Perfect Pool Landscaping

When you’re looking for backyard pool landscaping ideas, there are a few things you’ll want to look at a little differently than if you were planning to landscape around a front yard pool.

One advantage is that because your backyard is largely blocked from street view, you have a little more freedom to do what you want without worrying what the neighbors will think. Another is the how much easier it is to create your own private get-away spot. Here are some ideas on how to do it.

Create a Comfortable Seating Area

So many people don’t do much more with their swimming pool patio or deck than put out a couple of lawn chairs. Why have a bare, bleak pool deck when with just a little more effort, you can create a comfortable area where you can just as easily enjoy breakfast after your morning dip as a Saturday afternoon sunbathing session.

To start with, add some chaise lounges or Adirondack chairs as well as regular straight back chairs. A hammock wouldn’t be a bad idea, either. Put out a cabinet for storing things like towels, sunscreen, bug spray and anything else you don’t want to have to run into the house for. When you choose your pool furniture, though, just make sure you pick things that can stand up to a splash of chlorinated water now and then and won’t mildew.

When you’ve decided on the furniture, add some lush, fragrant plants in containers. Some good choices are lavender, phlox, and Arabian jasmine (Jasminum sambac). Even cooking herbs like oregano, bay laurel, lemon thyme, and spearmint can work well. Just make sure you don’t plant anything that will attract flies or bees and, again, that they can stand up to a little pool water.

Give Yourself Several Options for Pool Area Lighting

Remember, in the backyard you’re not going to have street lights to help you out, so you’ll want to make sure you get the lighting right.

Make sure your lighting design lets you adjust the amount of light around your pool. When you’re having a pool party with 20 people, you’re going to want plenty of lighting to make sure no one trips or slips. When it’s just you and your special someone going for a midnight dip, though, soft, low lighting will be more appealing.

When you’re landscaping around a backyard pool, you don’t have to worry so much about your pool landscaping blending in with the rest of your yard, much less the rest of your street. This and the natural secluded feel of the backyard makes designing a pool landscape here a lot easier. I invite you to browse around the site for more creative backyard pool landscaping ideas.