How’s your poolside decor going? With summer on the horizon, we want to ensure that you can make the most of sunny days in your backyard. Whether your pool is on the smaller side or calls for Olympic laps, our poolside decorating ideas can help turn your outdoor area into a place to enjoy!
Poolside Decorating Tips & Tricks
Poolside decorating and patio design combine thoughtful accents with functional considerations to shape the atmosphere around the water. Consider these designer tips:
- Create zones with variations in deck materials to guide circulation and define gathering spots.
- Introduce sculptural lanterns or candleholders on narrow ledges to punctuate seating areas at night.
- Incorporate modular seating pieces that can be rearranged to suit events or daily use.
- Use decorative trays on built-in benches to hold poolside essentials.
- Hang art pieces or ceramic planters at eye level to draw attention upward and expand the visual field.
- Maintain a consistent accent color across small decor items to unify diverse elements.
Want to get your poolside décor summer ready, but not sure where to start? Then, schedule your Free Interior Design Consultation to learn more about your design options today!
Outdoor Pool Decor Ideas
Although it won’t take much encouragement to lounge by the pool, you can make your outdoor area extra inviting. Pick your favorite poolside decorating ideas to showcase your style and set the mood for the design.
1. Poolside Dining
Backyard patio ideas with dining by the pool bring practical luxury into your lifestyle. Not only is it a pleasure to dine under the sun with a swaying breeze, but you can rest assured guests won’t be tracking water into your home. Just keep in mind to opt for waterproof cushioning.
Pro Tip: Lay down a quick-dry, non-slip placemat or runner under serving dishes to catch drips and prevent sliding.
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2. Exterior with Interior Swag
By blurring the lines between your indoor and outdoor spaces, you create a laid-back atmosphere reminiscent of a relaxing seaside retreat. Let your interior flow into your poolside by adding a conversation area with outdoor living room vibes. Top it up with decorative outdoor essentials for a luxurious, designed look.
Pro Tip: Choose pieces with removable, machine-washable covers so you can refresh them seasonally and maintain a spotless look.
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3. Poolside Bar Cart
A pool bar is a great feature, but you can enjoy the benefits even without investing in a full-scale feature. A mobile bar cart brings beverage service directly to the pool edge, encouraging social flow across the deck. Look for a design featuring wheels with locking casters that keep the cart steady on textured surfaces. Then top it up with pitchers, glassware, and refreshment trays.
Pro Tip: Line cart shelves with waterproof liners and include a portable ice bucket attachment to keep drinks chilled and prevent water damage to the frame.
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4. Colorful Poufs & Cushions for Boho Pool Decoration
Using bold colored floor cushions and poufs injects vibrant contrast into your poolside seating zone. Their visual interest enlivens neutral deck materials and ties together poolside decorating ideas with textural depth. Plus, this alternative to standard deck furniture can bring that summer-ready boho look in a blink.
Pro Tip: Go for cushion covers that resist fading when exposed to the sun and chlorine to preserve their hue over seasons.
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5. Warming Fire Feature
A fire feature not only heats up the cool night air and extends the day, but it also encourages a sociable mood. It’s as suitable for entertaining guests as it is for an evening of solitude. Pick a type that suits your needs best, from gas-powered outdoor fireplaces to variously designed fire pits.
Pro Tip: Place the fire feature close to the pool so that it also reflects in the water.
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6. Cottage Chic & Organic Decor Touches
Pool decor doesn’t have to be all tropical or minimalistic. Painted ceramics, distressed wood trays, and field flowers around seating areas convey a cottage chic warmth that feels so organic. Lay soft linen cushions in natural tones atop low benches. Add also some hand-thrown pottery bowls to the mix, and fill them with citrus or local fruits.
Pro Tip: Seal distressed wood pieces with a clear matte finish to protect against moisture.
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7. Styled Serving Vignettes as Poolside Decor
A curated selection of ceramic platters with fresh fruit and chilled beverages turns refreshments into pool decor (and a delightful visual focal point). The dishes could complement the theming or echo the pool’s color palette, linking the serving area to the surrounding materials. Place them on trays near shaded seating to make the station both decorative and convenient.
Pro Tip: Opt for stackable, water-resistant dishes that nest neatly on the tray to simplify storage and maintain deck organization.
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8. Ceramic Tiles as Functional Pool Decor
Decorative tile mosaics add artistic flair to the pool edge and provide additional traction underfoot. The small tile patterns catch sunlight during the day and glitter softly when wet, giving the perimeter an ever-changing character. Opt for textured over smooth surfaces to enhance safety for bare feet.
Pro Tip: Seal the edges with clear outdoor epoxy to block debris and prevent shifting during heavy use.
