As a landscape architect obsessed with turning ordinary spaces into backyard escapes, I’ve seen the humble stock tank pool steal the show again and again. Let me walk you through my favorite ways to make these simple tanks the star of your summer.
Double the Fun: Side-by-Side Stock Pools
For a family who couldn’t agree on water temperature, I installed two small stock tank pools side by side—one cool, one warm. It’s quirky, but it quickly became the talk of their summer parties.
A few helpful options:
- Galvanized Stock Tank Pool: Set up your own backyard pools easily and enjoy versatile water fun anytime with these sturdy tanks.
- Floating Pool Thermometer: Quickly check water temperature in each pool for the perfect dip and personalized comfort every time.
- Inflatable Pool Toys and Balls: Bring energy and color to your pool parties while keeping kids and guests entertained for hours.
Build a Classic Deck Surround
When I first wrapped a client’s stock tank pool in a wood deck, it transformed from farm fixture to backyard showpiece. The polished lines and built-in benches invite sunbathers and splashers alike—it’s classic for a reason.
Might be a good match:
- Wooden outdoor deck tiles: Upgrade your stock tank pool area easily by installing interlocking wood deck tiles for a polished finish.
- Adirondack outdoor lounge chairs: Relax in comfort and style by adding classic wooden lounge chairs to your pool deck seating area.
- Large weather-resistant planter pots: Enhance your deck’s greenery with durable planter pots for ferns, flowers, or decorative grasses.
Can a Privacy Screen Make All the Difference?
I’ll never forget the relief on a client’s face after we installed a bamboo privacy screen beside her pool—suddenly, her backyard felt like a secluded retreat. Sometimes, the simplest changes offer the biggest sense of escape.
Explore these options:
- Bamboo outdoor privacy screen: Transform your poolside into a relaxing retreat with a bamboo privacy screen for added seclusion.
- String lights for outdoor spaces: Enhance nighttime ambiance and create a cozy atmosphere around your pool area with waterproof string lights.
- Portable patio lounge chairs: Make the most of your secluded oasis by adding comfortable, foldable lounge chairs beside your pool.
Define Your Space With Lush Plantings
A stock tank pool nestled among grasses and flowering perennials feels like it’s always belonged in the garden. I love using ferns and lavender for their scent and movement in the breeze—nature’s own spa vibe.
Consider these options:
- Outdoor Stock Tank Pool: Create a unique and rustic oasis by adding a galvanized stock tank pool to your backyard garden.
- Assorted Perennial Garden Plants: Bring vibrant color and texture to your garden space with mixed perennials perfect for borders and beds.
- Decorative Large Outdoor Planters: Display herbs or blooming flowers in spacious outdoor planters to soften and enliven your pool area.
Paint It Bold: Make a Statement
One summer, I painted my own backyard stock tank pool a matte charcoal, and suddenly it was the modern focal point I never knew I needed. Color transforms the tank from utilitarian to undeniably chic.
The toolkit for this idea:
- Outdoor waterproof matte spray paint: Give your stock tank pool a sleek, modern look with weather-resistant matte spray paint for outdoor metal.
- Stylish outdoor throw pillows: Upgrade your seating area with vibrant outdoor pillows, adding color and comfort to your poolside retreat.
- Textured modern flower pots: Accent your backyard pool with modern planters, enhancing the stylish vibe with plants and bold greenery.
Surround With Gravel for Easy Maintenance
After too many muddy footprints, I learned the beauty of a gravel surround—easy to install and keeps the pool clean. The soft crunch underfoot adds a sensory delight every time you step in.
These products might help:
- Decorative landscaping river rocks: Create a clean, mud-free border around your pool by adding decorative river rocks to your landscape.
- Flexible landscape edging: Keep your gravel in place and define your pool area neatly with durable flexible landscape edging.
- Terracotta plant pots for outdoor use: Dress up your poolside space and add greenery with weather-resistant terracotta plant pots for outdoors.
