“Pool Deck Ideas” has to be one of the worst things I have ever searched on Google before. When doing research for this article I saw ever-growing lists of “ideas” (I use this term very loosely) everything from a deck or patio style for your pool area to couches or furniture for your pool area. Honestly, it sucked.
If you’re looking for pool deck ideas meaning cohesive outdoor pool deck design styles then this is the post for you. I think Pool Deck Ideas is something people search for to decide on a style to emulate with their own twist.
I’ve collected some inspiration for pool decks that you might want to emulate and added some advice on how to achieve the same look in your yard from colors to materials you should consider.
1. Greek Getaway
My wife and I met in Greece so this is a pool deck idea that reminds me of being younger and the holiday that changed my life. The Greek deck design is similar to the modern ‘minimalist’ look that has been popular for many years now. Natural materials with soft neutral tones are important when emulating this type of design. Using stone pavers and ensuring you mix tones of greys, whites and blues you’ll come up with your own Grecian getaway at home.
2. Terra Cotta
From Greek to a Tuscan vibe, terracotta tiles bring the warmth and welcoming look that the Greek style above lacks. While the Greek style is clean and crisp the earthy tones of terracotta is warm, calm and inviting. Durable and slip-resistant these tiles are as practical as they are gorgeous. Building your pool deck with terracotta tiles enhances the scenery around it, especially in the midst of a garden the browns accentuate the green surrounds.
Terracotta decks also come in plenty of different styles, allowing for a more upmarket look or, a handcrafted, classic look. For the classic-looking terracotta deck get a handcrafted terracotta tile option like this. Or, a modern terracotta tile like you see in the image below. This tile from Douglas Oak in Miami is a nice start.
3. Red Brick Patio
The red brick style can be a striking and unique look. As they say, “Everything old is new again” red brick has been used for many decades as a pool coping solution before infinity pools and modern concrete pours became popular. But, some people are keeping the red brick pool deck dream alive.
This color and material combo is can be warm and inviting to striking and interesting depending on the tone of the brick and the surrounding deck area. Best used when the deck is surrounded by gardens, natural stone and wood to soften the feel into something that is inviting.
4. Moroccan Style
Nobody does pool decks like the Moroccans. Instagram, Pinterest and any other photo app you can think of is filled with influencers and holidayers taking pictures of them in elaborately designed pools and decks from in Marrakech.
Colorful geometric repeating patterns are the key to this design style often combining 3 or more different patterns at once. This style is perhaps perfect for small pools within a courtyard as is commonly seen in the images online. The patterns take center stage and are not competing with views of mountains, the ocean or other scenery. Pairing solid-colored furniture and greenery around the deck will bring balance but not take away from the tiles that are the stars. As you might expect, it’s common to go with a concrete pool when choosing this style but I’d argue that the solid color of a fiberglass pool can make the tiles stand out more, like the walls in the image below do.
5. Polished Wood
An unignorable option, wood pool decks just hit differently. Usually made of some form of hardwood like the Brazilian Ipe or Pine. It’s hard to go wrong with a wooden pool deck. Each wood type will give you a different color you can accentuate with varnish.
When it comes to crafting a pool deck that exudes both luxury and durability, the choice of wood plays a vital role. Some of the most popular hardwood options are;
- Ipe (Brazilian Walnut)
Ipe (or Brazilian Walnut), is celebrated for its rich, reddish-brown hue that deepens beautifully as it ages. It’s incredibly dense, making it durable and highly resistant to moisture, rot, and insects. - Teak
Teak is another top contender, renowned for its golden-brown color that gracefully weathers into a sophisticated silver-gray patina. Its natural oils make it resistant to water, rot, and insects, which makes teak an ideal choice for a pool deck. Warm golden tones or mature silvery sheen, teak changes with you. - Cumaru (Brazilian Teak)
Cumaru, also known as Brazilian Teak, offers colors from golden-brown to reddish-brown. Nearly as dense as Ipe, Cumaru provides excellent durability and moisture resistance. - Tigerwood
For those looking to make a bold statement, Tigerwood is perfect. Known for its distinctive striped appearance, Tigerwood ranges from orange-brown to dark reddish-brown, with each board showcasing a unique pattern. This wood’s striking look, high density and durability, makes it an eye-catching yet reliable choice for pool decks.
6. Grass Pool Deck
This natural style is controversial, to say the least. I know people who would keel over from a heart attack at having the pool so close to grass that might enter it and spoil a perfectly clean and well pool. On the other hand, I know people who love the idea of this natural pool deck so much that they’d rather leave the skimmer in the pool almost 24/7 to have less wood/paver or concrete in their yard.
Despite the controversy, I think most people would agree that the aesthetics of a grass pool deck are hard to beat. Whether natural or artificial grass (astroturf) is used the end result of green grass next to the clear pool water is just phenomenal and, stylistically versatile. The green goes well with other earthy neutral tones like taupe or light brown but also contrasts well next to a crisp white paver (ie Greek style) or red brick coping.
Personally, the upkeep would be too much for me with the grass from the deck inside the pool all the time but, maybe if I ever build a holiday home where I wouldn’t need to see it every day!
