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Your backyard pool is your own personal oasis. It’s where you stay-cation in between actual vacations. It’s where you go to unwind at the end of the day, and the place where you make family memories that will last a lifetime.
This special spot is important to you and your family, and you want to keep it well maintained. Get inspired by these beautiful pool landscaping ideas.
Pool Landscaping Ideas for Small Yards
Pools take up a lot of space in a small backyard, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still add landscaping elements around it. Style your compact space with one of these beautiful and functional landscaping designs.
1. Keep it Simple with Grass and Concrete
Linda Raymond / Getty Images
When it comes to small backyards, you have to work with what you’ve got. Make the pool the focal point of your space and highlight it with bordering concrete tiles. Leave a small sliver of grass, enough for patio furniture and a fire pit.
2. Make the Most of a Small Patch of Grass
Igor Alecsander / Getty Images
Some yards may only have enough space for a pool and a small patch of grass. Make the most of the grassy spot by adding a small tree, a shrub, or colorful flowers. If you have a dog, plan to leave some grass for when nature calls.
3. The Non-Landscaping Landscaping Approach
Photo: OceanProd / Adobe Stock
No room for traditional landscaping around your pool? Take the non-landscaping approach instead by turning your entire backyard into a deck. Add tall walls for privacy and large potted plants to add an element of greenery.
Above-Ground Pool Landscaping Ideas
Just because you don’t have an in-ground pool doesn’t mean you can’t have gorgeous landscaping. Use these above-ground pool ideas in your backyard.
4. Make the Pool the Focal Point with Landscaping Stones and Greenery
Photo: Kropic / Adobe Stock
Landscaping for an above-ground pool doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant. Simply add a layer of white landscaping stones around the perimeter of the pool to help it stand out from the rest of your yard. Finish the look with plenty of shrubbery, flowers, and other plants.
5. Tried-and-True Landscaping Flowers and Shrubbery
Photo: SimplyCreativePhotography / Getty Images
Unlike in-ground pools, above-ground pools provide an opportunity to add plants, stones, and other landscaping elements around the immediate perimeter of the pool without the possibility they’ll fall into the pool.
Landscaping Ideas for In-Ground Pools
Your in-ground pool should be the prime focus of your backyard. Add some landscaping elements to really help it stand out.
6. Step Outside the Box with Mosaic Stone Tile
Photo: Oday222 / Getty Images
There’s so many deck and patio material options to choose from, so why not go with something a little more outside the box when compared to the typical wood deck or concrete slab. A mosaic stone tile patio is charming and blends in well with surrounding greenery.
7. All You Need is Mulch, Flowers, and Patio Tiles
Photo: Tim Abramowitz / Getty Images
Mulch, flowers, and patio tiles—these three landscaping elements will allow you to go as simple or extravagant as you’d like. If you have a large backyard, consider using mulch and patio tiles to break up the pool and lounge spaces, connecting them with walkways.
8. A Rocky Waterfall with Vibrant Flowers
Photo: Tim Abramowitz / Getty Images
There’s no better time than the present to go all in on your dream backyard. And most would argue that a waterfall pouring into your in-ground pool is the ultimate goal. Take the plunge and add a pool-side waterfall to your backyard landscaping plan. Complete the space with surrounding flowers and plants.
Pool Landscaping Ideas for Privacy and Security
The right landscaping can provide beauty and security for your backyard and pool area.
9. Protect Your Pool with a Security Fence
Photo: km406 / Getty Images
It’s always a good idea to install a security fence around your pool, especially if yours is in-ground. Doing so helps to prevent young kids and wild critters from accidentally stumbling in.
Don’t worry, a security fence doesn’t have to be an eyesore. Use it as part of your landscaping by adding mulch, flowers, or shrubs around the perimeter.
10. Plant Tall Trees for Privacy
Photo: Iriana Shiyan / Adobe Stock
If your pool is visible from your neighbor’s property, tackle landscaping and privacy in one fell swoop by installing tall trees at the sight line.
11. Install Greenery for Style and Seclusion
Photo: yongyuan / Getty Images
Tall greenery is a very trendy design element right now. Depending on how tall you choose to go, a greenery wall can also double as a privacy element to keep neighbors from peering into your pool space.
Other Pool Landscaping Ideas
These universal landscaping ideas will look great in any backyard with a pool.
12. Transition from a Hardscape to Softscape
Photo: White78 / Adobe Stock
Create different landscapes around your property. For example, you can line the perimeter of your yard with stone or mulch, and use edging to transition to grass, concrete, or tile.
13. Keep it Local with Mulch and Native Plants
Photo: Catherine Lender / Getty Images
A mulch and shrubbery perimeter is a classic landscaping look that’s easy to install and maintain. Keep your landscaping local by hiring a mulch service in your area. Take it one step further and opt for plants and greenery types that are commonly found in your region and thrive in your climate.
14. Embrace the Desertscape
Photo: Contracts Addict / Getty Images
Living in a dry climate doesn’t have to limit your landscaping options. Embrace the desertscape and surround your pool with native plants, stones, concrete slabs, and terracotta lawn accents.
15. Stepping Stones to a Private Oasis
Photo: TerryJ / Getty Images
Connect the space between your backdoor and pool with a whimsical pathway of stepping stones. You can use landscaping rocks, bricks, or tiles.
16. Tropical Plants for an At-Home Paradise
Photo: Thomas Barwick / Getty Images
If you’re lucky enough to live in a warm climate that supports all types of lush, green, tropical vegetation—use it to your advantage. Make your backyard a true tropical paradise by planting as many palm, cane, and lily plants as you can fit around your swimming pool.
