Swimming pool areas offer unique challenges and opportunities for landscaping.
Considerations when landscaping around swimming pools include privacy, safety, beauty and convenience.
This piece briefly discusses both softscape and hardscape in the context of those four considerations.
Landscaping and finishing touches the options are truly endless.
There are so many wonderful ways to introduce area's and looks into your backyard plan.
Flat surface choices to start with give you concrete, stamped concrete, colored concrete, pavers, topical coatings with many colors and patterns.
  Inside edges of the pool can be finished in aluminum, or a large variety of rounded or flat coping pavers mortared together for a great look.
Large or small retaining walls not only serve a function but add tremendously to the look and scope of your project.
Plantings behind those knee walls or higher just add to the depth and beauty.
Steps and planting areas strategically worked into the plan create raised and varied elevations that add greatly to the look.
The plantings and types of them along with all the colors available add texture and allow you to have a spring and late summer look based on what you have planted.
  Lighting, custom fencing, decks, grill areas, fire pits with seating areas all add a creative touch and finish off the creation of your backyard oasis.
Patios or pool decks provide not only beauty, but safety for swimming pool areas.
Climbing out of the swimming pool, you can be assured of a slip-resistant surface to land on with a scarred concrete patio.
If you opt for a brick patio instead, be sure to keep the surface of the bricks rough (you'll have to clean moss off patios periodically).
For convenience around swimming pools, nothing beats a closed gazebo in which you can change into/out of your clothes and relax in the shade.
Outdoor furniture also affords convenience around your swimming pool, as do barbecue equipment and outdoor furnaces.
We have found that a well-designed outdoor living space can return its value to the homeowner when the property is sold.
Also, custom decking around spas or custom work around a swimming area can improve interest on the parts of perspective buyers when the homes are on the market, drawing larger numbers of potential buyers.
The benefit of pavers around swimming areas and spa decks is their ability to blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.
Color can be chosen to work with the current home's palette, and the style can reflect personal preferences and even regional or local flavor.
Pool pavers offer a slip-resistant surface that helps avoid any slippery hazards.
Also, if repair is ever needed, the product can be picked up, the repair made, and the product replaced.
Poured concrete cannot provide this as repairs cause unsightly markings.
  Outdoor kitchens using pavers and wall components to create counter space are becoming more and more common.
The hearth has also moved outside with fire pits, fire tables, and even outdoor fireplaces moving into the outdoor space.
This increases the use of the space and extends the seasons during which it can be enjoyed.
Pool decks and spa decks are being created with pavers of unique colors, shapes and sizes, with the deck areas becoming actual and primary focal points in the settings.
A very short summary of the finishing touches would be simply look to complete your pool project with a "living space" in mind.
After all hopefully that is were you will be spending quality family and friend times together for many years to come.