Tess Langfus, Contributing WriterA pool is just a water hole in the ground without the added beauty of landscaping.
Installing a functional yet attractive fence, planting a variety of trees and plants, and laying the proper decking is the start to turning your backyard into an entertainment haven. Add a pergola or gazebo for extra shade and privacy, a trickling waterfall, and a patio area complete with bar and grill, and you'll never have to leave your home for an exotic winter vacation.
Landscaping is not cheap and different components can drive the cost up or help keep it down. The quality and grade of the property is a big factor. If earth needs to be moved or added to correct the elevation, or a sump pump installed to rid the land of excess water, the costs can quickly mount.
Obviously the homeowner has more control over the amount spent on the fence, greenery, pool decking and any additional structures -- these costs are limited only by the homeowner's vision and budget.
"It's a home improvement investment like a lot of other things," says Tim Thoelecke, owner of Garden Concepts in Glenview, Ill. "If it's done right, it's no different than a room addition."
Once you've decided to install a pool in your backyard, don't wait until it is built before you consult with a landscape architect or designer. By working in conjunction with the pool contractor and landscaper, decisions can be made on where to place the pool based on the property's soil and elevation. Excessive groundwater and the path of storm water runoff could limit your placement possibilities as well. Finally, getting the best view of the pool, the proximity of the spa and pool to the house and privacy are important factors to consider before digging.
"Plan ahead," Thoelecke advises. "If you talk to a landscape architect or landscape designer and get it all planned out, get all your ducks in a row, then you're not going to be stepping all over yourself."
Matching Landscaping To Your Home And Budget
Once you've contracted a landscape architect or designer and discussed with him your budget and visions for the pool area, a blueprint of your property is typically drawn or a computer photo image created, including items such as a fence, paving, any necessary retaining walls, other building structures and greenery.
Thoelecke prefers working with larger areas where different options can help unify a homeowner's backyard. "The more room there is to integrate things, the better," he says. "We don't look at it as the pool and landscaping; it's all one picture."
But working within landscaping limitations can be rewarding as well as challenging.
"Small yards provide more of an intimate setting than large areas," says Mark Ritter, owner of Exterior Design Studio in Edina, Minn. "It's like having a piece of paper where this is your border and this is what you have to work with. It can actually be a much neater space -- more intimate -- than a big huge canvas to work with."
The trick to landscaping your pool area is to make the design flow with the architecture of your home. Keep in mind the linear and circular patterns of your house and the structures in your backyard and follow those patterns with your pool decking.
Besides working with patterns, consider color and texture when planning your landscaping. If your house is made of red brick, for instance, consider using limestone or bluestone. If you use the less expensive pavers, complement the colors instead of trying to match the house -- a difficult, if not impossible, feat.
When choosing the pool decking, contemplate not only your budget, but also your area's climate and the durability and safety of the material. Pick something that won't be too slippery when wet and is easy to maintain.
Concrete is the least expensive and can be color tinted and stamped or brushed into different textures and designs. But if you live in colder weather, be aware that concrete can chip or crack in freezing temperatures. Stamped concrete tends to be slippery when wet.
Pavers, which cost about two to three times more than plain concrete, allow for different patterns and colors and are a creative tool to attractive landscaping. Since they shift with the ground's movements and are virtually indestructible, pavers are a good choice for northern climates.
Exposed aggregate stones are attractive, but they're hard on bare feet and cost about one to two times more than concrete. Stones such as limestone or bluestone make very attractive pool decking, but can get very hot in the sun and are the most expensive.
Some owners of above-ground pools build wood decks, but when exposed to water, wood can splinter and warp over time and, if untreated, is vulnerable to insects. Vinyl decks have the look of wood, but are more durable and maintenance free. Both cost about the same.
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