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Updating the style of the pool deck can improve the look of any modern home that features a beautiful swimming pool. You can enjoy better relaxation and personalize your outdoor area to create the ultimate relaxation by the poolside. Although it seems difficult at first, it’s actually not that complicated to come up with a stylish design for the pool deck. The more challenging aspect is figuring out the ideal materials to use and which designs feel more suitable to your personal aesthetics.
In this article, we’ll explore some inspirational ideas to bring your pool deck into the 21st century. These modern designs can fit nicely all kinds of outdoor area layouts. Even if you don’t find something that matches your more specific pool deck vision, it’s safe to say that you can become inspired to kickstart your own creations. Before we take a close look at some of the best pool deck ideas for your modern house, it’s important to see what options you have in terms of materials.
Pool Decking Material Choices
There’s no perfect material choice when it comes to pool decking. Options need to be considered while taking into account various factors such as climate, safety, and costs. It’s not simply a matter of picking the most attractive material style.
Wooden pool decking options are quite popular because of their solid safety profile and overall budget-friendliness. Cedar and redwood are some of the most appreciated types of wood for pool decking. Cedar is more DIY-friendly if you’re interested in making your own pool deck. It’s affordable and shows off beautiful natural aesthetics that work well with different pool deck styles.
Redwood is often associated with all kinds of outdoor deck constructions. It’s no longer that popular for wooden pool decking, however, because it’s fairly expensive. Although it can be considered a more niche choice, redwood pool decking stands out due to striking a great balance between durability and flexibility. Timber decking isn’t generally that sturdy compared to other options as it requires regular sealing maintenance with a deck stain.
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Wood Composite
A good compromise between solid wood and vinyl, wood composite decking relies on mixed wood fibers and polyethylene. There are many reasons why this material choice could be worth the investment. You can take your pick between many color styles and distinctive textures but the main selling point is the lack of a difficult maintenance process. Composites can mimic the visual appeal of real wood pretty well.
Many pool owners might see wood composites as inferior to natural wood because they have some artificial qualities. However, opting for composites instead of real wood for pool decking could be a smarter long-term decision. You don’t sacrifice a lot in terms of aesthetics while the superior durability performance can be significant. There’s usually not the same kind of worry about rot and splintering for wood composites as opposed to the more vulnerable natural timber.
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Vinyl
Another decent choice for pool decking, vinyl doesn’t really have the same visual appeal as classic wood but it’s arguably more suitable for modern outdoor areas. Those who don’t mind or even embrace an artificial aesthetic need to strongly consider vinyl pool decking. You have multiple customization options at your disposal and don’t have to deal with the usual high-maintenance problems of real timber.
Now that you’ve seen the typical material choices available for pool decks, it’s time to find inspiration using the following design ideas for decking that complements any modern swimming pool style.
1. Surrounding Wood Deck
Making an outdoor pool feel cozier can be done easily with the help of gorgeous wooden decking that neatly surrounds its shape. While the swimming pool together with the rich greenery and outdoor kitchen makes a luxurious impression, the elegant deck takes the effect to a new level. It results in a cozy atmosphere considering the way the decking gives support to the flow and design of the pool. The pool deck blends beauty and functionality quite effectively in this backyard.
2. Aging Wood Deck
Modern backyard pool areas will often look more attractive when you’re including some contrasting elements such as an aging wood deck. The weathered effect brings a new textural dimension through small imperfections that contribute to a charming aesthetic. It’s also worth noting the change of color. Aging wood becomes darker and that grayish tone works very well together with modern design elements of the pool.
3. Decking Close to the Edge of the Water
Pool decks may not be normally situated so close to the edge of the pool but this can become a distinctive visual effect for modern designs. Check out the sleek style of this pool deck that creates a seamless transition to the pool. The result is a minimalist appearance that contributes to an impression of having a bigger pool. Using thin planks can also help in that regard. It’s quite a daring choice to design your pool deck so close to the water’s edge.
4. Decking on Concrete
Concrete is one of the best materials when it comes to providing a solid modern vibe to your backyard pool area. Concrete pavers are trendy for enhancing the visual appeal of the pool but they’re not very reliable in terms of safety. To avoid slipping accidents, it’s recommended to install wooden decking on top of it. You can just limit it to a dedicated area close to the pool. That way, you will be able to take advantage of the superior durability of concrete and better safety of the wood. At the same time, you obtain a beautiful mix of materials for an elegant swimming pool area.
