10 Gorgeous Landscaping Ideas for Pool Areas

Why travel hundreds of miles to the nearest resort when you can turn your backyard into a beautiful oasis? Landscape architecture is a form of art that dates back to the ancient Egyptians. 

In ancient times, geometric patterns ruled landscape designs following strict plans to create more symmetry. But in modern landscapes, there are far more options to transform your backyard into a gorgeous work of art.

Consider These 10 Unforgettable Landscaping Ideas For Pool Areas For Your Next Outdoor Renovation 

1. Tranquil Rock Garden

Not every garden is green. Many homeowners contrast the backyard pool landscape with an alpine, or rock garden. 

Rock gardens are a great way to complement modern home styles especially in backyards where grass won’t grow. Opt for colorful succulents if you want to add visual interest to your rock garden.

Rock garden beds are made of gravel providing more texture to the landscape. The placement of the rocks is important in creating a well-designed landscape.

Many landscape designers start with large rocks and fill in spaces to create an attractive look. Plants, if used, are placed last to fill in spaces around the rock formation. 

2. Dining Alfresco

Dine al fresco with a manicured seating area next to your pool. Define your seating area with an open-air pergola that matches the style of your home.

An outdoor fireplace can serve as a ‘wall’ to section off the eating area outside. Use paved surfaces sparingly around the poolside seating area to give the feel of carpeting in the space.

Wood plank flooring makes the dining area more inviting when entertaining. Guests can relax on the wooden pool surround after a swim without fear of burning their feet as the pavement heats up in the sun.

Make sure there’s a solid surface path in place as an alternative to walking on the planks. During more formal occasions, you want an option for guests to enjoy a view of the pool while wearing heels.  

3. Lush English Garden

English gardens are somewhat of a rebellion of the symmetrical patterns loved by the ancient Greeks. The mix of shrubs and flowers brings texture to the area surrounding your pool. 

Mix a variety of pastel-colored flowers for an elegant touch. The key to creating an eye-catching English-style garden is layering.

You’ll want dense foliage that fills the space alongside your pool to create a picturesque backdrop while you swim.  

4. Lighted Stairwell

If you have stairs leading to your pool, it’s a prime opportunity to use accent lighting to create a chic look. Upgrade your stairs to double as stadium seating and planters surrounding your pool.

Both grass and gravel work well to fill rows of stairs on a hillside. Add succulents to gravel to give your accent lights more layers to work with. Solar-powered accent light creates an energy-efficient solution that won’t need complicated electrical wiring.

5. Minimalist Garden

Well-designed swimming pools should always be the star of the show. Keep your swimming pool the center of attention with a minimalist garden.

Symmetry is an important tool in minimalist designs. Repeat symmetrical patterns throughout the garden using dark-colored slate gravel or grass. 

Think straight lines, not curves when attempting a minimalist aesthetic next to your pool. 

6. Calming Fountains

Fountain statues are a regal touch to traditional-style homes. If you live in a Victorian or Tudor-style home, your architecture is perfect for a series of statues along the poolside. 

Choose statues that provide a calming trickle of water into the pool to create a serene escape. Majestic animal figures like lions make great options for concrete statues, especially when combined with colorful flowers. 

7. Grassy Nature Surround

Plant grass up to the edge of your pool surround. The grass reflects less heat during the summer while providing a soft place to lounge.

The unexpected foliage surrounding the pool makes it appear to happen naturally in your backyard. Add other features like boulders and dense groundcover that make your pool look like a pond in the middle of a park. 

8. Posh Pergola

Aside from being stunning in a landscape, pergolas also add the benefit of defining spaces in your yard. If you’re looking to create ‘rooms’ outdoors, the best way to do this is to add a pergola to various seating areas near the pool.

Pergolas are also great for providing partial shade. Think about hanging gardens when choosing ways to decorate your pergola. You can add lush plants and vines to your pergola to increase your sun protection and give the structure a posh look.  

9. Full Kitchen

Consider a full outdoor kitchen complete with a bar for entertaining. Full kitchens can be built on patios or detached from the main house. 

Think of fun upgrades the entire family can enjoy like installing a wood-fired pizza oven or a birthday party pavilion. A party pavilion is an open-air space with flexible seating to accommodate a variety of games and activities. 

Don’t give guests a reason to long for the indoors. Bring the living room outside by mounting TVs or installing a fireplace in your outdoor kitchen seating area.  

10. Majestic Topiary

Boxwood hedges are the best option for manicured topiary designs. Large plant sculptures make instant focal points for modest backyard pools.

Use tall boxwood hedges as a fence surrounding your pool with a custom topiary centerpiece in the center of your yard. White concrete planters provide contrast to the rich green of boxwoods. 

Stepping stones surrounded by bright green grass complements this formal garden style. Repeat the topiary pattern throughout your seating areas using ball topiaries in white concrete planters. 

Choose the Right Luxury Landscaper for Pool Areas in Northern Virginia

It’s natural to want to copy landscaping ideas for pool areas found on the internet. But not every landscape design works in every backyard.

Factors like the amount of sunlight in your area, soil drainage, and the size of your swimming pool influence what looks best in your yard. Consult with our experienced team of landscape designers to find the right fit for your property.

For more information and pool design tips, set up a consultation today.