35 Pool Deck Ideas for the Ultimate Backyard Summer Retreat

Upgrade your pool deck just in time for summer's hottest days.

Have you been considering breaking ground for a new pool or upgrading your existing pool deck? These pool deck ideas will have you wanting to get to work immediately. From budget-friendly and environmentally ethical to decks in all of the most popular design styles, there is something for everyone to be inspired by.

Poolside Pergola

Building a pergola is one way to add function and beauty to your outdoor oasis. This structure gives you an area with shade to dry off after a dip in the pool and a place to enjoy a refreshing cocktail on a hot day. This symmetrical outdoor pool setting also features striking black furniture, which adds a bold contrast against the neutral wood of the pergola.

Consider a Flagstone Patio

Ditch the solid cement slab for something with more character. A flagstaff pool deck gives your outdoor space an organic look with its uniquely shaped stones. The irregularity in the shape of the slabs allows you the freedom to piece together your pool deck however you'd like.

Build Up

Is your pool or hot tub above ground? This is the perfect opportunity to build your dream oasis upward. This small deck surrounded by dreamy, luscious greenery has the possibility for the curtains to close and turn into a private spa.

Add a Focal Point

Draw your guests' eyes to something beautiful and different. Framed by planters, this pool features a classy fountain that boasts generations of history. Add relaxing lounge chairs and other historic statues for a backyard that will transport you to an ancient Mediterranean escape.

Add a Pool House

In this backyard hangout, you can easily take the lively pool party straight to an evening cookout in the pool house. A pool house that's fully equipped with a bathroom, dining area, TV, and weather-proof furniture is a must for someone who loves to host.

A metal roof is a popular choice in coastal regions that are often hit by harsh weather. Not only are metal roofs functional, but they can also be aesthetically pleasing. This pool deck's tiles follow the raised vertical lines of the metal roofing for a uniform appearance.

Elevate a Small Space

Not an inch of this pool deck is put to waste. Cable railings surround this white-washed deck to add to the modern feel. To maximize the seating area in the space, a bench is set underneath the window to accompany the two lounge chairs.

Mimic the Pool Tiles

Choose a color that matches the pool tiles and use it in other decor areas. The pool is tiled with a light turquoise color, making the water look crystal clear. Turquoise was used in the pattern around the jacuzzi and the lounge cushions, adding pops of other bright colors for a fun and cheery feel that still flows well together.

Make the Most of a Narrow Space

Don't have a large, spacious spot for a pool? Get creative with the space you have. This narrow backyard extends from a porch with a fireplace, TVs, and a gathering area. Along the side of the pool is a footpath of cement pavers followed by a wall of bright bougainvillea.

Opt for Sustainable Alternatives

Limited greenery and no grass is a beautiful Mediterranean-inspired take on a pool deck, plus it's great for water conservation. Ditch a grass lawn for pea gravel for a low-maintenance alternative. Add boxwoods and stone landscaping for a European summer ambience.

Keep a Lush Lawn

Picking out what type of pool deck you want can be a job all on its own. For ease of mind and a natural look, forego a complete pool patio and stick with your lush lawn. Keeping the pool deck materials to a minimum around the pool's perimeter and a few stepping stones is a modern yet timeless twist to a classic pool patio.

Priorize Privacy

Take advantage of the natural shape of your yard to create a private nook where you can relax by the pool all day and enjoy some you-time. Build a retaining wall and add greenery to enhance the privacy of your backyard retreat. After a while, you'll forget you even have neighbors.

The Ultimate Entertainment Spot

Host the summer parties with a backyard that has it all. Spend the day soaking up Vitamin D on the in-water lounge chairs and enjoying a home-cooked meal under the shade of the gazebo. The activities don't stop, even after sunset; take the party to the fire pit to roast marshmallows and unwind after a long day in the sun.

Keep it Light-Hearted

Spice up your privacy wall with a friendly reminder. This horizontal-slat redwood screen blocks a slope and adds privacy to the pool area. The fun-loving "LOL" is made with reclaimed wood and serves as a light-hearted reminder.

Pool House-Turned-Guesthouse

Give guests a room with a view when they come for a visit. Separated just by a sliding glass door, this modern guesthouse brings the blue hues of the pool inside with patterned bedding and fun wallpaper. A poolside guesthouse is always a great idea whether the room is used to house visitors or a post-pool nap.

Pick a Color Scheme

Pick a color scheme that is an ode to your location or to your personal style. Pairing a neutral with a pop of color is always a good idea. This Southampton-style pool area pairs an Oxford blue with a bright white for a crisp, preppy look.

Use Textured Materials

Accentuate your natural surroundings with the right choice of materials. These slate tiles add gorgeous texture and will look just as good years down the road as they did the day they were installed.

