If you think above ground cement pools are eyesores, let me change your mind. Over the years designing outdoor spaces in the Pacific Northwest, I’ve seen how a thoughtfully designed pool can become the crown jewel of a garden, blending practicality with unforgettable style.
Could a Stone-Clad Pool Bring a Resort Vibe Home?
I learned early on that cladding the exterior of a cement pool with stacked stone instantly elevates the look—clients always comment it feels like a boutique hotel. The rugged texture and earthy tones blend perfectly with perennial borders and gravel paths.
Products that may fit:
- Stacked stone veneer panels for exterior walls: Upgrade your pool’s look with stone veneer panels that offer timeless, natural appeal with easy installation.
- Outdoor landscape lighting kit: Add subtle landscape lighting to highlight your pool’s stonework and enjoy a cozy ambiance after dark.
- Perennial border plants for landscaping: Introduce hardy perennial plants around your pool to create lush borders and soften hardscape edges.
Have You Tried a Mosaic Tile Facade for Sparkle?
On one project, we applied iridescent mosaic tiles to the outer walls, and every time the sun hit, the pool shimmered like a jewel—neighbors still talk about it. It’s a detail that turns the simplest pool into a work of art.
Suitable options for this:
- Iridescent Glass Mosaic Tile Sheets: Transform your pool’s exterior with sparkling iridescent mosaic tiles for a unique, shimmering finish.
- Pool-Safe Tile Adhesive: Ensure a secure, long-lasting bond for your mosaic tiles with water-resistant adhesive designed for pools.
- Outdoor Grout for Mosaic Tiles: Complete your mosaic project and protect tiles from weather with durable, outdoor-ready grout.
Unexpected: Glass Wall Panels for a Show-Stopping Edge
Few things wow guests like a section of glass wall on an above ground pool—I designed one for a family with young kids, so they could watch swimmers from the patio. The transparent edge gives the illusion of water suspended in mid-air.
To help you get the job done:
- Tempered Glass Pool Fence Panels: Create a striking poolside view and ensure safety with elegant tempered glass fence panels for your pool.
- Stainless Steel Glass Panel Mounting Hardware: Secure glass wall sections with durable stainless steel hardware designed for outdoor and poolside environments.
- Non-Slip Outdoor Pool Deck Tiles: Enhance your pool area’s safety and look by installing easy-to-clean, non-slip outdoor deck tiles.
Question: Can a Pool Double as a Water Feature?
On a tight urban lot, I designed a compact cement pool with a recirculating waterfall edge—at night, the sound of water became the garden’s soundtrack. A pool with a water feature offers beauty even when nobody’s swimming.
Useful items to consider:
- LED Pool and Fountain Lights: Enhance your pool’s nighttime beauty—install waterproof LED lights for a stunning visual effect and ambiance.
- Waterfall Pool Fountain Kit: Transform your pool into a tranquil oasis with an easy-to-install waterfall fountain kit for pools.
- Outdoor Lounge Furniture for Poolside: Create a relaxing retreat—add stylish, weather-resistant lounge furniture for ultimate comfort beside your pool.
Go All White for a Crisp, Mediterranean Feel
I once tried an all-white palette—white cement, white pavers, and a fresh white fence—and the result transported us straight to the Aegean, even with Oregon clouds overhead. White bounces light around, making small yards feel expansive and bright.
Make it happen with these:
- White poolside lounge chairs: Add a pair of white lounge chairs for a cohesive look and comfortable spot to relax poolside.
- White outdoor planter pots: Accent your space with white planter pots, perfect for adding greenery while keeping the all-white theme.
- White patio umbrella: Create shade and enhance your Mediterranean vibe with a classic white patio umbrella near the pool.
Small Pool, Big Impact: Plunge Pools for Cozy Spaces
Some of my favorite projects are compact plunge pools—deep enough for a soak, easy to heat, and perfect for small city gardens. These cement gems are proof that you don’t need acres to enjoy a proper swim.
Get the gear:
- Compact pool heater for above ground plunge pools: Keep your plunge pool perfectly warm and extend your swimming season with a reliable compact pool heater.
- Outdoor waterproof pool cover for small pools: Protect your plunge pool from leaves and debris with a durable outdoor waterproof cover designed for small spaces.
- Floating pool lights for ambience: Enhance evening swims and backyard ambiance with floating LED pool lights suitable for compact plunge pools.
Disguise the Sides with Cascading Shrubs
One trick I use is planting tough, arching shrubs right up against the pool’s outer walls—soon, the cement disappears behind a waterfall of green. It’s a living disguise that softens every hard edge.
What you might need:
- Outdoor Climbing Plant Trellis: Support your cascading plants and climbing vines for stunning greenery along the pool’s cement sides.
- Assorted Drought-Tolerant Shrub Seeds or Starter Plants: Easily add lush, arching shrubs to soften tough pool edges with these hardy, beautiful plants.
- Heavy Duty Landscape Fabric for Weed Control: Prepare your planting area and help your shrubs thrive with easy-to-use weed barrier landscape fabric.
Match the Pool to Your Home’s Architecture
A modern pool looks best beside a modern house—so I always echo materials and lines from the home in the pool’s design. One recent project paired board-formed concrete pool walls with a mid-century home’s clean geometry for a perfectly cohesive look.
Might be a good match:
- Modern outdoor pool lounge chairs: Complement your pool’s clean lines with minimalistic lounge chairs for a unified modern outdoor living area.
- Concrete planter boxes: Echo the home’s aesthetic with geometric concrete planter boxes for crisp landscaping around your pool area.
- LED pool lights for modern pools: Install LED pool lights to enhance evening ambiance while perfectly matching your contemporary pool’s style.
Lesson Learned: Use the Slope to Your Advantage
I’ve often worked with tricky, sloped yards by partially recessing the pool on the high side and raising it on the low—suddenly, you get level access and a dramatic, elevated view. Embracing the terrain saves on excavation and adds architectural interest.
Check if these fit your needs:
- Above ground pool landscaping edging: Define your pool area and add style with easy-install edging that helps prevent soil erosion.
- Outdoor stone veneer panels: Enhance the retaining wall or pool sides with simple-to-apply decorative stone veneer panels.
- Weather-resistant poolside planters: Brighten up your pool area by placing durable, stylish planters for greenery or flowers on ledges.
Install an Infinity Edge for Endless Views
The first time I designed an above ground cement pool with a vanishing edge perched above a garden, the effect was pure magic—the water seemed to spill into the landscape. Infinity edges work wonders when you want to highlight a distant view or dramatic plantings.
Grab the essentials:
- Infinity Edge Pool Weir/Spillway Kit: Create the stunning vanishing edge effect with a quality spillway kit designed for above ground pools.
- LED Pool Lighting Kit: Enhance evening ambiance and showcase your infinity edge with durable, customizable LED pool lights.
- Modern Outdoor Poolside Lounge Chairs: Relax in style by your pool—choose weatherproof lounge chairs to maximize the view and comfort.