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45 Best Pool Designs - Beautiful Swimming Pool Ideas

Summer, we miss your balmy nights, ice cream delights, and endless light. But most of all, we miss lounging by the pool. So we rounded up 45 striking swimming pool designs to help inspire the summer days ahead. From a Tuscan-style retreat to a rustic farmhouse swimming pool, an indoor lap pool, and adjacent outdoor bars, these design-savvy pools will make you want to dive right in and float the day away. So take a mental vacation and jot down some style notes from these striking swimming pool design ideas.

1

Build Near the Home Bar

Douglas Friedman

With a Baja shelf in the pool, a nearby semi-covered dining area, and an indoor-outdoor home bar, this backyard designed by Ken Fulk is the perfect place to unwind or entertain outside.

2

Optimize It for Laps

Bunkers Hotel

If you're only planning on using your pool for exercising, stick to a rectangular shape. Long and linear is the name of the game and this shape works well in the backyard too because you'll have more pool cover options with the classic shape.

3

Accomodate Bar Hangs

aamir khandwala

Designed by Aamir Khandwala, this swimming pool is optimized for summer relaxation at its finest. The extended Baja shelf accommodates loungers and built-in side tables for all your in-pool bar needs.

4

Connect the Indoor Kitchen

Studio Lifestyle

A large awning window and exterior counter extension connect the poolhouse kitchen to the swimming deck. Los Angeles-based design firm Studio Lifestyle creates visual cohesion with modern matte exterior stains and finishes paired with sleek concrete flooring.

5

Have Fun With Tiles

Trevor Tondro

Designer Madeline Stuart gave the backyard of this Southern California home by architects Wallace Neff and John Byers plenty of personality, from the eclectic tiles lining the pool to the blooming bougainvillea and playful umbrella. It's cheerful and unique without being overly eccentric.

6

Work Around Restrictions

Jenn Feldman Design

Designer Jenn Feldman tells us it was difficult to fit a pool into this backyard given regional restrictions about property lines. So she made it work by planting ficus trees to tighten up greenery (other plants would be too deeply rooted to work with the desired pool depth) and opted for smaller floor cushions instead of loungers. She also installed a swimming jet so the occupant could still do "laps" and also comfortably hang out on the low pool bar with a refreshment in tow.

7

Create an Eye-Catching Passage

Brendon Goldacker

Design a pathway that visually draws the eye to the pool and also provides a clear way for people to approach it. Here, Janice Parker Design opted for an offset stacked bond pattern.

8

Choose Decking Wisely

Studio Robert McKinley

Here, Studio Robert McKinley used different materials to distinguish the separate hangout spots and to optimize their distinct functional purposes. The concrete flooring under the fire pit sitting area is durable, low-maintenance, and affordable while the lawn functions as a nice segue to the pool, where wood decking, though pricier, make pool maintenance much easier.

9

Add a Baja Shelf

Jonathan Jackson

Baja shelves are the perfect pool addition for lounging in the shallow end without having to fully submerge in the water. They're basically just a super-sized version of a top step, where you can dip in and out or relax on loungers.

10

Carve Out Room for Bar Prep

Thomas Loof

You don't have to add a full-blown outdoor kitchen or even any built-in elements to create a special pool-adjacent backyard bar. Here, Caroline Rafferty decked out a small bar prep zone conveniently located right by the cabana.

11

Play With Shapes

Ike Kligerman Barkley

Ike Kligerman Barkley designed this circular pool to play off the wave-like shingles of the pool house's show-stopping roof. The combination feels whimsical yet sophisticated and creates a softness in the landscape design that you don't get from rectangular swimming pools. The yellow-and-white awning over the indoor-outdoor bar enhance that fairytale whimsy even further.

12

Fence It In

Charles Mayer

Whether you opt for a minimalist fence like landscape architect Edmund Hollander did here or go for something a little more classic, such as a stone wall, fencing in your pool area will provide extra privacy and safety.

