14 Above Ground Pool Landscaping Ideas That Hide the Frame
When we installed our above ground pool, I loved everything about it except how it looked from the yard. That metal frame just sat there, bare and obvious.
After three summers of trial and error, I found landscaping tricks that actually hide the frame without breaking the bank. Here’s what worked.
1. Build a Wraparound Deck
A deck is the single best way to disguise an above ground pool. It covers the frame completely and gives you a place to set up chairs, towels, and drinks.
- Choose pressure-treated wood if you’re on a budget
- Go with composite decking if you want less maintenance
- Add a railing so the deck doesn’t feel like an afterthought
I went with a partial wraparound deck instead of a full one. It cost less and still hid most of the frame on the sides people actually see.
2. Plant Tall Grasses Around the Base
Ornamental grasses grow fast and fill in gaps better than most shrubs. They sway in the wind, which adds movement to an otherwise stiff metal structure.
- Try Pampas grass or Maiden grass for height
- Plant them in clusters, not single rows
- Leave a small gap near the pool wall for airflow and maintenance access
This was my first move and the cheapest one. A few bags of mulch and a handful of grass plugs changed the whole look within one growing season.
3. Use Lattice Panels
Lattice is an old trick, but it still works. You can paint it to match your house or stain it to blend into the yard.
- Attach panels directly to the pool frame using brackets, not screws into the liner
- Leave a removable section near the pump and filter
- Add a climbing vine like clematis for extra cover
I used lattice on the side facing our patio since that’s where guests sit most. It gave the pool a finished, almost custom look.
4. Surround It With Raised Garden Beds
Raised beds do double duty. They hide the lower half of the frame and give you a spot to grow flowers, herbs, or even small vegetables.
- Use cedar or composite for beds that won’t rot near water splash
- Keep beds at least a foot away from the pool wall
- Fill with drought-tolerant plants so you’re not watering twice a day
This idea worked best on the side of our pool that got the most sun. The bed acted like a buffer and made mowing around the pool much easier too.
See Also: 11 DIY Above Ground Pool Ideas That Look Luxe on Any Budget
5. Add a Privacy Fence Section
You don’t need to fence in the whole yard. A short fence section near the pool can block the frame from view at the property line.
- Match the fence style to your house, not just the pool
- Keep it low enough to stay code-compliant in most areas
- Stain it the same color as your deck for a cohesive look
We added one fence panel along the side facing the street. It solved the privacy issue and the frame issue at the same time.
6. Build a Stone or Gravel Border
A border around the base does more than hide the frame edge. It also stops grass from growing right up against the pool wall, which keeps mowing simpler.
- River rock gives a clean, modern look
- Crushed gravel is budget-friendly and drains well
- Pavers work if you want a more finished edge
I switched from grass to a gravel border two summers ago and haven’t looked back. No more trimming around the base with shears.
7. Use Tall Potted Plants
If you rent your home or aren’t ready for permanent landscaping, potted plants are the easiest fix. Move them around as needed, or take them with you if you ever move.
- Tall planters with grasses or small shrubs work best
- Group three or four pots together instead of spacing them out
- Rotate seasonal flowers in front for color
This is what I’d recommend to anyone starting out. No digging, no commitment, and you can test what height and placement looks best before investing in anything bigger.
8. Install a Pergola Nearby
A pergola doesn’t hide the frame directly, but it pulls the eye upward and away from the pool’s base. Paired with a deck, it makes the whole setup feel intentional rather than thrown together.
- Position it near the pool entrance or seating area
- Add string lights for evening use
- Train a vine along the top for shade over time
We built ours over the deck stairs. It became the focal point of the yard instead of the pool frame.
9. Try a Skirting Kit
Pool skirting is made specifically for this problem. It’s a fabric or vinyl panel that wraps around the base and snaps or zips into place.
- Look for UV-resistant material so it doesn’t fade in one season
- Choose a color that matches your siding or fence
- Check that it allows airflow to prevent mold buildup underneath
This is the fastest fix on this list. I used skirting the first year before I had time for anything bigger, and it held up better than I expected.
10. Add a Mulch Ring
Mulch rings are simple, cheap, and they make the transition from grass to pool look planned instead of accidental.
- Use a weed barrier underneath to cut down on upkeep
- Pick a mulch color that complements your house trim
- Refresh it once a year for the best look
This pairs well with almost every other idea on this list. I use it under our potted plants and along the gravel border.
11. Build a Small Retaining Wall
If your yard has any slope, a retaining wall can level out the area around the pool and hide the frame at the same time.
- Use stackable concrete blocks for an easy DIY option
- Fill behind the wall with soil and plant low shrubs
- Keep drainage in mind so water doesn’t pool against the frame
We needed this anyway because of our yard’s slope, so it solved two problems at once.
12. Add Climbing Vines on a Trellis
Vines take a season or two to fill in, but once they do, they cover the frame in a way that looks completely natural.
- Clematis, morning glory, and climbing hydrangea all work well
- Attach trellis panels to stakes, not the pool itself
- Trim back growth near the pump and skimmer regularly
Patience is the only real requirement here. By the second summer, ours had filled in enough that guests assumed it was always part of the yard’s design.
13. Use Outdoor Curtains or Privacy Screens
Outdoor curtains add a soft, resort-like feel while covering the frame from certain angles. They work especially well on a deck with posts already in place.
- Choose weather-resistant fabric made for outdoor use
- Hang them on a simple rod between deck posts
- Tie them back during the day, close them for evening privacy
This was more about atmosphere than full coverage for us, but it made the pool area feel like a separate, designed space rather than just a yard fixture.
14. Combine a Low Hedge With Edging
A low hedge does a lot of the same work as tall grasses but gives a neater, more manicured look if that’s the style you’re going for.
- Boxwood or dwarf yaupon holly both stay compact
- Add metal or stone edging to define the planting line
- Trim twice a season to keep the shape clean
This was the last thing I added, mostly for the front-facing side of the pool that visitors see first. It gave the whole setup a finished, landscaped feel instead of looking like a pool someone just dropped into the yard.
None of these projects need to happen all at once. I added mine over a few seasons, starting with the cheapest fixes and working up to the deck. Pick one or two that fit your yard and your budget, and the frame will start disappearing before you know it.
