Nothing beats a stylish in-ground swimming pool to enhance any outdoor space and cool off on hot summer days. But the swimming pool itself is only one part of the overall pool design; you also want to think about how to design the entire pool area, including the pool deck, pool coping, etc.

Let’s discuss some ideas for how to style cool pools, focusing on how your design options for pool decking to create the ultimate poolside experience.

Common Pool Deck Materials

The first element in designing a cool pool deck is determining which hardscape materials to use in your design. Let’s go over a few of the more common options.

Poured Concrete Pool Deck

One of the most common choices for pool decking is to pour a concrete slab around the pool. The primary advantages of poured concrete are that it is a simple, durable, and affordable solution. You can pour concrete decks into a wide range of shapes, and add texture to make it slip-resistant. The downside is that concrete leaves little room for imagination as far as design goes. Once you’ve seen one poured concrete pool deck, you’ve seen them all.

Wooden Pool Decks

Wood decking can be attractive around pools, not to mention soft underfoot.

However, because wood is so easily susceptible to the elements and insect damage, it must be continually treated with sealer and meticulously maintained. For this reason, many people don’t consider wood to be very cost-effective in the long run.

Brick Paver Pool Decks

Brick can add a rustic or timeless look to a pool area, especially in the context of a historic home. Brick pavers are naturally durable and weather-resistant, and you can create unique designs by mixing and matching colors, sizes, and placement orientation. The main disadvantage is the cost, both in material and labor, not to mention that bricks are notorious for retaining heat from the sun, so they might not be a good option if your pool sits in direct sunlight.

Natural Stone Pool Decks

A favorite option for many architects and landscape designers, quarried natural stone can add an Old-World richness and sense of texture to the pool area. Popular choices like travertine pavers, bluestone, and flagstone are easy on the eyes as well as the feet. Additionally, natural stone pavers can be placed in a wide range of patterns, shapes, sizes, and colors to create some charming and original designs. The biggest drawback to natural stone is the affordability factor. Due to the high cost of quarrying, finishing, and hauling natural stone, natural stone pool decks are cost-prohibitive to many homeowners.