13

Stack Infinity Teirs

Douglas Friedman

Why have only one infinity pool when you can have several levels of infinity pools stacked together? The raised design can also be a good way to separate a Jacuzzi and swimming pool. Even better if it's overlooking a cool landscape feature, like the life-sized chess board in this backyard designed by Ken Fulk.

14

Match Your Home's Style

Nicole Hollis Studio

Whether you're starting a project from the ground up or you're renovating your existing swimming pool, make sure the design is consistent with the style of your home's architecture so that everything flows and works together. On this property designed by Nicole Hollis Studio, the modern, dark pool tiles and clean lines reflect the open-air structure beyond.

15

Swap a Jacuzzi for an Outdoor Fire Pit

Peti Lau

The patio in this backyard designed by Peti Lau cozies right up to the pool. With a built-in fireplace, you can stay warm after a cool swim. Beyond the lounge area, there's an outdoor bar and grill area.

16

Set the Scene

Nicole Franzen

An all-white sitting area off to the side is a sleek background for a pool party. A raffia roof hanging over the deck makes it feel nice and private.

17

Chanel Your Favorite Destination

Thomas Loof

Turn your pool into Tuscan retreat with burnt orange umbrellas, cypress trees, and terra cotta tiles and planters. Instead of a full roof over the patio, add a pergola to create a nice geometric look while also letting the sun dapple through. And then go pour yourself a glass of red wine.

18

Invest in an Island

@bontraveler

This in-ground swimming pool is sleek and clean in its design. The standout feature is the built-in island, which breaks up the simple shape and offers a surface to rest your drink or layout in the sunshine. Perfect for pool bar design!

19

Play With Shape

Nicole Franzen

This uniquely designed pool is the perfect place for a quick dip and is also a prime blueprint for swim-up pool bar design. If your outdoor area is built into a hill and your pool needs to be below the deck, consider this your blueprint. Round pools are a great way to deviate from the standard rectangular look and we love how the patio above reflects the circular motif.

20

Enhance the Surroundings

Nicole Franzen

With a light stone tile border and gravel walkway, this pool seamlessly blends into its surrounding environment. Even the shutters on the château in the distance pick up on the light blue water. To create a pool area that feels straight out of the French countryside, take notes from this lovely swimming pool.

21

Go Rustic

House Beautiful

Barn doors open onto the patio from the pool house at the pool of our farmhouse-filled dreams. We love the how the pool leads our eyes straight to into the charming space. Now if only we actually owned a farmhouse.

22

Never Underestimate Décor

PHOTO: Alexandra Ribar; DESIGN: Leanne Ford Interiors

Hello, indoor pool of our dreams. With white painted wood panelling on the walls, a brushed cement floor, stone accents, and lantern installations as lighting and artwork, this basement swimming pool space is bursting with style. The kidney bean shape is also a nod to architect Thomas Church's midcentury masterpiece.

23

Add Greenery

Victoria Pearson

You don't need a lot of landscaping to make your pool look impressive. A few Italian cypresses can transform a plain pool area into a relaxing retreat.

24

Don't Let Size Stop You

@bontraveler

If you have a smaller space but are set on building a show-stopping pool, you can still pack a lot of punch with colorful tiles. The green hues in this in-ground swimming pool mimic the courtyard's lush greenery, while the floor cushions provide a spot to lounge.

25

Add Pops of Color

House Beautiful

Gas lanterns on the double porch add a Bahamian vibe to this pool. We love how the pastel blue hue of the house is picked up in the bolster cushions on the lounge chairs. Now we're dreaming of the Caribbean!

26

Bring the Outside In

@bontraveler

This indoor to outdoor swimming pool is about as unique as it gets. Architecturally striking, this pool also offers up some practical perks. Now you can swim from indoors or outdoors depending on your mood or the season. the glass wall helps ease the transition.

27

Consider Landscaping

Nicole Franzen

Instead of a traditional rectangular swimming pool, build yours around the landscaping design.If you want space for palm trees and other lush plants or even just an adjacent fire pit, take that into consideration when settling on a design. The shift in shape also signifies the start of deeper water, so it's a great way to keep kids in the shallow end.

