I’ve seen more than a few lonely, forgotten pools in my years as a landscape architect, and each one holds a world of possibility. Here are twenty of my favorite ways to turn that empty basin into a backyard feature you’ll actually use—and love.
Transform Your Pool Into a Tranquil Koi Pond
I’ll never forget the first time I converted a client’s cracked old pool into a koi pond—the gentle burble of water and flashes of orange and gold made the whole yard feel like a retreat. Swapping chlorine for lilies and dragonflies truly brought new energy to their garden.
Something that could work:
- Outdoor Pond Waterfall Kit: Add soothing sound and movement with a waterfall kit; create a peaceful ambiance in your garden retreat.
- Pond Liner and Underlayment: Ensure your koi pond is leak-free and durable by installing a high-quality liner with underlayment.
- Outdoor Koi Pond Filtration System: Maintain clean, clear water for healthy koi using a reliable, easy-to-install pond filtration system.
Create a Sunken Fire Pit Lounge for Cozy Evenings
One of my clients couldn’t decide what to do with their old pool, until I suggested turning it into a sunken fire pit lounge—the kind of spot where friends gather late into the night, flames flickering against smooth pavers. There’s something magical about being tucked below the garden line, shielded from wind, sharing stories by the fire.
These may be of interest:
- Outdoor gas fire pit: Add a stylish outdoor gas fire pit to bring warmth and a welcoming ambiance to your sunken lounge.
- Curved outdoor sectional sofa: Choose a weather-resistant curved sectional to maximize seating and comfort for your sunken fire pit area.
- Outdoor waterproof throw pillows: Incorporate waterproof outdoor pillows for extra comfort and style in your new fire pit seating area.
Is a Sunken Garden Right for Your Space?
When I first tried transforming a pool into a garden, I underestimated how much drainage matters—learn from my mistake and plan for water movement before you bring in the soil. The result can be a lush, protected oasis where ferns and shade-loving flowers thrive away from wind and sunburn.
Explore these options:
- Garden Drainage Kit: Ensure proper drainage for your new sunken garden and avoid soggy soil or water buildup.
- Shade-Loving Perennial Plants: Add lush greenery with perennial plants that thrive in shade, perfect for your sunken garden oasis.
- Decorative Garden Pathway Stones: Create inviting paths and borders in your sunken garden using decorative, easy-to-install garden stones.
Deck Over the Pool for Instant Outdoor Living
One practical approach I recommend often is building a deck right over the old pool shell—suddenly, you’ve got a spacious patio for dining, lounging, or backyard yoga. It’s quick, reversible, and creates a flat, versatile surface that’s a joy to design around.
The toolkit for this idea:
- Outdoor All-Weather Decking Tiles: Transform your old pool area into a sturdy, stylish surface with easy-to-install outdoor decking tiles.
- Wicker Outdoor Dining Set: Entertain guests comfortably with a weather-resistant dining set, perfect for your new spacious deck area.
- Modern Outdoor Planter Boxes: Enhance your deck’s ambiance with stylish planter boxes—add greenery and create a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Go Green: Convert Your Pool Into a Native Plant Habitat
I once filled a client’s pool with layers of native soil and wildflowers, transforming it into a buzzing habitat for bees and butterflies—it was a hit with pollinators and people alike. If you choose your plants wisely, you’ll barely miss the water.
Grab the essentials:
- Native Wildflower Seed Mix: Start your pollinator habitat by scattering a native wildflower seed mix in your converted pool area.
- Bee and Butterfly House: Encourage beneficial pollinators by adding a bee and butterfly house to your new garden space.
- Organic Compost and Soil Blend: Enrich your converted pool base with organic compost and soil, boosting plant health and growth.
Unleash Creativity with a Multi-Level Patio
Multi-level patios are a game changer—I once designed one where the old deep end became a tucked-away lounge, while the shallow end held a sunny dining terrace. The elevation changes add drama and define separate zones for relaxing or entertaining.
Check if these fit your needs:
- Outdoor sectional sofa set: Create a welcoming lounge area with a weather-resistant outdoor sectional for your sunken patio zone.
- Adjustable chaise lounge chairs: Relax in style on comfortable, adjustable chaise lounges perfect for soaking up the sun by your patio.
- Patio dining table and chair set: Host memorable dinners with a durable patio dining set on your upper terrace entertaining space.
Install a Covered Retreat Over Your Old Pool
With Oregon’s unpredictable weather, I’ve found that building a greenhouse or covered pergola over a former pool makes the space usable year-round. The structure can shelter a garden, art studio, or even a cozy reading nook surrounded by greenery.
