Pool landscaping ideas that keep the fence safe and the water clean

1. Textured paver or natural-stone deck

A tumbled or textured paver deck gives bare feet grip when wet.

Build: compacted aggregate base, bedding sand, pavers, joint sand and an edge restraint, sloped away from the coping and the house. Read our hardscape base specification for what the base should say. Built by a hardscape contractor.

In the scope: base depth and compaction method, slope direction and amount, the paver product and finish, and who protects the pool shell and coping during the work.

2. Cool-surface deck material

Light-colored pavers or stone stay more comfortable underfoot in full sun than dark surfaces.

Ask the installer for a sample to leave in the sun beside your existing surface for a day before you choose.

In the scope: the exact product name, color and finish, so a substitution needs your sign-off.

3. Gravel or river-rock buffer between deck and beds

A band of rock between the paving and the planting stops mulch from floating onto the deck and gives splash water somewhere to soak in.

Build: excavated band, landscape fabric, edging on both sides, then rounded rock large enough not to track onto the deck. Built by a landscaper.

In the scope: rock size, depth, the edging material, and how far the band sits from the barrier so it does not undermine the bottom clearance.

4. Trench drain where the deck meets the lawn

A slot drain catches sheet water before it reaches the lawn or the house. Our drainage and grading page covers when grading alone will do.

Build: channel set in a concrete haunch, piped to daylight, a dry well or a legal discharge point. Built by a hardscape or drainage contractor.

In the scope: where the water goes, pipe size and slope, and who confirms the discharge point is allowed.

5. Raised seat wall with its back to the pool

A low wall gives seating without furniture and can hold back a planted bed.

Build: footing or compacted base, segmental block or poured wall, cap. Walls above local height limits need permits and sometimes engineering; see retaining wall permit thresholds. Built by a hardscape contractor.

In the scope: wall height, distance from the barrier, footing, drainage behind the wall and whether a permit is needed.

6. Ornamental grass ring

Clumping grasses give movement and screening without heavy leaf drop.

Build: bed preparation, the grasses at mature spacing, mulch or rock top-dressing. Built by a landscaper.

In the scope: species, container size, spacing at maturity and the plant warranty terms.

7. Evergreen privacy screen

A hedge or staggered row of evergreens blocks neighbors’ sightlines all year. See privacy screening for options by width.

Build: plants set far enough inside the boundary that mature width does not push against the fence or give a child a climbing route over it. Built by a landscaper.

In the scope: plant spacing from the fence line, mature height and width, and the pruning that keeps limbs off the barrier.

8. Low-litter shrubs near the deck

Shrubs that hold their leaves, without thorns or heavy flowering, keep the skimmer clear. Pool landscaping guides we read warn against thorny plants and pollinator-heavy flowers beside swimmers.

Build: standard bed preparation and mulch. Built by a landscaper.

In the scope: a plant list you have approved by name, not “shrubs as selected.”

9. Shade tree set well back from the water

A tree on the west side of the yard can shade the lounge area in the afternoon.

The U.S. Department of Energy notes that trees with lower branches suit the west side where afternoon shade is wanted, and that trees should sit far enough from structures that mature roots and branches do no damage (Energy Saver guide).

Build: planting hole sized to the root ball, staking if needed, watering plan. Built by a landscaper or arborist.

In the scope: species, distance from the shell and deck, and mature canopy spread drawn on the plan.

10. Container plantings inside the barrier

Large pots keep soil off the deck and let you change plants each season. Works best on fully paved decks with no room for beds. Build: pots with drainage feet, set inside the enclosure and away from the fence.

In the scope: placement that keeps pots out of the climbing zone.

11. Drought-tolerant beds

Beds of drought-tolerant plants need less irrigation spray near the water.

Build: improved soil where needed, drip irrigation, mulch. Built by a landscaper; drip by an irrigation contractor.

In the scope: irrigation type, emitter layout and a watering schedule for establishment.

12. Pergola over the lounge zone

A pergola gives filtered shade and a frame for curtains or a vine.

