Above ground pools offer an affordable way to enjoy backyard swimming, but they can look decidedly utilitarian without thoughtful landscaping. The good news is that transforming the area around your pool doesn’t require a substantial budget—creative use of materials, strategic planting, and some DIY effort can create an inviting outdoor space that makes your pool feel like a genuine backyard retreat.
The key lies in working with what you have, choosing cost-effective materials that deliver visual impact, and focusing your efforts where they’ll make the biggest difference. With some planning and weekend work, you can create a pool area that rivals far more expensive installations.
For more details on functional pool planting and hardscape choices that complement budget designs, see our article on creative poolside landscaping ideas.
Benefits of Landscaping Around Your Above Ground Pool
Landscaping does more than improve appearances. Thoughtful planting and hardscaping help integrate your pool into the broader garden, making it feel like an intentional design element rather than an afterthought plonked on the lawn. Privacy screening creates a more relaxed swimming environment. Shade provision makes the pool area comfortable during hot afternoons.
Well-executed pool landscaping can also add genuine value to your property. Potential buyers see an outdoor living space rather than a temporary structure, and the overall impression of your backyard improves significantly. Even modest investments in landscaping tend to deliver outsized returns in both enjoyment and property appeal. For ideas on how to use rocks and hardscape features with both in‑ground and above‑ground pools, see our rock‑focused pool landscaping guide.
Low-Cost Landscaping Materials
Material selection dramatically affects both cost and outcome. Fortunately, some of the most effective pool landscaping materials are also among the most affordable. Pair these budget‑smart pool garden tips from our landscaping guide with the designs suggested here for holistic outdoor planning.
Mulch, Gravel and Pebbles
Ground covers transform bare dirt into finished landscape at minimal cost. Pea gravel creates a clean, contemporary look and drains well—important around pool areas where splashing is inevitable. River pebbles offer natural colour variation and work beautifully in curved beds. Decomposed granite provides a more formal appearance and compacts to create stable walking surfaces.
Organic mulches like bark chips or wood mulch cost less than stone options and create softer, more natural aesthetics. They do break down over time and need periodic replenishment, but this also means they improve soil health in planted areas. Keep mulch away from the pool edge itself where it might wash into the water, and consider a gravel or pebble border between mulched beds and the pool surround.
Repurposed and Recycled Materials
Reclaimed materials offer character that new products can’t match, often at a fraction of the price. Salvaged bricks make excellent edging and can be laid dry without mortar for simple DIY installation. Old timber sleepers create raised garden beds or casual seating. Recycled pavers—often available cheaply when neighbours renovate—provide instant hardscape.
Pallets, with appropriate treatment and finishing, can become deck sections, vertical garden frames, or poolside furniture. The key with repurposed materials is consistency—commit to a cohesive look rather than mixing too many different salvaged elements, which can read as cluttered rather than creative.
Budget-Friendly Planting Options
Pool-Safe Plants
Not every plant suits poolside planting. Avoid species that drop excessive leaves, flowers, or seed pods—you’ll spend more time cleaning filters than enjoying swimming. Steer clear of plants with invasive root systems that might damage pool structures, and skip anything with thorns near traffic areas.
Ornamental grasses make excellent poolside choices: they’re generally affordable, grow quickly, create movement and softness, and don’t shed problematic debris. Succulents tolerate the reflected heat and occasional splashing that poolside locations deliver. Many native Australian plants handle these conditions beautifully while requiring minimal watering once established. To extend your poolscape’s visual appeal beyond the pool edge, check out these practical backyard landscaping ideas that work with tight budgets.
Create a Lush Look With Herbs and Shrubs
Mediterranean herbs like lavender, rosemary, and sage thrive in the warm, sunny conditions typical of pool surrounds. They’re inexpensive to buy as small plants, grow relatively quickly, tolerate heat and reflected light, and provide wonderful fragrance. Mass plantings of a single species create visual impact while keeping costs low—buying multiple small plants of one variety costs less than a few larger specimens of different types.
For privacy screening, fast-growing shrubs deliver results within a couple of seasons. Lilly pilly varieties, photinia, and various native hedging plants can be purchased as tube stock or small pots at minimal cost, then grown on to create effective screens. The trade-off is time rather than money—but patient gardeners save substantially. For suggestions on keeping your budget pool area easy to care for, see our article on low‑maintenance yard solutions.
DIY Landscaping Features
Build Your Own Deck or Walkway
A small deck or platform beside the pool transforms access and creates a natural gathering space. Simple ground-level decks don’t require council approval in most areas and can be built with basic tools and modest carpentry skills. Treated pine offers the most affordable framing and decking option; composite boards cost more but eliminate ongoing maintenance.
If a full deck feels ambitious, stepping stone paths offer an easier alternative. Concrete pavers or natural stone steppers laid on a sand base create defined circulation around the pool without extensive construction. Position them to create logical routes to the house, outdoor shower, or garden areas.
