Practically everyone dreams about spending the majority of the summer days soaking, splashing, or socializing in their backyard swimming pool. There are many considerations to make in the construction of the pool itself, but it’s just as important to come up with a landscape design that meshes with your outdoor lifestyle objectives and design aesthetic. Here are four reasons pool landscapes are just as important as the pool itself in the Wyomissing, PA area.
Related: 4 Backyard Designs For a New Poolscape in Wyomissing, PA
Staying Safe While Looking Great
Safety is a priority around the pool and its surroundings. Choose from a variety of non-slip pavers around the pool.
Splashed pool water can linger on the surface of a pool deck and create a slippery, slimy hazard. To combat this, consider permeable pavers, which allow surface water to seep through the joints between pavers.
Large format pavers help minimize upkeep and add a sleek modern look. With fewer joint lines, the pool space will look bigger than it is. And, you’ll have less work keeping the paver joints clean.
Good lighting around the pool deck will make the space safe after dark. Instead of overhead lighting which can blind swimmers, choose pathway lighting around the perimeter of the pool area for tasteful ambience as well as safety.
Poolside Ambience
No pool is complete without gorgeous visuals to set the theme. Start with permanent features such as retaining walls, a fire pit, and raised masonry planters. Then choose the plant life that provides the right feel for your pool area.
Big, leafy, vibrant plants and mid-tone gray pavers make the space feel lush and exciting. Tightly manicured shrubs and ornamental grasses and sleek gray pavers make for a relaxing and soothing ambience. Relaxed plantings with plenty of flowering vines along with light-colored masonry evokes the feeling of a seaside Mediterranean setting.
Placement of plantings around the pool is important not only for aesthetics but for practicality. Make sure there’s a paver buffer zone around the pool area to prevent grass clippings, leaves, and mulch from ending up in the pool and to prevent chlorinated pool water from damaging plants. On the side(s) of the pool that won’t see much foot traffic, you could also choose minimally shedding plants and use decorative river rock or pebbles instead of mulch.
Practical Considerations: Relaxation/Play, Fire, Food, and Shelter
A generously sized pool deck will ensure plenty of space for lounge chairs and for kids to play while still allowing easy access to the pool.
Even if the water temperature is perfect, it’s easy to feel chilly once you get out of the pool. Dry off around a natural gas fire pit, grab a beverage and snack from an outdoor kitchen (to prevent hungry swimmers from constantly going in and out of the house), and relax in a shady spot beneath a pavilion or pergola.
The outdoor kitchen doesn’t have to be right at poolside, although it - along with a fire feature and a shelter structure - will provide the finishing touches to your pool area. They also make the space usable year-round which makes them a great investment.
Exciting Sounds and Visuals
The pool is an attraction in itself, but adding another water feature can make the space truly exciting. Install a fountain or waterfall near the pool to take advantage of the sensory experience of moving water. Depending on the intensity of the water, a fountain or waterfall can either make the space more dynamic or more soothing. You can include the fountain or waterfall as stand-alone features or as part of the pool design.
