy days.

11. Install an Awning

Pool awning (Unsplash)

Install an adjustable awning near the pool so you can manage the amount of sunlight that comes in and stay cool on warm summer days.

12. Create a Backyard Oasis with a Fire Pit

For those chilly evenings, create a fire pit beside the pool.

13. Build an Outdoor Bar

Drinks next to a pool (Shutterstock)

Build an outdoor bar next to your pool to make entertaining simple and enjoyable. 13. Construct a Poolside Bar.

14. Install Outdoor Speakers

Place some speakers around the swimming area so you may listen to music as you swim or unwind in the sun.

15. Create a Custom Stepping Stone Trail

For a one-of-a-kind appearance, create a special pathway from your house to the pool with Custom Stepping Stones!

When Should You Landscape Around Your Pool?

Summer is the best time to evaluate how you use the space around your pool. That’s when you can really start the thinking about what you want out of your pool landscaping endeavor. However when it comes to actually doing the work, Winter is the perfect season for pool landscape remodeling because the backyard is dormant.

What can I use in place of grass around my pool?

Paths, walks, and tiered retaining walls made of natural stone. Dining area outside for entertainment or extra living space. Replace sparse grass in high-shade areas with flagstone or concrete pavers. Beds of flowers and plants draw wildlife by adding color, curves, and lines.

What should I NOT plant around my pool?

Picking up debris like leaves and pine needles is not only extra work, it can also clog pool filters.  So, avoid plants that drop leaves or seed heads. Here are a few plants you should avoid using in your pool landscaping because their leaves and branches will become a burden to pick-up.
  • Acacia
  • Ash trees
  • Azalea
  • Bougainvillea
  • Crape myrtle
  • Dwarf arborvitae
  • Evergreen elm
  • Honeysuckle
  • Mesquite