Probably the most important thing to keep in mind when you have a pool is safety. It's advisable to have a fence with a locking gate around an in-ground pool. This is especially true if you have small children. There are many different styles and colors to choose from, so you can be safe and decorative at the same time. Another safety feature that can be added around a pool is outdoor lighting.

In addition to safety, the right fence design will also provide you with privacy. High fences with slats that are close together create a feeling of privacy for lounging around the pool. Also, if you want to beautify the look of your fence, you can train some vines to grow over it; the vines will provide privacy as well as enhance the overall look of the fence.

Patios can enhance the beauty of a pool area while at the same time increasing the safety. Patios are great for providing a slip-resistant surface around the pool. Colorful stones leading the way to your pool are a great idea. They can be specially designed to stay cooler and non-skid. This will allow you to get to the pool and back without burning your feet and help prevent slipping.

While we're on the subject of stones, throw in some landscaping stones around the plants and the edges of the patio. Light colored and small sharp stones look great and add some texture to the entire pool landscaping design.

As far as plants go, the idea is to make the area more inviting without increasing maintenance. For example, you don't want large deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves with the season changes) like maple, oak, elm, and birch trees around a swimming pool because you'll end up skimming all those leaves out of your pool. Try to avoid plants like impatients, petunias or genaniums, as their leaves fall off often and can make a mess. You should also avoid fruit trees because they are messy and the fruits attract bees. Additionally you should keep in mind that plants with invasive root systems can damage a swimming pool over the years.

Choose broad-leaf evergreens and palms, which tend to hold their leaves and fronds. Some good plants to use are the leafy giant white bird of paradise, fishtail palm, areca palm, and foxtail palm. Be sure to avoid plants with sharp edges or thorns. Plants like bougainvillea, pygmy date palm, most cactuses and roses have sharp edges or thorns and should be avoided for safety reasons.

For convenience and practicality, it's a good idea to have a storage shed for all the chemicals, pool toys and accessories that are used in or around pools.

To liven things up a bit, you could add some inflatables. There is a variety from fake palm trees to loungers available. Today's inflatables are made of a variety of materials in hot colors that are not only comfortable but are like pieces of art.

Accessories of all types can provide the final piece of your poolscape. Garden statues, potted plants, candles, and even pillows on your furniture help create an inviting space. Other things like waterfalls, pool houses, fountains, gazebos, and waterslides can add just the right touch to top off your pool landscaping design.

Someone who is handy with tools can probably handle most types of poolscaping duties without hiring a contractor. If doing the work is no problem, then do-it-yourself kits are the way to go and can save alot of money. Many products ranging from poolside furniture to sheds and even gazebos and waterslides can be built right out of the box. Made for all types of budgets, just about any design can be accommodated.

With a bit of imagination, creativity, muscle and good plan, you can spice up a boring old backyard and make it a place where people can relax and enjoy themselves.