Build: footings below frost depth where required, posts, beams, rafters. Most jurisdictions want a permit for attached or larger structures. Built by a carpenter or hardscape contractor.

In the scope: footing depth, post size, permit responsibility, and distance from the barrier.

13. Shade sail

A tensioned fabric sail shades a lounge area or the shallow end.

Build: posts in concrete footings sized for wind load, hardware, the sail. Built by a shade-structure installer or carpenter.

In the scope: post footing size, the wind rating of the hardware and who removes the sail for storms.

14. Equipment pad screen

A slatted fence section or hedge hides the pump and filter. Homes & Gardens warns that ignoring equipment in a pool landscape plan can undermine the design.

Build: screen set back from the equipment by the clearances the manufacturer lists. Built by a fence or landscape contractor.

In the scope: clearance, access gate width and screen material.

15. Low-voltage path and step lighting

Path and step lights mark edges and level changes at night. See low-voltage landscape lighting. Lighting near pools falls under electrical code; anything beyond a plug-in low-voltage kit belongs to a licensed electrician.

Build: transformer on a GFCI outlet, buried cable, fixtures. Built by a lighting installer; the outlet by an electrician.

In the scope: fixture count and location, transformer size, and who pulls the electrical permit.

16. Outdoor shower by the gate

A rinse station keeps grass and sunscreen out of the water.

Build: plumbing line with freeze protection where needed, a drained pad. Plumbing by a licensed plumber; the pad by a hardscape contractor.

In the scope: water supply, drainage destination and winterization.

17. Retaining wall to level a sloped pool yard

A wall can create a flat deck on a slope. Walls above local thresholds need a permit and often an engineer.

Build: footing, drainage aggregate and pipe behind the wall, geogrid for taller segmental walls. Built by a hardscape contractor.

In the scope: wall height, drainage, engineering and permit responsibility.

18. Fire feature at the far end of the deck

A fire bowl or pit makes the deck usable after sunset. Gas lines and burners are licensed work; do not install them yourself.

Build: non-combustible base, gas line by a licensed plumber or gas fitter, clearances set by the manufacturer and local code.

In the scope: gas permit, burner model and clearance to the barrier and furniture.

19. Travertine pavers around the coping

Tumbled travertine has a porous, textured face that stays grippy when wet and suits warm, dry climates where a stone look is wanted. Build note: set on a compacted aggregate base or a sound slab; ask the installer whether the stone is rated for freeze-thaw if winters freeze.

20. Broom-finished concrete deck

A plain slab with a light broom texture gives traction for bare feet and suits simple rectangular pools on a tighter budget. Build note: control joints at planned spacing, slope away from the pool and house, and a concrete contractor who has poured beside coping before.

21. Exposed-aggregate concrete

Washing the surface paste away reveals small stones, giving grip and hiding dirt. Suits busy family pools. Build note: specify aggregate size and a sealer suited to pool chemicals; rough aggregate can scratch knees, so keep it off the swim-out step.

22. Porcelain pavers on pedestals or a mortar bed

Outdoor-rated porcelain gives a clean, modern look and resists staining. Suits contemporary houses where the deck should match interior tile. Build note: choose a slip-rated outdoor tile and a hardscape contractor experienced with porcelain; it cuts and sets differently from concrete pavers.

23. Bluestone or sandstone flagging

Natural flagstone suits traditional and rustic gardens and reads as part of the landscape rather than a slab. Build note: flame-finished or thermal surfaces grip better than smooth-cut; set on a compacted base or mortared to a slab.

24. Composite decking for an above-ground pool

A raised composite deck reaches the rim of an above-ground pool and keeps splinters out of the picture. Build note: footings below frost depth where required, permit for raised decks, and a self-latching gate at the deck stair per your local barrier rules.

25. Rubber or poured-in-place safety surface near a splash pad

A cushioned surface around a shallow play area softens falls for small children. Build note: install over a compacted base with a drain path; check that the product is rated for constant wetting and sun.

26. Grass joints between large concrete pads

Large square pads separated by strips of turf soften a wide deck and let some water soak in. Build note: keep grass strips away from the waterline so clippings do not blow in; pads need their own compacted base.