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9. Tropical Planter Corners
Oversized planters filled with palms, agave, or bird-of-paradise at the pool’s edges frame the area with lush greenery and offer subtle shade. Use tall specimens to break the horizon line and provide relief from direct sun. Besides softening hard edges, these plants will also reinforce a resort-like feel—even if your poolside is not in a tropical environment.
Pro Tip: Place drainage trays under each planter to capture runoff and protect decking from moisture damage.
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10. Decorative Fountain Features
A narrow jet fountain installed at the pool’s edge creates a vertical ribbon of water that captures light and adds gentle sound. In addition, movement across the surface interacts with reflections, breaking up static sightlines and guiding the eye along the perimeter. Just remember to keep the line of water aligned with the pool’s geometry.
Pro Tip: Select a recirculating fountain system with adjustable flow to tailor sound level and water height according to the time of day and desired ambiance.
11. Driftwood Accents
Strategically placed pieces of driftwood bring an organic, tactile quality to the pool environment. Each unique form anchors a corner or ledge, where its weathered texture contrasts with smooth surfaces. Use them in anything you want, from small poolside decor to side tables, but as an accent, not the main theme.
Pro Tip: Treat driftwood with marine-grade sealant to lock in moisture resistance and protect against sun-driven splitting.
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12. Poolside Decor Mirroring the Pool
As with any design, poolside decorating starts with assessing the features available to you. Mirror the tranquil rippling of water in curved furniture or emphasize its color with a nature-inspired color scheme – think whites, teal, or dark sea green. There are many ways to use color to your advantage here, as it will also change how you perceive the water’s hue.
Pro Tip: Need help with your poolside décor? Consider using technology to your advantage with these top 5 patio design apps.
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13. Layer Textures and Soft Accessories
Nothing says lounge like an array of scatter cushions and summer throws or towels. Moreover, adding a selection of vivid soft accessories to your poolside patio is an easy way to introduce color. This is one of the easiest poolside decor schemes that can also be quickly adjusted to suit your tastes or the occasion.
DESIGN TIP: Pick colors that echo the inside of your home or, better yet, reuse and recycle!
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14. Pool Decor With Candles & Floating Candle Bowls
Place shallow glass bowls with floating candles and single-stem blooms on the water surface to yield gentle illumination and organic detail at night. The candlelight dances across ripples, turning the pool into a glowing canvas. Opt for unscented candles if you wish to avoid competing with outdoor aromas.
Pro Tip: Trim candle wicks to ¼ inch before lighting to ensure a steady flame and reduce soot buildup on the glass.
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15. Creative Pool Privacy Decor Solutions
We can hardly call our backyard poolside an oasis without some measure of privacy and solitude. Standing panels of natural bamboo poles can block unwanted sightlines while echoing tropical accents. Macrame hangers and woven art pieces are also a good idea that softens hard boundaries. Additionally, consider installing weather-resistant outdoor curtains on a discreet track system for adaptable privacy.
Pro Tip: Use marine-grade hardware to mount hangings securely and resist corrosion.
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16. Sculptural Side Tables
Stone or lightweight resin stools serve as side tables and sculptural anchors beside loungers. Their solid forms offer a surface for drinks and accessories while remaining easy to rearrange. Placing one at each seating grouping frames the chairs and provides practical storage. These pieces integrate poolside furniture into the overall design without the need for bulky tables.
Pro Tip: Choose resin versions with natural stone finishes to reduce weight and prevent deck surface scratches.
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17. Outdoor Rug “Islands”
An outdoor rug positioned near lounge chairs defines a cozy corner and introduces a pop of pattern to the pool deck decorations. The rug’s material should shed water easily, keeping maintenance low. Anchor furniture on the rug’s perimeter to convey a sense of outdoor living/dining room within the patio.
Pro Tip: Select rugs made from quick-drying synthetic fibers and store them flat when not in use to avoid warping or mold growth.
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18. Tropical Woven Furniture
The variety in wicker, rattan, and cane furniture design leaves plenty of room for choice. Keep an open mind with your poolside decor – include a statement peacock chair, a hanging sofa or keep it minimal with some well-placed ottomans. These pieces are often well suited to both muted and bold color schemes, and they fit right in with leafy greens too – perfect as pool patio decor!
Pro Tip: Elevating each wicker piece on low-profile risers encourages airflow beneath and speeds up drying after pool splashes.
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Put Your Poolside Decorating Ideas to Action
With a bunch of effortless poolside decorating ideas, you can build your summer oasis in no time! Still not sure where to start? Then schedule a Free Interior Design Consultation for expert assistance today!
