Pool Landscaping Ideas – Swimming Pools

The options in pool landscaping are limited only by your imagination. Your swimming pool's shape, size and design will be the focal point of your landscaping design. From that starting point, it is important to combine practicality with aesthetics for a backyard that truly reflects your personality and taste.

Making choices about pool landscaping isn't always easy. You can choose curved walkways and rounded flower beds, or a design that is entirely linear and straight. The pool landscaping can coincide with the shape of the pool or it can be entirely different to contrast. Landscaping around a pool can be minimalist or wildly eclectic, involving simple designs or ones that incorporate garden art, ponds, stone pathways and sitting areas.

There are four important considerations when creating your pool landscaping plan:

Personal Considerations in Pool Landscaping Define what you want to use your garden or patio space for. Your space, furniture and design will be affected by whether you use it for reading, relaxing, playing or entertaining.

If relaxation is your goal, consider soft flower colors and perhaps a hammock. If entertaining is your purpose, consider a built-in fireplace or fully equipped barbecue plus a large patio and a spacious lawn to better accommodate guests.

Personal taste is absolutely important and yard art will define a theme and tone around your pool. If you love the sounds of nature, consider wind chimes, bird baths or feeders. Ponds and fountains are also great for relaxing and soothing noise.

Environmental Considerations in Pool Landscaping Your pool landscaping design will depend on whether your backyard has any physical or architectural limitations. These include hills, irrigation or telephone poles. For slopes or hills, retaining walls or a raised deck may need to be part of the design.

Environmental factors will also determine your backyard's look. A patio should also have wonderful view and be situated out of the wind. Placing a patio close to your house will be the most practical. Also, think where you receive sunlight and at what times. Sun exposure will determine plants, shrubs and awnings. If privacy is a concern, fencing, trellises, vines, ivy and hedges may need to be considered.

Pool Decks and Patios The type of patio or pool deck that you choose on will probably affect certain landscaping elements. Patio and deck materials are crucial. Wood is the most common material used in decks. For pool patios, concrete, brick, cobblestone and marble can be used. A deck or patio should be non-slipping and cool to walk on as well as aesthetically enhancing. Wooden decks work well with wooden trellises or privacy screens and matching flower boxes. A concrete pool patio will better match stone fountains and concrete art.

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Pool Landscaping Ideas - Swimming Pools