27. Wide coping with a bullnose edge

Coping is the cap on the pool wall; a wider, rounded edge gives a comfortable place to sit with feet in the water. Build note: coping work belongs to the pool builder or a mason experienced with pool shells; match it to the deck slope.

28. Cantilevered deck edge

A concrete edge that overhangs the pool wall slightly gives a clean, uninterrupted line around modern pools. Build note: formed when the deck is poured; usually part of a pool build rather than a landscaping retrofit.

29. Desert gravel garden with agave and yucca

Spiky succulents set in gravel suit hot, dry yards and need almost no water once established. Keep sharp-tipped species well back from walkways and the water. Build note: free-draining soil, landscape fabric under the gravel, plants at mature spacing.

30. Tropical bed with bananas and elephant ears

Big leaves give a resort look in hot, humid climates. Large leaves drop occasionally, so set the bed back from the skimmer side. Build note: rich soil, regular irrigation, and wind shelter so leaves do not shred.

31. Mediterranean palette of lavender, rosemary and olive

Silver-leaved, drought-tolerant herbs and a potted or in-ground olive suit hot summers, full sun and lean, dry soil. Lavender draws bees, so plant it on the far side of the deck from the steps and ladder. Build note: gritty, well-drained soil, a gravel mulch around crowns, and drip irrigation on its own zone.

32. Prairie-style grasses and coneflowers

Native grasses mixed with coneflowers and black-eyed Susans suit sunny Midwestern and Plains yards, handle summer heat, and give the pool area structure through winter when the water is covered. Build note: cut the planting back in late winter, before dry stems and seed heads blow into the pool on spring winds.

33. Coastal planting with salt-tolerant shrubs

Near the coast, salt spray and wind scorch many garden shrubs. Choose species a local nursery confirms are salt and wind tolerant for exposed, sandy yards where the pool sits close to the shore. Build note: amend sandy soil with organic matter, mulch heavily against drying wind, and stake young shrubs until rooted.

34. Japanese-inspired bed with maple, moss and stone

A small maple, a raked gravel panel and boulders suit quiet, shaded corners. Keep the maple well back, since small leaves are hard to skim. Build note: part shade, acidic, moist soil, and drip rather than spray.

35. All-green foliage bed

A bed of evergreen shrubs and groundcovers with no showy flowers means fewer bees near swimmers and no petal drop in the skimmer. Suits families with young children or anyone allergic to stings. Build note: mix leaf sizes, textures and heights so the bed reads as designed rather than plain, and mulch between plants.

36. Ornamental grass border in a single species

One clumping grass repeated in a long drift gives a calm, modern edge that moves in the breeze and screens the deck at knee or waist height. Suits sunny decks on contemporary houses. Build note: plant at the spacing on the tag so the drift closes without crowding, and cut back once a year.

37. Palms in large planters

Container palms give height on a deck where in-ground roots would lift paving. Suits warm climates or patios where pots can come in for winter. Build note: pots with drainage and weight for wind; check for spines on the species before buying.

38. Citrus trees in containers

Potted citrus brings fragrance and fruit to a sunny deck in warm climates. Dropped fruit and blossoms need picking up, so keep pots away from the waterline. Build note: large pots, citrus potting mix, and a plan to protect them from frost.

39. Native shrub hedge for wildlife and privacy

Native shrubs feed birds and insects, screen the pool and suit low-input gardens in your region.

Choose species that do not drop berries or fruit onto the deck, since stains and seeds end up in the water.

Build note: ask your extension office or a native plant society for local species and plant them at mature spacing.

40. Low groundcover between stepping pads

Creeping thyme or a similar low groundcover between deck pads softens a large expanse of paving and tolerates light foot traffic. Suits sunny decks where pads are set with wide joints rather than butted tight. Build note: full sun and well-drained soil mix in the joints; expect weeding for a season until it fills in.

41. Horizontal slat fence as the pool barrier

Horizontal boards look modern, but rails can act as a ladder. The CPSC spacing guidance for horizontal members matters here, so check local code before choosing this style. Build note: a fence contractor who knows your local pool barrier rules.

