Your backyard deserves better than a plain blue circle sitting on bare grass. Above ground pools have officially entered their glow-up era — and if you haven’t seen what people are doing with them lately, you’re in for a treat. I got obsessed with this rabbit hole last summer, and now I can’t stop saving ideas. So let me save you the hours of scrolling and put the best ones right here.
Why Above Ground Pools Are Having a Moment
Let’s settle something first: above ground pools aren’t the “lesser” option anymore. With the right design choices, they look just as stunning as inground pools — sometimes even more interesting, because you have more creative freedom with how you frame them.
They’re also a fraction of the cost, can be installed in a weekend, and you can take them with you if you move. That’s a pretty hard deal to beat. So yes, you can have a gorgeous backyard pool without the five-figure price tag. 🙂
Ideas 1–5: All About the Deck
1. The Full Wraparound Deck
A wraparound deck is the ultimate above ground pool upgrade. It connects the pool seamlessly to your outdoor living space and gives it that “this was always supposed to be here” look. Use pressure-treated wood or composite decking and stain it a warm cedar or walnut tone for maximum curb appeal.
Add a built-in railing and a few steps, and you’ve essentially created a custom pool situation for a fraction of what inground costs.
2. The Partial Platform Deck
Not ready to commit to a full deck? A partial platform on one side — just big enough for a couple of lounge chairs and a small table — still transforms the look dramatically. It photographs beautifully for Pinterest and costs maybe $200–$400 in materials.
This is the “starter upgrade” I always recommend to friends who feel overwhelmed. One side, one weekend, total game changer.
3. The Multi-Level Deck
Multi-level decks create visual interest and make your pool area feel like a designed outdoor room. The lower level sits at pool height, while a raised upper platform works as a lounging or dining area. It sounds complex, but prefab deck kits make this very manageable for a confident DIYer.
The layered look photographs incredibly well, which — let’s be honest — matters when you’re pinning.
4. The Floating Deck Entry
A small floating deck entry platform at the pool ladder creates a polished, intentional entry point. It’s basically a landing pad — maybe 6×6 feet — that gives the pool a proper “front door.” Pair it with a simple railing and it looks like a custom install.
5. The Deck With Built-In Bench Seating
Wrap-around bench seating built into the deck edge maximizes space and eliminates the need for extra patio furniture. This keeps the area clean and uncluttered, which always reads as more expensive and intentional. Add storage underneath the benches and you’ve solved your pool toy problem too.
Ideas 6–10: Greenery & Landscaping
6. Tropical Border Planting
Surround your pool with tall tropical plants — elephant ears, banana trees, ornamental grasses — and suddenly you’re in a resort. This works especially well if you create a dense planting on one or two sides to add privacy and block sightlines from neighbors.
A few large plants go further than a lot of small ones. Go bold, go tall.
7. Raised Garden Bed Surround
Cedar raised garden beds placed around the pool base look intentional and beautiful. Fill them with a mix of low-maintenance plants — lavender, ornamental grasses, or trailing vines — and you’ve added color, texture, and life to the whole area.
Each bed costs about $40–$60 to build yourself. That’s serious style for very little money.
8. Climbing Vines on Lattice Panels
Lattice panels around the pool base, planted with climbing roses, jasmine, or clematis, create a cottage-garden pool look that Pinterest users absolutely lose their minds over. It takes one season to fill in, and after that it practically maintains itself.
IMO, this is one of the most underrated pool ideas on this entire list.
9. Rock Garden Surround
A dry rock garden around the pool perimeter gives a natural, zen-inspired look that works well in modern and rustic backyard styles. Use a mix of large river rocks, gravel, and low-profile drought-tolerant plants like succulents or ornamental grasses.
No watering, no mowing, and it looks intentional year-round.
10. Privacy Hedge Wall
A row of fast-growing arborvitae or boxwood planted behind the pool creates an instant privacy wall that looks lush, green, and incredibly polished. It also blocks wind, which keeps the pool surface calmer. Give it a season to establish and you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
Ideas 11–15: Lighting & Atmosphere
11. String Light Canopy
A canopy of warm Edison string lights overhead turns your pool into an evening destination. Stretch them between four corner posts over the pool and deck area, and the nighttime transformation is genuinely jaw-dropping. Cost: about $30–$50 in lights.
This is the idea that gets the most saves on Pinterest — and for good reason.
