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14 Beautiful Inground Pool Decorating Ideas For A Carefree Summer

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inground pool decorating ideas

When the weather starts to warm up, it’s time to make use of your inground pool. Turn your backyard into a breezy, carefree place to relax this summer with these simple yet beautiful inground pool decorating ideas!

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Inground Pool Decorating Ideas

Do you have a backyard, inground pool that looks a little boring and plain? It seems like a lot of people go to the trouble of building and maintaining a nice inground pool, but then don’t decorate around it.

In that case, you’ll enjoy having a swim, but might not spend as much time by your inground pool because it’s uninspiring.

pool deck with landscaping, furniture

Instead of a plain, empty pool deck surrounding your inground pool, take the time to create an outdoor space you can be proud of and enjoy all season.

Here are some inground pool decorating ideas to use for inspiration.

Furniture Layouts & Seating Areas For Inground Pools

inground infinity pool with seating areas by house at night

A lot people want to add furniture to their inground pool deck, but aren’t sure how to go about it. In truth, you can have multiple furniture placements around your pool deck.

Here are some popular ways to layout furniture by your pool:

  • Outdoor eating area with table, chairs & umbrella
  • Chaise lounge area for sunbathing (include umbrellas for shade)
  • Pergola, cabana or covered patio seating area for shade, TV watching
  • Outdoor kitchen area for cooking, entertaining
  • Swim up bar area for enjoying drinks by the pool
  • Games area for outdoor fun like cornhole, ring toss, etc.
  • Meditation area for stillness by the water

The idea is to create multiple furniture layouts & spaces for activities on your inground pool deck so that you can make the most of the space.

Stylish Pool Deck Furniture

Decorative Accents Around an Inground Pool

inground pool with lanterns, candles, flower petals at night

Another one of my favorite pool deck ideas for inground pools is to add in decorative accessories. No inground pool area is complete without a few decorative accents to highlight the space.

Consider using the following items in decorating around an inground pool:

  • Outdoor flameless candles with lanterns
  • Garden stools & accent tables
  • String lights, path lights
  • Floating LED lights on the surface of the water
  • Garden statues and sculptures
  • Potted plants, hanging baskets
  • Outdoor wall art & figurines
  • Outdoor rugs
  • Outdoor pillows & cushions
Outdoor Garden Stools

A few of these items placed around your inground pool deck will help create a beautiful outdoor space. Many of these items can be inexpensive if you shop for deals or look on places like Craigslist. I always like checking out At Home for decent quality, reasonably priced outdoor decor accents.

Fire Pits Near an Inground Pool

outdoor inground pool with fire pit, hammocks

If you like hanging out by the pool in the evening hours when the weather is a bit cooler, then consider adding a fire pit to the space. They give off a nice glow and can be really relaxing to watch as the sun goes down at night.

Fire pits have become really popular in the last few years. There are a few main styles to consider:

Which style you end up using will depend on your budget and pool deck setup. Don’t forget to check for DIY options if you’re creative and handy.

Inground Pool Decorating Ideas With Umbrellas

pool deck with pink cushions, lounge chair, green striped umbrella, seating areas

Patio umbrellas are a classic item to use for decorating around an inground pool. They not only provide shade from the sun, but can add a nice pop of color to the space.

I like that you can find patio umbrellas these days in a wide range of styles and colors. Sleek, modern looking umbrellas look just as great as the more frilly, decorative ones you’ll find on the market. Whatever works best for your style and space.

Outdoor Patio Umbrellas

Does your inground pool have a tanning ledge or sun shelf? This shallow area in the pool is a great place to place chaise lounge chairs.

But you can also add an umbrella or two to the space as well. Look for umbrella stands that are designed to go in the pool such as the one’s available from Ledge Loungers.

Cabanas & Pergolas Near an Inground Pool

inground pool with cabana, lounge chairs, waterfall, swing, diving board

Another one of my favorite pool deck ideas for inground pools is to add shade to this space using a pergola or cabana. These can be permanent structures that you build out for your pool. Or look for pre-built models that can be bought and assembled.

Add some furniture to your pergola area to create a beautiful outdoor “room” near your pool. Cabanas often contain daybeds and are the perfect spot for naps after swimming.

Outdoor Entertainment Area by an Inground Pool

outdoor pool at night with fire pit, tv, seating area, lights

Many people think of using their pools exclusively in the daytime for swimming. But what about making use of the space at night? In the photo above, a cabana area was turned into an outdoor entertainment space using patio furniture and a waterproof TV.

The fire pit adds a warm glow to the space at night along with the lighting features. Who wouldn’t want to chill here on a warm summer night and catch up on some movies? You could create a similar space near your inground pool.

