20 Landscaping Around Pool With Rocks To Enhance Your Oasis

Transform your pool area into a natural oasis using rocks. Landscaping around your pool with rocks adds a unique, serene touch to your backyard.

By cleverly designing rock features, you can create a space that feels both relaxing and stylish.

You can stack rocks to build impressive formations or incorporate large boulders to mimic a mountain stream. This strategy brings a natural look to your poolside, helping blend your pool into the surrounding landscape.

Integrate river jack stones or smooth boulders to enhance the aesthetic. These stones are perfect for providing a clean and polished finish to your pool design.

Whatever rock type you choose, you’ll find that rocks can transform your pool area into a true backyard retreat.

Table of Contents

Designing Your Poolside Oasis with Rocks

Designing your poolside oasis with rocks can transform your pool area into a tranquil retreat. Using a mix of materials like boulders, pebbles, and plants, you can create a natural and inviting space.

Choosing Rocks for Texture and Color

When selecting rocks, consider both texture and color. Smooth pebbles and rough boulders offer different textures that add variety.

Color is another important aspect; you might choose earthy tones like beige and gray to blend in with nature. River rock can provide a polished look, while larger, rugged stones can create a more dramatic feel.

Pebbles: Smooth and small. Great for filling gaps.
River Rock: Polished and larger. Adds a sleek finish.
Boulders: Large and rugged. Perfect for focal points.

Creating a Natural-Looking Border

A natural-looking border gives your pool area a seamless blend with its surroundings. Use a mix of plants and stones. Edging the pool with large rocks and filling gaps with smaller pebbles can mimic a mountain retreat.

Incorporate boulders to create a rugged look alongside alpine plants or grasses.

Large stones: Form the main border.
Grasses and plants: Fill the space between stones.
Mulch or bark: Helps to retain moisture and create contrast.

Incorporating Plants and Greenery

Adding plants around the rocks softens the look and brings in extra color. Choose plants that thrive in your climate and need minimal maintenance.

Evergreen shrubs provide year-round greenery, while flowering plants can add seasonal color. Trees can offer shade and privacy.

Evergreens: For consistent green color.
Flowering shrubs: To add splashes of color.
Ground covers: Such as creeping thyme or moss for filling gaps.

Adding Water Features for a Serene Environment

Incorporating water features like a natural-looking waterfall or a small fountain can enhance the serene atmosphere. These features can be built using the same type of stones and rocks as your border, creating a cohesive look.

A waterfall can serve as a focal point, while a fountain adds soothing sounds.

Waterfalls: Built with stacked rocks for a natural effect.
Fountains: Positioned strategically for sounds of running water.
Ponds: Natural ponds using flat stones around the edges.

Mixing in Functional Elements

Functionality is key in a poolside oasis. Introduce seating areas with stone benches or integrate a fire pit for chilly evenings. By placing planters with lush greenery around seating areas, you create pockets of beauty and relaxation.

Additionally, consider adding a patio area with flat stones for easy walking and lounging.

Stone benches: Durable and cohesive.
Fire pit: Central gathering spot.
Planters: Add visual interest and greenery.
Flat stone patio: Defines seating and lounging spaces.

By thoughtfully choosing the right rocks, incorporating greenery, and adding functional elements, your poolside oasis with rocks will be a perfect blend of beauty and practicality.

Landscaping Practicalities

When planning to landscape your backyard pool with rocks, you should consider key aspects like maintenance, budgeting, and safety.

These elements are critical for ensuring your pool area remains beautiful and functional.

Maintaining Your Rock Landscape

Regular upkeep is vital to keep your rock landscape attractive and safe. River rocks and gravel need occasional cleaning to maintain their appearance. You should pull out weeds that might grow between the rocks.

Creating a low-maintenance flower bed with greens and shrubs can add beauty without much effort.

Remember to check for erosion around the pool area. Installing a retaining wall can help manage soil and keep rocks in place. This reduces the need for frequent repairs and makes your landscape more durable.

