In the hot climate of Arizona, backyard ideas with pools will greatly elevate the value of your property and provide an actual incentive for you to visit the outdoors during your leisurely time.Arizona Backyard Ideas With Pools

It is fun to splash around and just relax next to it after a long day at work, but having just a pool is rather dull. This list will introduce you to a few fun backyard landscaping ideas you can implement to add interest and appeal to your backyard.

Backyard Pool Landscape Design Ideas You Can Try This Year

1. Add PlantsAdd Plants in the Backyard

Options
  • Local plants
  • Exotic plants that can adapt well
  • Shade trees
Planting style
  • Container plants
  • Garden beds
  • Green fences
Benefits of native plants
  • Adaptability
  • Low maintenance
Benefits of exotic plants
  • Exclusivity
  • Uniqueness

Adding plant life to your pool design is the easiest way to elevate the natural beauty of your backyard. Getting local and exotic plants is the perfect way to add a natural touch to your relaxing spot with more greenery and vibrant colors. It is a great option if you want to implement some backyard ideas on a budget.

But before digging up a garden alongside your pool, it is essential to keep in mind certain factors. It is crucial that you choose low-maintenance plants that are well suited for the soil and humidity conditions surrounding your pool. You can also include greenery during your pool construction for better planning.

Native plants are your best bet due to their easy availability and suitability to the local environment. Cacti are a great option that requires no maintenance. However, keep them at a little distance to avoid scratches. You can also opt for flowering shrubs that will produce colors, sweet fragrances, and lush greenery all in one package.

If growing small plants is not to your taste or you have a very large space to fill, planting local trees is the next best thing. These trees will be a great source of shade, which is the number one thing you need around an Arizona pool during summer. They will add greenery to the environment and can also be planted as a fence around the boundary of your backyard.

2. Add Better LightingBetter Lighting on the Pool

Options
  • Rope lights
  • String lights
  • LED light
Benefits of rope lights
  • Affordable
  • Easy to install
Benefits of LED light
  • Energy efficient
  • Wide range of options
Prices Ranges from a few dollars to a couple of hundred dollars

Lighting is another simple way to enhance visibility and add mood to the pool design. Especially at night, when you are having a weekend party with your loved ones, having proper lighting can set the spirit of the gathering, making it cozier.

You can add string lights of different colors around your pool that will reflect like beads in the pool water. The standard yellow lights are perfect for a romantic setting, or you can turn on the bright green, red, and purple lights to get the pool party going.

Another option with lights is using rope lights around the flower beds and plant pots. If you have already installed a garden around your pool deck, adding rope lights to that area will give it a glowing new look, which will be especially noticeable at night. If the fence is close to the pool, you can also add some lights there.

The combination of string lights around the pool and the rope lights around your garden and plant pots give the area a welcoming sight. On top of this, these lights are easy to set up, low maintenance, and very energy-efficient compared to traditional light bulbs.

In addition to string and rope lights, you can also work with your pool builder to install underwater LED lights. These lights come in a range of colors that you can change upon your choice. Some LED lights can change color on the go, so you don’t have to settle for one color.

3. Poolside GardenPoolside Garden Near House

Options
  • Flowering gardens
  • Synthetic gardens
  • Rock gardens
Benefits of flowering gardens
  • Visual appeal
  • Sweet aroma
  • Colorful surrounding
Benefits of synthetic gardens
  • Low maintenance
  • Affordable
  • Easy to set up
Benefits of rock gardens
  • No maintenance
  • Affordable

If a few plants are not enough for you, another cool backyard idea is making a full-fledged garden. It is the perfect way to add as many plants as you would like, and it will allow you to choose a variety of different flowering plants.

If you finally decide to get a poolside garden, it’s vital to keep in mind that the garden should be low maintenance, as you want to enhance your relaxing experience and not add another chore to your daily list. Also, keep in mind to avoid thorny and flowering plants because they can scratch your skin and cause too much debris around your pool.

