31 Pool Deck Ideas for Summer Lounging

Bask in the glory.

While we're not in the midst of sunbathing season quite yet, it doesn't hurt to start planning for the spectacular summer ahead. While there are plenty of good ways to bask at the beach or in a park, the best quality vitamin D time is spent by a pool. It's even better when that pool is surrounded by a well-designed patio or deck. To get your outdoor space ready to make a big style splash during the warm months, we're spotlighting beautiful pool deck ideas from landscape designers and architects across the country. Take notes from these stylish hangout setups to find the right decking materials, patio lighting, and more so you can live your best outdoor life.

Instead of opting for a complete lawn or full patio near the pool, mix elements of both. At the pool house of a Washington D.C.-based family, the seating area features short pathways made of limestone pavers that lead to the water. Landscape architect Lila Fendrick planted Nellie Stevens Holly trees just behind the lounge area, which will grow up to become an aerial hedge, for added privacy.

Selecting a pool deck material with a textured look can make the outdoor space feel more connected to its surrounding. For a SoCal home, landscape architecture design studio Terremoto set the pool in aggregate-seeded concrete decking. The outdoor hideaway is near a garden that's populated with native species where possible. A staircase cements the spot as a secluded retreat.

"I wanted it to be, you know, not as grand as Versailles, but this ornamental body of water surrounded by old tables and benches," says designer Hadas Dembo of the pool area at her home in New York's Columbia County. The gunite pool liner blends nicely with the aged look of the pool house and patio.

Boost the energy of a fairly neutral pool patio or deck with pops of color. For our 2022 Whole Home outdoor retreat, designer Ashley Gilbreath placed bright yellow umbrellas over four teak chaises at the end of the pool. The lively color stands out against the surrounding natural materials and greenery.

"For an active family with children, the shape and size of the pool and the surrounding deck are crucial," says Janice Parker. The landscape architect says you need room to play and space for comfortable seating to watch what's going on. Here, the low lounge chairs are sleek and easy for young kids to use, too.

For another project, Parker integrated rows of trees into the patio area. Not only do they add an immersed-in-nature feel, but they offer shade at certain hours of the day. A reflecting pool adds to the natural yet elevated ambiance.

Danielle Fennoy of Revamp Interior Design worked with Morrel Landscape Associates to create this sleek pool deck for a contemporary home. A few pieces of modern furniture, clean polished concrete flooring, and barely-there glass enclosures let the geometry of the house's architecture take the spotlight.

A sleek swimming pool, manicured lawn, and native palm trees make this Hawaiian home designed by Catherine Kwong a modern oasis. Minimal landscaping accentuates the incredible views, but the best part of this pool area is all the lush greenery. If you love the tropical look, limit the patio and decking materials to the perimeter of the pool.

"I thought, I don't want to fight this house; I want to go with it. It has storybook whimsy—the beautiful ivy on the brick, the magical old windows—that I couldn't take away," says designer Leanne Ford of this LA home. Irregular stonework on the deck hugs an oblong-shaped pool that feels like a lagoon hidden in a majestic forest thanks to overflowing greenery.

Designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard, this Point Dunne Malibu swimming pool makes life feel like a permanent vacation. Lawrence Bullard and architect Robbin Hayne clad the home in reclaimed barn wood for a rustic feel that dresses down the luxe furnishings and sleek lap pool.

Designer Fitz Pullins's Jacksonville, Florida, home balances a modest backyard and an even smaller pool with a dramatic tree and climbing vines. "Our neighbors are like, 'Oh, you guys are the ones with the small pool, right?' That's us," the designer laughs. While they couldn't fit a full0sized lap pool in their backyard, they were able to install a saltwater dipping pool!

Designer Tamsin Johnson gives classic cabana-striped lounge chairs a contemporary edge thanks to whimsical umbrellas, playful side tables, and a refreshingly modern light gray stain on the wood decking.

Ike Kligerman Barkley designed this circular pool to play off the wave-like shingles of the pool house's show-stopping roof. The combination feels whimsical yet sophisticated and creates softness in the landscape design that you don't get from rectangular swimming pools.

While the pool and rippling terra cotta shingles draw us into this backyard by Nickey Kehoe, it's the climbing vines and canopy of trees that really make it pop. The symmetry between the brick patio and the clay tiles sets the foundation.

At this breathtaking Sonoma property by architect George Bevin and designer Ken Fulk, a narrow water feature surrounds the outdoor areas and eliminates the need for view-obstructing railings. It hooks around the patio and continues around the bend, feeding into a larger pool behind the house.

Designer Madeline Stuart gave the backyard of this SoCal home by architects Wallace Neff and John Byers plenty of personality, from the eclectic tiles lining the pool to the blooming bougainvillea and playful umbrella.

This backyard in a home by Amir Khandwala uses low hedges as a visual divider, sectioning off separate activity zones without disrupting the flow. A concrete slab under the pool loungers makes for easier maintenance and creates a sturdy foundation that matches the pool's surroundings.

Design a pathway that visually draws the eye to the pool and also provides a clear way for people to approach it. Here, Janice Parker Landscape Architects opted for an offset stacked bond pattern of stepping stones that eases the transition between the stone tile patio, lawn, and pool area.

Get your pool deck ready for night swims with the appropriate mood lighting. Of course, pool lights are a game-changer. If you look to the far left, you'll notice the garage skylight that gives you a peek at the cars below and allows for shared light. Add a few spotlights and hurricane candles and voila.

An all-white plaster-effect material gives this pool deck a modern, bohemian edge. Just add simple white cushions for comfort and you've got yourself a relaxing oasis at home. A raffia roof hanging over the deck is a nice touch too.

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