Above ground pool ideas - make a big splash no matter what size your outdoor space (2024)
If there’s one element that will transform your entire backyard, there’s nothing more exciting and enviable than a pool. But if you’re hoping to take the plunge in time for the warm weather ahead, an above-ground pool is your best bet.
Traditionally placed right on top of your yard, above-ground pools are often more affordable, easier, and faster to install than the average in-ground variety. They are also one of the most feasible pool ideas, with fewer obstacles and fewer local zoning laws to battle.
That said, easy isn’t always pretty—the average above-ground pool sticks out, its walls rendered in unsightly resin and steel (they aren’t exactly natural beauties). But style-driven options are changing the game: affordable and tiny stock tankpools alongside prefabricated plunge pools have popped up, while a new breed of shipping containerpools also arrived with a splash.
Not surprisingly, higher-end concrete designs that rival even in-ground pools (permanent installations complete with hefty prices) are also debunking the assumption that above-ground pools can’t be all-around showstoppers.
Wondering how to build a pool and ready to revamp your backyard? Let these stylish above-ground pool ideas inspire you just in time for summer.
Above ground pool ideas
1. Modernize the classic lozenge shape
(Image credit: Crestwood Pools)
Traditional above-ground pool “kits” tend to be oval or round, often made with beige resin walls (about four or five feet high) reinforced with bulky steel. And while these standard shapes and materials still reign (there are plenty of pool landscape ideas to help them blend in, if that’s the case), there’s plenty of room to elevate the classics.
Above, a wooden swimming pool takes on the familiar oval shape with a natural twist. Designed by New York’s Crestwood Pools, the wooden pool borrows its aesthetic from historic farm silos and water towers, while the material offers an organic look that doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. And, for those with a green thumb, there are plenty of landscaping trends and modern garden ideas that can help integrate your raised pool with the rest of your yard.
Scroll through any internet search for above ground pools and you’ll see an overwhelming amount of clunky designs. In the past, above ground pools had a knack for taking over the backyard. But if you’re limited on surface area and hesitant to hand over your entire backyard to a large body of water, consider something smaller: a plunge pool. Not much bigger than a hot tub, really, they're made for simly cooling off in after a hot day.
Like dipping a toe in the water, a plunge pool offers all the perks of a larger above-ground pool on a smaller scale, one that adds to your landscape without dominating it. Ideal for small backyard pool ideas.
“Installing a plunge pool partially above the ground creates a destination and a focal point that a flush install rarely offers,” explains Karen Larson, the co-founder of Soake Pools, a maker of high-quality plunge pools that can also be installed fully above-ground. “Additionally, the above-ground edges provide seating. It is also a great opportunity to add additional personality and decorative elements, as the exposed vertical surfaces can be adorned with materials that fit within the landscape.”
3. Try a stock tank pool
(Image credit: H2O Tank Avenue)
The hottest trend for above-ground pools happens to be one of the smallest: stock tank pools are certainly some of the cheapest, quickest, and most customizable options on the market. While they’re popular as DIY projects, a bevy of small-scale companies has cropped up to help expedite the installation.
“A stock tank is a water trough manufactured for livestock to use for drinking purposes, but we have converted them into a chic ‘pool’ by adding a filtration system just like your typical aboveground pool,” says Jovana Johnson, who recently founded Stock Tanks of SoCal with her sister, Janice Luna. “They provide a more chic and trendy look to style a backyard rather than those traditional big blue aboveground pools.”
These are fun-size tanks - whether round or rectangular, they can be as small as two feet in diameter. Ideal for anyone who doesn't want to be too preoccupied with how to clean a pool. However, they can easily be scaled up. “Our customers love our 10ft tanks,” adds Luna. “However, those with smaller backyards love that we provide many sizes varying from 6ft – 9ft (all 2’ deep).”
4. Consider a shipping container pool
(Image credit: Modpools)
We’ve seen shipping containers repurposed in a number of architectural designs, so it was only a matter of time before someone started turning them into pools (they are containers, after all).
“Containers already have a complementary shape and robust engineering, making them a natural fit,” says Brad Fontaine of Modpools, a shipping container pool concept based in Canada that was created after its founder vacationed in Palm Springs. Arguably sleeker than prefabricated above-ground concepts of the past, they’re virtually a plug-and-play product with equipment right built into the system (with some simple setup, like hooking the pool up to a power source and prepping the ground).
And while they arrive ready to go, there are also plenty of ways to customize yourt backyard deck ideas that offer perks even an in-ground pool couldn’t afford. “A lot of customers like to add a window onto their Modpool overlooking a great view and wrap 3 sides of it with decking,” says Fontaine. “There is nothing better than a pool with a view!”
