Modern Pool Landscaping Ideas
Modern pool landscaping keeps the focus on the water: a clean rectangular pool, wide light-colored pavers, simple planting and a lounge area. It's easy to keep tidy and makes a backyard feel like a boutique hotel.
Try this style on your yardModern Pool Landscaping: before & after
Same house, same angle. Only the landscaping changes.
Before
AfterWhat makes a modern pool
Plants
- Ornamental grasses (feather reed grass, Mexican feather grass, blue fescue)
- Clipped boxwood or other evergreen shrubs in rows
- Sculptural accents like agave or yucca in warm climates
- One multi-stem feature tree
Materials
- Large-format concrete or porcelain pavers
- Gravel or decomposed granite between pavers
- Black steel or aluminum edging
- Horizontal slat fences and smooth rendered walls
Features
- Geometric planters in black, gray or concrete
- Low, warm path and step lights
- Linear fire pit or water feature
- Clean, uncluttered layouts with repeated plants
Design tips
Use the same paving throughout
Running one light paver from the house to the pool deck makes the yard feel larger and more cohesive.
Plant grasses, not messy trees
Ornamental grasses and clipped shrubs add softness without dropping leaves and petals into the water.
Plan lounging and shade together
Place loungers where they get sun, and add an umbrella or shade structure nearby for the hottest hours.
See a modern design on your own yard
Upload a photo and we’ll preselect the pool and modern style for you. New accounts get 3 free designs.
1. Upload a photo of your yard
2. What are we designing?
3. Pick a style
Your redesigned yard will appear here.
Frequently asked questions
What plants are best around a modern pool?
Ornamental grasses, clipped evergreens and sculptural plants like agave or yucca in warm climates. Avoid trees that drop lots of leaves near the water.
Can I see a pool in my yard before building one?
Yes. Upload a photo of your backyard, choose Pool and the Modern style, and the AI shows a pool, deck and planting on your own yard.