Turn a Forgotten Corner Into an Oasis
I once transformed an unused backyard corner by tucking in a stock tank pool and some string lights. Suddenly, it became everyone’s favorite spot to gather at dusk.
Items that may come in handy:
- Galvanized Steel Stock Tank Pool: Create a fun backyard splash zone—just set up this durable pool for instant relaxation and cooling off.
- Outdoor String Lights: Bring warmth and magic to your outdoor evenings by hanging weatherproof string lights above your patio space.
- Folding Wooden Patio Chairs: Invite guests to relax in style with foldable wooden patio chairs, perfect for versatile backyard seating.
Add a Shade Sail for Sun Protection
Roasting in the Oregon sun taught me the value of a colorful shade sail over the pool—it keeps things cool and adds a playful pop of color. Plus, afternoon swims are suddenly possible again.
Useful items to consider:
- UV-Blocking Shade Sail Canopy: Create a cooler outdoor retreat by installing a UV-blocking shade sail canopy for lasting poolside comfort.
- Adjustable Shade Sail Hardware Kit: Secure your shade sail with an adjustable hardware kit for stable, easy installation above your pool area.
- Decorative Outdoor Patio Rugs: Add color and comfort around your pool with outdoor patio rugs that withstand sun and water exposure.
Could an In-Ground Look Be Easier Than You Think?
A client once asked if we could sink her stock tank pool into the ground for that sleek, built-in look. With some careful digging and a level foundation, her backyard instantly looked like a luxury retreat.
What you might need:
- Stock tank pool liner: Protect your in-ground stock tank pool and make cleaning easier with a durable pool liner solution.
- Pool foundation leveling sand: Achieve a stable, level base for your in-ground pool by choosing high-quality leveling sand or gravel.
- Outdoor pool steps and handrails: Enhance safety and convenience for your in-ground pool setup with sturdy outdoor pool steps and railings.
Bring in Ambient Lighting for Nighttime Magic
Nothing beats the glow of string lights reflected on the water after sunset. The right lighting can turn a simple stock tank into the centerpiece of your evening gatherings.
Some relevant options:
- Outdoor string lights: Create a cozy evening glow with weather-resistant outdoor string lights above your stock tank pool area.
- Solar powered garden lights: Add solar garden lights around your deck to softly illuminate paths without needing electrical outlets nearby.
- LED floating pool lights: Enhance the pool’s ambiance after dark by placing floating LED lights right on the water.
Install a Custom Wooden Cover
After a windstorm filled my first pool with leaves, I built a simple wooden cover that doubles as extra seating. Clients love how it keeps the water clean and extends the pool area’s usefulness.
These products might be useful:
- Outdoor Treated Lumber Planks: Choose outdoor treated lumber planks for durability and weather resistance when building your custom pool cover.
- Heavy Duty Outdoor Wood Sealant: Protect your wooden pool cover from moisture and prolong its life with a weatherproof wood sealant.
- Adjustable Outdoor Bench Cushions: Add comfort to your wooden pool cover by placing weather-resistant bench cushions for additional seating.
Make It Tropical With Lush Greenery
A client in the city wanted a taste of the tropics, so we ringed her pool with banana plants and palms. The sound of rustling leaves and the dappled shade felt like a vacation escape right at home.
You might like:
- Artificial Banana Leaf Plants: Enhance your poolside with lifelike banana leaf plants for lasting tropical ambiance without the maintenance.
- Outdoor String Lights Waterproof: Create a cozy, vacation-like glow around your pool with durable, waterproof outdoor string lights.
- Wicker Patio Lanterns with LED Candle: Add a warm tropical vibe by placing decorative wicker lanterns to softly illuminate your lush oasis.
Create a Woodland Wonderland
Tucking a stock tank pool beneath mature trees and filling the area with ferns and mosses, I helped a client create a shady, woodland escape—cool and green even in August. The birds seem to approve, too.
Options that might work:
- Galvanized Steel Stock Tank Pool: Transform your backyard with a durable galvanized stock tank pool, perfect for natural woodland retreats.
