DIY Pool Landscaping Ideas

If you’re looking for DIY pool landscaping, I’m going to bet you have spent a lot of money on your swimming pool and are now looking for creative ways to finish your outdoor space.

Creating a relaxing oasis is high on any pool owners list, but the last thing you want to do is spend so much money that you have to work all the time to afford your outdoor area. So, what is the best way to make your pool area more inviting?

Let’s look at these simple, stunning, yet budget-friendly DIY pool landscaping ideas.

Just a friendly reminder: This tutorial and any opinions or recommendations are genuinely mine, but this is not a substitute for consulting a professional. I also use affiliate links to earn a commission.

After investing in all the building materials necessary to install a backyard pool, you may not have a lot of time or money left over to put towards pool landscaping. Still, without it, your space is dull and not the backyard oasis you envisioned. DIY pool landscaping is the better way to stretch your dollar. Some of these ideas are quick weekend projects, and some are much more involved.

Lighting
Rocks
Tropical Plants
Fire Pit
Seating Areas
Flower Beds
Evergreen Trees
Wooden Deck
Privacy Fence

DIY Pool Landscaping Using Solar Lights

For easy DIY pool landscaping, use solar lights around the perimeter of your pool instead of running electricity. There are various ways to add lighting to your pool, such as rope lights along the perimeter of the pool deck or garden bed. Rope lights come in a variety of colors and are safe around water because they are encased in a plastic tube.

There are LED pool lights available that are waterproof and safe to run along the inside border of your pool. These lights come in all kinds of fun colors, and the best part is they add a level of safety because they increase the visibility for those swimming in the pool.

Tiki torches are another light source you incorporate into your DIY pool landscaping. This type of lighting is so simple because it uses oil and fire to create light, and the flickering of the flame creates the most captivating ambiance. Available are the classic tall, pole-mounted torches that you stake into the ground or smaller tabletop versions. Also available is a citronella oil that can make these lights double-duty by repelling those pesky bugs.

Another idea is to hang string lights along the top of your fence, attach one end to somewhere tall and run the lights over the top of your pool, or add multiple tall stakes and string them along the edge of your pool deck.

DIY Pool Landscaping Using Rocks

If you like DIY projects, then this is another great way to DIY pool landscaping. There are so many different configurations of rocks that you can do to spruce up your pool’s surroundings. And depending on where you live, you may have some rocks in your own backyard that you can easily incorporate into pool designs.

Use large pavers or stepping stones to create a stone walkway
Create a small rock garden using river rock
Build a retaining wall around an infinity pool using boulders or concrete blocks
Construct a water feature around your in-ground pool using large stones

Build a Backyard Fire Pit DIY

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Create the ultimate backyard retreat by incorporating a fire pit into your landscape design. Using an outdoor firepit can be fun and relaxing at the same time. Imagine the kids playing around in the pool for a nighttime swim while you enjoy a glass of wine while staying cozy around the fire pit. Add fireplace lighting with string lights so you can see and add an extra comfortable touch.

Use something as simple as a solo stove, a gas-powered fire table, or elaborate as an outdoor fireplace. In our backyard, we have a fire pit and a solo stove. We love the ability to make a wood fire in the fire pit if we have time to sit around and enjoy this for the evening. But if we’re looking for a quick after-dinner activity with the kids, the solo stove is much more ideal because it’s so much easier to set up. If you don’t want to deal with finding firewood and kindling, or you live in an area where burning is prohibited for whatever reason, a gas-powered fire table is a good idea for you.

DIY Pool Landscaping Using Tropical Plants

When I envision a pool, I immediately think of sunshine, blue water, and palm trees. And if you live in a climate with mild winters, tropical plants are the right landscaping for you. Tropical plants are also an excellent choice for DIY pool landscaping because they don’t have a lot of leaves to worry about falling into the swimming pool and act as privacy screens to keep nosy neighbors from watching your backyard fun.

Beyond the palm tree, some of the best tropical plants are:

Magnolia Trees: these trees love full sun and grow tall and wide rather quickly.
Crape Myrtle: produces the brightest flowers in a variety of colors and can withstand hot summer sun
Citrus Trees: prefer hot sun and are fun to have homegrown lemons, limes, etc.
Ornamental Grasses: these plants mix well with other flowers and trees, are incredibly low maintenance, and create the most beautiful movement and sound

Careful planning for the landscaping of your new pool is a must if you want your diy pool landscape to last a long time. You’ll need to consider things like root systems, hardiness zones, and leaf drop when researching landscaping for your pool space. If this sounds like a lot, don’t be discouraged and don’t panic! I’ve put together a guide on tress to plant around a pool and it’s packed with backyard pool ideas to help you with your entire landscaping project.

Create a Comfortable Seating Area Around the Pool

Multiple entertainment areas with comfortable patio furniture that provides various seating arrangements and options create the ultimate backyard oasis. On a hot summer day, you may want to bask in the sun, but on other days you may want to sit down and read a book on the pool patio without dealing with the heat. Having multiple seating arrangements available allows you to do this. Use a mix of loungers, chairs, and table seating for the best results.

Let’s be honest; you have a backyard pool, so you will entertain and have numerous people over at once. Stackable chairs are ideal if you don’t necessarily want a lot of chairs out on your pool deck at all times or if space and storage are limited. Stacking only takes a little room to store, and you’ll always be sure to have enough seating.

DIY Pool Landscaping Using Flowers and Plants

Using colorful plants and flowers is an easy way to add a pop of color to your backyard pool area. Two good options are either potted plants or flower beds. Both are budget-friendly DIY pool landscaping ideas.

Fill your flower beds with low-maintenance landscape plants such as ground cover so you can plant them and forget them. The last thing you want is to work on your garden when you should be enjoying your pool. Flower beds are excellent natural barriers if you want to avoid building a fence around your pool.

For potted plants, use different-sized containers and plants of several different colors to add an element of fun to your pool deck. Using annual flowers allows you to create a new look year to year. It’s a good idea to use large pots on wheels, which enable you to move things around and create a different focal point based on where you place the potted plants.

DIY Pool Landscaping Using Evergreen Trees

If you’re looking for landscaping ideas for your pool’s surrounding area, it’s essential to consider can the plant, flower, or tree can survive and thrive in the extreme temperatures in your area. Evergreen Trees are one of the best trees to plant around a pool if you need something that can endure a harsh winter. These trees create a natural privacy screen, stay green all year long, are fast-growing, and require very little maintenance. Mix shorter, more colorful accent plants in front of your evergreen row for added visual interest in your pool’s landscape.

Building a Wooden Deck Around a Pool

Building a wooden deck around your pool is another idea for diy pool landscaping if you have an above-ground or inground pool. Use Trex decking to keep your pool area maintenance-free if your budget allows, and use pressure-treated wood otherwise. The deck area should be wide enough to provide a lounge area and allow others enough room to get in and out of the pool. Consider adding a large deck section to enclose or cover with a pergola to relieve yourself from those hot summers.

Using a Privacy Fence as Pool Landscaping

You may live on a busy road or have nosy neighbors. A privacy fence is one of those backyard ideas that has many functions, and whatever your reason for wanting a privacy fence, installing one around your pool area is an easy DIY pool landscaping idea. Beyond privacy, a fence adds safety and is aesthetically pleasing. With the right tools, you can easily tackle this diy project. Local codes, permits, and property lines are critical components you must address before starting anything.