28

Focus on the View

Nicole Franzen

The minimalist deck and sleek infinity pool design set the scene and allow our eyes to focus on the gorgeous, expansive vineyard view ahead. Opt for this kind of design if you're drawn to the visual illusion of a never-ending edge.

29

Have Fun With Color

We the People Style

Make a splash with a bold tiles in your pool, then balance things out with a clean-lined, classic rectangular pool design. If red isn't your color of choice, try something unexpected but softer, such as Millennial pink.

30

Find Natural Shade

Julian Wass

If you have a lot of foliage or tree cover in your backyard, build your pool and hot tub around it to create some natural shade. It looks thoroughly enchanting.

31

Swap Out Umbrellas

Nicole Franzen

Get creative with your poolside umbrellas. Instead of the classic route, opt for a vertical round sunshades like these. And no matter where you live, you can make your yard feel like paradise with sky-piercing palm tress. Keep the coconut cocktails coming.

32

Go For a Grid

Luca Trovato

To create easy water access without having to walk on the grass, add an arrangement of stone pavers. They're functional, and they have a nice grid-like aesthetic.

33

Make It Kid-Friendly

Studio Lifestyle

A sleek, modern swimming pool will age with the house as your kids grow up. But while they're still young, build a water slide and play house structure. It's the ultimate backdrop for making summer memories.

34

Build In a Seating Area

@bontraveler

Al fresco dining and drinking, upgraded. The stepping stones make it easy to access when you're not swimming. If you entertain a lot, this unique design is sure to impress guests.

35

Set the Mood

We the People Style

Chose a darker stone tile in your pool area for a moodier environment. Opt for daybeds and cabanas instead of basic lounge chairs to make it feel like a swanky pool club.

36

Add a Spa

Studio Lifestyle

Build a custom spa into your pool for the best of both worlds (read: temperatures. ) Integrate it into the pool, or take a cue from this raised spa and place it beside the swimming pool so you can relax while the kids splash away.

37

Make It Match

James Merrell

Match your guesthouse to your pool with a cool-hued exterior. It adds a pop of color to your yard, and the pastels feel tranquil, as a poolside setting should.

38

Add Drama With Stones

William Abranowicz

This beach house has a serious wow factor — the living room opens to the pool. If that isn't enough, coral stepping stones at one end let you walk on water.

39

Incorporate Underwater Seating

Victoria Pearson

This ranch house has an underwater bench that runs the length of the 45-foot pool. It's ideal for dogs to get in and out, or for people to lounge.

40

Break Out The Boxwoods

Jonny Valiant

Clipped boxwood and a tall privet hedge dress up a pool. Blue lounges with striped pillows complete the classic look.

41

Look for Inspiration

Anne Schlechter

Add boxwood parterres and you'll feel like you're living in a palace. Versailles's got nothing on your backyard when it looks like this.

42

Say Yes to Hedges

Francesco Lagnese

We may not be able to have an infinity-edge pool overlooking the ocean, but we can probably handle recreating this living wall. Added perk: It's the perfect photo backdrop for summer parties.

43

Build an Adjacent Gazebo

Eric Piasecki

A gazebo is the perfect addition to an upscale yet quaint backyard. The easy way to update your pool area? Upholstery. Yellow cushions make a pool feel even more summery, and you can swap them out for darker colors in the fall/winter.

44

Hang Sheer Curtains

Simon Upton

A vacation is as close as your backyard. Gauzy curtains give the pool area a breezy, tropical feel and add privacy.

45

Construct a Raised Deck

Pieter Estersohn

If your pool area is next to your garage or another less than beautiful area, construct an elevated deck. Rise above those functional spaces for a retreat that feels anything but ordinary.

Hadley Mendelsohn Senior Editor Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House.

