Pool Privacy Design Ideas, Inspiration, & Considerations

Written by Michael Dean
June 8, 2023

swimming pool privacy wall and light bulb

Privacy around your pool is really comforting as a pool owner. And with the right landscaping strategy, you can add pool privacy features that not only keep the neighbors out, but also keep the pool area safe for your kids and create a beautiful aesthetic that blends in with your surrounding environment.

Below are my thoughts on the different types of privacy features you could add, some pool privacy ideas to get your design juices flowing, and some installation tips. Let’s get started.

Main Benefits

First, let’s start with the main benefits of privacy features around your pool.

Comfort and Privacy

The first is pretty obvious – privacy. Nobody wants a bunch of onlookers when you are trying to relax. Especially if you live in a crowded neighborhood, privacy features like a fence or tall landscaping can make your small space feel less crowded.

Safety

Some privacy features around pools can also improve overall safety and prevent your young children from accessing the pool area without supervision. Of course, this is much easier to do with fencing than landscaping, but more on that later.

Aesthetic

The proper privacy landscaping and other features can add tremendously to your overall backyard environment, theme, and vibe. Some hedging can also help “fill it in” and warm up the space if you have a very large backyard. The right types of privacy features will also vary depending on where you live.

Watch Outs

The only real watch-outs for privacy features are cost and upkeep. Generally, your stonework and hedging will cost more than installing a fence (well, depending on the type of fence). You also want to make sure you plan for maintenance (both maintenance time and cost) if you want plants as your privacy feature.

Types of Pool Privacy Features

Here are some common types of privacy features that I see many pool owners and builders considering.

Fences

The first and potentially most obvious option is fencing. Check out my article on pool fence ideas for some inspiration on the different types of fencing you could potentially install. Fences will offer better safety features and are typically cheaper to install. Outside of your basic picket fence, you can also go with a taller option with minimal “gaps” for more privacy, and you obviously have a lot of potential color variety.

Walls (Brick, Concrete, Stucco, Stone)

Building a solid wall from brick, concrete, stucco, stone, or another similar option is also an attractive privacy feature. You have a ton of optionality here with design (especially with stone), which is a popular option for many homeowners. I go through some examples below.

Plants

Greenery is another popular privacy option; you’ll see many examples below. You can go with a more formal option like a trimmed boxwood or a more rugged and wild design with a lot of different plants at varying heights that are less “put together,” but add a great positive energy to whatever space you are building.

Noise Barriers

Remember, privacy can also mean blocking out all the noises and distractions around your pool. Water features are a great solution for drowning out the surrounding noise.

Pool Privacy Design Ideas

garden inspired swimming pool

Obviously, natural landscaping, trees, and wooded areas are natural privacy. You can design your pool space to take advantage of these features for great privacy.

Here is an example of that trimmed boxwood hedge that I was talking about earlier. A very formal option, but a good one for many homeowners. I also love the stone walkway, gate, and red maple in the yard to add color and style.

Natasha Nicholson / Getty Images

A great example of the “kitchen sink” of privacy features. There is a lot of plant life going on here, but also zen among the chaos.

I really like the hedging combined with the taller trees to shade the pool from the neighbor’s house here.

Your traditional white picket fence is, good option for a lot of folks.

I like the modern feel of this wood fencing; going horizontal with your boards also feels less traditional. The plant life accents it well.

The natural stonework is the shining star in this example—a great pool privacy design feature.

Major contrast here with the example above, a lot bigger stones and a nice blend of stone and natural green landscaping.

If you want to go with a clean privacy option, this white stucco wall has a great feel.

Photo credit: Lucas Firmin Pools

I love the bricking here with wonderful scuppers protruding from the wall.

Installing Pool Privacy Features

As with any pool design feature, I think the best ones are considered at the very start before you even build your pool during the initial design process. However, privacy features can certainly be installed anytime after your pool is built.

If you’re looking at landscaping options for privacy, keep a few things in mind.

First, make sure to choose evergreen plants. You don’t want your privacy to completely disappear during some months of the year!

Second, make sure to choose plants that have minimal litter. Falling leaves and other debris from your plants could leave stone features around your pool stained.

Third, if you want privacy landscaping around your pool, make sure to install light-colored pavers or stone. Dark colors will soak up more heat and potentially damage the plants around them.

Lastly, make sure to check the local codes and requirements in your area for building structures around your home. Some local areas are stricter than others on what you can and cannot build, so make sure you know your limits before committing to a certain privacy feature.

Need Help Building Your Pool?

I offer design consulting services to help you build your ideal pool. I'll work with your contractor, create build-ready designs and specs, and much more.

Questions about pool privacy design? Let me know; always happy to help.

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