- Live Fern Plants for Shade Gardens: Add lush greenery and woodland charm by planting live fern varieties around your outdoor pool escape.
- Decorative Artificial Moss for Landscaping: Easily enhance your pool area’s forest look by tucking realistic, weather-resistant artificial moss accents nearby.
Highlight the View
I always scout for the best vantage point—placing a stock tank pool where you can soak while gazing at sunsets or mountain vistas makes every dip memorable. Nature becomes your backdrop.
Possibly handy products:
- Adjustable Outdoor Lounge Chairs: Relax by your pool with adjustable lounge chairs and soak in stunning mountain or sunset views.
- Solar-Powered Pool Lights: Illuminate your stock pool area with solar lights to extend your sunset views into the evening.
- Weather-Resistant Privacy Screens: Enhance your vantage point with privacy screens that shield you from wind without hiding the beautiful view.
Make It Yours With Hand-Painted Patterns
A client and I once spent a Saturday stenciling playful patterns on her tank’s exterior—each season brings a new theme. It’s a simple way to add personality and create a one-of-a-kind pool.
To help you get the job done:
- Reusable geometric pattern stencils: Transform your stock pool with reusable stencils and easily create colorful, playful designs every season.
- Outdoor acrylic paint set: Paint your pool exterior with durable outdoor acrylic paints designed for vibrant and weather-resistant pattern creation.
- Stencil brush kit: Achieve crisp, consistent lines with a stencil brush kit, perfect for detailed and repeated pool designs.
Could a Platform Deck Change Everything?
Building a raised platform for a client’s pool made getting in and out a breeze, and the extra space became a favorite sunning spot. The elevation also lends the pool a more intentional, designed look.
Essentials for this look:
- Outdoor Wooden Deck Stair Kit: Upgrade pool access with a sturdy stair kit for safer, more comfortable entry and exit every time.
- Adjustable Pool Handrail: Add a handrail for extra support and stability, making pool steps easier and safer to use.
- Weather-Resistant Chaise Lounge Chairs: Relax in style on durable lounge chairs designed for comfort and long-lasting use by your deck.
Unexpected: Go Desert Chic
A client challenged me to make her desert garden pool-friendly, so we ringed a stock tank with agaves, gravel, and a simple sun canopy—minimalist and striking. The metal tank stays cool even on scorching afternoons.
These may be of interest:
- Galvanized Metal Stock Tank Pool: Transform your backyard into a refreshing desert oasis with a cool, durable galvanized metal stock tank pool.
- Rectangular Sun Shade Sail Canopy: Create relaxing shade and elevate your desert pool area with a UV-blocking, weather-resistant sun shade canopy.
- Assorted Outdoor Potted Agave Plants: Accent your poolside with low-maintenance potted agave plants, perfect for stylish, desert-inspired landscaping.
Add a Pop of Color With Pink
When we painted a client’s stock tank pool bubblegum pink, it instantly became the centerpiece of her garden parties. A few matching throw pillows and flamingoes sealed the playful vibe.
May just do the trick:
- Outdoor Pink Throw Pillows: Brighten your patio seating area with weather-resistant pink throw pillows for a cozy, eye-catching touch.
- Pink Inflatable Pool Toys: Add a playful element to your stock tank pool with fun pink inflatable pool floats or toys.
- Pink Hanging Planters: Introduce vibrant hanging planters in pink hues to complement your garden’s lush, colorful atmosphere.
Unexpected: Turn It Into a Cold Plunge Spa
After reading about cold therapy, I converted a client’s mini stock tank pool into a dedicated cold plunge—she swears her mornings have never been better. A thermometer and clean design make it feel like a boutique spa, right at home.
Suitable options for this:
- Galvanized steel stock tank: Upgrade your backyard with a sturdy, weather-resistant stock tank—perfect for cold plunge spa experiences.
- Large outdoor waterproof thermometer: Easily monitor water temperature and keep your cold plunge at the perfect level for morning refreshment.
- Plush cotton bath towels: Wrap up comfortably after every plunge with soft, absorbent cotton towels for a true spa touch.
