Pool Deck Ideas for Above Ground and Inground Pools

The best pool deck is the one sized to how you actually use the pool. For a small pool, that usually means a deck wide enough for a lounger and a clear walkway, in a material that stays cool, drains well and doesn't turn slippery. Wood, composite, concrete and pavers all work. The right pick depends on your budget, your climate and whether the pool sits above or in the ground.

Below are pool deck ideas sorted by pool type, material and budget, with a few layout rules that apply to nearly every yard.

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What are the best options for decking around a pool?

Four materials cover most backyards:

• Pressure-treated or hardwood timber: warm underfoot, easy to cut to odd shapes, needs regular sealing.
• Capped composite: higher upfront cost, little upkeep, and no splinters for bare feet or paws.
• Poured or stamped concrete: durable and cheap per square foot, but it can get hot in full sun and cracks over time if the base is poor.
• Pavers or natural stone: easy to repair one piece at a time, with joints that help water drain.

Whatever you choose, pick a textured or matte finish. Glossy tile and smooth sealed concrete get slick when wet. I recommend testing a sample by pouring water on it and standing on it barefoot before you commit.

Above ground pool deck ideas

Above ground pools are the easiest to build a deck around, because the deck can wrap the wall and give you a built-in entry. A few layouts work well:

• A single-sided platform with stairs. This is the minimum, and it suits tight yards.
• An L-shaped deck that hugs two sides, with room for a table at one end.
• A full wrap-around deck that hides the pool wall and makes the pool look sunk into the yard.

Match the deck height to the pool rim, so you can sit on the edge and swing your legs in. Keep a railing and a self-latching gate if kids or pets can reach the deck, and have a licensed contractor check structural loads and local code, since a deck beside a pool carries weight and gets wet all the time.

Inground pool deck ideas

Inground pools give you more freedom, and the deck is mostly a surface at ground level. Aim for a walkway of about 36 inches around the edges you use most, and wider where you'll put loungers. Stepping the deck down in two levels separates the swim zone from the sitting zone without walls, which keeps a small yard feeling open.

If your yard is tight, extend the deck on one long side only and plant the other. It costs less and leaves room for something green. For more on planning the yard around it, see our post on a Japanese-style backyard, where small spaces are handled with restraint.

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Wooden pool deck ideas

Wood is the classic choice because it reads warm next to cool water. Cedar and tropical hardwoods resist moisture better than standard pine, though treated pine is the budget option. Leave small gaps between boards for drainage, and seal or oil the surface on the schedule the manufacturer gives.

Wood suits curved or irregular layouts. For an oval pool, a deck with a gently curved outer edge follows the shape and avoids awkward leftover corners.

Concrete pool deck ideas

Concrete is the workhorse. It handles heavy furniture, and you can broom-finish it for grip or stamp it to imitate stone. Light colors stay cooler in sun. Ask your installer about control joints and a slight slope away from the pool so water doesn't pond.

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Pool deck ideas for oval pools

An oval has no corners to anchor a rectangle, so you have two choices. Run a deck along one long side and let the other side stay open for planting. Or wrap the oval fully and trim the outer edge in a curve. Pavers laid in a fan or ring pattern also follow the curve well. Keep the wider part of the deck where the stairs or ladder land.

What are the cheapest options for pool surrounds?

For pool deck ideas on a budget, start small and use cheap materials where they matter least:

• Gravel or crushed stone over a compacted base, edged with steel or timber. It drains well but can be rough on bare feet.
• Plain concrete pavers set on sand, laid yourself in a weekend.
• A partial deck, just a landing by the steps and one lounging platform, instead of a full wrap.
• Outdoor tiles or rubber mats over an existing patio.

For the rest of the yard, a low groundcover costs less to maintain than a lawn. University of Maryland Extension notes that turfgrasses require constant maintenance with costs including pesticide exposure for people and pets and water waste. If you have a dog, UC Marin Master Gardeners report that white clover does not show pet urine damage, which makes it a handy border near a pool.

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What are some creative ideas for pool surrounds?

• Built-in bench with storage for towels, toys and a pool cover.
• Mixed materials, such as a timber platform set into a paver field, to mark seating from walking space.
• Raised planters along one edge to screen the pool from neighbors.
• Low-voltage lighting along steps and the deck edge for evening swims.
• A shaded corner with a pergola or sail.

Keep the design cohesive. Penn State Extension defines unity as "the harmonizing quality that ties a design together," so repeat one or two materials rather than using five. It also describes scale as the relative size of the elements of the whole design, including the house and the garden. A huge deck beside a tiny pool looks off.

Planting works the same way. Master Gardener Deb Christopher of Westmoreland County says in Penn State Extension's piece on native groundcovers: "If disease or pest problems arise, the entire monoculture planting may be killed. Instead, consider planting drifts or groups of single species, providing a patchwork-quilt effect."

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Partial or full deck coverage?

A partial deck costs less, leaves more yard and suits small lots. A full wrap gives the most seating and hides an above ground wall. As an architect, I'd start with a partial deck and add sections later, since you'll learn where people actually sit.

Safety and installation tips

• Choose slip-resistant surfaces and avoid dark materials in full sun if you go barefoot.
• Slope hard surfaces slightly away from the pool for drainage.
• Fence or gate the pool area to your local code, and check it with your building department.
• Skip plastic landscape cloth in planted borders: Penn State Extension advises against it because it can increase erosion and water runoff.
• Hire a licensed contractor for structural, electrical and lighting work.

If your outdoor project spills into the garage or basement, our posts on a garage office and a basement bedroom cover those spaces.

Frequently asked questions