What are the Best Features to Put Around a Pool? Tips from a Professional Landscaper

Pools are quite often the centrepiece of a home. A well-thought-out pool and outdoor area can be the pinnacle of having neighbours and friends alike impressed and wanting to share in the space you create. How do you do this? Transforming your poolside landscaping into a stunning oasis requires the perfect combination of surface, greenery, fencing, and other essential elements. We can help you with your pool landscaping ideas in South East Melbourne.

Without the right elements, your poolside area can look chaotic and fail to exude the charm you are hoping for. Read on to discover some of the best ways to design your pool landscaping to looking amazing, and leave your visitors envious!

What Surface Should I Use Around My Pool?

When it comes to selecting a suitable surface for your pool surroundings, there are a range of options. If you’re asking us, we love natural stone paving for a number of reasons:

• Enhanced Safety: Natural stone proves to be a safer choice around wet areas compared to alternative materials.
• Superior Traction: The naturally occurring porous texture ensures a better grip for your feet.
• Durability: Opting for natural stone guarantees a long-lasting solution for your poolside flooring.
• Weather Resilience: Certain natural stones boast heat and frost resistance, an invaluable feature for hot summer days in South East Melbourne.
• Low Maintenance: Natural stone pavers and coping are relatively low maintenance.
• Aesthetic Sophistication: Enhance the ambiance of your pool landscaping area with an infusion of sophistication and timeless beauty.

Other surface options may include:

• Concrete: Although durable and versatile concrete can become very hot underfoot. Depending on the type of finish it can also be aggressive underfoot and can make an area look under-done due to not having the characteristics of paving, such as paving format/pattern, natural variations and grout joints etc.
• Natural timber decking: We love a timber deck, but surrounding a pool may not be the best use due to high maintenance involved in keeping the deck looking like new.
• Composite decking: Composite decking is a great choice as it is low maintenance, resistant to rot from the water and nowadays it comes in a range of colours and styles.
• Artificial turf: Although some people may not like the fake look, artificial turf is a low maintenance option for your pool surrounds.

Should I Have a Deck?

Integrating a deck into your landscape design not only introduces a functional feature but also effectively breaks up paved areas. We at Creative Image Landscapes have been seeing a significant increase in the interest of composite decking due to little maintenance requirements. There are many benefits of having decking, including general aesthetic, an entertaining space, safety and increased functionality. You can read more about what to consider when choosing your decking type in our blog.

What Kind of Fencing Should I Use Around My Pool?

There are many types of pool fencing, so it can be overwhelming to decide what is going to work best when poolscaping in South East Melbourne. While serving as a fun entertaining space, your pool should also remain a feature statement in your backyard, considering the significant investment you have made in your pool. Consider suitable pool fencing materials such as glass, aluminium, steel or timber, and their unique benefits. Ultimately, the choice will be dependent on your personal taste and the aesthetic you are looking for. Feel free to reach out to us for a discussion, we’re here to assist you in determining the ideal fencing solution that will work best in your pool landscaping design. When choosing your pool fencing, keep in mind that there are set laws and requirements for pool fencing in Victoria. You can find further information on this on the Kidsafe website as well as the Victorian Building Authority website.

What Are My Greenery Options?

We all appreciate captivating gardens in our South East Melbourne poolscaping. It is important to note that the selection of greenery plays a pivotal role in achieving this. No one wants to deal with the constant hassle of cleaning leaves and debris from the pool and its surroundings. Therefore, careful consideration of plant type and placement is essential. It’s crucial to avoid deciduous plants or those with thorns or robust root systems in order to maintain a hassle-free environment. You also want to ensure any scenic views won’t be obstructed by mature trees in the future, so always thoughtfully plan your plant and tree choices with the future in mind. Alternatively, you can also strategically plant screening plants around your pool for added privacy. We love these plant ideas that will look stunning integrated into your pool landscaping in South East Melbourne.

Are There Any Other Items I Should Consider Including Around My Pool?

Some other items you can consider including in your pool landscaping in South East Melbourne are:

Pool Pavilions

Installing a pool pavilion can provide you with a number of benefits, including an outdoor dining and cooking area, extra entertaining space, additional storage if you include cabinetry, and additional shade from the harmful UV rays.

Water features

Incorporating water features not only enhances the overall ambiance but also helps to mask unwanted noise from neighbours or streets. Integrating a water feature into your pool can transform its appearance entirely, giving it a more luxurious and upscale aesthetic, whilst freestanding, independent water features can portray water as a consistent, harmonious element throughout your garden.

Outdoor shower

The addition of an outdoor shower can offer not only an aesthetic boost, but a practical one where you’re able to shower immediately after exiting your pool. A refreshing experience either before or after having a dip in the pool. As members of Landscaping Victoria, the team at Creative Image Landscapes, is available to assist you in designing a personalised outdoor space around your pool. If you are looking for a landscaper in South East Melbourne, or surrounds please contact us today.