42. Glass panel barrier

Frameless or semi-frameless glass keeps the view of the water open, which helps where adults supervise children from the house or the pool overlooks a view. Suits modern homes and yards with no privacy concern. Build note: a specialist installer, tempered safety glass, and gate hardware that meets your local barrier code.

43. Black aluminum picket barrier with a hedge behind

Thin black pickets almost disappear against green planting, so the barrier reads as garden instead of fencing. Suits traditional and transitional houses where a solid fence would feel heavy around the pool. Build note: keep the hedge on the pool side and clipped so its branches never become a climbing aid over the fence.

44. Bamboo screen in a root barrier

Clumping bamboo makes a fast, tall screen; running types spread aggressively. Small leaves drop constantly, so plant it away from the water. Build note: install a root barrier for any bamboo and confirm the species is clumping.

45. Arborvitae row

A row of narrow upright evergreens gives year-round screening along a property line without taking much depth from the yard.

Suits cool to moderate climates with steady soil moisture and at least half a day of sun.

Build note: space plants to their mature width, keep them inside the boundary, and water deeply through the first two summers.

46. Freestanding privacy panels around the lounge area

Short runs of slatted or solid panels screen one seating zone rather than the whole yard, which is useful when only a neighbor’s upstairs window overlooks the loungers.

Suits yards where a full perimeter screen is not allowed or wanted. Build note: posts set in concrete footings, and panels kept well clear of the pool barrier so they cannot be climbed.

47. Living wall of climbing vines on wire

A vine trained up stainless steel cables screens a blank garage or house wall beside the pool without taking ground space.

Suits narrow side yards and courtyards where a hedge would not fit.

Build note: anchor cables to masonry or freestanding posts, never to the barrier fence, and choose a vine that does not shed heavily.

48. Raised planter screen inside the enclosure

A tall planter box planted with upright shrubs or grasses screens a neighbor’s window while staying inside the barrier. Suits paved pool decks with no soil for in-ground planting. Build note: drain holes and a liner, and placement far enough from the fence that the planter cannot be used to reach the top.

49. Pergola with privacy louvers on one side

Fixed or adjustable louvers on the overlooked side of a pergola block sightlines and low sun while leaving the other three sides open to breezes. Suits loungers placed near a shared boundary. Build note: a frame sized for the added wind load of the louvers, and footings set to frost depth where required.

50. Berm planted with shrubs

A low mound of soil planted with shrubs raises the screen higher than the shrubs alone could reach on a flat lot, and makes a level yard more interesting.

Suits large, flat yards with room for a gentle slope. Build note: compact the berm in layers and shape it so runoff drains away from the pool deck, not onto it.

51. Cabana with a solid roof

A small roofed structure at the far end of the pool gives shade, towel storage and a changing spot, and draws people across the yard. Suits large pool yards used for long days and gatherings. Build note: footings, a building permit in most places, and a licensed electrician for any lights, fans or outlets.

52. Freestanding cantilever umbrellas on in-deck sleeves

Metal sleeves cast or set into the deck hold umbrella poles firmly without bulky bases that take up space and trip swimmers. Suits paved decks where shade is needed in different spots through the season. Build note: decide the sleeve locations before the deck is poured or paved, since retrofitting means cutting the surface.

53. Tanning ledge shade sail

A sail angled over the shallow sun shelf protects children and adults sitting in the water during the hottest hours. Suits pools with a large ledge in full afternoon sun. Build note: posts in footings sized for wind, set outside the coping zone, with a slight pitch so rain runs off rather than pooling.

54. Deciduous tree over the patio, not the water

A tree that shades the seating area but stands downwind and well away from the water keeps most leaf drop out of the skimmer. Suits pool yards with a separate dining or lounging patio. Build note: note the prevailing wind direction before choosing the spot, and plant clear of the pool shell and plumbing.

55. Covered outdoor kitchen next to the pool

A roofed kitchen gives shade, a place to cook and a spot to serve swimmers without walking wet through the house.