5. Integrated Greenery
Modern pool decking areas often run into the problem of appearing too austere. Even if you try to incorporate more vibrant color tones and multiple textures, the sense of an artificial place can be off-putting to many pool owners. The solution comes from checking out your surroundings more carefully. The natural greenery of a lawn can blend beautifully in modern pool decking designs. This example shows off this aesthetic by including large stepping stones instead of fully covering the lawn. The patches of grass make a cohesive look together with the surrounding trees.
6. Daybed Lounging
When you’re designing your pool deck, it’s important to think about the proper furnishings to make the area comfortable without compromising on beautiful aesthetics. While most classic options include lounge pool chairs, you can try a different approach to give a unique spin to the visual appeal of the area. Try setting up a modern daybed for stylish poolside lounging on the deck. It’s a solution that’s ideal for modern houses equipped with an outdoor pool. The added geometric drama will certainly elevate the space.
7. Interior Pool Deck
Is there a strict rule that says the pool deck has to be situated outdoors? The answer appears to be no when it comes to the design of this incredible swimming pool area. Using the marvels of modern architecture, designers of this luxurious home came up with an ingenious concept to position this master bedroom as a part of the pool’s decking. This kind of idea may not be attainable for everyone but it’s certainly inspiring if you’re looking for an innovative pool deck look that will immediately draw all the attention.
8. Infinity Edge Design
Spectacular pool designs require matching pool decks. It’s essential to take into account the surroundings and the pool’s design concept before settling on a particular decking solution. This stunning infinity-edge pool appears quite strange at first because it seems to be seamlessly integrated into its natural surroundings. The stylish wooden deck complements this visual effect and creates the ultimate serene retreat.
9. Mix of Textures
If you feel that wooden decking by itself isn’t that impressive in terms of texture, layering other materials could be the right decision. You can enhance the look of any modern pool area by trying out some innovative combinations. In this example, we have stone decking elegantly mixed with the classic appeal of wood. This kind of texture diversity is recommended for pools with rich greenery surrounding them. The deck won’t look out of place when taking into account the expanse of different types of trees nearby.
10. Travertine Pool Deck
Travertine stone is a more unusual choice for pool decks. It’s not just the high cost that’s discouraging but there’s also the matter of safety concerns. Compared to other surfaces such as concrete, travertine boasts higher friction to reduce the risk of slipping. That makes it a reasonably good choice for a unique pool deck without compromising too much on safety. The quality of travertine speaks for itself when observing the elegant visual appeal and polished texture of the material. It’s best to opt for this type of pool deck for small areas.
11. Minimalist Elegance
Instead of focusing on various pool decking materials and styles to attract attention, you can focus your efforts more on keeping things simple. Minimalism works well in any modern pool setting because it evokes rich elegance through its practical simplicity. Due to the fact that minimalist designs tend to incorporate lots of sleek and clean lines, it’s recommended to go for classic wood decks whose planks bring a lot of geometric charm to the area.
12. Separated Zone
The pool deck can have different functions depending on your preferences. Some homeowners like the idea of creating a separate lounge area while still maintaining an evident connection to the pool. This decking solution here relies on glass railing panels that allow you to visually integrate the swimming pool while ensuring proper separation. As opposed to other ideas we’ve seen, the wood deck here is bigger than the pool as it works as a dedicated outdoor area for social gatherings and relaxation.
13. Elevated Deck
Another solution for making the deck stand out compared to the rest of the pool area is to make use of slight elevation. Instead of glass panels that may create too strong of a distinction, you can just increase the height of the deck to enjoy dinner parties in comfort. This idea allows guests to obtain a nice view of the pool. Even small elevations can make an important difference when it comes to the overall ambiance of the area.
14. Spa Vibes
If you wish to bring the feel of a spa into your own backyard, it’s recommended to try a pool deck design that emulates that characteristic vibe. There are no specific rules to follow here but the right elements combined can truly bring out a uniquely relaxing experience for any pool. Check out this peaceful backyard setting where the eye-catching shape of the pool immediately stands out. The natural beauty of the wooden deck contributes to the overall serenity and completes the spa-like experience together with well-placed ambient lighting.
15. Lounging Deck
The placement of the deck is important to enhance the beauty and functionality of your swimming pool. There’s no need to worry about surrounding a large pool with decking material completely. Consider creating a dedicated lounging area at one end where you can take advantage of a contrasting effect created by wooden planks against the look of surrounding stone tiles. This is a recommended idea for showcasing your pool house and creating a distinctive visual effect of an expanded area.
