The balmy days of summer invite lounging by the pool or entertaining outside. Whether you're just making the dive into a new project or renovating an existing outdoor area, an above-ground pool is the name of the game—and the standout features in and around it can turn this spot into a relaxing oasis.
Resistant to fading, frost, and chemicals, our glimmering Aquamarine Blue Mixed Squares Glass Tile is the perfect finish and will retain its luxury resort luster year after year.
However, the thought of bringing visual interest to the outdoors can be overwhelming, but gorgeous poolscape ideas will have you dazzled and quickly looking forward to the summer days ahead. From eclectic tiles to striking murals that add an artistic punch, an above-ground design-savvy swim area will make you want to lay out in the sunshine or dive right in.
Ahead, we share above-ground swimming pool ideas that will inspire you to kickstart your staycation creation that’s a hub of life during the warmer season.
What is an Above-Ground Swimming Pool?
There's a water retreat style for every exterior setting and an above-ground pool is one. Unlike an inground swimming pool, this one has its structure on top of the ground, sometimes surrounded by a deck or patio.
The loveliest and most compelling ideas use durable and aesthetically pleasing materials that are sympathetic to the architecture of the home and consider the shapes, lines, and forms of the surrounding garden. Our Milk Chocolate Mixed Squares Glass Pool Tile is both functional and aesthetically pleasing in equal measures!
This makes them yield a straightforward way to elevate your yard design and your lifestyle. The vogue for variation in shapes, sizes, and material craftsmanship means this architecturally striking feature offers practical perks—and style-wise, makes every summer day feel like a vacation.
Added perk: a little creativity can turn your outdoor splash pad into an all-around showstopper and a perfect photo backdrop for al fresco entertaining!
Choosing Tile Material for Your Pool Area
Today’s above-ground pools go way beyond the concrete-lined coping that can quickly turn your backyard into less-than-desirable drab. The use of tiling material can accentuate your outdoor area and serve to maintain visual flow into the surrounding garden scene.
Tiling within and around an above-ground swimming area requires thorough research. The type of material you choose impacts the functionality, aesthetics, and maintenance of the water feature.
The days of playing it safe with bright blue or turquoise mosaics are far behind us. With a plethora of style, shape, and color choices, it’s easy to add an element of beauty tailored to complement the architecture of your house and landscape. Better yet, it’s easy to visualize how the tile installation will appear in scale, when wet, and when laid in shallow or deep areas.
Our tiles are paper-face mounted to allow quick, easy, and clean installation. This also allows for better adhesion to the surface and the paper can be easily removed.
- Porcelain tile. The enduring allure of porcelain tile lies in a timeless beauty capable of crafting a design that embodies vacation vibes—right in the comfort of your home. From minimalist designs to more elaborate styles, this hard finish can be all you can imagine and more.
Because of its superior quality, porcelain can be made to mimic the captivating appeal of natural stone and the authentic charm of real wood—providing myriad ways to make a big design splash that enhances the experience of your property.
But aesthetics aside, porcelain has a track record of exceptional durability you can trust. It is hard wearing, impervious to water and stains, and can withstand salt, chlorine, and UV rays. Plus, porcelain tile is comfortable to walk on, has a non-slip capacity that isn’t lost over time, and can adapt to changing temperatures and conditions without losing its exquisite appeal.
- Glass tile. Take advantage of the breathtaking beauty of glass tiles to create a cool and
inviting respite. Glass mosaics have been a favorite finish for years and continue to deliver quite the presence. Of course, durability, longevity, and care are crucial parts of the whole.
Opt for glass tiles that hold up perfectly in wet environments and are easy to maintain. Not only will mosaics give your oasis burgeoning flair, but their small sizes provide added grip while a naturally smooth finish will protect little swimmers from scrapes and scratches.
Above-Ground Pool Ideas That Add Style and Panache
So it’s settled: you desire nothing more than a chic outdoor retreat to beat summer’s warm weather! These ideas are sure to inspire:
Complement your home's architecture
Whether you have an inground swimming pool or an above-ground one, the plunge area tends to be the center of attention. But matching its tile design to your home's style further enhances aesthetic appeal. When everything works as a cohesive unit, it creates a harmonious look.
Unlike trends that rise and fall in spectacular fashion, wood-look porcelain tiles used for aquatic surroundings are a timeless feature that complements just about any architectural style.
Matching doesn’t necessarily mean slipping into monotonous funk. The overall intention is to ensure consistent flow through color scheme and material to make the sum surpass its separate parts. For instance, modern architecture can be complemented by a stone-look porcelain tile pool coping and a walking path that leads to the patio.
The subdued colorway and geometric cleanliness of natural stone will breathe a seriously sophisticated vibe that maximizes the visual impact of your property. Similarly, landscaping with bright foliage creates a vibrant outcome, and this effect can be emphasized with lively outdoor tiles.
Add pizzazz with bold glass mosaics
We are a little biased, but we love captivating and uniquely bold glass tiles. Gorgeous glass mosaics in rich hues make it possible to transform your space into something spectacular. Not to mention, the reflective quality of glass creates a shimmer effect that dances beautifully around the water.
Bold and vibrant glass tiles most definitely have a place in both above-ground and inground designs. While traditional greens and blues have dominated wet settings for decades, bright or vivid ideas like the Camo Green & Brown Squares Glass Pool Tiles are gaining ground in contemporary design.
These stunning small squares can deliver a mesmerizing look of the most intricate blends of color. An abstract mesh of bright hues, jewel tones, or soothing greens and blues to conjure up the comforting feeling of the ocean, results in an eye-catching graphic finish. Alternatively, you can stick to a single colorway to craft a uniform geometric grid.
