1. Feature a Poolside Outdoor Bar

Set up an outdoor bar by the pool for a resort-like experience. It’s perfect for serving up cool drinks and making your backyard the ultimate hangout spot.
Possibly helpful picks:
- Outdoor Bar Set: Elevate your pool area with an elegant bar set, perfect for serving refreshing drinks.
- Patio Umbrella: Enhance shade and style by adding a durable patio umbrella to your outdoor bar setup.
- Weatherproof Bar Stools: Provide comfortable seating with sleek bar stools designed for outdoor use and easy maintenance.
2. Incorporate a Pergola for Shade

Installing a pergola near the pool offers much-needed shade and architectural interest. It’s a favorite for those hot Austin summers, providing a stylish refuge from the sun.
Some handy options:
- Outdoor Pergola Kit: Transform your poolside with a stylish pergola, offering much-needed shade and architectural charm.
- Weather-Resistant Lounge Chairs: Relax in comfort with these durable lounge chairs, perfect for enjoying your shaded pergola area.
- Climbing Plants for Pergolas: Enhance your pergola’s beauty with lush climbing plants, creating a natural cool retreat.
3. Embrace Natural Stone for an Organic Look

Using natural stone around your pool can create a seamless blend with the surrounding landscape. I love how it adds a touch of rustic elegance while keeping the vibe earthy and grounded.
You might give these a try:
- Natural Stone Pool Decking: Transform your pool area with durable and stylish natural stone decking for a rustic feel.
- Stone Garden Edging: Enhance your garden’s appeal with elegant stone edging matching your pool’s natural look.
- Natural Stone Outdoor Fire Pit: Create cozy evenings by your pool with a sophisticated natural stone fire pit addition.
4. Experiment with Eclectic Designs

Mix and match different styles and materials for an eclectic pool landscape that’s uniquely yours. I love how this approach allows for personal expression and creativity.
Check these products out:
- Outdoor String Lights: Add warmth and ambiance to your backyard with charming outdoor string lights. Light up the night!
- Colorful Outdoor Cushions: Brighten up your seating area with vibrant outdoor cushions. Add comfort and style effortlessly!
- Decorative Patio Umbrellas: Introduce shade and flair with decorative patio umbrellas. Customize your outdoor vibe with ease!
5. Add Cozy Poolside Lounging

Incorporate comfortable loungers and umbrellas around your pool to create a relaxing retreat. This setup is perfect for lazy afternoons spent soaking up the sun or reading a good book.
A few things you might like:
- Outdoor Chaise Lounge Chair: Enhance your poolside relaxation with this adjustable lounger for ultimate comfort any sunny day.
- Patio Umbrella with Tilt and Crank: Stay cool and shaded with this easy-to-use patio umbrella, perfect for sunny days poolside.
- Outdoor Side Table for Patio: Keep refreshments and books within reach with this stylish, compact outdoor side table.
6. Use Accent Lighting for Evening Ambiance

Accent lighting can transform your pool area into a magical space at night. I always recommend it for extending the enjoyment of the pool well into the evening.
Check if these fit your needs:
- Solar Powered Pathway Lights: Illuminate your poolside walkways effortlessly with energy-efficient solar lights for stunning evening ambiance.
- LED String Lights: Create a cozy, inviting atmosphere around your pool with versatile and durable LED string lights.
- Color-Changing Pool Lights: Enhance your nighttime pool experience with vibrant, color-changing LED lights for a magical touch.
7. Incorporate Water Features for a Wow Factor

Adding a waterfall or fountain to your pool area can instantly elevate the ambiance. My clients often rave about the soothing sound of water creating a spa-like atmosphere.
Maybe worth checking out:
- Stone Waterfall Kit: Enhance your pool with a natural stone waterfall for a calming, spa-like atmosphere.
- LED Pool Fountain: Illuminate your pool with an LED fountain, adding night-time charm and elegance.
- Decorative Pool Fountain Spray: Add playful water sprays to your pool area, making it lively and inviting.
8. Utilize Vibrant Outdoor Rugs

Brighten up your pool area with vibrant outdoor rugs that add color and comfort. It’s an easy way to inject personality and warmth into the space.
Consider these options:
- Colorful Geometric Outdoor Rug: Transform your poolside space with this geometric rug, adding vibrant hues and coziness.
- Eco-Friendly Outdoor Patio Mat: Enhance comfort and style with an eco-friendly patio mat, perfect for outdoor lounging.
- Reversible Bright Outdoor Carpet: Add flexibility and flair with a reversible bright carpet, ideal for poolside relaxation.
9. Plant a Mediterranean Garden

Bring a bit of the Mediterranean to your pool with olive trees and lavender. It’s a charming way to add color and fragrance, transporting you to a sun-drenched paradise.
May just do the trick:
- Olive Tree Saplings: Transform your pool area with lush olive trees, adding shade and Mediterranean charm.
- Lavender Plants: Enhance your garden with fragrant lavender, creating a serene and aromatic atmosphere.
- Mediterranean Garden Soil: Ensure healthy growth for your plants with soil tailored for Mediterranean species.
10. Incorporate a Desert Oasis Theme

