22 Stylish Above-Ground Pool Ideas That Actually Elevate Your Yard
Prepare to be wowed by these creative above-ground pool designs.
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The temperature is rising, the sun is shining, the sunscreen is (hopefully) out—it’s finally summer. With the arrival of the hottest season comes a lot of opportunities for outdoor activities, possibly the most desired of which is spending your days floating in a swimming pool. However, the only thing that makes cooling off in a small body of water better is when the surrounding landscape is as stylish and manicured as the inside of your house. Whether you have an in-ground or above-ground pool, don’t let your yard fall flat, especially when you have such a wonderful opportunity to entertain throughout the season. Though it can be a bit trickier planning above-ground pool designs since they do stick out, that doesn’t mean your yard can’t look stylish. Below, we’ve compiled some intentionally designed above-ground pool ideas that are sure to make yours feel like a world-class spa.
For more pool and deck landscaping inspiration:
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- 50 Swimming Pool Designs That Are Summoning Summer
Add a Gravel Border
Choose a border that allows for good drainage, like gravel. Cate Singleton, Tilly’s director of design, says, “Layering pots with seasonal color into a gravel base around the pool can not only provide pops of color and texture, but the gravel also allows for good drainage.” The added landscaping also softens the edges of the pool.
Related: 21 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas With Rocks, Stone, and Mulch
Design It for Entertaining
For a family that loves to entertain, sometimes a patio space isn’t enough—for the same home as above, the team at Tilly Designs added a deck that extended from the patio to incorporate the pool into the entertaining space. “The wooden deck constructed around the above-ground pool adds warmth in addition to extending the usable patio space,” Singleton says. “The extension of the deck past the covered patio creates an additional sunning area, great for loungers.”
Related: 31 Pool Deck Design Ideas for the Ultimate Lounge Area
Decorate It With Tile
Decorate your above-ground pool with small tiles to give it a sort of mosaic look that sparkles in the sun, like Prideaux Designs did with this shallow pool.
Related: 50 Best Pool Designs
Add a Deck
Though you can’t dive into an above-ground pool, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to get a running start on your cannonball. Adding a deck around your pool creates the perfect hangout spot or launching point for adults and kids, plus it makes the landscaping appear more intentional.
Related: 32 Creative Deck Ideas That Inspire Alfresco Living
Keep It Minimalist
Go for a minimalist design for your above-ground pool to match the elevated vibe of your entire home. This reflecting pool by Prideaux Designs is covered in a sleek white tile.
Related: 14 Outdoor Patio Tile Ideas and Examples From Designers
Plant Beautiful Flowers
Plant fragrant flowers around the perimeter of your above-ground pool for some added whimsy and beauty. Just make sure you don’t accidentally spill chlorinated water into the beds.
Go All White
Make every aspect of the landscaping around your above-ground pool monochromatic, and it’ll feel like you’re in Greece. In this case, Krystal from House of Harvee went with white stone pavers, white tile, white wood on her deck, and a white privacy fence, making the small backyard feel large in style.
Related: 85 Landscaping Ideas for an Enchanting Outdoor Space
Hide the Sides With Shrubs
For a mix of greenery around your above-ground pool, plant a mix of native shrubs, grasses, and flowers to create a colorful border. It will help hide the outside of your pool if you’re not a huge fan of the exposed look and make your yard prettier in the process.
Put in Seating
If you don’t have space (or budget) for chaises, you should still add in some kind of seating and a little side table. Something simple and light that you can easily take inside when the weather turns sour, like these minimalist black chairs, is an ideal option that won’t take up much space in your garage or under your porch.
Keep It Simple
There’s nothing wrong with a simple grass lawn, and if your kids are a bit rambunctious in the water, keep the landscaping fairly plain so as not to ruin anything with sudden splashes of chlorinated water. This Intex swimming pool is large enough for some safe horseplay, so a plain yard might be the best bet.
Cover the Sides in Rocks
Cover the sides of your above-ground pool with large decorative stones for a more natural-looking transition. Psychological Interiors installed this Soake Pool that closely matches the stone underneath the fence lining the property.
Related: 21 Beautiful Landscaping Ideas With Rocks and Stone
Make It an Infinity Pool
If it’s in your budget, you can install an above-ground pool that’s also an infinity pool. The team at Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture embraced the steep slope behind this property and installed the pool and seating area on the edge.
Add a Matching Planter
Next to this Soake Pool, Nawada Landscape Design and Frank Walsh Landscape added a matching planter made of the same stone that covers the outside of the pool. Not only does it look beautiful next to the bountiful landscape, but it adds an extra ledge to rest your drinks or snacks.
Related: 20 Best Raised Garden Bed Ideas to Elevate Your Backyard
Add Stone Pavers
Stone pavers are a favorite among landscape designers, and placing them alongside your pool like Prideaux Designs did here makes a pool area feel almost resort-like. Lush grass would look lovely, but the pavers elevate the yard to the next level.
Build It Up to Your Home
At this Potomac River property, Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture chose to set the above-ground pool alongside the house so that the surface of the water visually aligned with the river from the pool deck and lower level. Access to the pool is now extremely accessible, and the homeowners don’t have to worry about muddy feet traipsing back up the hill to the house.
Related: 85 Landscaping Ideas for an Enchanting Outdoor Space
Cover It in Wood
For an above-ground pool with a deck built up to it, cover whatever material sticks out from the surface in the same wood that makes up the deck. The team at McMillan Builders gave this pool area a warmer, more cohesive vibe by covering the pool up in the matching wood.
Related: 77 Breathtaking Backyard Ideas
Work With the Slope
Don’t let a slanted yard stop you from putting in an above-ground pool. Work with the slant and have your landscape designer dig out part of the yard to make a flat space to work with rather than trying to flatten out the entire area.
Match the Outdoor Fireplace
A matching pool, fireplace, and seating area is like a whole entertainment system outside, and it looks so sleek. This Soake Pool fits right into the space thanks to all the coordinating pieces.
Install a Brick Walkway
Getting grass on wet feet is not a pleasant feeling at all, so put a brick walkway around your pool. That way, no matter where you get out, your feet won’t be dirty when you go back inside. This above-ground pool has a stone pathway leading up to it and a thin border of gravel right next to the pool wall to help with drainage.
Keep It Clean
If a simple border isn’t enough, take grass out of the equation entirely and set up an above-ground pool in a paved portion of your yard. No grass equals no mud, and this Soake Pool fits right in with its matching stone edge.
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