Find the Right Furniture

Picking the right outdoor furniture is all about comfort and style—and you don't have to sacrifice one for the other. Find furniture that looks good around your pool but is also comfortable for hanging out or enjoying a meal. Something to keep in mind is the type of weather you get in your area. Be sure to find cushions with weather-proof fabric that won't fade in the sun. Add finishing touches like outdoor rugs and decorative pillows.

Night-Proof Your Pool Deck

Add ample lighting around your pool so the swimming can extend far beyond sunset. Hang lanterns in the greenery for a whimsical touch that will produce soft light once night falls. Place hurricane candles and fire bowls around the patio for extra light during your evening dip in the pool.

Utilize Your Yard's Natural Layout

Take advantage of the little quirks that are unique to your yard. This yard uses its elevation to create a staircase to an isolated sundeck complete with lounge chairs and an umbrella perfect for getting that much closer to the sun.

Draw Inspiration from Your Surroundings

No need to look far when planning a design for your pool. Whether you are on the beach or in the mountains, let your location influence your design choices. This tranquil pool deck boasts an impressive stone wall inspired by the mountain view in the distance.

Choose a Material That Lasts

When choosing a material to use for a pool deck, cost and longevity are two important aspects to take into consideration. Concrete tends last the test of time with minimal upkeep compared to other materials which will save you money in the long run. Brushed concrete is an aesthetic option and doesn't get slippery when wet.

Related: How to Clean a Concrete Patio to Remove Tough Stains

Keep it Simple

Let your home be the backdrop to your pool area. This patio features minimal detailing so you can focus on the unique design of the house. Complete with cement pavers, lounge chairs and a wooden structure with string lights to match the wood paneling on the house, this is the perfect area to kick up your feet and relax for the day.

Mediterranean Pool Deck

Bring the charm of a European vacation right to your backyard with a Mediterranean-style pool deck. The focus on simplicity and neutral colors fosters a calming oasis while greenery climbs the fence surrounding the pool for added privacy.

Cozy Up By a Outdoor Fireplace

Summer nights still have the potential to get pretty chilly once the sun goes down. Add a fireplace to your pool deck for a warm spot to unwind after a long summer's day.

Pool House Alfresco

This beautiful open-concept pool house has a natural and easy flow right from the indoor living area to the pool deck, complete with an eating and lounging area, and right to the pool. This unrestricted setup will make you feel like you're in all three places simultaneously.

Midcentury Modern Pool Deck

This mostly white Palm Springs home and backyard pool epitomizes midcentury modern design. Jewel-tone colors really pop against the stark white home and pool deck. A path of lush, green grass trails between the patio and the pool's parameter for an eye-catching geometric look.

Modern Farmhouse Pool Deck

A medley of wood, stone, and steel carries from this modern farmhouse pool house to the pool deck. The wood siding used on both the house and the deck gives a distressed, rustic look that adds to the country feel, while the metal roof balances it out with a touch of modernism.

French Country Style

Tucked behind a rolling hill sits this French country-style pool. The pool house and deck feature stone details that are reminiscent of charming French chateaus. There is also ample room for yard games for all ages to enjoy during a swim break.

Add an Outdoor Bar

Drinks are always a good idea! Be the hostess with the mostest this summer and have your cocktail concoctions ready for you and your friends right there at the pool. Add a few barstools for a fun place to sip on your favorite beverage between dips in the water.

Keep it Symmetrical

Humans' eyes are naturally drawn to symmetrical things. Keeping this square pool centered with the pool house and placing similar things on each side of it for balance keep the scene aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Modern Pool Deck

This infinity pool is surrounded by a modern pool deck that seems to endless fall into the vast forest around it. The slick railings and lounge chairs match the dark frame of the windows and doors on the house, while the textured pavers and built-in landscaping tone down the modernism for a more nature-inspired look.

Create a Blooming Boarder

For a colorful "accent wall," consider planting a medley of perennials along one side of your pool. This unique idea sends natural textures and waves of colors throughout your pool deck. Featured flowers in this pool-side garden include Joe Pye weed, anise hyssop, echinacea, phlox, and wild petunias, to name a few.

Mix Landscaping Materials

Create visual interest by using more than one landscaping material for your pool deck. This pool is lined with cement pavers around the parameter of the pool as well as the parameter of the greenery. This creates a path around the pool that the designer filled with pea gravel—an option that is easier to maintain than grass that needs watering.

Related: 4 Landscaping Strategies to Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient

Not Your Typical Pergola

Take your lounge area to new heights with an atypical pergola. Most often, pergolas are completely wooden structures. Try curating your pergola to match the style of your pool, whether that means pillars hold it up are some other unexpected material.

Make Yourself a Priority

After all, this is your dream pool deck. If you need help pulling your vision together, find the right designer to help bring your ideas to life. Make this area of your home a place where you can enjoy alone time, gather with friends or family, or make it a place for whatever you prioritize.

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