15 Gorgeous Pool Landscaping Ideas (2024)

There is nothing wrong with keeping your pool landscaping simple. But if you want a true oasis, turn to pool landscaping ideas that will help take your backyard to the next level. For truly gorgeous pool landscaping, dream bigger than a concrete walkway around the water. Instead imagine aromatic flowers, upgraded pavers, inviting seating areas and great lighting that will allow you to enjoy this close-to-home escape well into the night.

After all, “landscaping” doesn’t just describe greenery and rocks. For complete pool landscaping, aim to blend a combination of hardscaping and softscaping elements. By incorporating natural components, your pool will feel more like a true paradise than a concrete water pit.

1. Surround One Side of the Pool With Jungle-Inspired Plants

By incorporating lush plants around the perimeter of your pool, you’ll create a space that has you questioning if you’re in your backyard or on a tropical vacation. Finding the best varieties to plant will depend on your actual climate, but even pool owners in areas of the country that require hardier plants can get the same aesthetic with ferns, hostas and hibiscus. Some palms can even tolerate sub-zero temperatures.

2. Build a Rock Wall Along a Portion of the Pool

You can really enhance your pool’s landscaping by adding some elevated boulders around its edge. For the most custom look, rock can be incorporated directly into the design of the pool during construction. But even if you are retrofitting your landscaping to an existing pool, you can tap into this idea with both real or artificial boulders—including some that offer built-in speakers.

3. Add Built-In Planters for a Resort-Like Effect

Give you softscaping a focal point with eye-catching planters that are built directly into your landscaping. Great for showcasing blooming flowers, shrubs or even trees, built-in planters add an instant wow factor to your pool landscaping.

4. Create a Shaded Lounging Space

You’ll have it made in the shade with a poolside cabana space. The easiest and most inexpensive option is to add a sail shade and some lounging chairs. Or build a complete open-air pool house for an experience that tops many 5-star resorts.

5. Expand the Pool Decking Space with Xeriscaping

With pool landscaping, one of the biggest expenses is also one of the most essential expenses: Building or renovating a pool deck using stamped pavers costs an average of $7,000. By adding xeriscaping elements around a more narrow pool deck, you may be able to minimize costs while maximizing the Palm Springs-like vibe.

6. Space Out Concrete Pavers With Grass in Between

Sink your toes into some lush grass while adding some visual intrigue around your pool by adding a few inches of turf between concrete pavers around your pool. A look that is simultaneously modern and classic, this is a great pool landscaping idea to consider if you are redoing your pool decking.

7. Add a Raised Wooden Deck

Mixing materials for the pool decking space is a perfect way to add some interesting design elements to your pool landscaping. Adding a slightly elevated floating wood deck next to the pool is a good way to give the illusion of additional space. Add a patio table for the perfect poolside dining space.

8. Build a Waterfall Feature for a Tropical Escape

Adding a waterfall feature is a guaranteed way to make your pool landscaping feel more glamorous—and the project may not be as expensive as you would assume. On average, homeowners around the country can expect to pay $1,500 for a 12-foot, professionally installed rock waterfall.

9. Plant Flowers with Your Senses in Mind

Spending some time around the pool can be a complete sensory experience if you add aromatic blooms to the pool landscape design. With a microclimate of its own, you’ll want to do some research before planting new flowers or shrubs around your pool. However, some relatively safe bets for most climates include lavender and geraniums. Or grow your favorite flowers in pots to help extend the season.

10. Lounge into the Evening with a Built-In Firepit

If the pool is the go-to social gathering space for your house, create a more inviting evening hangout with a built-in firepit added to the poolside landscaping. It costs an average of $300 to $1,400 to have a propane-burning fire pit professionally installed, but can create some priceless entertaining experiences.

11. Mix Up Some Drinks at a Poolside Bar

If you are building a pool, a swim-up bar can be included in the design. Or, if you are adding to your existing pool landscaping, consider building a freestanding combo bar and grilling space for the best dinner parties. And once you have the bar installed, all you need to find is someone willing to make the drinks.

12. Build Seating into the Hardscaping

Give people a seat at your next pool party with built-in benches around the pool decking or in the backyard area. An easy addition to any space where you need a retaining wall, the seating can make the whole pool landscaping feel more inviting, especially if you add some outdoor pillows or cushions.

13. Light It Up With Professionally Installed Lighting

A worthy upgrade to string lights or tiki torches, professionally installed lighting around your pool space will add some functional luxury to the landscaping. Whether you are building any poolside structures or simply need to add lighting, custom lighting can set your landscaping apart.

14. Go Minimalist for a Modern Aesthetic

With clean lines, a narrow pool deck and manicured turf, your pool landscaping can shine—without feeling fussy. This keeps the focus on the pool and lounging without requiring too much additional landscaping maintenance.

15. Upgrade the Pool Fencing

Even though pool fencing is first and foremost a matter of safety, that doesn’t mean it can’t also look great. Consider your overall landscaping style while selecting the best fencing for your pool space so that you can add to the aesthetic rather than distract from it.