12. Solar Floating Pool Lights
Drop a handful of solar floating lights into the pool and watch the water come alive after dark. They charge during the day, glow automatically at night, and cost under $30 for a pack of 8–10. They make the pool look lit from within, like something out of a boutique hotel.
13. Uplighting Around Planters
Small solar-powered uplights placed at the base of tall planters or trees create dramatic shadows and depth that make the whole space feel curated and expensive. This is the kind of thing interior designers do in fancy homes — and it works outdoors just as well.
| Lighting Type | Cost | Effort | Visual Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| String lights | $30–$50 | Low | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Solar floaters | $20–$30 | None | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Solar uplights | $25–$50 | Low | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| LED pool strip lights | $40–$80 | Moderate | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
14. LED Strip Lighting Under the Deck
LED strip lights installed under the deck edge create a floating, glowing effect at night that looks absolutely stunning in photos. Use warm white for a cozy feel or color-changing strips if you want to get a little extra. Either way, it looks like a custom install.
15. Lanterns and Candles Along the Pathway
A lit pathway of lanterns or solar candle stakes leading to the pool sets the tone before you even get there. It costs almost nothing and creates that “destination” feeling that makes a backyard feel truly special.
Ideas 16–20: Style & Finishing Touches
16. Outdoor Curtains on a Pergola
A simple pergola draped with white outdoor curtain panels creates instant cabana energy. The curtains billow in the breeze, photograph beautifully, and make the space feel like a private retreat. A freestanding pergola kit runs about $200–$400, and curtain panels cost $15–$30 per pair.
17. A Poolside Bar Cart or Bar Station
A dedicated bar setup next to the pool is the detail that takes a backyard from nice to wow. A painted bar cart stocked with drinks and pool essentials signals that this space was thought through. For the ambitious crowd, a simple DIY wooden bar along the deck edge creates a genuine swim-up bar experience. FYI, this idea consistently drives massive engagement on Pinterest.
18. Faux Rock Waterfall Feature
Pre-made faux rock waterfall kits connect directly to your pool pump and add the sound and look of a natural water feature for under $150. The sound of running water changes the whole atmosphere of a backyard — it’s calming, it’s luxurious, and it makes the pool look ten times more impressive.
19. Changing Cabana Corner
A simple changing cabana made from outdoor curtain panels on a tension rod frame costs under $100 and adds a serious resort touch. Tuck it in a corner of the deck or yard, add a hook for towels and a small bench, and you’ve created a functional, beautiful amenity that makes guests feel genuinely pampered.
20. A Bold Exterior Color or Mural
Don’t ignore that pool wall. A coat of exterior paint in deep navy, forest green, or matte black makes the whole structure look intentional and modern. Or go bold with a stenciled geometric pattern or a tropical mural. Either approach costs almost nothing and the visual difference is remarkable.
Putting It All Together
You don’t need to tackle all 20 ideas at once — and honestly, you shouldn’t. Pick your foundation first (deck or ground cover), add some greenery (at least one or two large plants or raised beds), and layer in lighting (string lights are your best friend). Those three moves alone will transform your above ground pool from an afterthought into the centerpiece of your backyard.
Everything else on this list is icing on an already very good cake. Start small, save the ideas that excite you most, and build the backyard you actually want — one upgrade at a time.
Quick Style Pairings
| Style Vibe | Best Ideas to Combine |
|---|---|
| Tropical Resort | #6, #11, #12, #18 |
| Cozy Cottage | #8, #14, #15, #19 |
| Modern & Minimal | #4, #9, #13, #20 |
| Family Fun | #2, #5, #17, #12 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the most impactful single upgrade I can make? A deck — even a partial one — changes the entire look and feel of an above ground pool more than any other single change.
Q: How do I make my above ground pool look inground? The key is hiding the pool walls (lattice panels, garden beds, or rock surrounds) and connecting the pool to the ground level with decking or pavers. Once the walls disappear, the pool reads as permanent and built-in.
Q: What are the best plants to use around an above ground pool? Opt for non-invasive, low-debris plants like ornamental grasses, elephant ears, lavender, and arborvitae. Avoid trees with heavy leaf drop near the pool.
Q: Can I do any of these upgrades myself? Most of them, yes. String lights, floating lights, planters, lattice panels, and even partial deck builds are all very manageable weekend DIY projects. The full wraparound deck is the most involved — but even that is achievable with a kit and a helper.
Your backyard transformation starts with one saved pin and one weekend project. Pick your favorite idea from this list and make it happen — your future poolside self will absolutely thank you. 😄