There’s a certain magic to a backyard pool—a private oasis for sun-drenched afternoons, spontaneous dips, and creating memories with loved ones. For years, the dream often involved a pricey, time-consuming in-ground installation. But what if we told you there’s a brilliant design secret that savvy homeowners are embracing? It’s the art of the sunken, or semi-inground, above ground pool, a clever concept that delivers that seamless, high-end look without the sticker shock and extensive excavation.
This isn’t just about digging a hole and dropping in a pool. It’s about intentional design, blurring the lines between the functional and the fashionable. By building a custom deck or landscaping up to the pool’s edge, you transform a standard above ground model into a chic, integrated feature of your home. It’s the ultimate style hack, offering the best of both worlds: the affordability and simpler installation of an above ground pool with the sophisticated, built-in aesthetic of its in-ground cousin.
Get ready to be inspired! We’re diving into six distinct design concepts that treat your pool area not just as a place to swim, but as a fully realized outdoor room. Drawing from principles of interior design and landscape architecture, these ideas will help you envision a space that reflects your personal style, turning your backyard into the stylish, welcoming retreat you’ve always wanted.
1. The Modern Minimalist Retreat
For those who believe that beauty lies in simplicity, the modern minimalist approach creates a serene and sophisticated sanctuary. This design is defined by clean lines, a neutral color palette, and an uncluttered layout where the shimmering water itself becomes the star of the show. The key is to use high-quality, sleek materials like dark composite decking or smooth, large-format concrete pavers to create a seamless flow from the patio to the pool’s edge. The effect is calming, contemporary, and incredibly chic.
Think of this space as an extension of a modern living room—functional, elegant, and free of fussy details. Furnishings are low-profile and sculptural, like simple chaise lounges in a crisp white or charcoal gray. Landscaping is intentional and architectural; instead of busy flowerbeds, opt for structural plants like rows of ornamental grasses or a single, beautifully shaped Japanese maple in a statement planter. This creates a sense of order and tranquility, allowing the mind to relax and the eye to rest.
The overall atmosphere is one of peaceful luxury. It’s a space designed for quiet contemplation, morning laps, or enjoying a glass of wine at dusk. To complete the look, incorporate subtle lighting, such as LED strips tucked under the deck’s edge or gentle uplighting on your feature plants. This ensures the clean aesthetic transitions beautifully from day to night, maintaining its sophisticated and uncluttered vibe.
2. The Rustic Cabin Getaway
Escape to the mountains without ever leaving your home with a rustic-inspired pool design. This concept is all about embracing natural materials, warm textures, and a cozy, lived-in feel. Here, the pool is nestled into a multi-level deck made from rich, natural woods like cedar or redwood, which will weather beautifully over time. The addition of rugged elements like a low retaining wall made of natural fieldstone or large, strategically placed boulders helps to ground the design and make it feel completely integrated with the landscape.
This outdoor room is designed for comfort and gathering. Create different „zones” on the various deck levels—a dining area with a sturdy farmhouse table for family barbecues, a lower lounge area with deep-seated armchairs perfect for conversations around a nearby fire pit, and, of course, the sunning area right by the water. The landscaping should feel effortless and a bit wild, with native plants, rambling wildflowers, and evergreen shrubs providing color and privacy year-round.
The ambiance is unpretentious, warm, and deeply inviting. Drape strings of warm Edison bulbs overhead to cast a magical glow in the evenings, encouraging late-night swims and long talks. The goal is to create a space that feels like a cherished family cabin—a relaxed and welcoming haven where the focus is on making memories and enjoying the simple beauty of the outdoors.
3. The Bohemian Oasis
If your style is more free-spirited and eclectic, a bohemian oasis is the perfect way to express your personality. This design is a vibrant tapestry of textures, patterns, and global influences, creating a relaxed and artistic retreat. Forget perfect symmetry; the boho look is about curated imperfection. Use a mix of materials for the surround, like light-colored wood decking paired with an accent area of patterned encaustic tiles or a pebble-wash border. The goal is to create a space that feels collected and personal.
This is an outdoor lounge that prioritizes comfort and a laid-back vibe. Ditch the formal furniture and opt for an array of floor cushions, a comfortable outdoor sectional piled high with patterned pillows, and a statement-making macrame hammock for lazy afternoon naps. Layering is essential: place a colorful, weather-resistant Persian-style rug on the deck and fill the space with an abundance of lush, leafy plants in terracotta and ceramic pots. Think big ferns, climbing pothos, and tropical palms to create a jungle-like canopy.