Outdoor Kitchen Area Near Inground Swimming Pool

pizza oven, seating area in backyard next to inground pool

Do you like to cook and entertain? If so, consider turning your inground pool deck into an outdoor kitchen area. You can go all out with this, installing a fully functioning kitchen in your outdoor space using special outdoor cabinets, appliances, etc.

Or you can keep it more simple. The photo above features an outdoor pizza oven with a basic patio table setup for enjoying the food. You can create similar areas using grills, outdoor islands and bar carts.

Covered Patio Area Near An Inground Pool

inground pool with covered patio, furniture, seating areas

Does your house have a covered patio area that attaches to your inground pool? If so, this is the perfect space to turn in an “outdoor room” using the following items:

  • Patio furniture for a sitting area
  • Patio furniture for a dining area
  • Decorative accents such as rugs, lanterns, potted plants
  • A statement piece such as a hanging chair
  • An outdoor TV for movie nights
  • String lights for a cozy glow in the evening

You can create the same kind of space with a covered deck that goes out to your inground pool. It’s nice to be able to open your backdoor and step into this fun hang out spot.

Inground Pool Decorating Ideas With Landscaping

inground pool with landscaping, chaise lounge chairs

If you’re a plant lover, then you’ll want to incorporate some fun landscaping designs into your inground pool area.

Landscaping for decorating around an inground pool can help create privacy by providing a wall of towering plants as shown in the photo above. A few lounge chairs and a small side table are all that is needed for this perfect little hideaway.

outdoor inground pool with chaise lounge chairs, landscaping, fence

A gravel pathway leads to this beautiful inground swimming pool surrounded by a fence and gorgeous perennials. What a lovely place to relax!

When landscaping near a pool, be sure to use plants who’s roots will not disturb the pool foundation. You don’t want to have to replace your swimming pool due to root damage.

Outdoor Planters

Decorative Walls For Privacy Around an Inground Pool

decorative wall beside inground pool with landscaping

Does your inground pool have a wall along one side? Sometimes walls are needed to help support the structure of the pool. Other times, they are installed for privacy or because of a property boundary.

Either way, if your inground pool contains a wall on at least one side, consider decorating it for a fun visual in the space. I’ve seen people do this using creative landscaping, decorative tiles, tall planters, wall art sculptures, etc.

Any of these ideas can turn a blank wall into a decorative focal point for the inground pool deck.

Inground Pool Decorating Ideas With Waterfalls

inground pool with waterfalls, landscaping, people hanging out

Another way to create visual interest around your inground pool is to install a waterfall feature. Waterfalls can look really sophisticated and can give your pool area a “resort” feel.

Many pools already have some kind of waterfall, but if not, consider installing one. There are different products and waterfall kits you can find online for adding a waterfall to your inground pool. Or consider working with a professional in your area to achieve the desired look.

Pool House Decorations

pool house with landscaping next to inground pool

Do you have a pool house by your inground pool? A lot of people think pool houses are only for high end mansions, but honestly, you can create a beautiful pool house on a more modest budget. Look for prefab pool house kits online to get some ideas.

One thing about having a pool house near your inground pool is that it will create a focal point for the space due to it’s size. So be sure consider this when you go to decorate your inground pool deck area.

Inground Pool Decorating Ideas Using Lighting

inground pool with landscaping at night

There are so many great ways to create beautiful lighting effects around your inground pool at night.

One of my favorite decorating ideas around an inground pool at night is to make sure you have underwater lights within your pool. This not only helps with safety when swimming at night, but lights in the pool cover a large surface area in the space.

Pool LED Lights

Next, add in accent lighting as needed. Spot lights on walls or landscaping, path lights, recessed lights, string lights and lanterns can all create a beautiful glow to decorate around an inground pool area at night.

For more pool lighting ideas, check out this post: Magic Pool Lighting Ideas For A Spectacular Backyard Oasis

Decorating a Multi-Level Inground Pool

multi level inground pool deck withe seating areas, potted plants

Is your inground pool deck on multiple levels? If so, you might need to get creative with where you place your furniture and decorations.

The pool in the photo above has a nice seating area on the elevated deck above the main pool. This would be a nice place to look out across the whole area while sunbathing.

inground pool with wicker chairs, multi level

The owner’s of this beautiful pool had to get creative with seating due to the sunken nature of the pool deck. Smaller, boho wicker chairs fit well here along with some cafe chairs along the top.

While it’s nice to have the space for large patio furniture, sometimes you just have a to make due with a multi-level pool deck in a sloped yard.

Hopefully that gives you some inground pool decorating ideas for how to create a fabulous “outdoor room” by your pool this summer. What decorating ideas around an inground pool are you going to do this summer? Share it below in the comments! 🙂

More Pool Deck Decorating Ideas

For more pool deck decorating inspiration, tips and styles, check out these posts:

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