Suits families who spend whole days at the pool and entertain often.

Build note: gas and electrical work by licensed trades, a permit in most areas, and a roof that drains away from the deck.

56. Retractable awning off the house

Where the pool deck meets the house, a wall-mounted awning shades the transition zone and the doors, and retracts when sun is wanted.

Suits pools close to the back of the house with no room for posts.

Build note: mounted into the wall framing rather than siding, with a wind sensor to retract it automatically in gusts.

57. Misting system on a pergola

Fine mist nozzles along a pergola beam cool a seating area in dry heat, where the water evaporates quickly. Suits desert and hot-arid yards; in humid climates the mist just makes everything damp. Build note: plumbing by a licensed plumber, a filter for hard water, and nozzles aimed away from electrical fixtures.

58. Shade-cloth over a play area

Breathable shade cloth over a kids’ play zone beside the pool keeps sun off small children between swims. Suits families whose play equipment sits in full sun outside the pool barrier. Build note: frame posts in concrete footings, cloth tensioned on cables, and take-down before storms or heavy snow.

59. Uplighting on specimen trees

Lights aimed up into a tree canopy give the pool area depth at night and make the yard feel larger after dark. Suits yards with one or two mature trees near the pool enclosure. Build note: low-voltage fixtures, cable buried before mulch goes down, and a transformer on a GFCI outlet.

60. Step lights in seat walls

Small fixtures recessed into seat-wall faces wash light across the deck at ankle height, marking edges without glare in swimmers’ eyes. Suits decks with seat walls or raised planters. Build note: conduit and fixture housings set into the wall during construction, since retrofitting means cutting the block.

61. Path lights along the route to the house

Low path lights mark the walk from the pool gate to the back door, so wet feet find the way safely at night. Suits pools set away from the house across lawn or garden. Build note: space fixtures for even pools of light rather than a runway effect, on a low-voltage circuit with a timer.

62. Lit planters

Fixtures inside or under large planters make them glow at night and double as markers for deck edges and steps. Suits modern pool decks with large containers or built-in planter boxes. Build note: route cable through the planter base before filling, and use fixtures rated for wet locations.

63. Underwater pool lights coordinated with garden lighting

Matching the color temperature of pool lights and garden lights makes the water and planting read as one scene at night instead of two. Suits pools being relit or built alongside new landscape lighting. Build note: pool lighting is electrical work for a licensed electrician or pool contractor, not a DIY swap.

64. Moonlighting from a tall tree

Fixtures mounted high in a mature tree and pointed down cast soft, leaf-patterned shadows across the deck, like moonlight. Suits yards with a large, healthy tree beside the pool area. Build note: installed by a lighting specialist with climbing access, with fixtures fastened so they do not damage the bark.

65. Lit water feature

Lighting inside a fountain, spillway or sheer descent turns it into a night focal point and adds movement to a still pool. Suits pools that already have a water feature or are adding one. Build note: pump and lights on a dedicated GFCI circuit, installed by a licensed electrician or pool contractor.

66. Deck edge strip lighting

A continuous light strip tucked under the coping or a raised deck edge marks the drop at night and outlines the pool shape. Suits modern pools and raised decks where edges are hard to see. Build note: fixtures rated for wet locations, and wiring by a licensed electrician or pool contractor.

67. Sheer descent into the pool

A thin sheet of water falling from a slot in a raised wall adds sound and movement, and masks road or neighbor noise. Suits pools with a raised back wall or room to build one. Build note: the pool contractor plumbs it to the circulation system and sizes the pump for the flow.

68. Boulder waterfall

Stacked boulders with water spilling into the pool suit naturalistic and freeform designs, and give children a spot to sit under the flow. Suits larger yards where the rockwork will not crowd the deck. Build note: engineered support for the boulders, waterproofing behind the rock, and plumbing by the pool contractor.

69. Bubbler jets on the sun shelf

Low jets set in a shallow ledge push small domes of water up through the surface, giving children something to play with and adding sound. Suits pools with a tanning ledge or wide shallow step. Build note: built into the pool plumbing, so it is a pool builder job best planned with the shell.

