tips for decorating around a pool

We just covered tips for decorating an outdoor porch, and a sweet reader wrote in and asked for tips for around the pool. Not only have we now put together quite a few spaces for some amazing clients, but we’ve lived with a pool space for over 6 years ourselves, so we know a good entertaining space when we see one. Now is the time to start planning your outdoor spaces! So we thought we’d cover this topic today: Tips for decorating around a pool!

1. Tips for Decorating Around a Pool : Anticipate Your Needs

And plan accordingly. Outdoor spaces {and fun spaces like the pool house above} are some of our very favorite spaces to design. From being able to have a little more leeway with the space, to being inventive with colors and exciting things… they’re just fun for a ton of reasons. So the first place to start, is anticipating your needs around the space. Start to plan accordingly.

We learned very quickly in our back yard, that we needed a porch of some sort. Once we finished off the pool room addition of our home, we were in the sun all the time with nowhere to sit. Thus a cabana was born. So it helped to sit down, and map it out.

Let the spaces grow with you, and your family as you use it each season.

That means being willing to be flexible with your spaces, too.

2. Tips for Decorating Around a Pool : Divide your Spaces into Zones

Once you think through your needs for the space: {Will you be entertaining here? Do you have teens and hope your house is always the one being used-and you know what’s going on? Do you have grandchildren?} Move forward and divide the dedicated spaces into zones.

If I had to name a few basics off the top of my head: a place for eating, a place for lounging and a place for gathering. {For the record, I do think a place for fun is the actual pool}

We have a sun spot for teens, {soon to grow} a lounging spot for adults who don’t wish to be in the sun {more on that below see: cabana} and a dining spot for all things food. Our hosting pool nights have always revolved around some sort of food option, and now that our home is growing and our kids are too, we will only continue with more of those needs above. {For what it’s worth, we’re just thrilled to finally have an easily-accessible toilet area off the pool this year.} So being flexible and working with the spaces are important, too. Our back porch has recently evolved, so we’re glad to have that entire space.

But when planning your spaces, think of them as zones, and it should help you manage accordingly.

3. Tips for Decorating Around a Pool : Create an Escape from the Sun

If you own a pool, you’ll quickly learn that with heat and humans, it’s great to have an option to escape from the sun. Heat exhaustion can occur when you’re swimming, too. So we’ve found, especially with kids, it’s good to keep an eye on all things shady options while staying hydrated. This can range from simple umbrellas, to full fledged builds. But keeping those options open helps keep the space flexible, and in use.

before

We loved making this space a little more welcoming with these amazing clients. It’s funny how a little paint and a lot of smart choices can make a whole lot of difference in the way these outdoor spaces feel.

Check out this porch redo with the blue house, here.

So many fun options in the shade, around the pool!

4. Tips for Decorating Around a Pool : Room for Storage

Room for storage around a pool, is just as important as the aesthetics and entertaining aspect. It can be a simple outdoor box for kids to store toys and floats, to a full fledged room or shed for chemicals, floats, and more. With great pools comes great responsibility… or something.

But while a lot of people complain about the work, they’re not that hard to maintain as long as you stay on it. {See more of our take on restoring and maintaining a pool here! }

See our own diy pool supply storage, here!

Bonus item: One I’d throw in here, is hooks. I would make sure your place has plenty of hooks for all things rogue towels, swimsuit drying, and more. In our back porch pics above, you’ll see we have positioned six on each side of the house. It helps corral all the things.

But storage is a great thing to consider when it comes to everything about the pool.

before

5. Tips for Decorating Around a Pool : Don’t Shy Away from Fun Options

If you’re usually a rule follower, this is a great chance to have a little fun with awesome finds for decor around your pool. From fun floats to add a ton of flare to blue ceilings and awesome patterns {Even the tile can be amazing, as shown in the pool house above} decorating around the pool is a great chance to have fun with it all.

Don’t shy away from color and other fun selections. And don’t be afraid to vary your materials, either.

Let your personality shine through and have a blast creating with the unexpected!

Because where else is a better application for striped ceilings, scalloped tile and peach fridges? Such great opportunities to use awesome, one of a kind pieces like fabric, bright colors and more!