Creating a Resort-Style Backyard: Design Ideas for Your Pool Area

Imagine walking into your backyard, greeted by the soothing sound of water, lush landscaping, and a beautifully designed swimming pool that feels like a luxury resort. A resort-style backyard is not just a place for relaxation—it’s an experience. For homeowners and property owners in Tampa, transforming your backyard pool into a stunning retreat is more achievable than ever with the right design elements and professional new pool construction.

At Larsen’s Pool & Spa, we specialize in helping our clients create the perfect backyard oasis by combining expert pool design with creative landscaping and outdoor living features. Whether you’re in the planning phase for a new pool construction or looking to enhance your existing pool area, here are some design ideas to help you create a resort-style backyard that you’ll love year-round.

1. Embrace a Tropical Landscape

In Florida, creating a tropical paradise right in your own backyard is an ideal way to enhance the feeling of a resort-style backyard. Incorporate lush, vibrant landscaping that mimics the natural beauty of the tropics. Here are some ideas for a tropical landscape:

• Palm trees: Tall, stately palm trees are a quintessential feature of a tropical environment. They not only provide shade but also add height and elegance to your backyard pool area.
• Tropical plants: Consider adding plants like hibiscus, bougainvillea, and bird of paradise, which offer vivid colors and thrive in Florida’s warm climate. These plants will give your pool area a lush, tropical feel.
• Grasses and ferns: Low-maintenance, fast-growing grasses, like ornamental grasses and ferns, can add texture and fill in gaps around your pool, softening the hard edges and providing natural beauty.

By incorporating these tropical elements, your backyard pool can transport you to a resort-like escape, making your home the ultimate place for relaxation and entertainment.

2. Focus on Lighting to Set the Mood

Lighting plays a pivotal role in creating the ambiance of your resort-style backyard. The right lighting can transform your pool area into an inviting space for evening enjoyment, whether you’re hosting a gathering or enjoying a peaceful night swim. Here are some lighting options to consider for your Tampa pool area:

• Underwater LED lighting: Install underwater LED lights to create a dazzling effect at night. These lights can be color-changing, adding a vibrant touch to your swimming pool or calming hues to match the mood of your evening.
• Accent lighting: Use soft, low-voltage accent lights to highlight landscaping features, such as palm trees or water features. This helps to create an enchanting atmosphere in your backyard oasis.
• Pathway lighting: Add lights along walkways or steps leading to your pool to enhance safety and provide a subtle glow, guiding guests through your outdoor space.
• Nebula™ Lighting, string lights or lanterns: For a cozy, resort-like vibe, consider stringing lights or hanging lanterns above your pool area. These can add a magical touch to your outdoor environment, perfect for those relaxed evenings.

Strategically placed lighting not only enhances the beauty of your pool but also extends the usability of your outdoor space into the evening hours, making it ideal for both relaxation and entertainment.

3. Incorporate Water Features for Relaxation

One of the most luxurious elements of any resort-style backyard is the sound and sight of flowing water. Adding water features to your new pool construction can elevate the entire experience, transforming your backyard pool into a tranquil retreat. Here are a few water features to consider:

• Waterfalls: A cascading waterfall creates an instant focal point and can be customized in size and design to suit your space. The sound of falling water enhances the relaxing atmosphere of your backyard oasis, perfect for unwinding after a long day.
• Deck jets or bubblers: Small jets or bubblers can be installed along the perimeter of the pool, creating gentle ripples and adding visual interest to the water’s surface. These features are particularly effective in creating a serene, calming effect.
• Spillways and fountains: Adding spillways from raised planters or fountains around your pool area provides additional elegance and enhances the overall resort feel.

Incorporating water features into your pool area not only adds beauty but also creates a calming environment, turning your backyard pool into a peaceful sanctuary.

4. Create Outdoor Living Spaces

A resort-style backyard isn’t just about the swimming pool—it’s about creating a full outdoor living space where you can relax, entertain, and enjoy the great Florida weather. Add features such as:

• Outdoor kitchen or bar: Installing a fully equipped outdoor kitchen or bar area allows you to entertain guests while enjoying your backyard pool. Include a built-in grill, refrigerator, and even a bar area for a complete outdoor dining experience.
• Covered patio or pergola: Add a covered patio or pergola near the pool to provide shade during the hot Florida afternoons. This area can be furnished with comfortable seating and even a dining area, allowing you to enjoy meals or unwind without direct sun exposure.
• Fire features: Fire pits or outdoor fireplaces add both warmth and ambiance, especially during cooler evenings. Surrounding your backyard pool with comfortable seating and a fire feature allows you to create a cozy space for late-night gatherings or quiet moments by the fire.

These elements will make your backyard oasis feel like a true extension of your home, perfect for both small family moments and large social gatherings.

5. Consider Poolside Lounging and Comfort

The key to a resort-style backyard is comfort. After all, your swimming pool should not only be beautiful but also functional. Consider adding lounge areas with:

• Daybeds or chaise lounges: Provide comfortable places for you and your guests to relax around the pool. These can be placed under umbrellas or near shade structures, offering a perfect spot for sunbathing or enjoying a cool drink.
• Built-in benches: Consider adding built-in benches or seating along the pool’s edge or in shallow areas. These provide space to relax in the water or enjoy a conversation while lounging.
• Outdoor cushions and throws: Incorporate plush cushions and throws on outdoor furniture for added comfort and a touch of luxury. These details make your backyard pool area more inviting and cozy.

Creating a comfortable and stylish poolside area is essential to ensure your backyard oasis is not only visually stunning but also a place where you can truly relax and enjoy your time outdoors.

6. Add Custom Pool Decking and Hardscaping

The finishing touches for your new pool construction come in the form of pool decking and hardscaping. Choose materials that complement your Tampa landscape and enhance the aesthetic of your backyard pool:

• Natural stone or travertine: These materials add a high-end, timeless appeal to your pool area. Natural stone is also slip-resistant, making it perfect for pool decks.
• Wood decking: If you want a more rustic, tropical feel, consider wood decking around your backyard pool. Composite wood materials offer durability and low maintenance, while also blending well with natural landscaping.
• Paver: These materials offer a customizable, durable, and elegant look for your pool area. You can choose from a wide range of patterns and colors to create a unique design that complements your home.

A well-designed pool deck ties the entire pool area together, creating a cohesive, stylish, and functional space.

Contact Larsen’s Pool & Spa to Build Your Backyard Oasis Today

Transforming your Tampa backyard into a resort-style backyard doesn’t have to be complicated. By combining strategic landscaping, thoughtful lighting, relaxing water features, and luxurious outdoor living spaces, you can create the backyard oasis of your dreams. Whether you’re starting with new pool construction or looking to enhance your existing pool area, Larsen’s Pool & Spa is here to help bring your vision to life.

By incorporating these design ideas, you can create a stunning, functional pool area that will provide years of enjoyment, relaxation, and entertainment. Start planning your backyard pool today and turn your Tampa home into a resort-like retreat.

Ready to create your backyard oasis? Contact Larsen’s Pool & Spa today for expert design and construction of your new pool. 

Let us help you build the resort-style backyard you’ve always dreamed of!