As winter is at its peak and you’re all huddled up inside your toasty home looking at the barren wasteland you call a backyard, you must be thinking; when summer eventually comes, and you don’t need to wear seven layers of thermal wear, it would be fantastic if you can make up for the present situation by chilling in a pool.
Unfortunately, the big dollar signs and housing zone regulations don’t care about your inner musings and terrible puns. But we do! That’s why we’ve compiled a list of awesome yet simple above ground pool decks (with pictures!), so you can plan your backyard summer retreat months and stock up on all the puns you can crack while chilling by the pool with your jealous friends.
Now let’s dive into the list and find the right inspiration to build the perfect pool in your backyard!
1. As simple as simple above ground pool deck come
Let’s face it, the biggest reason you couldn’t go for an in-ground swimming pool is that it wasn’t part of the plan when the house was built. The easiest solution when you want something you don’t have is to buy it; the same goes here. You can have a shipping container of the appropriate size cut down and modified to become a tiny pool. The best part? You can lug it around if you decide to move.
2. Have higher standards
No one said that a simple above ground pool deck should be on the ground. The fascinating thing about above-ground swimming pools is that they have many more options for pool placements and renovations in the future. Then why not build it on a much higher platform or above your patio so you can look at your backyard like a king while you chill with a glass of Long Island Iced Tea?
3. Class it up with some glass walls
You must have seen similar pools in many fashion magazines. Many resorts have also started going for this swimming pool style as they make for a perfect prop for pictures people can upload to social media. You can do the same in your backyard if you go for this style, which has excellent potential. The only downside is that you have to keep it squeaky clean, as all the grime is visible to everyone but who wants a dirty pool anyway.
4. Step it up with a set of stairs on your simple above ground pool deck
A set of stairs made of either brick, stone, or wood could become the perfect addition to an above-ground pool deck as long as the finishing is exquisite or matches well with a theme. A set of stairs is also necessary if the pool is not attached to your patio and you want some way to provide access to and out of the pool without making people climb an actual ladder.
5. Raise a deck around it
Many people think that having a lone pool standing out in the backyard by its lonesome is not a good setup for a picturesque setting. A good workaround is to build a raised deck around the pool so that the collection is only visible when you stand on the patio or higher. You’ll also get a slice if your backyard is exclusive for the pool that you can use as an outdoor lounge and not drag around all the dirt in your backyard when you go for a dip.
6. Style it with some tasteful art
If you’ve finally decided to go for a simple above ground pool deck, and don’t mind spending a bit of moolah so that it doesn’t look like a DIY build-your-pool video, someone uploaded in rural Ukraine, then try to go for some tasteful art installations both inside the pool and on the deck. A bit of modern art never hurt anybody and never will. It also adds a certain sophistication to your backyard that will only make the whole ambiance better.
7. Add a touch of wood
Now for those who need more space, means, or patience to build an entire deck to beautify your simple above-ground pool deck, there is no need to fret. You can still add a touch of elegance and make it look like you spent the bare minimum of effort on the collection by adding a wooden finish around the outer wall of the pool if it’s made of resin. Wood is much cheaper than marble or stone, and you don’t need to put extra effort into making it look beautiful. A perfect solution with minimal effort.
8. Have fun with a dash of color
Nothing compares to summer, like bright colors and the promise of fun. While everyone is gushing about classy and elegant pools, you can have fun with a quirky design, bright colors, and a cartoony vibe. Compared to more complex design ideas, this one matches well with a simple above ground pool deck. Just be sure to get expert opinions before you splurge your limited budget and end up with a design that could be better to look at.
9. Get a waterslide just because
You don’t need any explanation for this. Waterslides are fun. Waterslides belong on the poolside. Whether it’s for your kids or yourself, if you want to feel like a kid again, a waterslide is a fantastic solution to bring the fun right to the poolside and make the summer all the more enjoyable. Pro tip, make sure your pool is deep enough. Otherwise, you will regret it.
10. Rock it with a stone deck
Stone is the perfect material to go around your simple above ground pool deck, especially in summer, as the stone absorbs and retains the heat, so you have a natural heated flooring when you come out of the calm waters and want to warm up in the sun. The best part about stone flooring is that it is super low maintenance and will most likely outlast your home in case of a nuclear/zombie apocalypse, which is always a plus.
