The poolside is one of the most challenging aspects of home design to get right. There are so many factors to consider, from the climate to the surrounding landscaping.
However, following certain principles can increase your chances of success significantly. When you understand the basics, you have more freedom to choose a layout that works for you. Here’s everything you need to know:
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Add An Attractive Deck
Regardless of the climate or surroundings, adding an attractive deck to your poolside is essential. Getting it right can transform the entire area and give it more of a spa-like feel.
The best deck materials are stamped concrete, pavers, or slip-resistant tiles. However, you might also want to use synthetic wood because it won’t rot and gives your pool a unique, relaxed aesthetic. (It also hurts less when you fall over).
Using wood works best in more natural surroundings and gives your pool that upmarket oasis feel. You can pair it with loungers and recliners to complete the rejuvenating look.
Install Decorative Lighting
When it comes to luxury poolsides, the lighting should be more than merely functional. It should also be decorative, helping to bring the area to life at night. Getting the lighting right is particularly important in hotter climates where you can swim into the night.
Pools are a godsend for anyone who loves playing with lighting. The presence of water diffuses light in all directions, creating an incredible ambiance you can’t get in regular outdoor spaces.
Consider placing some lights underwater that sparkle or change color on a timer. You can also hang string lighting over your pool for added whimsy and to create an inviting, welcoming atmosphere. Put lights in places people wouldn’t normally expect.
Add More Plants To Your Poolside
Another pro luxury landscape design tip is to add more plants to your poolside. Moving shrubs within a few feet of the pool helps it feel more natural and less like a disruptive, energy-guzzling installation.
Split your plant choices into two groups. One group you will use to provide a natural surround for the pool while the other, you will use for focal points or accents.
Surrounding your pool is essential for turning it into an oasis. It should feel like a separate sanctuary away from the rest of your exterior space, offering added privacy for late-night or early-morning dips in the pool. Consider adding evergreen hedges or dense planters to eliminate lines of sight, including from the house.
Once you have that setup, you can move individual pots into shaded areas. Make sure you choose plants that let you create highlights that celebrate the space. Don’t be afraid to add flowering species that add seasonal color and make it more attractive.
Only choose plants suitable for the local climate. You don’t want them to die and make the space look unloved.
Add More Water Features
Natural oases often form around underground springs or aquifers causing water to bubble to the surface. It’s unlikely you’ll have one of these under your property, but you can emulate them with various water features for your pool. Many people find the sound of running water soothing, making this additional investment worthwhile.
There are various water features you could use as focal points. Ones that complement your pool are the easiest to implement, though you could experiment with different approaches.
The most impressive are outdoor synthetic waterfalls. These produce a beautiful effect when running down brick or stone. You could also include spouts that shoot water into your pool or separate fountains beside your decking that rely on a different system.
Add Luxury Seating
While Adirondack chairs can be a nice addition to outdoor spaces, they don’t always lend themselves to all-day lounging. Therefore, consider upgrading your seating and loungers to something more comfortable. These days you can get cushions and pillows that can survive all weather outdoors without getting saturated or smelling bad. Naturally, they’re not quite the same as the materials you can find indoors, but they still do the job.
You should also experiment with various seating types to complement the outdoor space. Adding chaise longues, hammocks and beanbags can provide a fun setup that suits all tastes, no matter which guests you have over to stay with you.
Add A Firepit
If you live in an area that gets cold during the day or night, you might want to add a firepit to your poolside area. Adding a heat source can be a fantastic way to make the space more livable.
The best fire pits use gas. These provide consistent heat and work as long as there is a mains supply of fuel. You can also adjust the temperature on the fly instead of having to wait for coals to burn down.
With that said, any form of fire pit can be helpful. You can cook over many of them, turning your poolside area into a makeshift kitchen.
Add Personal Touches With Accessories
Of course, you don’t want your luxury poolside area to look like something from a generic landscaping or gardening magazine. It needs to have a bit of personality that links it to you.
To this end, you might want to decorate the area with cozy blankets, pillows, and umbrellas. You could also add more usual items, like cuckoo clocks, deer statues, or fire features. Family heirlooms are also a good option if they can cope with outdoor life. For example, you might repurpose an old Belfast sink and turn it into a planter. Think about what might complement the area and make it stand out.
So there you have it: some of the ways to turn your poolside into a luxury oasis. Remember, the purpose of doing this is to give you a new place in your home that you can turn into a sanctuary. You want somewhere you can go to get away from it all. As such, it should be secluded and make you feel relaxed. You don’t want to create something that leaves you feeling exposed or awkward.
This is a contributed post.
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