Pool area ideas: 20 tips for designing a garden pool area

(Image credit: Mark Bolton)

Create the perfect pool setting with these pool area ideas, for a place to relax, enjoy and entertain during the warmer months.

Sympathetically designed, a pool area should complement the rest of your yard, rather than it simply being a functional addition, so it’s important to know how to carefully choose pool area ideas to include in your design.

The loveliest pool ideas use attractive materials that suit a the architecture of the home and the local area’s characteristics. They offer chic dining and seating areas, boast beautiful planting, and feature atmospheric lighting for gatherings after dark. 

Examine the options for yards of all sizes and styles.

Pool area ideas

From the best-looking, safest materials for underfoot as pool landscaping ideas, to clever ways to provide shade and privacy, or where to position a pool, here we look into the practicalities of pool area ideas. 

(Image credit: Alamy)

A garden pool area ‘must be designed so it is part of the scene, complementing the architecture of your home and surrounding landscaping. Consider the shapes, lines and forms in the wider garden – the swimming pool needs to be sympathetic to that masterplan design. For instance, if the garden has lots of organic lines, then a rectangular pool will look out of place,’ explains landscape designer Marcus Barnett .

A pool area idea needs to be considered in the context of wider garden ideas

'We choose materials that are right for the place, and outdoor pool patio ideas, in particular, need to sit easily in their landscape or else they feel alien. Stone color should therefore be sympathetic to the place, but also whatever pool building or structure is near a pool,’ adds garden designer Libby Russell of Mazzullo & Russell .

2. Consider patterned pool tiles

(Image credit: James Merrell)

Tiling within the pool needs a lot of research and deliberation. 

'The days of bright blue or turquoise swimming pools are probably gone. There is so much choice now, but it is very difficult to visualize what tiles will look like in scale, when wet, and when they are in shallow or deep areas of the pool,' says Marcus Barnett.

'A patterned effect can look really good – just as in the sea you have textures in the sand and rock pools and areas of light and dark, and if you extrapolate that theme you can come to a series of different tile colors that in isolation look strange but on mass look enchanting,’ he adds.

3. Position the garden pool discretely

(Image credit: Libby Russell / Mazzullo & Russell)

Position the pool ‘in a discrete or hidden area, not seen immediately from the house, as pools are not attractive in winter when all one sees is a cover,’ advises Libby Russell. 

‘It is good to get afternoon sun on the main seating area, but also ensure the site is sheltered and not windy, but consider the views from the pool. The ground must be flat, but you can use the natural garden topography of a sloping garden to hide the pool,’ she adds.

'My pool in our garden is a hub of life during the summer but hidden all winter.  It is designed so one cannot see it from the house, only the top of the pool house which fits in well with the vernacular architecture and is sympathetic to the site. '

4. Consider dimensions

(Image credit: Future/Robert Sanderson)

When designing a pool area, it’s vital to consider how much hardscaping your backyard idea requires around the pool.

How much furniture will be located there? Should it incorporate distinct seating as well as a dining area? How much space do you want to allow for circulation?

‘A generous border of hard landscaping around the pool allows for sun loungers and the ability to walk without worrying about getting to the edge,’ says Marcus Barnett.

The other advantage of a larger area of hardscaping can be to prevent a lawn from being splashed by water containing chlorine or salt water, which could damage it. Narrow margin? Perennial ryegrass and Bermuda grass are salt tolerant.

5. Choose hard landscaping sympathetic to the site

(Image credit: Belgard)

When you’re considering pool landscaping, bear in mind that repeating the paving stones used in other zones of your yard can be a sound tactic, creating a harmonious look.

Alternatively, you might choose to distinguish the pool area with a different paver. If so, make sure its color is sympathetic to other hardscaping as well as the planting, and the materials from which your home is built for a consistent design.

‘If there is a large area of pool landscaping, a combination of finishes in the same material can lessen the overall impact, such as large slabs, steps or pitchers cut from the same stone. There is unity in material, but the different scales add an appeal,’ says Marcus Barnett.

