Tips on what to put around an above-ground pool

Have you decided on an above-ground outdoor pool and are now thinking about landscaping? A pool is often the pride of the garden and its centrepiece too. However, the overall impression also depends on well-kept surroundings. Take inspiration from our tips so that the area around your above-ground pool looks truly luxurious.

Safety above all

Choose materials that are slip-resistant. Natural materials suit the area around an above-ground pool best, as they look good alongside both the garden and the water. Today you can also buy synthetic materials, which are almost indistinguishable from natural ones and outperform them in practical terms, especially in how easy they are to maintain. Above all, the materials must be durable and cope easily with moisture without deforming. Also choose them to match your garden furniture so that everything forms a harmonious whole. Some synthetic materials now look like wood and are even more durable. However, the price is somewhat higher.

Do not plant any trees or shrubs around an above-ground pool, as their leaves will fall into the water. Wherever possible, try to sink the above-ground pool at least partly into the ground.

Natural stone

Outdoor landscaping is what makes the setting of an above-ground pool feel luxurious. As we have already mentioned, natural stone takes centre stage. It is robust, frost-resistant and safe to walk on when wet. Its main advantage is that it needs minimal maintenance. However, it offers relatively limited variety in colours and shapes. In addition, the purchase price is higher. Stone can also get very hot on summer days. Bear in mind, too, that natural stone may change colour over time.

If you are not sure what to put around an above-ground pool, you can build it in like a rock garden. Stones retain heat, so they will naturally warm the water a little when the sun shines. There is also a risk that insects, or even a snake, may settle between the stones.

Artificial stone and tiles

A cheaper option is artificial stone or porcelain stoneware tiles. They look like natural stone, and the paving is also stain-resistant, colourfast, frost-resistant and slip-resistant. The installation height is around 2 centimetres, and the tiles are declared to be resistant to acids and alkalis.

Concrete paving

You can also enhance the area around an above-ground pool with concrete paving. There is a wide choice of shapes, colours and surfaces. The final look can be varied to suit you, depending on the laying patterns you use. The pavers have an extremely long lifespan and are easy to maintain.

Wood

Exotic woods are among the most attractive materials in terms of design. Their purchase price has long since stopped being out of reach. Wood looks pleasant, is flexible and easy to work with. It is also a natural product that radiates warmth and naturalness. And let us not forget how it feels to the touch. Even so, wood keeps its original look for only a few years. Despite all your care, it ages, turns grey and eventually starts to splinter. The chemicals you use in an above-ground pool leave stains and marks.

WPC (Wood-Plastic Composite)

It is ideal for resisting moisture. It has a long lifespan and is stable. It does not splinter, so you will appreciate it when walking barefoot. It is also slip-resistant. WPC decking boards are made with a click system: they snap together and can be used to create a surface of any size. They are suitable not only around pools but also on balconies and terraces. They are laid on a flat surface, which means they can also be used to modernise an unsuitable, tired-looking surface. Today’s boards are much less affected by the passage of time and, unlike wood, do not warp. Those looking for an affordable solution will also be satisfied: cheap WPC boards are available on the market, offering great value for money without the need for frequent maintenance.

Don’t be afraid to combine

All the materials suitable for the area immediately around the pool can also be combined. This lets you create an original corner where each element makes use of the best properties of a particular material.

A lawn also goes well with paving or decking around the water. It is one of the cheaper options, though it does need maintenance, but it should not be missing. If only because sunbathing on grass is certainly more pleasant than lying on paving or a wood-plastic platform. Turf rolls are currently in fashion, letting the area around the pool turn green as soon as it is finished. There is no need to wait for a lawn to grow.

If you want to create a sandy beach, it is a good idea to incorporate it between wooden elements and not to forget a cleaning zone. A solar shower and a pad of pebbles will do. Ornamental flowers planted directly in the ground or in pots are also an integral part of the area around any pool. Chlorinated water is not a problem for most plants.

If you have read our article, take a look at others too, for example how to winterise a pool, how often and how long to filter a pool or 10 things that should not be missing from any athlete’s diet.