70. Scupper spouts on a back wall

Spouts set into a raised wall pour arcs of water into the pool, giving a formal, symmetrical look. Suits pools with a raised bond beam or a wall along the far edge. Build note: plumbing and wall built together, with the pump sized for the number of spouts.

71. Rill or runnel leading to the pool

A narrow channel of water crossing the deck links the house terrace and the pool, and draws the eye along the yard. Suits formal and Mediterranean designs with long, straight axes. Build note: a waterproofed channel and its own pump, built by a hardscape and pool contractor together.

72. Raised spa spilling into the pool

A hot tub set higher than the pool overflows into it, adding sound and a view from the spa across the water. Suits yards with room for a spa beside the main pool. Build note: built by the pool contractor; the spa also needs a cover and must fall inside the barrier.

73. Fire bowls on a pool wall

Gas fire bowls on pedestals or a raised wall at the pool edge pair flame with water for evening use, and some combine fire with a spillway. Suits modern pools with a raised back wall. Build note: gas line by a licensed plumber or gas fitter, and clearances set by the manufacturer and local code.

74. Beach entry with pebble finish

A sloped, zero-depth entry lets small children, older swimmers and dogs walk into the water gradually. Suits family pools and yards with room for a longer pool footprint. Build note: built into the pool shell, so it is a pool builder job; ask about surface texture for grip.

75. Clear sightline from the kitchen window

Keeping planting and structures low between the house and the water lets adults see the pool from inside, which matters most where young children live or visit. Suits any family pool visible from the house. Build note: mark the sightline on the plan before choosing shrubs, and pick plants whose mature height stays below it.

76. Grass play lawn outside the enclosure

A lawn area beyond the barrier gives children a place to run and play ball without being near the water. Suits family yards large enough to separate the pool from the play space. Build note: its own gate, and no play equipment or benches set against the outside of the pool fence.

77. Dog-friendly rinse station

A hose bib and drained pad near the pool gate lets dogs and people rinse off chlorine and grass before going inside. Suits households whose dogs swim. Build note: plumbing by a licensed plumber, and the pad sloped to a drain or gravel sump so water does not pool by the gate.

78. Pet ramp or exit steps

A visible, easy exit point helps dogs climb out of the pool, since many cannot climb a ladder. Suits any pool where dogs have access to the water. Build note: ask the pool contractor for an exit suited to your pool, and teach the dog where it is from inside the water.

79. Toy and float storage bench

A storage bench inside the enclosure keeps toys and floats off the deck, so they do not tempt children from outside the fence. Suits family pools with lots of gear. Build note: position it away from the fence so it cannot be climbed, with ventilation so wet toys dry.

80. Safety equipment post

A post near the water holding a ring buoy and a reaching pole keeps rescue gear visible and in the same place every time. Suits any pool, and especially ones used by guests. Build note: set the post in a footing at the deck edge, clear of the walking route.

81. Soft-surface play yard next to the pool area

Mulch or poured rubber surfacing under a play set kept outside the pool barrier gives children a separate place to play. Suits family yards with a swing set or climbing frame. Build note: place the equipment far enough from the fence that it can never become a climbing aid into the pool area.

82. Door alarms on house doors to the pool

Where the house forms one side of the pool barrier, the CPSC guideline describes alarms on doors leading to the pool area that sound when the door opens. Suits homes with direct door access to the deck. Build note: an electrician or alarm installer, and a check of what your local code requires.

83. Terraced planting above the pool

On a sloped lot, low terraces stepping down to the deck hold soil, give planting room and stop mud washing onto the paving. Suits pools cut into a hillside. Build note: each wall with drainage aggregate and pipe behind it; check permit thresholds for wall height.

84. Plunge-pool garden

In a small yard, a compact plunge pool surrounded by dense planting turns the whole space into a garden room for cooling off rather than swimming laps. Suits townhouse and courtyard lots. Build note: barrier rules still apply to small pools, and planting must stay clear of the climbing zone.