For an arid climate, consider a desert-inspired poolscape with succulents and sand-colored tiles. It’s a striking look that pairs well with the natural surroundings.
These products might be useful:
- Decorative Desert Succulent Set: Enhance your poolscape with realistic succulents, adding a touch of desert charm effortlessly.
- Sand-Colored Pool Tiles: Transform your pool area with sand-colored tiles for a natural, cohesive desert look.
- Outdoor Cactus Decor: Add a striking focal point with decorative outdoor cacti, perfectly suited to arid themes.
11. Create a Coastal Retreat

Capture the essence of the coast with beach-inspired elements like driftwood and seashells. It’s a serene way to bring the beach vibes to your backyard.
Might be a good match:
- Driftwood Centerpiece: Add a rustic driftwood centerpiece to accentuate your coastal-themed backyard with natural elegance.
- Seashell Decorative Set: Enhance your poolside atmosphere with a beautiful set of assorted seashells for a beach vibe.
- Beach-Themed Outdoor String Lights: Illuminate your evenings with beach-themed string lights, adding a warm glow to your backyard.
12. Create a Tropical Paradise

Surround your pool with palm trees and vibrant plants to turn it into a tropical oasis. It’s an instant ticket to a vacation vibe right in your backyard.
Give these a look:
- Artificial Palm Trees: Add lush greenery with low-maintenance artificial palms for a year-round tropical vibe.
- Tropical Plant Seed Kits: Cultivate vibrant tropical plants to enhance your backyard with a splash of color.
- Solar Garden Lights: Illuminate your tropical oasis with eco-friendly solar lights for an enchanting evening atmosphere.
13. Design with Minimalist Modernity

For a sleek and sophisticated look, opt for clean lines and neutral tones in your pool landscaping. This approach offers a chic, modern vibe that I find absolutely timeless.
Useful items to consider:
- Outdoor Lounge Chairs: Elevate your relaxation with sleek lounge chairs perfect for a chic poolside experience.
- LED Pool Lighting: Enhance night swims with subtle LED lighting, adding a modern touch to your pool area.
- Neutral Patio Umbrella: Add shade with a stylish neutral-toned umbrella, blending seamlessly with minimalist aesthetics.
14. Create a Zen Garden Oasis

Transform your pool area into a Zen retreat with bamboo and pebbles. I’ve seen this design work wonders for creating a peaceful, meditative space.
These products might help:
- Outdoor Bamboo Fencing: Enhance privacy and ambiance with tall, durable bamboo fencing around your pool oasis.
- Decorative River Pebbles: Create a calming path or border with smooth, natural river pebbles in your Zen garden.
- Solar Garden Lights: Illuminate your Zen garden with energy-efficient solar lights for a tranquil evening glow.
15. Opt for Sustainable Landscaping

Use drought-tolerant plants and permeable materials for an eco-friendly pool landscape. It’s a smart choice that’s both beautiful and kind to the environment.
Possibly handy products:
- Drought-Tolerant Plant Seed Mix: Enhance your pool’s beauty and sustainability with easy-to-maintain, drought-tolerant plants.
- Permeable Paving Stones: Install eco-friendly paving stones for a sustainable and stylish backyard pool area.
- Automatic Drip Irrigation Kit: Simplify plant care with an efficient irrigation kit, reducing water use and supporting your garden.
16. Use Floating Plants for a Unique Touch

Consider floating plants in your pool for an unexpected and enchanting element. They’re sure to be a conversation starter with guests!
You might like:
- Artificial Floating Lotus Flowers: Add vibrant color and elegance to your pool with these realistic floating lotus flowers.
- Floating Plant Baskets: Easily display live aquatic plants with these convenient and decorative floating baskets.
- Pool Water Lilies: Create an enchanting atmosphere by adding serene water lilies to your pool landscape.
17. Add a Poolside Dining Area

Create a dining space near the pool for al fresco meals and gatherings. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors while entertaining family and friends.
Explore these options:
- Outdoor Dining Set: Transform your poolside with a stylish dining set for perfect outdoor gatherings and meals.
- Patio Umbrella: Enhance comfort with a patio umbrella, offering shade and style to your poolside dining area.
- LED Outdoor String Lights: Illuminate your evenings with LED string lights, adding ambiance to your poolside dining experience.
18. Add a Touch of Whimsy with Sculptures

Place whimsical sculptures around your pool to add character and charm. I’ve found that they can make a pool area feel playful and inviting.
A few suggestions:
- Whimsical Garden Gnome Statue: Enhance your backyard pool with a charming garden gnome, making your space playful and unique.
- Frog with Umbrella Garden Sculpture: Delight guests with a playful frog sculpture, adding character to your poolside area instantly.
- Mushroom and Fairy Yard Statue: Invite enchantment to your pool with a fairy statue, creating a whimsical outdoor retreat.
19. Design with Privacy in Mind

Tall hedges or privacy screens are perfect for creating an intimate pool environment. Many clients appreciate how it provides a sense of seclusion and comfort.
Products that could assist:
- Outdoor Privacy Screen Panels: Enhance your poolside privacy with stylish screen panels that shield without compromising aesthetics.
- Artificial Hedge Panels: Install artificial hedge panels to create a lush, maintenance-free privacy barrier around your pool.
- Tall Planter Boxes: Utilize tall planter boxes with lush plants to increase privacy and add natural beauty.