5. Disguise your pool with a wooden deck
(Image credit: Trek Pools)
One common complaint about above-ground pools is that, well, they kinda stick out. And while you can sidestep the issue by picking a model that’s striking all on its own, another strategy is to embrace the elevation with stylish pool deck ideas.
Taking cues from the pool above, adding a wooden patio (timber does the trick, but fancier materials like teak, cedar, and ipeis will go the distance) will integrate your above-ground pool with its surroundings. “Decking and paver stones typically surround the pool to provide clean, finished edges,” says Joel Cookston, the founder of US-based Trek Pools, a shipping container pool concept. Here, a wooden deck wraps around the raised, rectangular pool and connects to the home’s back door, turning the perimeter into a proper lounge space that also covers up the pool’s walls.
This happens to work particularly well for container pools, especially if you’re installing one on a sloped lawn. “A container pool is point loaded,” adds Cookston. “So, when thinking of footers and concrete supports for your deck, the same footers can be poured to support the corners of the pool or the rails of the container based on the size of the pool.”
One big difference between in ground pools and above ground pools is entirely obvious: the former disappears into the earth, while the latter sticks out. But if your pool is going to stick out, why not make it count? While it’s less affordable and arguably more ambitious, building an above ground concrete pool is certainly one of the most stylish, customizable options.
Especially if your landscape has undulating or sloped surfaces, or if you’re restricted from building an in-ground pool for other environmental factors, there are perks to the process. “The walls to these pools act as a pool fence and minimise the amount of traditional pool fencing within our projects and promote greater connection between alfresco spaces and pool areas,” says Tristan Peirce, a landscape architect with a penchant for striking pools in Australia.
In the pool above, Peirce designed a radiant pool, encircled with a stone patio and space for below-grade plantings along the edge. “Simple geometric shapes seem to be what we gravitate towards, either a circle or two or three radius curves,” says Peirce. “We feel that this is more of a deliberate organic design approach than an organic shape.”
7. Integrate the pool into the wall
(Image credit: Jon Caron)
If you are opting to create an above ground concrete pool, you’ll also have more flexibility with decorative materials. In the plunge pool above, stone garden walls rise to the occasion by integrating the pool with the surrounding patio.
“The request we get most frequently is to install natural stone on the outside of their plunge pools,” says Karen Larson, the co-founder of Soake Pools. “With that said, we have seen a recent trend towards using other creative materials, including wood panels and even large-format exterior tiles.”
8. Tile your pool inside and out
(Image credit: Artisan Exterior)
You might not be surprised to spot tiles lining the interior of a pool, shimmering below the surface. But incorporating tiles on the exterior of your pool can take it over the edge - and over the top, too.
In the sun-soaked concrete pool above, Spanish glass tiles glisten above and below the water in a design by Australia’s Artisan Exterior, which created a series of pool tiles inspired by the country’s waters and coastline. “Tiling your above-ground pool will turn it into a statement piece and instantly elevate your outdoor entertainment area,” says the Artisan Exterior Team.
9. Go all out with hardscaping
(Image credit: LaGuardia Design Group)
If cost isn’t a concern, you can partially sink an above ground pool into the earth. It’s a particularly striking option for sloped properties, allowing you to add drama with an infinity edge, or enhance your landscape by extending a patio around the pool to create an almost cantilevered overlook.
Although it isn’t cheap, hardscaping areas around your pool can also embed the pool’s edges into the landscape—complete with a stone patio or even space for a pool house.
What is the best surface to put an above ground pool on?
The beauty of above ground pools is that they can sit on most surfaces - however it's best that the surface is flat. Because of this, while grass, decking and gravel and even dirt will all hold an above ground pool, the ideal surface is freshly poured concrete. This way, you ensure the ground is strong enough to hold the pool, has an even surface, and won't require any maintenance in the medium to long term.
Apply landscaping fabric around the perimeter. Install a border or edging against the pool wall to keep rocks, mulch, or debris from reaching underneath the pool wall. Place mulch or rocks on top of the landscape fabric. Add a border or edging on the outside edge (boulders, rubber edging, steel, wood, bricks, etc.)
One of the most effective ways to make an above-ground pool look like an inground pool is by installing a deck. A deck can surround the entire pool and hide its sides, making it look like it is completely built into the surface you and your guests walk on.
Many pool owners, who want the experience of deeper water, opt for a dish-type dig in the center of the pool. The standard vinyl liner will typically allow for an added depth of 3-4 inches using this procedure. However, an "expandable" liner can be obtained which will accommodate a pool depth of up to six feet.
If your main goal is to build the cheapest inground pool that you can find, you're probably going to end up with a vinyl liner swimming pool. The fact is that vinyl liner pools are almost always the cheapest option, and that makes them excellent for anyone who wants to stick to a smaller budget.
