3 CONSIDERATIONS FOR DESIGNING YOUR POOL DECK

You will likely spend as much time around your pool as you will in it. So, in designing your pool, you should design the deck around it with safety, daily life and entertaining in mind.

Safety Considerations for Your Pool Deck

The deck around a pool should provide enough space for people to move around the pool without risk of falling in. Generally, this means a 4- to 5-foot perimeter, especially when children will be present. 

You should also choose pool deck materials with safety in mind. There are many beautiful deck paver and stone options. You want to choose something that will be soft enough to walk on comfortably, but with enough texture to avoid slipping when you step out of the pool. Additionally, a pool deck material should be porous enough that water splashed out from the pool doesn’t become standing water. 

With the Arizona desert sun, you may also want to consider how you will keep your deck cool. Some overhead structures can be built into the deck to provide an “outdoor room” look and feel.

Daily Life Considerations for Your Pool Deck

You should think through how and when you plan to use your backyard. Will you be outside while kids (or grandkids) have endless cannonball contests? If so, you will likely want a lounge area. These days, lounge areas are often raised, which can provide great sight lines into the pool, or slightly submerged in water, which can provide easy access to a cool splash of water when you’ve had too much sun. 

There are also details to consider in how the pool edge is designed. For instance, if you’re someone who likes to sit on the edge in dip your feet in the water, a raised edge can create bench seating.

Other considerations include how you plan to light your deck area, deck upkeep (varies by materials used), and how many people will congregate around it (may necessitate wider deck areas). 

Entertainment Considerations for Your Pool Deck

If you plan to entertain, is there room for a dining table and grill near the pool area (both for convenience and safety)? Oftentimes entertaining space can be accommodated by extending the deck area on one side or corner of the pool. 

You can also consider the “wow” factors you want to add to transform your backyard into a true oasis for entertaining friends and family. These may include fountains (useful in masking noise, too), incorporation of landscaping, and more. 

---

Presidential Pools, Spas & Patio is Arizona’s largest pool builder, providing custom pool design, custom spa design, pool construction, and backyard hardscaping services to the Phoenix metro area, including the Scottsdale, Surprise, Goodyear and Gilbert areas, and the Tucson metro area. Our design consultants can also assist you in selecting hot tubs, swim spas, and patio furniture to complete your backyard.