Budgeting and Planning

Planning your budget carefully helps avoid unnecessary expenses and ensures you get the best value for your money. List what you need, such as rocks, plants, and decking materials.

Professional help might be necessary for certain tasks, especially when building retaining walls or intricate rock features.

Consider DIY options to save on costs, especially for simpler tasks like laying walkways or arranging rocks. Keep in mind that gravel and smaller rocks are usually less expensive than large boulders.

Also, think about plant selection; choosing low-maintenance plants helps reduce future costs.

Ensuring Safety Around the Pool

Safety is paramount when landscaping around a pool. Rocks can be slippery, so choose non-slip materials for areas where people walk frequently. Create clear walkways to guide foot traffic safely around the pool.

Planting shrubs or greens can act as natural barriers, preventing children and pets from getting too close to the water. Ensure any rocks near the pool’s edge are stable and won’t shift underfoot.

Using gravel around the deck can also provide grip and reduce the risk of slipping.

Always consider hiring a professional for high-risk installations to ensure every part of your landscape is safe. Prioritizing safety helps create a beautiful yet secure pool area for everyone to enjoy.

20 Rockin’ Ideas to Landscape the Area Around Your Pool

Here are 20 breathtaking pool landscaping ideas with rocks to keep you inspired!

1. Bring Out the Desert

Remodeling your back garden pool desert-style could never go wrong!

Some xerophytes, piles of gravel spread evenly on the edges and big white or beige rock boulders will create a desert ambiance to your pool landscape.

With this concept of a pool landscape, you will get a vibe of a fresh desert that is rarely to be found.

2. White Gravels to Add Elegance and Safety

Who would have thought that small white stones can beautify your poolside and intensify the safety value of your pool?

Placing gravel on the fringe of the pool has a role as water absorbent. Not that stones can absorb the water, but the ground under it will.

White tiles made of natural stone can also cast a less-slippery edge.

3. Footpath in the Middle? Stacked Stone Wall Jacuzzi? Go for It!

Bring your pool landscape to another level by building partitions among pools. A short footpath to get into your jacuzzi can create a classy look to your pool surroundings.

Make sure to choose the right coloring for the stones. One-tone color stone is suitable for many types of pools.

4. Unite with Nature

Nothing can beat the idea of a pool that could look like a river. Try to surround your pool with natural river jacks, then look how it turns out like it is not man-made.

A miniature waterfall and some zebra grass could also give your pool a more natural look.

A stoned-wall jacuzzi by the pool is also convenient for those of you who really want to swim in cold weather. A hot tub let you dive into the water but still keeps you warm.

5. Waterfalls for the Pools

There are always simple elements that you can magically turn into something magnificent.

Artificial large rock boulders sculpted by the experts will surprisingly present you with a dazzling waterfall.

You can also make the ambiance fresher by adding banana and palm trees behind the rocks.

Not to mention, a waterfall can add “soul” to your pool. In other words, your pool area will be more lively.

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6. Jacuzzi on the Edge

When it comes to relaxing your body in the water, there is nothing wrong with your water temperature choice.

Sometimes the weather can be too cold and your mood is to swamp your body.

That is when a jacuzzi is your savior. Maximize your pool spaces with a small jacuzzi. Whether it is hot or cold, you can still play with water around your pool.

For concrete, stacking natural stones can be a perfect choice. The charm it brings to the pool will create a more luxurious vibe.

7. Simple and Small Inground Pool Deck

Some say that a small pool area is not satisfying because the space is limited and there is just very little room to experiment with the landscape. Well, say no more!

A small pool space can still grant you fascinating pool surroundings.

Plant some evergreens, add a mini waterfall and some beige rock boulders, then watch how it turns your pool landscape into a heavenly space.

8. Traditional Pool Patio

Creating a classic vibe of the pool landscape by using stone pavers can be one of the pool design ideas that you might want to consider.

Adding a patio by the pool? Why not?

Everyone needs at least a small space for them to chill and relax after a long day.

Some find that sitting by the beautiful pool area and just watching the water sparks is questionably therapeutic.

