How is your pool area?
For a lot of homeowners, the pool is a part of a general home improvement project, but it doesn’t always fit in the decor of the property. In fact, more often than not, the addition of a pool can clash with the whole look and feel of your garden. So, instead of increasing your home value, it can have no effect at all, despite the investment cost.
If you are worried about how your pool impact your value of your property, it’s time to think about how to create a coherent and consistent style for your outdoors. Here is how you can make your pool feel more at home.
Elevate The Liner
Did you know that your pool liner doesn’t have to be boring? Romans have exquisitely decorated baths, so why couldn’t your pool be like that too?
There are plenty of stylish liner options, including above ground pool liners, so you are not limited in the look you can achieve. There’s a common misconception that only in ground pools can have visually appealing liners, but nowadays, pool owners can create the decor they want, no matter whether in or above ground.
This may not seem like much, but changing the overall visual from plain blue to something more elegant can already make your pool area appear more sophisticated and intentional.
This ties in with one of the biggest shifts for 2026 too. Lighter blues are being replaced with deeper, moodier tones such as charcoal, navy and even near-black finishes. These darker liners create a reflective, mirror-like surface that feels far more considered and blends more naturally with modern garden design.
Inflatable Pool Fun
Small pools are designed to provide a refreshing zone in the warm weather. They are not made for athletic performances because they are neither deep nor long enough for swimming. As a result, they often feel like an awkward, space-demanding addition to the garden.
So, if you start framing your pool as an outdoor water lounge, rather than a tiny swimming space, it instantly becomes more interesting and inviting. For example, there are plenty of stylish inflatable additions you could bring, such as an inflatable pool chair, which will make pool days a lot more entertaining. This will remove the risk of comparing your garden pool with an actual swimming pool.
This idea of “lounging rather than swimming” is very much in line with 2026 trends. Pools are increasingly being designed as wellness spaces, with shallow ledges, seating areas and zones for relaxing rather than just doing lengths. Even simple additions like inflatables or built-in seating can help you get more use out of the space.
The Area Around the Pool
In the summer, the pool can become the centre of your outdoor gathering spot. So, why not design an outdoor area where you and your family can spend time comfortably, even when you are not in the pool?
That’s precisely where looking for garden furniture that matches your taste and decor can be a game-changer. Granted, this means moving away from the typical plastic chairs and table ensemble, but contemporary furniture that is designed to inject sophisticated elegance into your garden will transform the space dramatically.
This is also where one of the biggest 2026 shifts comes into play: thinking beyond the pool itself. The most stylish outdoor spaces now are designed as a whole, not in pieces. Matching materials, consistent colours and clearly defined zones for relaxing, dining and swimming can make everything feel more intentional.
If you take one idea from this, it’s this: design the entire space around the pool, not just the pool itself.
Shape Matters More Than You Think
One thing many homeowners overlook is the actual shape of the pool.
In 2026, simpler, more structured designs are leading the way. Clean rectangular pools, long lap pools and geometric layouts are becoming far more popular than overly curved or decorative shapes.
These designs don’t just look more modern, they’re easier to work into your garden layout. They align better with patios, help define zones, and often make the space feel more organised rather than crowded.
If your pool feels like it doesn’t quite belong, the shape could be part of the problem.
Nighttime Lighting
One of the main reasons why the pool looks out of place in the garden is the lack of practical features around it. So, using quality furniture to frame the shape of the pool will help create a sense of inclusion. But you can also make it more intentional with dedicated lighting solutions, such as sensor-based switch-controlled systems, that can illuminate your path to the pool at night.
Lighting is also a great way to create interesting shapes that can paint the pool area in a different light at night.
In 2026, lighting is becoming smarter and more subtle. Instead of harsh brightness, the focus is on layered lighting – soft glows, hidden LEDs and systems you can control from your phone. It’s not just about visibility anymore, it’s about how the space feels in the evening.
Nature-Led Design Makes a Big Difference
Another way to soften the look of your pool is by focusing on what surrounds it.
There’s a growing move towards more natural, grounded outdoor spaces, where pools are framed with planting, stone and layered textures rather than stark edges and hard finishes.
You don’t need to completely redesign your garden to achieve this. Even simple changes—like adding planting around the edges, using natural stone, or softening boundaries with greenery—can help your pool feel like it belongs in the space.
It’s less about perfection and more about creating a setting that feels relaxed and lived in.
Bringing It All Together
Can the addition of a pool become synonymous with increased property value for homeowners? More often than not, a thoughtful decor that brings the pool area to life can contribute not only to your enjoyment of the outdoor space but also to a return on investment when you sell the property.
The key takeaway from all of this is simple: the most successful pool areas in 2026 aren’t necessarily the biggest or the most expensive. They’re the ones that feel considered, connected to the home, and genuinely enjoyable to use.
If you focus on how the space works as a whole – and how it feels to spend time in – you’ll end up with something that looks better, works better, and adds real value to your home.
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