85. Side-yard equipment corridor

Moving the pump, filter and heater into a narrow side yard frees the main yard for planting and seating, and moves the noise away. Suits yards where the equipment pad sits in prime space. Build note: the pool contractor relocates equipment and resizes plumbing runs; keep service access to the pad.

86. Boulder retaining edge

Large boulders stacked on a slope hold soil and look natural beside freeform pools, and give spots to sit. Suits sloped yards with a naturalistic design. Build note: boulders set on a compacted base by a crew with machinery, with drainage behind the stack.

87. Stair-step deck on a slope

Multiple deck levels follow the grade down to the pool, creating separate zones for dining, lounging and swimming. Suits steep lots where one flat deck would need tall walls. Build note: steps with consistent riser heights, handrails where code requires, and drainage at each level.

88. Vertical garden on a boundary wall

Wall-mounted planters or pocket systems bring green into a tight courtyard pool where there is no ground space for beds. Suits small, enclosed urban yards. Build note: drip irrigation to every pocket and a waterproof membrane on the wall behind.

89. Raised pool wall as seating

A partially raised pool wall gives built-in seating along one side in a small yard, and makes the pool feel like a feature. Suits small yards and sloped lots. Build note: built with the pool by a pool builder, with coping wide enough to sit on comfortably.

90. Drainage swale behind the pool

A shallow planted swale upslope of the pool catches runoff before it carries mud and mulch into the water. Suits pools at the bottom of a slope. Build note: graded by a drainage contractor to a legal outlet, and planted with grasses that hold the soil.

91. Narrow lap-pool border

A long, narrow pool with a single row of grasses or clipped shrubs along each side suits slim lots and gives a clean, linear look. Build note: keep plants back from the coping by their mature width, and use drip so spray stays off the deck.

92. Rooftop or courtyard container garden around a small pool

Where there is no soil, containers frame the pool and soften paving with plants, trees and grasses. Suits rooftop pools and paved courtyards. Build note: check structural load limits with an engineer for rooftop pools; wet soil in large pots is heavy.

93. Leaf-litter buffer zone

A ring of paving or rock between planting and the water catches leaves and mulch before they reach the pool. Suits pools surrounded by beds or near trees. Build note: edge the ring firmly so rock stays put, and make it wide enough to sweep or blow easily.

94. Automatic pool cover track

A cover that rolls across the pool on tracks keeps leaves out, holds heat and adds a layer of safety when the pool is closed. Suits pools near trees and family pools. Build note: the pool contractor installs it; the coping detail must be planned for the track and cover box.

95. Hose bib and storage near the equipment pad

A water supply and a shelf near the pump simplify filter cleaning, refilling and chemical storage. Suits any pool whose equipment sits far from the house tap. Build note: store chemicals per label instructions, and have a licensed plumber add the hose bib.

96. Drip irrigation instead of spray near the deck

Drip lines keep irrigation water off the deck and out of the pool, and stop chlorine-hating plants getting splashed with treated water. Suits any planted bed beside the coping. Build note: an irrigation contractor sets pool-side beds on their own zone with a pressure regulator and filter.

97. Deck drains at low points

Small round or slot drains in the low spots of a deck move splash and rain water away before it puddles and grows algae. Suits flat decks or ones with poor slope. Build note: pipe to a dry well or legal discharge point, and confirm the outlet with the local building department.

98. Gravel maintenance path behind beds

A narrow gravel path behind pool-side planting lets you prune and weed without stepping in beds or walking on the barrier line. Suits deep beds along the fence. Build note: fabric and edging under the gravel, and enough width for a wheelbarrow.

99. Equipment pad noise baffle

A solid screen or planted berm between the pump and the seating area cuts the hum of equipment. Suits yards where the pad sits near the patio or a bedroom window. Build note: keep the manufacturer’s clearances for airflow and service access around every unit.

100. Winter cover storage

A shed, deck box or bench sized for the folded winter cover keeps it out of sight in the off-season and protected from rodents. Suits pools in cold climates that close for winter. Build note: set on a level, drained base and sized after measuring the folded cover.