Commonly used in driveways, this stone is limestone, so it will corrode the metal liner around an above ground pool. Further, it is not barefoot friendly. Either River Jacks, Brown Landscape Stone, or Pure Red Landscape Stone is a necessity for around an above ground pool.
First being that the crushed stone acts as a barrier from letting hard rains to penetrate underneath the pool wall and deteriorate the base. Second is that having crushed stone against the wall instead of dirt will allow water to dissipate and dry quicker.
When a pool does increase the value of a home, it's usually no more than a 7% boost—not necessarily an amount that would make it worth the cost—and even that small return happens only in certain situations: You live in a high-end neighborhood where pools are the norm. The style of the pool fits the neighborhood.
And for this reason, many people ask, “Can above ground pools be partially buried?” in hopes of receiving the best of both worlds. The short answer is that “Yes, they can!” However, there are some things that should be taken into account if you're going to go down this route.
Luckily, above ground pools can have both shallow and deep ends, just like an in-ground pool. Another pool option that is gaining popularity is the semi in-ground pool design.
You may be thinking above ground pools cannot be that deep, but they can actually go as far down as 8 feet or more! This is due to the elasticity of the vinyl liners. The vinyl liner can accommodate a space that may not be shaped exactly like a perfect pool. When installing, make sure it is over a gradual slope.
Typical above ground pool depths are 48 or 52 inches deep. Above-ground pools require a level surface and access to electricity and water. In a small yard, be mindful of installation instructions for any pool under consideration.
If you get more than five inches of rain in an hour, or if your pool wasn't properly designed with sufficient overflows, then your pool may overflow, which can put you at risk of water getting inside of your home and causing serious damage. As your pool fills with water, it may overflow into your yard.
Fall or winter pool installations usually offer lower prices, avoid the yearly increase of cost of goods, allow more time for landscaping to grow back, and may be eligible for tax write-offs.
When it comes to construction, take note: Rectangular pools typically cost more than curved pools. The reason why is increased perimeter footage. Rectangles may require more square footage in a backyard. A perfect rectangle provides zero flexibility to incorporate or allow for the intrusion of other structures.
A pool can increase not only your social worth but also the value of your home. However, the increase is probably not as much as you think. According to HouseLogic, there's no real guarantee that you'll make your money back. In fact, adding a swimming pool may only increase your home's value by 7%.
Inflatable pools are by far one of the easiest to install and take down. With a pump, some can inflate in less than 5 minutes. Other designs, like resin or semi-inground pools, require installation similar to an inground model. The ground must be leveled and sand laid down so the pool doesn't get punctured.
Concrete – Most Expensive and labor intensive construction of all. The pool finish can be abrasive on the bottom of the feet, especially once the swimmers feet become 'pruney' and extra soft.
The main disadvantage of an above-ground pool is that it generally adds no value to your home. They also have some of the same problems as in-ground pools, such as water evaporation and maintenance issues.
The number one reason homeowners choose round above ground pools over ovals is the price. While that may not be shocking, just how much can be saved overall might be. Round pools provide more swimming area at a lower price meaning you're getting the best price per gallon.
Many wonder though if above ground pools are exclusively used over grass, sand, or soil only and if installing it over concrete is impossible (for fear of it getting punctured). The good news is, yes, you can install your above ground pool on concrete if a sand or soil base is not possible.
The sand should be inside the pool track, never under the track. If the track of the pool is set on sand, it will wash out and the pool will settle or sink, reducing the longevity of your pool.
The typical vinyl liner above ground pool is actually designed to be installed directly onto the ground without any added protection for the pool liner. This is perfectly acceptable if the ground is prepared in a way that will prevent damage from occurring to the vinyl pool liner.
The inflatable swimming pool enclosure — sometimes called a bubble or dome — is the easiest and cheapest way to enclose a swimming pool. As the name states, inflatable pool enclosures are just that, a large blow up cover that sits overtop your pool.
Pool bubblers are fountain-like additions that spew water in a pool's shallow areas. These are typically used on spas, pool steps, and shallow shelves. Before being known for their functionality, pool bubblers are known to look fancy and visually appealing and can make pool photos look trendy.
Do above ground pools need to be grounded? Absolutely!Not only do they need to be grounded, but they also need to be bonded. And while most pool users may have never even thought about these types of problems, if you're a swimming pool owner, these are the types of things that you need to understand and control.
Edward Bedinotti, a certified residential appraiser in New York State, agrees that an above-ground pool won't add value to a property because personal property items are not typically valued in a home appraisal.
Pools come with an initial installation cost and ongoing maintenance and insurance costs, which could outweigh any increase in home value. You have several options for financing your pool installation, including tapping into your home equity, personal loans, and credit cards.