The overall feeling is one of creative freedom and soulful relaxation. It’s a personal sanctuary that stimulates the senses. Accessorize with solar-powered lanterns, brass side tables, and hanging planters to complete the look. This is your own little slice of paradise, a place to unwind, meditate, or entertain close friends in a setting that is as unique and vibrant as you are.
4. The Tuscan Sun-Soaked Terrace
Transport yourself to the rolling hills of Italy with a design that captures the romantic, old-world charm of a Tuscan villa. This concept is built on warm, earthy materials and a timeless sense of elegance. Surround your pool with stone-like pavers or a warm-toned stamped concrete to mimic a classic Italian terrace. A low, stucco-finished retaining wall can add to the authenticity and provide extra seating. The key is to create an environment that feels sun-baked, established, and full of rustic grace.
The „room” here is an alfresco dining and lounging paradise. A wooden pergola, draped with flowering wisteria or grapevines, is almost essential to provide dappled shade and a strong architectural element. Underneath, place a classic wrought-iron dining set, ready for long, leisurely lunches. Landscaping should be fragrant and edible—think large terracotta pots overflowing with red geraniums, silvery rosemary, lavender, and perhaps even a small olive or lemon tree. The air should be filled with the scent of a Mediterranean garden.
The atmosphere is one of slow-living and rustic sophistication. It’s a space that encourages you to pour a glass of Chianti, enjoy a platter of cheese and olives, and soak in the beauty of the afternoon. The sound of water, the warmth of the stone underfoot, and the fragrant herbs all combine to create a deeply romantic and transportive experience, turning your backyard into a permanent European holiday.
5. The Coastal Chic Escape
Capture the breezy, sophisticated spirit of a seaside resort with a coastal chic design. This look is light, airy, and effortlessly elegant, inspired by the classic style of places like the Hamptons or Cape Cod. The color palette is paramount: a foundation of crisp white, sandy beige, and shades of blue, from soft sky to deep navy. Use a whitewashed, light gray, or natural blonde wood for the deck to create a bright, clean base that reflects the sun and feels cool underfoot.
This outdoor space is your personal beach club, designed for stylish relaxation. Furnish the deck with classic white or navy blue Adirondack chairs, or elegant loungers with bold navy-and-white striped cushions. A white-painted pergola can define the space and offer a place to hang flowing, sheer white curtains that billow in the breeze, adding softness and a touch of cabana-like privacy. For landscaping, choose plants that evoke a coastal dune, like ornamental grasses, blue hydrangeas, and hardy rugosa roses.
The vibe is refined yet completely relaxed. It’s a clean, crisp, and organized space that feels like a perpetual vacation. Keep accessories simple and nautical-themed—a few hurricane lanterns, a simple rope detail on planters, or a classic serving tray for pouring cool drinks. This design is a timeless choice that creates a serene and polished escape from the everyday.
6. The Lush Jungle Plunge
For the ultimate escapist, the lush jungle plunge pool turns your backyard into a hidden, tropical lagoon. This design philosophy prioritizes landscaping above all else, using dense, layered foliage to completely envelop the pool and create a sense of deep seclusion. The goal is to make the man-made elements disappear, allowing nature to take center stage. The pool becomes a secret body of water you’ve just discovered on a walk through a rainforest.
Here, the „room” is the jungle itself. The decking might be minimal—perhaps just a narrow path of dark wood or irregular flagstone leading to the water’s edge—or it might be a deck built around existing trees. The key is dense, dramatic planting. Use large-leafed plants like elephant ears, hardy bananas, and colorful canna lilies, mixed with layers of ferns and shade-loving ground cover. Use natural stone and mossy rocks to blur the pool’s coping, with cascading plants spilling over the edge to soften the lines.
The atmosphere is exotic, private, and intensely peaceful. It’s a sensory experience where the sound of rustling leaves and birdsong replaces neighborhood noise. This is your private grotto, a place for a refreshing plunge on a hot day that feels miles away from civilization. By focusing on creating a rich, green, and immersive environment, you transform a simple pool into a breathtaking and adventurous natural wonder.