Looking for pool deck ideas to help you create your own backyard oasis? The advantages of adding a pool and deck space to a property are undeniable, regardless of the fact that it is a major investment.
Although deck concepts have been a mainstay of the boat building industry for generations, it wasn't until the 1960s that this design approach made its way into the interiors world. Where pavers once reigned supreme, more and more people are opting for deck around the pool area.
Decking's popularity has grown over time, and it has become the go-to material for contemporary pool ideas. Materials, on the other hand, have come into their own. While early decks were made of first-generation hardwoods, today's decks are made of hard-wearing composites and eco-friendly items made from recycled materials. We're also experimenting around with different colors and widths to give the wood a more modern look.
Pool Deck Ideas
If you enjoy spending time outside, you're only a few pool deck ideas away from resting in the afternoon sun or hosting a summer pool party to enjoy.
1. Strike a Softer Note Underfoot
When it comes to building a pool area for your backyard, don't count out using pool deck ideas rather than pavers. It's another method to provide the pool area a cool, solid feel underfoot, and it can also help the pool area fit in with the surrounding landscaping or link it to a home with wood siding.
Choose a wood that will withstand the harsh weather, such as cedar, teak, or ipê, and keep in mind that it will require maintenance.
'Another option to explore is using non-slip composites (made from polymer and wood fiber) instead, which are more sustainable and durable,' explains John Wyer, Fellow of the Society of Garden Designers and CEO of Bowles & Wyer (opens in new tab). 'Non-slip porcelain planks, which come in several wood-like finishes, might be used if you're totally focused on the wood look.'
2. Invest in Hardwearing Timber
A timber pool deck, at its finest, is a beautiful, hard-wearing surface that goes well with most pool areas. It's a natural material that blends wonderfully with the pool water and gives a sympathetic background for plants. Timber lends itself to a variety of architectural and design styles. A pool deck can be created in either a sophisticated, contemporary, or a more traditional style.
Pool deck ideas have other benefits as well, like being relatively lightweight compared to stone, quick and easy to install, and forgiving. Timber may be cut to size to fit around awkward corners and can be simply expanded at a later date.
3. Let Your Deck get Better with Age
When it comes to pool deck ideas, there's a lot of room for creativity with wood stains, which come in a variety of colors.
When decking is left natural and allowed to weather over time, it turns a silvery grey, creating an informal look that blends wonderfully with flora and the natural surroundings. Treating the decks with a wood oil that merely enhances the natural beauty of the wood – products designed for treating timber boats are ideal – is a good compromise.
4. Provide a Tranquil Spot for Seating
Build an outdoor living room on your deck to turn your pool area into an extension of your home. All it takes is a little thought, design expertise, and professional guidance.
'Because your pool deck area should be regarded of as an extension of your house, it's important to bring the comforts of home outside.' One approach to achieve this is to create a covered seating area near the pool,' explains Sue Jones, co-founder and creative director of OKA (opens in new tab).
To make the most of this ‘extra room’, we must think creatively about how to plan, design, and decorate. An outdoor living area should offer all the comforts and style of an indoor living room but also be designed with the weather, privacy, and surrounding features such as patios, planting, and lawns in mind.
5. Think about Modern Materials
Wood pool decks are perfect for converting limited spaces, such as roof terraces, balconies, and courtyards, in modern landscape design. Real wood may give the illusion of an enlarged living area by providing a streamlined link between your interior and outdoors, especially if the flooring materials are compatible.
Because there is so much variety in terms of materials, here is where things might get pricey, so keep your budget in mind so costs don't get out of hand.
6. Use Deck to divide a Natural Pool
A wooden boardwalk runs alongside this swimming pond. The natural pool is divided into two zones: one for swimming and one for planting, which serves as a biological filter to maintain the water pure and clear.
The 'natural' swimming pool is the most popular style in country garden ideas, not just because of its aesthetic appeal, but also because of its environmental credentials.
7. Mix Materials around a Pool
It's vital to investigate how much hardscaping your backyard plan necessitates around the pool when creating a pool deck area. Consider the amount of furniture that will be placed there. Should it have several types of seats as well as a dining area? How much area do you want to set up for motion?
'A generous border of the deck and concrete pavers or slabs surrounding the pool enables for sun loungers and walking without worrying about coming too close to the edge,' says landscape designer Marcus Barnett.
8. Build a raised deck
A custom design is a great alternative for small deck ideas since it will be created to optimize the space surrounding your pool area for dining and gathering.
According to Sam Toole, CMO of TimberTech, a composite decking company, "a custom deck is a specifically built structure that suits your exact demands and tastes." 'Working with a contractor to build a custom deck guarantees that your deck is built to the proper specifications for long-term performance.'
Here, the wood deck adds a sense of warmth to the harder patio ideas and helps delineate the dining area from the nearby pool area.