9. Flowing Water for the Win!

A lively swimming pool landscape is always ideal to enhance the spaces you have around the pool. A DIY fountain in the middle? Or an artificial waterfall on the edge?

Both could add excitement to your pool! Some shrubs and flowers around the edges also bring more color to the surroundings.

To add a tropical vibe as if you are on the beach, mini palm trees or banana trees would be something you should call for.

10. Natural Hot Tub

Building a hot tub that blends seamlessly with the pool will benefit you with an alluring space maximizing.

A paver installed as the path to walk from the land to your jacuzzi can add more functional space.

For the tiles, you can opt for any color that matches the stone colors. Therefore, your pool landscape will be more aesthetically pleasing.

11. Full-Rocks Poolside

Not a big fan of basic swimming pool tiles? That is okay. You can still save yourself from them by using rocks for the poolside. Yes. Full rocks rocking your side of the pool.

Wouldn’t that be amazing? The greenish touch from the shrubs adds elegance to the ambiance.

The color combination between all the elements is undeniably pleasurable.

12. Being Extra with Extra Path

Pleasant yet functional, this extra line walkways above the pool is one idea you should call for. It can be fun to play with extra stone pavers sometimes.

So, make use of them wisely.

To add more color, opt for vibrant bricks for the tiles. Believe us, it will make an ordinary pool landscape become a classic garden pool.

13. Keep It Hot with Fire Pits

Waterfall could make your pool more alive, but what about fire pits? A waterfall standing in between two fire pits will create a balanced view between water and fire elements.

For a night swim, the light from the fire can add more aesthetic value to your pool landscape.

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14. The Greens and The Rocks

The combination of these two elements will stunningly give your swimming pool surroundings a natural and fresh look.

Add some colors by planting flowers and circle the rest of the area with grass.

Landscaping around the pool with such a style could present the cottage-core ambiance you dream of.

15. Stone Line Walkways

Enhance your ordinary-looking poolside with stone line walkways to give the landscape around your pool more appealing.

Adding a little greenish touch by planting some evergreens in between rocks can create a visually pleasing oasis. Do you want to make it fresher?

The grass is the key! Make sure it is not greener than your neighbor’s.

16. Garden by the Pool

If you are a big fan of nature, adding a small garden by your pool could satisfy your hunger for a green view around your swimming pool.

Some flowers, shrubs, and grass are the best elements that can turn your pool into something mesmerizing.

A waterslide is also recommended to be added since it could add more fun to your pool. Everyone who visits would definitely enjoy their time chilling or partying in your backyard.

17. Freeform Plunge Pool

Landscaping around the pool if the pool is in a freeform plunge style can make your backyard look even classier.

Opting for a little marble fountain in the middle, surrounding the edge with gravel, and planting some colorful shrubs like hebes or jades will create an enjoyable look to the pool landscape.

18. Simple and Minimalist Pool Landscape

Upgrade your pool view by installing stone tiles with a warm tone choice of color. You do not have to surround all of it with tiles, some moss rock boulder coping could also be a great concrete.

This landscape style will grant you a simple yet classy-looking pool appearance.

19. Waterfall and Warm Patio

There is nothing that beats the joy in the summertime when all your loved ones gather, having a BBQ party, swimming, or just sitting by the pool.

Enjoying the view of your pool landscape can be therapeutic. A fire pit and a heavy-flow artificial waterfall add a pleasurable look to your pool.

20. A More Natural-Looking Waterfall

If all the waterfalls above are not enough to satisfy your needs for a natural view, try to build a bigger waterfall with stacks of large stone boulders and some plants.

This feature is the pool landscape you never knew you needed.

Moreover, if you want to create a child-friendly environment for the pool, adding a small waterslide and a basketball hoop for them to have fun is something that you might want to consider.

When it comes to landscaping your pool area, there are plenty of ideas and inspirations that could be your references. You might want a simple-looking landscape or even a luxurious one.

However, whether it is simple or natural, or extravagant, you still need to make sure that your budget is sufficient for the pool landscape design you have been dreaming of.

Hope it helps!