(Or: How I Tried to Make Our Pool Look Like a Resort and Ended Up with Flamingo Float Drama)
When we bought this house, I didn’t think we’d ever be “pool people.” I assumed pools were for folks who wore white linen, served cocktails on trays, and somehow never had leaves in their water.
Fast forward to one chaotic summer, and we found ourselves with an above-ground pool, two inflatable donuts, and a half-dead palm tree from the clearance section at the garden store. It wasn’t glamorous. But I was determined to make it feel inviting, if not Instagram-worthy.
Let me save you some trial and error (and the receipt for five flamingo floats I didn’t need). Here are the 15 pool decor ideas that actually made our backyard feel like a place I want to lounge in — even if I’m doing it in mismatched flip-flops with a sweaty iced tea.
1. A Few Good Outdoor Rugs = Instant Lounge Vibes
We rolled out two mismatched outdoor rugs around the pool and suddenly it felt like a “space” instead of a patch of grass with chlorine nearby. One has a salsa stain I’m pretending is a design element. They dry fast and make bare feet happy.
2. Add String Lights — Even if You Never Swim at Night
I strung warm white café lights between two trees and the fence. I haven’t had a nighttime pool party yet, but dang if those lights don’t make it feel magical. Like a vacation. A slightly buggy one, but still.
3. Umbrellas That Don’t Fly Away Are Worth Every Penny
Our first umbrella was $25 and blew across the yard every time someone sneezed. I finally splurged on a heavy base and a striped umbrella that feels very mid-century Palm Springs. It has not taken flight once. Victory.
4. Bring on the Plants (Even the Fakers)
Real palms? Died. Fast. So now we have a mix: one sad little banana plant, one giant fake monstera, and a bunch of dollar-store faux vines tucked in real planters. Honestly? Still looks lush.
5. Outdoor Pillows Make It Feel Like a Couch in the Sun
We keep a pile of washable pillows in a storage bench and toss them on the lounge chairs. They’re sun-faded and have been rained on more times than I can count — but they make everything comfier and distract from the scratchy chairs we got on clearance.
6. Keep a Big Woven Basket for Towels (or Chaos)
This thing is like a catch-all for wet towels, pool toys, sunscreen, a rogue juice box… you name it. It makes the mess look intentional. Kind of.
7. Choose Pool Floats That Don’t Annoy You
There’s a very fine line between “fun” and “I now own six deflated flamingos and no storage.” We finally settled on two simple loungers and one pizza slice float that always makes people smile.
8. Use Side Tables (Even if They’re Actually Plant Stands)
We use two thrifted plant stands as mini poolside tables. They hold drinks, books, and once supported a toddler’s entire lunch. Flexible, cheap, cute.
9. Paint the Fence (or At Least Pretend You Meant to Leave It Weathered)
We painted ours a deep navy blue and suddenly the pool looked… cool? Before that it screamed “temporary rental yard.” Dark colors = instant mood.
10. Hang a Few Hooks for Towels and Hats
We screwed a $9 set of outdoor hooks into the fence and now it’s “functional decor.” Also: fewer towels on the ground. (Mostly.)
11. Lean Into Vintage Vibes
I found a rusty old pool sign at a flea market and hung it near the gate. Is it retro or just old? Doesn’t matter — it’s charming and makes guests smile.
12. Add a Portable Bluetooth Speaker — But Keep It Classy
Ours is shaped like a rock. Yes, a literal fake rock. It blends in, sounds great, and keeps the vibe chill. No one wants a phone blasting from a cup holder.
13. A Drinks Tray Changes the Game
I keep a little tray near the back door with a few plastic tumblers, a pitcher, and a raggedy lemon slice coaster. It feels fancy even if I’m just serving sparkling water and stale pretzels.
14. Shade is Mandatory (and Stylish)
If you can swing a pergola or even a shade sail, do it. We set up a secondhand pergola, covered it in faux ivy, and now it’s the “cool zone” where the dog hides when he’s had enough sun.
15. Let It Feel Lived-In
The best thing we did? Stopped trying to make it perfect. There’s bird poop on the floaties sometimes. There’s a random garden gnome by the hose. But it feels like us — a little messy, a little charming, and the exact kind of place you want to kick off your shoes and stay too long.
You don’t need a fancy resort setup or a landscaping crew to create a relaxing backyard pool space. You just need a few cozy touches, a sense of humor, and the ability to embrace chaos (like when your dog jumps in and ruins the vibe).
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a lukewarm soda, a paperback mystery, and a lounge chair calling my name.