11. Bubble it with a jacuzzi
So what if you don’t have a massive pool in your backyard that makes you feel like an Olympic swimmer when you go for a dip? Can your friend who brags about his giant pool where he’s going to raise an alligator stay so smug after he sees the outdoor jacuzzi that reminds you of every lousy teen comedy movie? Can he? Then it would be best if you chose better friends. A nice bubbly pool with a gazillion tiny jets of water will always be better than a potential alligator, which will never happen anyway.
12. To infinity and beyond
Infinity pools are all the rage right now, and for a good reason. They look stunning and form a fantastic backdrop for Insta-friendly clicks that will have you fighting off random strangers on the Internet who NEED to know how you built your backyard pool. All that trouble is worth it when you can lean back on your pool wall with your elbows draped over the edge and look like you just made a few million bucks in the stock market before 11 am.
13. Build it just for you
Sometimes you do things just for yourself and your closest person. No need to show off to your friends and neighbors and invite a dozen people for a pool party. This one’s just for you and your significant other complete with a privacy wall and easy access from inside the house. A relaxing evening in this pool is the perfect getaway from deadlines and office politics. The quick access to the refrigerator is only a bonus and nothing else.
14. Add fairy lights for a fabled experience
The plan was to chill in the pool during the summer and catch some rays. You are so busy you don’t get to go near the pool when the sun is up. Thankfully, we don’t live in ancient times and have access to electricity and store-bought lights. So, bring out your fairy lights and some warm light lamps and turn your pool deck into the perfect spot to relax and catch up with your family.
15. Green is the new cool
What is a backyard that does not have any greens? A barren wasteland is what it is. Plants add a touch of nature to your otherwise sterile swimming pool and will help you relax more while looking beautiful at the same time. Apart from the comforting scent, adding bug-repellant plants to the mix will make the experience all the more comforting.
16. Build a lounge area on the deck
You know how in resorts and hotels, there is an entire area with lounge chairs and tables for the guests to relax and have a drink? You can have a similar setting for your simple above ground pool deck as well. It’s perfect when you have friends over, and some of them want to sit on the side sipping their favorite cocktail or when they want to have a quiet dinner outside with warm lights and the moon for company.
17. Have cozy seating for comfort
The idea behind having a pool in your backyard is to have a comfortable place you can chill with your loved ones. You can buy plush lounge chairs and beach umbrellas to go around a pool or build a cozy simple deck for above ground pool like this and save a lot of space; It’s great for having conversations or keeping snacks and drinks around while you enjoy a swim. Also, it looks cute and would look well on social media posts.
18. Add some shade with a gazebo
How can a pool deck be complete without a gazebo? Even the limited space above-ground pools can have one on the deck. It’s perfect for long evening conversations or an afternoon with fresh air while the kids swim. Building a platform for the terrace provides the ideal setup for creating a pavilion, as the flooring is already taken care of. With easy access back into the house, you can also have a secondary dining option at your home.
19. Lots of seating with minimal space
If you are the type that likes to invite all your friends to the pool and sit half submerged in the water but doesn’t have the space to set up such elaborate arrangements, go for a circular pool with built-in seating in a semi-circular shape and connect it to the edge of a raised platform. You now have enough space to seat half an orchestra. Ideally, if you want the pool to be deep enough, you’ll need a terraced platform, as you can’t have the raised seating platform be too high up from the floor. Or you can go for a plunge pool if you only have space/funds for building one platform.
20. Don’t get cornered by small spaces
In the first case, having enough backyard space is one reason people don’t go for in-ground pools. Even if you go for an simple above ground pool deck, the chances are that there needs to be more space on the deck to add some seating arrangements, and you end up with a backyard that is all pool and no yard. Manage your limited space with this design by relegating the collection to one corner of the deck, freeing up enough room for a few lounge chairs or a coffee table. Go for a raised platform with a good height if you want a deep pool or feel the collection is too small for you.
21. See new horizons with a rooftop pool
If you’re squeezing for space and your backyard is as unyielding as our tea-throwing forefathers, you still have one more option. That’s right, build one on the roof. Sure, it’s less convenient than a backyard pool, but you get what you get. The top is the farthest thing from the ground in your home, so you got that part covered. And your rooftop offers as much space as your entire house, so you have many more options for setting up a deck.
To wrap things up
We hope these design ideas for simple above ground pool deck help inspire you to build the perfect pool to enjoy your summertime. You still have months to plan your design and think of the worst puns to drown your friends in. Plan this right, and you’ll have the most sought-after house among your friends and family to spend their quality time in. Whether that’s a good thing or not is entirely up to you.