6. Keep in mind safety

(Image credit: Alistair Nicholls)

Whichever material you choose for the hard landscaping, the location of the pavers require that you pay attention to their slipperiness. Walking around with wet feet, plus the splashes from the pool create a potential hazard.

'Smooth, non-slip paving, such as sawn, natural stone is better, as riven stone has toe-stubbing ridges. Stick to mid-tones – dark paving can get very hot underfoot, while white or near white becomes dazzling in bright sunlight,' advises John Wyer, CEO of Bowles & Wyer .

Marcus Barnett recommends repeating the pavers used elsewhere in the yard, but swapping to a finish such as bush-hammered or flamed to create a non-slip surface. Look also for sawn finishes, and avoid smooth honed pavers.

7. Think durability

(Image credit: Future / Polly Eltes)

Patio ideas for a pool area need to be hard wearing enough to cope with the foot traffic of the area, as well as the furniture kept there. However, it’s also essential that the material selected can deal with salt or chlorine.

Don’t be afraid to choose natural stone, if this is your preference. ‘You might think there would be problems with a real stone surround,’ says garden designer Dr Peter Reader MSGD.

‘In reality there is usually no, or very little, problem. Indeed for a number of other reasons (appearance and non-slip surfaces) natural stone makes for a very good pool surround.

Travertine, limestone and sandstone are all popular and the fact that they absorb a small amount of water actually improves their non-slip characteristics.  

That said, all stones vary to a degree in their properties depending on type and provenance. It is always sensible, therefore, to use a reliable stone merchant who can provide you with details on a particular stone’s performance and suitability for a pool side.’

8. Choose the right planting

Planting choices ‘will be dictated by how exposed the site is. In sunny but breezy spots, ornamental grasses work really well – the feathery fronds look good at all times of year, especially in late summer when the pool is likely to get a lot of use, and they create very little leaf litter,' says John Wyer.

'Taller multi-stemmed shrubs work well when combined with ground cover. Lavender, nepeta and similar scented plants can make a lovely surround to pool paved areas,’ he adds.

‘Think about the atmosphere and view from both around the pool and when one is swimming.  We try to create a character around a pool in keeping with the atmosphere of the garden,’ adds Libby Russell.  

'In my pool, all the planting is very soft and dreamy in keeping with our valley site, with wildflowers and romantic roses followed by lots of pots full of salvias and agapanthus. Espalier apples frame the site, while large clumps of species roses provide a romantic barrier between the pool and the tennis court on the surrounding bank.'  

9. Factor in heat underfoot

(Image credit: Future / Rowan Isaac)

It’s not just the anti-slip properties and durability of pool pavers that need to be considered. They will heat up in the sun, and need to remain comfortable enough to walk on.

For regions with hotter temperatures, opt for pavers that are lighter in color.

Factor in glare as well. While ultra contemporary backyard designs often feature very pale pavers, these might prove dazzling in high sun and make the space uncomfortable to be in.

10. Strike a softer note

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton Photography)

Don’t rule out using deck ideas as an alternative to pavers when deciding how to design a pool area.

It’s another way to create a cooler feel underfoot, and can also help blend the pool area into the surrounding landscaping, or link it to a home with wood siding. 

Choose a wood such as cedar, teak or ipe that will stand up to the demanding conditions, and bear in mind that it will have maintenance requirements. 

‘Another option to consider is using some of the non-slip composites instead (made from polymer and wood fiber) which are sustainable and much more durable,’ says Fellow of the Society of Garden Designers and CEO of Bowles & Wyer John Wyer. 

‘If you’re absolutely sold on the wood look, you could use non-slip porcelain planks, which are available in a wide variety of wood-like finishes.’

11. Decide on coping

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Think about whether you install the same pavers right up to the edge of the pool, or go for a second material for the pool coping, in other words, its edging.

This can focus attention on an interesting pool shape, as well as make the design of the pool area richer in detail.

