There’s a particular kind of charm that comes from the sound of splashing water on a hot day—especially when it’s coming from your very own above ground pool.
But let’s face it, while above ground pools are convenient and cost-effective, they’re not always easy on the eyes. That’s where DIY landscaping comes in. With some creativity, elbow grease, and the right ideas, you can transform your pool area from basic to breathtaking—all without calling in a professional crew.
1. Build a Simple Gravel Border
Let’s start with something so simple it almost feels like cheating. Adding a gravel border around your above ground pool is one of the easiest ways to instantly clean up the look.
Just lay down a weed barrier fabric, pour some decorative gravel, and smooth it out. You’ll reduce mud, prevent weeds, and make the area look neat and intentional. I once did this over a weekend with my teenage nephew—and he ended up liking it so much, he volunteered to do my driveway edges too.
2. Create a Wooden Deck Wraparound
This one requires a bit more effort, but the result is dramatic. A DIY wooden deck built around your pool not only makes entry and exit a breeze but also gives it a luxurious vibe—like you’re at a boutique resort.
Use pressure-treated lumber and deck screws. Measure twice, cut once, and anchor your deck properly. This project takes a weekend (or two), but the transformation is nothing short of magical.
And yes, you can even stain the wood to match your outdoor furniture.
3. Install Solar Lighting Around the Pool
Think about your pool as a stage, and lighting is your spotlight. Solar-powered stake lights are affordable and easy to install—no wiring required. Place them along the path or border and watch your pool glow like a lantern-lit pond after sunset.
They charge during the day and flicker to life at dusk—romantic and energy-efficient.
4. Use Potted Plants to Add Texture and Color
If landscaping were a symphony, plants would be the music. Choose potted ferns, elephant ears, or dwarf palms to frame your pool and create a tropical paradise look.
The beauty of using pots is the flexibility—move them around, group them, or elevate them with stands. When I needed a quick makeover before a party, a few well-placed pots did the trick better than any expensive renovation.
5. Build a Stone Pathway
A flagstone or stepping stone path leading to your pool gives the space a grounded, intentional look. It invites guests like a red carpet leads into a gala.
You can lay stones over gravel or even directly into the soil. For a pop of greenery, let moss or creeping thyme fill the gaps between the stones.
6. Add a Privacy Screen with Lattice Panels
Sometimes you want to swim without feeling like you’re on display. Lattice panels are inexpensive, customizable, and easy to install. Add climbing vines like clematis or jasmine to make the screen part of the landscape.
It’s like adding curtains to a bare window—it finishes the look and adds privacy.
7. Incorporate Mulch Beds with Evergreen Borders
If your pool sits on a grassy patch, it can feel out of place. Surround it with mulch beds and evergreen shrubs like boxwood or dwarf cypress to anchor it in the landscape.
Mulch helps with weed control, keeps the area looking neat, and adds a nice contrast against the pool wall.
8. Construct a DIY Tiki Bar Nearby
Alright, maybe this one’s more for the party crowd—but a DIY tiki bar made from reclaimed wood and a thatched roof is a fun, functional addition. Set it a few steps from the pool and stock it with lemonade, iced tea, or something stronger.
In my case, it doubled as a snack station and sunscreen hub. A creative touch that guests still remember.
9. Use Railroad Ties or Landscape Timbers
For a rustic, country-style border, railroad ties or landscape timbers add strong visual structure. Arrange them to form a square or curved edge around your pool zone.
They’re perfect for uneven ground and can also support elevated flower beds or seating platforms.
10. Add an Outdoor Rug or Artificial Turf
If you’re tired of stepping onto hot concrete or bare soil, consider an outdoor rug or a patch of artificial turf. It’s like giving your pool a living room—it instantly feels more welcoming.
Turf also helps reduce mud and blends seamlessly with other landscaping elements.
11. Build Planter Boxes Along the Pool Wall
Here’s a creative way to camouflage the sides of the pool: build raised planter boxes right up against the wall. Use cedar, redwood, or recycled pallets and fill them with a mix of tall grasses and flowering annuals.
It softens the edge and adds movement as the plants sway in the breeze. Plus, you get the satisfaction of growing something beautiful.
12. Install a Water Feature or Fountain
Who says water features are only for in-ground pools? A solar-powered fountain nearby adds sound, movement, and that soothing ambiance everyone loves.
Place it at one corner with surrounding rocks, or nest it in a garden bed for a natural look.
13. Create a Zen Garden Vibe
For those who like minimalism and mindfulness, try building a Zen-inspired space. Think gravel raked into patterns, smooth river rocks, a stone bench, and bamboo screens.
It’s not just about looks—it becomes a place to unwind when the pool isn’t in use. A peaceful nook that feels worlds away from everyday chaos.
14. Build a DIY Pergola or Shade Structure
The sun is great—until it isn’t. A pergola provides structure, style, and much-needed shade.
Use treated lumber or metal brackets to build a freestanding structure beside the pool. You can grow vines on it or add fabric drapes to soften the light and create a cabana-like escape.
15. Edge with Gabion Baskets
Want an industrial or modern twist? Gabion baskets—wire cages filled with rocks—make rugged, beautiful borders. They add textural interest and also act as retaining walls or seating platforms.
Fill them with river stones, recycled bricks, or even seashells if you’re feeling bold.
16. Layer With Landscaping Tiers
If your yard is sloped or uneven, don’t fight it—embrace the elevation. Build terraced levels using retaining wall blocks or treated wood, with each tier hosting different plants or features.
It frames your pool like a stage, drawing the eye upward and creating a lush, layered look.
17. Install a Fire Pit Zone Nearby
After a long swim, there’s something magical about drying off beside a crackling fire. A fire pit (either built with pavers or a metal bowl) adds evening ambiance.
Surround it with gravel, add some Adirondack chairs, and it becomes the perfect nighttime hangout.
18. Use Decorative Panels or Screens
Metal or wood cut-out panels add instant drama. Mount them along one side of the pool for privacy or to define the space.
These panels come in patterns from Moroccan lattice to modern geometric. Pick one that fits your backyard personality.
19. Add Seating Nooks and Benches
Built-in wooden benches or a couple of cozy DIY daybeds turn your poolside into a social zone. If you have scrap lumber or even an old headboard, you can make something creative and comfy.
Add cushions, and now you’ve got the perfect place to read, nap, or watch kids splash about.
20. Incorporate Natural Stone Borders and Boulders
For a nature-inspired look, use large rocks or boulders to form the edges of your landscaping. Nestle in some ferns, grasses, or succulents and you’ll have an organic, untouched vibe.
When I visited a friend’s backyard that used this trick, I actually thought his pool was part of a mountain stream. It’s that convincing.
Conclusion
DIY landscaping around your above ground pool doesn’t need to break the bank or your back. With a bit of planning and creativity, you can turn that plain plastic basin into a backyard retreat worthy of magazine covers.
It’s about creating visual harmony, enhancing function, and building a space that feels like your own personal getaway.
Whether you go big with a full wraparound deck or small with a few potted palms and lights, what matters is making the space feel good to you.
And remember—landscaping, like swimming, is best enjoyed in the moment. Get your hands dirty, make a mess, splash a little too hard. It’s your backyard. Own it.
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