Options that might work:
- Outdoor Greenhouse Kit: Create a lush, year-round garden retreat by sheltering your old pool space with an easy-to-assemble greenhouse.
- Patio Dining Furniture Set: Furnish your covered retreat with a stylish patio dining set for relaxing or entertaining guests anytime.
- Solar Powered Outdoor String Lights: Add cozy ambiance to your sheltered garden retreat with waterproof and energy-efficient solar string lights.
Unexpected: Hidden Rainwater Cistern Beneath a Deck
One of my most unconventional projects involved turning a pool into a hidden rainwater cistern under a deck, with irrigation lines feeding the surrounding gardens. You’d never guess there’s 20,000 gallons of water storage underfoot—perfect for eco-minded homeowners.
Suitable options for this:
- Large Underground Rainwater Storage Tank: Store thousands of gallons for garden irrigation with a durable buried rainwater tank beneath your deck.
- Deck Drainage System Kit: Install an effective drainage system to channel rainwater from your deck into your hidden cistern.
- Irrigation Line and Drip Kit: Connect your hidden cistern to garden beds with an efficient irrigation kit for targeted watering.
Convert to a Low-Water Xeriscape Garden
After years of battling pool evaporation, one client asked for a drought-tolerant xeriscape instead—now succulents, gravel, and sculptural boulders fill the former pool, all framed by the original coping. It’s striking, sustainable, and almost maintenance-free.
Consider these options:
- Assorted Drought-Tolerant Succulent Plants: Add character and resilience to your xeriscape garden by planting easy-care succulents and agaves.
- Decorative River Rocks for Landscaping: Create stunning pathways and borders in your xeriscape garden using decorative river rocks and gravel.
- Artificial or Natural Stone Garden Boulders: Enhance your garden with sculptural boulders that bring structure and visual interest to your landscape.
Bring the Indoors Out: Sunken Outdoor Living Room
Some of my favorite conversions use plush outdoor sofas, rugs, and throw pillows to create a sunken living room where the pool once was. The natural walls offer privacy, and the acoustics make every conversation feel a little more intimate.
Make it happen with these:
- Weather-resistant outdoor sectional sofa: Create a cozy lounge with a spacious, weather-resistant sectional made for relaxing and entertaining outdoors.
- Outdoor area rug for patios: Define your sunken living space and add comfort underfoot with a stylish, durable outdoor rug.
- Decorative outdoor lanterns with LED candles: Set the mood and brighten evenings with elegant outdoor lanterns featuring safe, flickering LED candles.
Could a Raised Bed Veggie Patch Replace Your Pool?
When a gardening-obsessed couple asked me for something different, we built tiered raised veggie beds right inside their old pool shell. The result: fresh tomatoes and herbs just steps from the kitchen, all protected from rabbits and wind.
Items that might be helpful:
- Tiered wooden raised garden beds: Install sturdy tiered raised beds for organized planting and easy access to all your favorite veggies.
- Heavy-duty garden soil mix: Upgrade your veggie patch with premium soil mix for healthy growth and higher vegetable yields all season.
- Garden mesh fencing or protective netting: Protect your plants from rabbits and wind damage with easy-to-install mesh fencing or netting.
Install a Reflecting Pool for Meditative Calm
I once helped a client seeking peace and quiet by turning their pool into a shallow reflecting pool, surrounded by river stones and ornamental grasses. The still water catches every cloud and leaf, creating a living painting that changes by the hour.
Get the gear:
- River Stones for Landscaping: Frame your reflecting pool with smooth river stones to create a tranquil, natural border in your garden.
- Ornamental Grasses in Pots: Add potted ornamental grasses around your pool to enhance privacy and bring movement to the scene.
- Outdoor LED String Lights: Illuminate your reflecting pool area at night using gentle, ambient outdoor string lights for serene evenings.
Upgrade to a Multi-Season Outdoor Kitchen
There’s nothing like grilling in your own backyard kitchen, especially when it’s nestled in the footprint of an old pool. By adding counters, a built-in grill, and a pergola above, you gain a chef’s paradise that’s protected from wind and sun.
What you might need:
- Outdoor kitchen grill station: Elevate your grilling game by adding a durable outdoor grill station for unforgettable backyard meals.
- Weather-resistant outdoor bar stools: Add comfort and style to your outdoor kitchen with weather-resistant bar stools for your seating area.
- Wooden pergola kit for backyard: Create a shaded cooking and dining area with a sturdy wooden pergola to enjoy any season outdoors.