Accentuate the cascade waterfall feature
If glass tiles are what you prefer, you’ll love how they can replicate the beauty of shimmering waterfalls with their enchanting radiance and bring an exquisite touch. Our, Black and White Weaved Hexagon Glass Mosaic Tile is sure to deliver an unparalleled design that’s timeless and enduring.
An elevated waterfall feature adds depth and dimension to an above-ground water structure. Tile this part for a striking focal point that captures attention all year round. Porcelain stocks a range of stunning geometric patterns such as hexagon, flower, classic square, or rectangular shape that can be oriented vertically or horizontally.
Have fun with a striking mural
Calling all maximalists: mosaic tiles offering high-definition images are undisputed champions that can help you craft a dynamic visual experience with a striking mural design. A bonafide work of art that’s visible through crystal-clear water easily brings unmatched flair, depth, and visual weight to a humdrum dated area. For your design to draw the eye, opt for primary shades or high-contrast color tiles.
Fill your backyard with energetic colors and patterns! Custom mosaic murals allow you to portray your individual design flair with a striking artifact.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so consider commissioning a custom design that reflects your unique taste, as it will be a lasting presence in your home for years to come. The possibilities for a truly distinct and captivating design statement are endless—from large-scale abstract patterns to bold motifs of lush florals, landscapes, or even sea creatures. With a mural, your backyard oasis will become the centerpiece that speaks volumes!
Create an eye-catching waterline detail
The Glacier Black 1x1 Polished Glass Tile can be a feast for the eyes, which is exactly the intended purpose of a decorative waterline!
The entirety of a swimming surface deserves an impactful design, but where it truly stands out is at the waterline. Typically installed as a 6-inch band around the perimeter, this area is an easy eye-catcher since it remains unobstructed by water. Here, you can enhance your design with an extra flourish of detail, adding a finishing touch that truly stands apart.
Specialty-shaped porcelain tiles are a fantastic pick for this area. Thanks to the many exciting options, you can maintain a vibrant look with exciting hues to bring a novel boutique hotel attitude to the backyard or stick to a striking pattern in a more subtle tone for casual sophistication. We love the idea of using the same waterline tile down the stairs for an even greater visual punch.
Mix finishes
Our Sparkly Midnight Teal Squares Glass Pool Tile offers plenty of charm to enjoy visually! Pairing with different coping and patio material allows you to explore and express your creativity in design.
One of our favorite ideas is meshing different tile materials to create an intriguing setting. To execute this idea, mix tiles of the same color but varying textures or patterns to clad the interior of the pool, water line, and decking frame or surrounding patio. This mixture of formats is a design trick that enables you to create a whole new one-of-a-kind dimension.
Set the scene with a stylish surrounding
While you’re at it with bringing style to your swimming area design, limiting the versatility of tile to just that structure doesn’t showcase its true potential. If you have a deck or patio that surrounds the water feature, tiles are the perfect material to add character and reinforce your overall design scheme.
Our Desert Sand Terrazzo Hex Porcelain Tile delivers an immensely durable and hardwearing alternative to traditional terrazzo. And in terms of style, it emulates the same color and texture variation that offers a stately finish resembling indoor luxury.
Conversely, porcelain works brilliantly thanks to its high-performance properties and there’s plenty of room to add sophisticated flair out on the patio. We're true believers in using large-format tiles to create the perfect spot for laid-back summer lounging and al fresco dinner parties. There's been a rise in demand for tiles that simulate the appearance and texture of timber, marble, traditional terrazzo, and earthy terracotta.
Outdoor porcelain tiles can often be used as an indoor floor finish, which makes it possible to create a uniform transition between the interior and exterior. If you’re sold on large-format tiles, lean to Dover Almond Stone Look Beige Porcelain Tile for a seamless, modern finish.
Elevate the outdoor area with good lighting
If you’re wondering how to design an atmospheric swimming area, it’s all about beautiful and thoughtful illumination. Ensuring the patio has sufficient lighting is key for safely moving around when evening hours arrive. Soft uplighting for surrounding plants creates the perfect ambiance.
Good lighting will make your pool the centerpiece of your outdoor space and allow you to show off the beauty of your yard at night in all its glory. Here, Pearl White Weaved Hexagon Glass Mosaic Tile adds a quiet sophistication to this courtyard setting.
Less is more when it comes to directly illuminating the swimming area. Subtle lighting enhances the reflection of surrounding elements, creating a more serene atmosphere. Ideally, a series of adjustable lights that can be dimmed or brightened makes all the difference, ensuring your above-ground water feature is functional and inviting in any situation.
Make your above-ground pool design your muse for creating a stately outdoor space that transports you from everyday chaos to a place of tropical bliss. Take a dip through Tile Club’s outdoor tile collection that’s sure to cover all of your getaway-worthy pool needs.
Lindsay Fluckiger
Lindsay Fluckiger’s journey in the digital space took a leap forward at HGTV, where she served as the digital marketing manager for designer and TV personality Breegan Jane. Here, Lindsay's skills in content creation, social media and brand strategies were pivotal in driving digital transformations and boosting brand visibility.
Previously, Lindsay sharpened her skills at INK Public Relations, a boutique firm representing heavy hitters in the design space based in Los Angeles. Managing the social media presence for high-profile clients such as TRIO Design (Angela Harris) and Brandon Architects, she distinguished herself with her expertise in contract negotiation and social media advertising.
