11 Stunning Above Ground Pool Deck Decorating Ideas You&#8217;ll Love

This provides shade and a nice place to sit by the pool. Creative landscaping around the edge of the pool creates a cohesive look and hides the plastic slides.

Cabanas, Pergolas For Shade Around Above Ground Pools

above ground pool deck with pergola, furniture, string lights

One of my favorite above ground pool deck ideas for some shade is to use a pergola or cabana on the pool deck (assuming you have a pool deck!) If your above ground pool doesn’t have a deck, consider placing the pergola or cabana nearby in the yard.

If you’re handy, there are lots of DIY pergola plans available on Etsy. For those that aren’t handy, consider buying a pre-built pergola. Or find a local pro to build a pergola for you.

Chaise Lounge Chairs & Furniture Decor on Above Ground Pool Decks

above ground pool with deck, chaise lounge chairs, rug

If your above ground pool has a deck surrounding it, consider decorating it with some patio furniture and rugs. Swimming is hard work after all (so is sunbathing!) and you’re going to want a place to sit and relax.

If the pool deck is small, you might be limited as to the size of the furniture you can use. Chaise lounge chairs are a popular choice, but are you going to have enough space? Be sure to measure the area before buying any patio furniture.

Outdoor Chaise Lounge Chairs

For those without a deck near their above ground pool, consider making a seating area in the surrounding yard. Get rid of the grass for a smoother surface – I discuss how to do this later in the post.

Don’t forget to add in the accessories to make the most of your above ground pool deck decor! Side tables, garden stools, outdoor wall art, etc. all help make the space look like a fun area to hang out.

Outdoor Garden Stools

Potted Plants For Above Ground Pool Deck Decorations

I love using potted plants to decorate on a deck and pool decks are no exception. You can find planters in all kinds of shapes, colors and price ranges.

In the photo above, a small side table is used to elevate and group together small planters for above ground pool deck decor. This is a cute option if you’re on a budget and don’t have the funds for some of the very large & tall planters available on the market.

Outdoor Planters

Remember to group planters in sets of 3 or 6 for the best visual impact.

Landscaping Around Above Ground Pool Decks

Can you landscape directly around your above ground swimming pool? Yes, I’d say so. The only precaution to take is to make sure that the plant roots will not disturb the pool liner. A little bit of research on this will help before you spend a bunch of money on shrubs and perennials.

One of the best above ground pool deck ideas I’ve seen for landscaping is shown in the photo above. Small perennials are combined with potted plants, large rocks and garden decorations to create visual interest around the sides of this blue plastic above ground pool.

Hide An Above Ground Pool With Decking

above ground pool deck with cabana, plants

Speaking of pool decks, have you considered turning your above ground pool into an “in ground pool” by surrounding it with decking? If you have the space and the budget, this is a great option.

Many types of yards don’t work for in ground pools, but above ground pools will work. Also, if your yard is sloped or on a hill, having a deck surrounding the above ground pool can make things seem more level.

Outdoor Lounge Chairs

Outdoor Lounge Chaise

The deck also gives you more room for seating, a hot tub, outdoor kitchen, etc. For more info on how to surround an above ground pool with decking, check out Erica’s post on Designing Vibes.

Stone Finishes For Above Ground Pools

above ground pool deck with stones, potted plants

One of my favorite above ground pool deck decorating ideas is to use stone around your pool. Stone finishes work great as a way to hide an above ground pool. The stone provides a sleek and elegant look to the space and makes the pool look more similar to a fancy in ground pool.

If you’re handy, this might be an interesting project to take on. On the other hand, it might be best to find a local contractor that could help you achieve the stone look you’re going for.

Lighting for Above Ground Pools

There are so many great lighting options to use with above ground pools. To start, consider using lighting close to the ground to illuminate a pathway and around your above ground swimming pool. Paver lights or landscape pathway lights work well for this.

Pool LED Lights