Pool Landscaping Ideas That Will Make a Splash

It’s like going on vacation without leaving your home

A young family and their dog sitting by their pool in the backyard
Photo: Thomas Barwick
A young family and their dog sitting by their pool in the backyard
Photo: Thomas Barwick
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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

A small backyard with a small in-ground pool
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

A pool in a small backyard surrounded by concrete and 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

An in-ground pool surrounded by a wood with three large potted plants
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 

An above-ground pool with white landscaping rocks around the perimeter
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 

An backyard with an above-ground pool surrounded by 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

A backyard in-ground pool surrounded by a stone tile patio
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

A backyard in-ground pool surrounded by grass, stone slabs, mulch, and flowers
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

A waterfall built with rocks emptying into a pool surrounded by flowers and greenery
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

A backyard in-ground pool inside a security fence with mulch and plants around the perimeter
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

An in-ground pool with a backyard patio set, fencing, and 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

A backyard with an in-ground pool surrounded by a wood platform
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 

A backyard in-ground pool surrounded by grass with outer perimeter solid rock hardscaping
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

A backyard pool surrounded by mulch and greenery
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

A desert backyard with an in-ground pool, cacti, a fire pit, and a table and chairs set
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

An in-ground backyard pool with stepping stones leading up to the patio
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

An in-ground pool surrounded by tropical vegetation
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. 

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