Once you’ve chosen the shape and size of your pool, your next considerations are the coping and pool surrounds, and any landscaping you wish to do. In this blog, we’ll explore some options for pool coping/surrounds and landscaping, so you can get a feel for what will work best to bring your vision to life.

Have a think about the style you like and remember to jot down any questions you have about a particular option, as you can always discuss it with your pool builder.

Pool Coping/Surround Ideas

Pavers

A classic choice for their durability, ease of use, and varied looks, pavers, and tiles are one of the most common pools coping options. There are many different stone materials used to make pavers, such as sandstone, travertine, and marble, and porcelain is another popular paver material. When selecting your preferred paver, ensure that it isn’t slippery (you don’t want any accidents poolside!), and determine if and what sealers may be needed to protect the look of the stone for the long term.

Concrete

Concrete is another popular pool coping and surround option, and it can be presented in many ways. For instance, many pool owners love the look of exposed aggregate, because it contains flecks of stones in it and has a textured feel. Poured concrete can be a more affordable option for pool surrounds, in comparison to other options like pavers which can cost more due to the labor involved in placing the tiles.

Decking

Timber decking is more often used as a complementing material to standard coping materials like tiles. Decking makes for beautiful pool surrounds and is perfect if you’re after that natural look. A popular choice in decking these days is composite decking, which is designed to look like real wood decking, but requires nowhere near the same amount of maintenance! Keep in mind that the initial costs of installing composite decking can be higher than real wood decking, but the long-term savings through lower maintenance are a good trade-off.

Landscaping Ideas

Plants

The perfect way to add a pop of color to your pool space, plants liven up the poolside area and help bridge the pool area with the rest of your backyard. You don’t need to build a retaining wall to house a new poolside garden (unless you want to!); instead, you can opt for potted plants to place in the pool space. Ornamental grasses and succulents are wonderful poolside plants, being low maintenance and hardy in a range of conditions. If you’re looking for something bigger and offering more color, a frangipani tree could be a great option.

Water Features

Have you considered adding a water feature to your pool? Available in several styles, such as sun pods and water curtains, water features can bring another element of style to your pool space, and transform your yard into a functional and beautiful piece of art. Depending on the type of water feature you select, you can incorporate colors into the water feature that are present throughout your backyard, to tie everything together.

Entertaining Space

When planning your backyard transformation, you may engage the services of a landscaper. They can help create a space that connects your outdoor entertaining area to your pool. A functional entertaining space will offer plenty of shade, and room for a table and some chairs. Consider extending your pool surrounds to this space for a cohesive look. For example, the decking you use for your poolside can be used as the base for your entertaining space.