Another option for a poolside garden is making a rock garden with ornamental grasses. They are simple to make and require nearly no maintenance while adding a new flavor to your surroundings. You can add rocks of different textures, shapes, and sizes, and this variety will add to the look of your rock garden.

Unlike a plant garden, you don’t need to mow or water them very often. It adds a serene natural look during your relaxing time in contrast to the fast-moving concrete city right outside your home.

One good pool landscaping idea for a garden would be a succulent garden. It is an easy-to-maintain option that will pop out from its surrounding landscape. And if the weather condition is too humid for these plants, you can choose to have them planted in pots to control their irrigation and soil better.

4. Make an Outdoor Living AreaMake an Outdoor Living Area

Options
  • Open living area
  • Sheltered sitting area
Addons
  • Fireplace
  • Grill
  • Outdoor kitchen
Benefits
  • More outdoor time
  • Lower energy bills
  • Family and friends gatherings
Price
  • A couple of thousand dollars

An outdoor living area is a great way to encourage more outdoor time for yourself and your family. You can relax beside your swimming pool, surrounded by your flowering garden. Once you have established this living area, you can expand on this idea and add more utility to the area.

A fireplace and an outdoor grill will add another layer of comfort and utility to your pool landscape. Take out your grill and place a cooler next to it, and your parties will last hours longer. A gathering around a fireplace is a great bonding time between friends and family, and if you have a fireplace near a swimming pool, you can sit and talk for hours.

It will not only add to the beauty of the landscape, but you will not want to leave your poolside. Having freshly grilled food while relaxing alongside the pool is the perfect getaway.

If you want to expand on this idea, outdoor kitchens are the next step. You will have to plan the landscaping process while keeping in mind the area and options you want in the outdoor kitchen. It can take months for the whole thing to be prepared before use and cost thousands of dollars.

But if you can afford the price tag, there are added benefits to an outdoor kitchen and fireplace, as outdoor cooking will help you save hundreds of bucks on electricity bills. Your fans and air conditioners don’t have to work overtime to compensate for the heat in an indoor kitchen. You also don’t have to deal with the burning smell filling the air inside the house.

5. Add Water Décor

Options
  • Waterfalls
  • Waterwalls
  • Water fountains
Advantages
  • Add to the relaxation
  • Mental comfort
Disadvantages
  • Costly
  • They may be difficult to incorporate
Installation period
  • From days to months, depending on the size

Water décor is another great option to enhance the visual appeal of your pool. It can add a certain flair of luxury and a layer of atmosphere that is unmatched by the other options. Combined with trees and plants, water features will transform your pool into an irresistible oasis. You can choose between waterfalls, water fountains, and water walls (or all of them if you wish) to add to the visual appearance of your pool.

Like all other landscaping ideas, a water décor dramatically impacts the style and value of your property, as it is a symbol of luxury. It’s a fun little distraction for children as well. In addition, these structures are a great way to keep the water flowing. Standing water can get dirty and germ-ridden very quickly, but these ideas keep the water relatively clean.

The sound of flowing water is good for mental relaxation as it increases blood flow to the brain through a response of neurochemicals. So, you will not only be cooling down against the Arizona heat but also have an added layer of mental comfort that will add to the overall experience. This makes these structures a worthwhile investment if you have the funds to afford them.

Conclusion

We have gone over some landscaping designs that will help transform the backyard pool area into a relaxation zone surrounded by natural beauty. When you are going through these backyard design ideas, remember:

  • You can add either native or exotic plants, install a cool lighting system, create a poolside garden, or add water features.
  • Try to stay within your budget, as it is very easy to get carried away.
  • Some additions (like water décor) are expensive, while others (like plant pots) can be added without spending much money.
  • You do not have to revamp your entire backyard in one go – keep building toward your idea one step at a time!

No matter the budget or space, there is something for everyone, and there are always more ideas to find. What is the first thing that you will add to your backyard?

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