You’ve done it! You’ve built a pool in your backyard! Whether it’s of the above-ground variety of the in-ground variety, seeing a pool in the backyard is a dream come true for many homeowners. But as big an accomplishment as it is to have the pool in place, the real work is just beginning for you and your family.

Pool landscaping is almost as important a project as installing the pool itself. You want the area surrounding the pool to be as attractive and inviting as that crystal clear blue water. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to enhance the pool and the land around it, no matter how big or small your new pool may be.

If you have a small above-ground pool, landscaping a pool can be as simple as planting plants and putting in some mulch or stone chips around the base. This will provide an attractive sight as your guests walk from the house towards the pool. Mix up the colors of your plants and stone to give the area a rich, kaleidoscope-type look. In addition, building a stone step walkway between the house and the pool will lend an air of elegance and palatial formality.

An in-ground pool certainly provides more landscaping opportunities and choices, many of which will be challengingly complex. You can of course add all sorts of plants and trees around the pool and give yourself some extra shade while in the water. Give your backyard a tropical look with some long ferns or palm frond-type plants, and maybe even a palm tree or two!

Another option, too, is to surround the pool with a walkway made of brick, paving stones or cobblestones. Such a walkway, when juxtaposed against a bright green yard, will make for an eye-catching sight.

Pool landscaping, for an in-ground pool, can get as glamorous and as extravagant as you want. We’re talking waterfalls here! That’s right; you can have a cascading waterfall pouring right into your in-ground pool. Add a rotunda-like entrance and feel like royalty every single time you head out of the house and towards the pool!

There are countless ways to begin landscaping a pool. It’s a good idea to narrow down the possibilities and receive expert guidance from a landscaping professional. By hiring an experienced landscaper, landscaping your pool can be a much more cost-effective and efficient process than trying to do it all yourself. Professional landscapers have years of accumulated knowledge about plant root systems, which plants grow best in sun or shade, and which types of materials give you the most beauty and durability for your dollar. So when you have a plan for landscaping your pool, contact a reliable pool landscaping professional in your area and start enjoying your outdoor spaces.

Remember, with the right professional landscaping team, landscaping a pool can be almost as much fun as choosing to build the pool in the first place. With the spring and warmer temperatures finally here, there is no better time than right now to being planning your pool landscaping projects for this summer. Get going today—and enjoy the process as much as the final result!