Step 1
Walk it and design it
On the site visit we set the routes from the house, gate, pool edge, spa, seating and equipment, and the grade and drainage that keep the deck dry. The design accounts for all of it before a paver is ordered.
Poolside Landscapes in Central Ohio
Pool landscaping in Columbus and Central Ohio: decks, patios, planting, fencing and lighting.
The landscape around the water
Pool landscaping in Columbus and Central Ohio
Peabody Landscape Group designs and builds the landscape around swimming pools and spas for homes in Columbus and Central Ohio. That covers the pool deck and patio, steps, walls, planting, fencing and lighting, plus the fireplace, shade and outdoor kitchen that make the yard usable from morning until late evening. We do not build the pool itself. We design the backyard around it and work with your pool builder, whether the pool is still on paper or already in the ground. To talk about your pool yard, use the contact form or call (614) 488-2877. For how the pieces fit together, read our poolside landscaping guide or see the Blacklick poolside project.
Pool decks, planting and lighting: what we plan around the water
Pool landscaping is everything around the water: the deck, walkways, steps, walls, planting, fence and lighting. Most pool yards work or fail on a handful of details. The deck needs to be wide enough for chairs with a clear walk still left around the pool, and pitched so splash drains away from the pool and the house. The surface should stay comfortable underfoot on a hot July afternoon.
A pool deck or patio can be concrete pavers, large-format pavers or natural stone, finished with pool coping at the water's edge. Our paver patio work uses the same base and drainage approach. Low walls and boulders can hold a grade change behind the pool, and the planting sits at the deck edge or on the slope so it does not crowd the walk.
Planting around a pool has to handle sun, reflected heat and splash, and drop very little into the water. Ornamental grasses, evergreens and tough perennials set back from the edge do well. Privacy comes from evergreen screening, a hedge or a fence, and the pool fence is built as part of the landscape.
Pool landscape lighting is low voltage and goes where it is needed at night: the steps, the deck edges, the walls and the walk back to the house.
On a pool project there are two jobs. Your pool builder does the pool. We do the landscape around it and coordinate the order of the work with the pool builder. Peabody has built poolside landscapes in Central Ohio since 1982. For the full planning list, read our poolside landscaping guide.
How We Build It
The whole backyard, planned together
When the deck, planting and lighting are designed together, the wiring, drains and gas lines go in once and in the right place, rather than being cut in after the concrete is poured.
You get the full scope in writing before work starts, including the order of the work and how it fits around the pool contractor's schedule.
Step 2
Build from the written scope
Splash, runoff, patio slope, wall edges and drains are in the scope of work before the crew starts, and normally the same crew stays from the first day to the last, with the site cleaned every day.
Step 3
Walk it before it is done
Dining, lounge, fire, shade and spa access each get their own room. Before the job is called finished we walk it with you and finish whatever is left.
Poolside Landscapes
Poolside and Spa Area Gallery
Pool decks, terraces, planting and outdoor rooms from Peabody projects across Central Ohio.
What We Plan For
- Walking clearances around the pool or spa edge
- Structural support, steps, and service access for hot tubs and spa areas
- Furniture zones, dining space, fire features, and covered seating
- Drainage away from the water, house, and patio joints
- Planting that handles sun, reflected heat, splash, and maintenance access
- Shade, privacy, fencing, gates, steps, and code requirements
- Lighting on the steps, wall edges and the walk back to the house at night
Stone, Paver and Planting Options
- Concrete pavers, natural stone paving, large-format pool deck pavers, and pool coping
- Retaining wall block, boulders, stone piers, and seat walls
- Sun-tolerant planting, ornamental grasses, evergreens, and screening plants
- Pergolas, pavilions, fire features, kitchens, and low-voltage lighting
- Drainage stone, pipe, catch basins, edge restraint, and cleanout access
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you build swimming pools?
No. We design and build the landscape around the pool, including the deck and patio, walls, planting, fence, lighting, shade structures and outdoor kitchens. We work with your pool builder when a project needs both. If you are looking for a pool builder, they are a separate company, and we can plan the yard around whoever you choose.
Do you do pool landscaping near me in Columbus?
Yes. We design and build poolside landscapes for homes in Columbus and across Central Ohio. Use the contact form or call (614) 488-2877 and tell us the town and whether the pool is planned or already built. You can see one finished example in our Blacklick poolside project.
When should I bring in a landscape designer for a new pool?
Before the pool is dug, if you can. Deck size, grade, drainage, fencing, lighting and utility routes all depend on where the pool sits, and they are easier to plan together than to fix after.
What should be planned before pool construction starts?
Access for the pool builder's equipment, the finished grade and drainage, the deck and patio layout, where the pool equipment will be screened, the fence and the lighting. Those decisions shape the whole backyard, so they are easier to settle before the pool goes in.
Can pool landscaping be added after the pool is in?
Yes. We often come in after the pool is built to finish the patio, planting, walls, lighting and outdoor living areas around the water.
What plants work best around a pool?
Plants that handle heat and reflected sun and drop very little into the water. Ornamental grasses, evergreens and tough perennials work well when they are set back from the edge. We avoid trees and shrubs that shed leaves, berries or needles.
How do I get privacy around a pool?
Evergreen screening, a tall hedge or a fence, usually a mix of them. The screen should block the neighbors' view without dropping leaves in the water or blocking the routes you need for service access. Our fence and gate work covers the pool fence as well.
What is the best material for a pool deck?
Concrete pavers and natural stone both work. The choice comes down to how the surface feels in summer sun, how it drains and how it matches the house. We set the base, the slope and the coping together so the deck stays flat and drains away from the water.
Can you add landscape lighting around a pool?
Yes. We use low-voltage lighting on the steps, wall edges, deck edges and the walk back to the house. Lighting is easiest to plan with the deck, so the wiring goes in once instead of being cut in later.
Does a pool need a fence in Central Ohio?
In most communities, yes. Height, gate hardware and self-closing requirements vary by municipality, so we confirm the local rules during design and build the fence as part of the landscape. For what landscape work costs, see our landscaping cost guide.
Built Work
Poolside Landscapes in Finished Projects
Peabody projects in Central Ohio where this work is part of the whole landscape.
Powell, OH
Formal Estate Grounds
Formal estate grounds in Powell, Ohio with brick walks, stone walls, gate transitions, lawn panels, a pool edge, and seasonal containers.
View Project
Blacklick, OH
Pool and Fire Feature
Poolside outdoor living in Blacklick, Ohio, with layered hardscape, planting, fire features, and lighting for evening use around the pool.
View Project
Dublin, OH
Pool Deck and Pool House
A residential pool estate with a paver pool deck, pool house, natural stone walls, layered planting, and seasonal color.
View ProjectRequest a poolside landscape consultation
Tell us about the pool and the yard around it. We will get back to you to set up a time to look at it together.