Pay attention to the edge of the coping as well, and how this complements the rest of the backyard design. A square-edge coping appears clean and modern, while a bullnose has a softer effect.

Meanwhile, coping with an edge that drops down can give the pool area a more luxurious look.

'Having pool copings made from the same material as the paving makes a huge difference to the appearance,’ advises John Wyer.

12. Incorporate a pergola 

(Image credit: Future/Mark Bolton)

Pergola ideas can introduce welcome shade for seating or dining areas by the pool to allow them to stay comfortable for day-long use.

Choose a version with a roof, and consider whether your location also means it needs to include the option to shade the sides when required.

Adding a pergola to the pool area also has the benefit of creating vertical lines that add interest to the design and make the area around the pool feel larger by drawing the eye upwards.

13.

Try terracing

(Image credit: Future / Annaick Guitteny)

Sloping gardens can be boon when considering how to design a pool area.

With the pool above ground, the coping can double as a seating area overlooking the rest of the space. Alternatively, consider terraced seating with a view to the pool at the lower level. 

Composite decking can be a useful material choice to create terraced areas, and its care needs are minimal.

14. Create a screen

(Image credit: Future)

Garden screening ideas will be needed if your pool is overlooked. However, you might also want to consider screening it as part of the overall design of the backyard, or to ensure the pool is not a major feature of the space when its cover is on and it’s less attractive.

And of course, if your pool area is entirely open to the elements, you might like to consider garden shade ideas to create some relief from hot sunshine.

There are lots of options for screening. ‘In a larger wrap-around garden, the pool can be to the sunny side of the house and slightly out of sight from the main garden,’ says Dr Peter Reader.

‘Many garden designs create “rooms” within the wider space and so the pool area can be compartmentalized off as part of the wider design. This can be done by the use of walls, hedging, or other planting, as well as simple hardscape structures like trellising. 

‘Both trellis ideas and planting have an added advantage over more solid structures like walls in that they can have a degree of transparency which allows the spaces to be separated and yet still linked.

Examples might be a trellis that has a greater or lesser amount of climbers on it, giving screening that you can moderate. Plants like tall grasses or pleached trees can create a similar effect. The advantage of the shared planting between the two areas is that it also adds continuity to the wider garden design. 

‘Another option is to sink the whole pool area to create a sunken garden. This can obviously be a more expensive option as it requires a greater amount of dig out, but it delivers the benefits of hiding the pool, providing privacy and also potentially shelter from the wind.’

15. Light up the pool area

(Image credit: Future/Mark Bolton)

If you’re wondering how to design a pool area that’s atmospheric as well as safe after dark, clever pool lighting ideas are key. The patio needs sufficient light for family and guests to move around at night with the edge of the pool and the water clear to see. 

Take a lead from garden and landscape designer Janine Pattison , who uses color-changing LEDs in and around pools to allow different moods to be created easily.

Less is more when it comes to pool lighting, in the opinion of Libby Russell

'We like subtle pool lighting, or none at all in rural sites. There is usually ambient lighting from the pool house and some soft uplighting of planting which can often be enough to set the mood,’ says Libby Russell.  

‘Dark water better reflects the surrounding elements of the pool and you won’t get reflection if you light the swimming pool. Ideally you need a series of scales of lighting that can be dimmed or made brighter to make sure the swimming pool can be used in all situations,’ adds Marcus Barnett. 

16. Make space for a pool house

(Image credit: Future / Annaick Guitteny)

If you have a medium or large yard, and it falls within your allotted costs to build a pool, it’s worth upping the size of the pool area to make space for some creative pool house ideas. The building can echo the lines of the pool with elegant curves, for example, and complement the contemporary or classic style of the yard design.

When it comes to designing a pool house, as well as creating space for changing in and out of swimwear without trekking into the house, it’s also a shady spot to enjoy when the day is at its hottest.

But a pool house can also provide a place to store furniture in winter, tidy away the extras that go with a pool such as rafts, noodles and so on. You could even include a section to stash pool chemicals safely away in its design.

