How To Improve Your Pool Area On A Tight Budget

Owning an outdoor pool is like having a private oasis in your backyard. It provides endless opportunities for relaxation and entertainment, and is a great place to lounge when the weather is nice. Over time, however, this outdoor sanctuary can start looking shabby and rundown. If your pool area needs an upgrade but you don’t have the budget to make significant improvements, you’ll need to find ways to make it look better for cheap.

To improve the way your pool area looks on a budget, use mood lighting and lanterns with candles to add ambiance. Repaint pool furniture, cover floors with outdoor rugs, and swap out old cushions for new ones. Add new plants to the area and insulate the roots with lava rock gravel. Add an outdoor speaker, new pool toys, and a vibrant new umbrella for a pop of color and additional shade.

Owning a pool is costly. There are many fees associated with pool maintenance and upkeep, even before you consider the way the area around your pool looks. If you want to make your pool area look nicer, but don’t have a lot of money to fix the problem, keep reading. Below is a list of many great ways to make your outdoor pool area look new and improved without breaking the bank.

12 Effective Ways To Improve Your Pool Area On A Budget

1. Add Mood Lighting

One fantastic way to make your pool look glamorous without spending much money at all is to add some mood lighting. Lights can cost less than $50, but they can completely transform your pool area, especially at night.

You can use waterproof string lights, especially the Edison bulb style, if you are on a very tight budget, as these are very affordable. Alternatively, you can add a few uplights or track lighting. While this won’t make your pool look much different during the day, it will make it look amazing and more functional at night.

2. Resurface The Pool Yourself

If the problem with your pool area is the pool itself, consider resurfacing it yourself. This is a manageable DIY project as long as you do a bit of research and aren’t afraid to put in some hours of hard work.

This option only works on certain pool types, as some custom pools should only be resurfaced by professionals. If you have a simple pool with no tiles, you can patch up cracks yourself and use pool paint to resurface the pool.

Pool paint usually lasts between three and five years. So, while this is not a permanent fix, it buys you time so you can save up for a few years to then have it done professionally.

3. Incorporate Plants To Hide Imperfections

Adding plants around your pool area is a great idea for many reasons. For one, the right plants can add an exotic and tropical vibe to your pool deck and significantly enhance the way it looks. Plants can also help hide imperfections and details you’d rather guests didn’t see.

Use palms and other bushy plants to hide cracks and areas of your pool that you find ugly, but are too expensive to repair currently. Ensure you choose the best plants for your pool area, as you don’t want them to quickly die, or shed leaves into your pool and then clog your filter.

4. Paint Your Existing Pool Furniture

Most pool areas have furniture like a table, chairs, and a few loungers. Over time, these pieces deteriorate, as outdoor furniture is subject to hard natural elements. Unfortunately, pool furniture is also very expensive.

If you can’t afford new furniture but your current pool or patio set is looking rusted or discolored, consider adding a layer of paint. You can sand down and repaint your existing pool furniture to give it a new life. Sure, you will still have to replace it eventually, but a coat of paint is cheap, and it can buy you several years.

5. Purchase A Waterproof Speaker

Pool ambience isn’t always about what you can see. It can also be about what you hear. If your current pool area is feeling drab and lacks excitement, consider adding some music. A waterproof speaker is a great way to jazz up your outdoor space.

You can install a permanent outdoor speaker, or if you are on a tight budget, simply buy a portable speaker. Portable Bluetooth speakers are more affordable than ever, and they offer great sound.

6. Use Outdoor Rugs To Hide Ugly Floors

If the floor near your pool is unsightly but you don’t have the funds to completely redo it, then an outdoor rug is the answer. An outdoor washable rug can add style, color, and function to just about any outdoor space. It is also comfortable for your feet.

When shopping for the perfect outdoor rug, ensure you opt for one that is suitable for your climate, as well as a material that is quick drying or water-resistant. 

7. Use Lava Rock Instead Of Mulch For An Exotic Twist

If you already have some outdoor landscaping, but find the mulch or soil is always making a mess, then switch to lava rock gravel instead. Lava rock gravel is an exotic type of gravel that will protect and insulate your roots, and look great while doing it.

You can find it in both red and black, and it will last a long time. This is a great mulch alternative and will leave less of a mess than soil or even high-quality mulch.

8. Add New Cushions To Outdoor Furniture

In addition to repainting your pool furniture, you can also swap out old and discolored cushions for new ones. Not only will new cushions be more comfortable, but they can also make old and tired furniture look brand new. 

You can often find cushions online or at your local home improvement stores. They tend to go on sale at the end of the summer, so consider holding out until the end of the season for some extra savings.

9. Buy (Or Make) A Better Pool Cover

It’s important you know that when pool season ends, your pool doesn’t magically disappear until the weather improves. Just because your pool isn’t in use doesn’t mean you need your outdoor pool area to look bleak. Instead, buy or build a new pool cover that looks sleek. This allows your outdoor space to look tidy and aesthetically pleasing, even when pool season is still months away.

10. Add Flowering Climbing Plants

You’d be surprised what a flowering vine can do to offset an otherwise drab pool area. There are many flowering vines to choose from, so opt for one that suits your aesthetic and will thrive in your region. 

Build a trellis and install it in a focal point where you think it will look best. This living wall will breathe new life into your pool area at a very marginal cost.

11. Buy A Colorful Umbrella

Sometimes, all a drab pool area needs is a fresh new umbrella. If your current umbrella is moldy, torn, or discolored, then it’s time replace your outdoor umbrella. A new umbrella isn’t cheap, but for less than $200, you can breathe new life into your patio set, as the umbrella is what catches the eye. Choose a vibrant-colored umbrella that goes with your outdoor style, and you’ll be surprised at how much better your pool area looks.

12. Incorporate Fun New Pool Toys

One cheap and quick fix to make your pool area look better on a budget is to add some fun new pool toys and flotation devices. Inflatable loungers and other toys make using your pool more fun. They also add a bit of color and whimsy to your pool area. Inflatable loungers are also much cheaper than new pool furniture.

Final Notes On How To Improve Your Pool Area On A Budget

You might think you need to save up for years to remodel your pool area, but there are many ways you can improve the way it looks without spending a ton of money. Add mood lighting to create a lovely evening ambiance, and buy a waterproof speaker to pump sound into the area. Adding plants and strategically placing them in “ugly” areas can make your pool area look much nicer. 

Swap out old seat cushions and shabby umbrellas for new and vibrant ones, and repaint any rusty or stained pool furniture. Add outdoor rugs to cover ugly floors, and plant flowering climbing plants to create a stunning living wall if you are on a tight budget.

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