The market average life of an above ground pool may be shorter than you think at about 7-15 years. However, when you buy from a quality brand and maintain your pool properly it will last many years longer than that.
Above Ground pool placement is also important. Sunny areas will help keep your pool water warm, but you'll want to keep the pool away from windy areas, as wind blowing over a pool can greatly increase evaporation. As a general rule, pools should be 8-10′ from trees.
Generally, above ground pools come in the following sizes: 12', 15', 18', 21', 24', 27', 30' & 33'. There are also a variety of oval sizes if your area will not allow for a round pool.
Your new stealth semi-inground pool can be installed in a couple of days without causing huge disruption around your backyard. Another reason these pools require less digging is because on average they are 5 feet deep and flat the entire pool area.
The popular 12-by-24-foot oval above ground pool is ideal for a family of four or a group of four to five people at most. This above ground pool size is popular for balancing space in a backyard and easy use and leaves room for designing a pool deck or patio.
21' Above Ground Pools are the perfect fit for those with a small to mid-size family or with a reasonable amount of yard space. A 21 foot above ground pool will comfortably fit 4-5 average size adults to swim, float and play.
Many people wished they were deeper so the manufacturers started making 52 inch tall pools so that they would hold nearly 4 feet of water at 3' 10”. Now the most popular pools are 54” tall and they can actually hold 4' of water.
Options for Above Ground Pool vs Semi-Inground Pool
The main difference will be the steps and the liner. Generally on an above ground pool, if budget is a factor, you can select an entry level 'package', which will usually have an A-frame ladder and a 20 mil (or sometimes even thinner) liner.
Generally, an above ground pool should be level within 1 inch—and it starts to become unsafe after a couple of inches. Any slope will lead to uneven distribution of water, which will put pressure on your pool's structure, wearing down the pool liner. In certain cases, it could cause your pool to collapse.
A flat surface is mandatory to guarantee the stability of the pool. If your ground is not very flat, it must be shaped a little by applying a layer of sand. This will bring more stability and prevents you from being affected by stones and reliefs that often destroy the liner.
The Equipment. There is no need to turn off your circulation system during a rain storm. We need the chemicals to still work and want the dirt and debris to be filtered out just like under normal circ*mstances. Never try to change settings on the pool pump or at the timer when it is raining.
How often should you change the water in your pool? In the case of an above ground pool, you should refresh the pool water on average once a year. You do this before the swimming season starts, in spring. You do not need to refresh the water often, but it is important to keep the water clean.
Adding an interesting siding can help. If the lawn is flat, lattice is an easy option to hide an above-ground pool. Lattice is an inexpensive and quick way to accomplish the objective. Add a wide cap around the top to give swimmers a place to set a drink, keep a towel dry, or lay a book.
Concrete is a good choice for pool decks. It is durable, low-maintenance, and can be stained, coated, or painted. It can be polished to a high shine. Concrete floors provide excellent slip resistance and are waterproof, making them ideal for areas around pools where water may be present.
Choosing lighter pool colors can create the illusion of more space and make your pool more of a focal point within your backyard. Pearlescent white shades or lighter grays and blues can really make your pool pop and stand out more!
Hedges are an attractive way to add privacy and beauty to your inground pool landscape. They provide a beautiful, textured, and colorful barrier for your pool area that can be shaped in various styles and sizes. Hedges come in numerous varieties, including privet, boxwood, yew, and arborvitae.
First being that the crushed stone acts as a barrier from letting hard rains to penetrate underneath the pool wall and deteriorate the base. Second is that having crushed stone against the wall instead of dirt will allow water to dissipate and dry quicker.
There should also be no walking around, or sitting on the edge of the pool; falling off and hitting the ground can cause injuries and sitting on the sides could cause the pool to collapse.
Ideally, you will want to have sunshine for at least 4-6 hours per day. If you have large shade trees in your yard, the experts at Metro Pools recommend a buffer of 50 feet to prevent large deposits of leaves in the pool and avoid potential damage to the tree roots.
An oxidiser is a product that works to remove and destroy swimmer wastes and organic contaminants in your water, keeping it crystal clear! We suggest BioGuard Lite® as an easy-to-use oxidiser that allows swimmers back in the water an hour after treatment.
Address: 2033 Gerhold Pine, Port Jocelyn, VA 12101-5654
Phone: +8524399971620
Job: Central Manufacturing Supervisor
Hobby: Jogging, Metalworking, Tai chi, Shopping, Puzzles, Rock climbing, Crocheting
Introduction: My name is Edmund Hettinger DC, I am a adventurous, colorful, gifted, determined, precious, open, colorful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