Pool house design ‘must be led by the architecture of the house and surrounding buildings. Often they will be in complementary stone or wood, but when working with a contemporary building or a site not seen in conjunction with the main house, one can do a much more contemporary pool house design,’ says Libby Russell.

‘Think carefully about where it is positioned so it doesn’t cast shade on the pool and if it’s used for relaxing and entertaining, that it has the best views of the pool,’ says Marcus Barnett.

17. Mix pool area finishes

(Image credit: Sycamore)

To create a pool area with plenty for the viewer to enjoy visually, try garden zoning by mixing hardscaping materials.

Christopher Grubb, an interior designer and founder of Beverly Hills-based Arch-Interiors Design Group used decking, concrete, tile and grass for this stylish space in order to create a design that keeps the eye moving.

Consider following his lead by using different levels, too, in order to distinguish separate zones.

‘A combination of timber decking and stone paving can help to break up and decrease the overwhelming sense of a large area of hard landscaping. Timber has different colors when wet and dry and will obviously age to a silvery patina, which can work beautifully in certain settings,’ says Marcus.

18. Create harmony with pool accessories

(Image credit: Annaick Guitteny)

Pool accessories need to be in harmony with the overall design. 

‘Think about the position of loungers, so there is space and they are in the correct aspect as far as orientation is concerned. Keep it simple and not try to over complicate or over beautify what is around the swimming pool,’ says Marcus Barnett.

‘Pots around the pool are important – I use oranges for scent and a semi-formal shape alongside a rhythm of pots of mid-late summer flowers and interesting plants, from agapanthus to Iochroma,’ says Libby Russell.  

‘Large planters can also add an element of texture when you have a smooth natural stone around the pool, and also a dash of color from a plant that isn’t elsewhere in the pool area,’ adds Marcus.

19. Hide away machinery

(Image credit: Clear Water Revival)

Keep out of sight unsightly plant machinery in a pool house or tastefully designed building. 

'If you don’t want a pool house, you can, for instance, plant a hedge beyond the pool area hard landscaping and planting, for hiding the less sightly filtering systems and machinery, with a gap in the hedge for access. But you have to think about how the treatment of the boundary around the pool looks from the exterior. It has to be worked into the overall design of the garden,' says Marcus.

20. Provide protection from the wind

(Image credit: Harriet Farlam / Farlam & Chandler)

Consider protection from wind when deciding on pool area ideas, although this has to be balanced with the risk of  blocking the view.  

‘It is a balance to strike, whether you want a view out and therefore the possibility of wind, or it's not something you are too worried about. It is a trade off, ' says Marcus.

In this pool design by garden designer Harriet Farlam , high level screening is provided by pleached hornbeam, Carpinus betulus. 

The pool area is wrapped with a combination of sculptural lawn banks, new and old brick walls and linear trellis. Layers of pleached and multi-stem trees function to softly enclose the pool garden and divide it from other areas, while also providing subtle wind protection as well as creating views and vistas out to key areas and focal points within the wider garden. 

What can I plant around my pool area?

There are many option for what you can plant around a pool area, but the key is to 'be leaf aware. If you have a deciduous tree, at some stage in the year it will shed its leaves which will always find their way into the pool so you will have degrees of maintenance issues. Keep it simple and not try to over complicate or over beautify what is around the swimming pool,' advises Marcus Barnett.

‘You may go for a mass planting of grasses around the pool to draw on the natural environment, or perennial planting to add some color. But it has to be considered in the masterplan of designing and building the pool,’ he adds.

For a coherent yard design, follow the style of the rest of the space. However, not every plant will be suitable for a location near the pool.

‘You should choose plants that won’t shed leaves into the pool. Bamboos are one to avoid for this reason, particularly on the up-wind side,’ says John Wyer. ‘Instead, opt for low-growing herbaceous, clipped topiary and smaller grasses to bring in some movement and texture.’

Borders can be used to divide the pool area from the rest of the yard, subtly distinguishing one zone of the space from another and introducing a softer element that will contrast with the hardscape and horizontals of the pool area.