Install Shade and Shelter on a Budget
Shade makes pool areas genuinely usable during hot afternoons. Shade sails offer the most affordable instant coverage—they’re relatively inexpensive to purchase, easy to install with basic hardware, and create a contemporary look. Position them to shade lounging areas rather than the pool itself, as some sun on the water helps maintain temperature.
Large umbrellas provide flexible shade that can be repositioned as needed. For a more permanent solution, a simple pergola structure—even unpainted timber posts with wire for climbing plants—creates attractive filtered shade as plants establish. Deciduous vines offer the bonus of winter sun penetration when warmth becomes welcome.
Add Lighting for Ambiance
Lighting extends pool area use into evening hours and adds atmosphere that elevates the entire space. Solar-powered options cost nothing to run and require no electrical work—simply stake them into garden beds or along pathways. String lights draped over pergolas or between posts create instant festive ambiance.
Uplighting key plants or features with solar spotlights adds drama without expense. Position lights to illuminate interesting foliage, specimen plants, or architectural elements. The goal is creating pools of light and shadow rather than flooding the entire area—subtlety reads as sophisticated.
Design Styles and Themes
Committing to a consistent style helps budget landscaping read as intentional design rather than random accumulation. Two approaches work particularly well for above ground pools. Discover broader backyard landscape design ideas you can pair with above ground pool features to elevate your overall outdoor look.
Rustic and Natural Aesthetic
Natural styling embraces informal planting, organic materials, and a relaxed atmosphere. Use timber, stone, and bark mulch. Allow plants to grow in loose, naturalistic forms rather than rigid hedges. Native grasses, wildflower patches, and rambling groundcovers suit this approach. The look forgives imperfection—in fact, too much precision would undermine the aesthetic.
Minimalist or Modern Look
Modern styling emphasises clean lines, restrained planting, and bold simplicity. Gravel or pebble ground covers in uniform colours, architectural plants like agaves or ornamental grasses, and geometric planters or edging create contemporary impact. This approach can actually cost less than lush traditional gardens because it relies on fewer plants and simpler materials—but it demands precise execution to succeed.
Maintenance and Practical Tips
Budget landscaping only saves money if it’s maintainable. Choose materials and plants you can realistically look after. Keep the immediate pool surround clear and easy to clean—intricate details close to the water become maintenance headaches. Position deciduous plants downwind from the pool to minimise leaf cleanup.
Establish a simple routine: weekly tidying during swimming season, seasonal plant maintenance, and annual mulch top-ups. A well-maintained budget landscape looks far better than an expensive installation left to decline through neglect.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the cheapest ways to landscape around a pool?
Mulch and gravel ground covers offer the lowest cost per square metre for defining pool areas. Mass plantings of inexpensive tube stock or seedlings create impact affordably—you’re trading time for money as plants grow. Repurposed materials like salvaged pavers or timber add character without premium prices. Focus spending on high-visibility areas and use simpler treatments elsewhere.
Can I use mulch near an above ground pool?
Yes, but with some precautions. Keep mulch at least 300mm back from the pool edge to prevent it washing into the water during rain or splashing. Use a border of gravel or pebbles between mulched beds and the pool surround. Avoid very fine mulch that blows easily, and ensure adequate depth so wind doesn’t scatter material into the pool.
What plants grow best near a chlorine pool?
Plants tolerating occasional chlorinated splashing include most succulents, ornamental grasses, Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and lavender, and many Australian natives. Avoid delicate foliage plants that might burn from chemical contact. Position sensitive plants further from the pool edge where splashing is less likely, and use tougher species in the immediate splash zone.
How do I make an above ground pool look more permanent?
Surrounding the pool with landscaping that connects it to the broader garden is key. Deck platforms at pool height create seamless transitions. Screening plants that partially conceal the pool structure help it recede visually. Consistent material choices—repeating the same stone, timber, or planting style used elsewhere in your garden—make the pool feel integrated rather than added-on.
What’s the easiest DIY pool deck option?
Ground-level timber decks built on concrete blocks or adjustable feet require the least expertise and construction complexity. Modular deck tiles—interlocking squares that simply lay on any flat surface—offer an even simpler option, though they’re less customisable. For minimal DIY skills, large-format pavers on a sand base create stable, attractive pool surrounds without carpentry.
Creating Your Pool Landscape
Above ground pool landscaping rewards creativity and effort as much as spending. With thoughtful material choices, strategic planting, and weekend DIY work, you can transform a basic backyard pool into an inviting outdoor living space that delivers years of enjoyment.
For Melbourne homeowners wanting professional guidance on pool landscaping—whether above ground or in-ground—experienced landscape designers can help maximise impact while respecting budget constraints. With over forty years creating outdoor spaces across Eltham and surrounding suburbs, John French Landscape Design specialises in pool landscaping that integrates seamlessly with broader garden design, creating cohesive outdoor living areas that work beautifully year-round.
Ready to transform your pool area? Contact John French Landscape Design on 0419 725 344 or email info@johnfrenchlandscapes.com.au to discuss your project.