Be aware of potential issues, though. ‘Pools are built so that the paving surround runs off, away from the pool. So if you have planting around the pool area, consider installing a gravel French drain so that chlorinated water doesn’t damage the planting,’ says John Wyer.

If you have an irregular-shaped yard, planting can be a way of filling the spaces created by a rectangular pool area within it. 

(Image credit: Future / Alistair Nicholls)

How do you build a good pool area?

To build a good pool area make sure it fits naturally into the yard. You could opt for an overall design that zones the backyard into different areas plus use similar plants and subtle screening so that the pool and wider yard flow into each other, suggests Dr Peter Reader.

But there are alternatives. ‘A pool doesn’t have to look like your classic bright blue pool at all,’ says Dr Reader. 

‘It can be styled and constructed out of materials that make it look like a crystal-clear pond. This can create a much more naturalistic and relaxing pool experience and on a chillier day you can leave the pool open and simply view it as a pond. Attractive historical tiling mosaics on the bottom of the pool can really add to the atmosphere and create a story or air of mystery. 

‘You can go one step further and put in a natural swimming pool. These have become increasingly popular recently and deliver a completely different pool experience. 

They cleverly use natural filter systems and the poolside planting to keep the water clean and safe and therefore do not require any chemicals. Large areas are kept for open swimming and play, but you can also include quiet areas where you can sit amongst the waterside planting and observe the wildlife that visits.’

How can I decorate my pool area?

To decorate a pool area and add color and energy opt for an accent color for patio umbrellas that can be picked up on patterned throw pillows and outdoor rugs. Add planters with summer blooms, too.  

If your pool parties tend to stretch into the evening, dress up the area with lanterns to add soft light and design detail or use outdoor string lighting ideas to add atmosphere. You can stave off any late night chill and create a focal point with a fire pit or outdoor fireplace along with throw blankets you can offer guests. And for table settings for day or night-time dining, choose colorful china and glasses. 

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, she’s specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G. She’s written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4’s flagship website, 4Homes, and Future’s T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Future’s Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others. It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator. 

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Millwood Park Hotel

Bryansk region, Belye Berega 🧭 On the map

Swimming pool: with view, Heated pool, Pool

Skiing, Table tennis, Ski equipment rental (on site)

incendiary show program: pleasant surprises, festive atmosphere, New Year's banquet, congratulations from Father Frost and Snow Maiden. Disco!

In general, the staff is just excellent, polite and caring, the rooms are cleaned quickly and efficiently, and there was never a need to remind about cleaning. Technicians and accommodation service are also always in touch

Good, but unreasonably expensive. Very pretentious, but the devil is in the details. But the mattress is terrible! Sleep is impossible! The cheapest soft to madness mattress. You can already feel the slats of the bed base under the mattress with your back

The waiters are helpful and helpful, the barista makes excellent coffee, the food in the restaurant is not for me. But there is an exception to all the rules, here it is the guards

The back falls off after a night. Savings "on matches" - in the room the napkins are cut in half! The paths on the streets are terribly slippery. Pure ice! Almost nothing sprinkled with anything

Of the minuses: 1) on the first race there was a peak of leaf fall, and it was impossible to rest during the day: constantly (really constantly, from lunch to late evening, without breaks) someone wandered around the houses with a leaf picker , as a result, my head hurt unbearably from a continuous rumble, which stopped only at darkness (with windows completely closed) 2) there is no refrigerator in the houses (only a minibar with very weak airflow . ..

Maybe I should go there after dark, I don't know) Wishes: 1) to diversify the menu in the Melnitsa restaurant with European cuisine (pasta, lasagna), at least a couple of dishes, the current menu is somehow very exotic, strongly for an amateur, from neutral dishes one "Caesar" and a turkey)) 2) to add an "adult" sports ground on the street, at least a small one: it would not hurt at least a couple of street horizontal bars and a Swedish ...

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