A pool on its own isn’t a backyard. What makes a pool feel like a resort is everything around it — the deck you lounge on, the planting that softens the stone, the privacy that lets you relax, and the lighting that carries it into the evening.

Here are the questions Aurora and Newmarket homeowners ask most about landscaping around a pool.

How much patio space should you leave around a pool?

More than most people expect. Think about what needs to fit:

• Loungers along the sunny side, with room to walk past them
• A dining table near the house
• Safe walking space all the way around the pool
• Space by the steps and entry, where people gather

A narrow strip of coping with grass right behind it looks unfinished and is hard to furnish. We lay out furniture in the design stage so the deck is sized for how you’ll actually use it.

What’s the best surface around a pool?

The pool deck should be comfortable underfoot, slip-resistant when wet and durable through Ontario winters. Interlock pavers and natural stone are popular choices because they come in many textures and colours and individual pieces can be repaired if needed. Lighter colours tend to stay cooler in summer sun. See our interlock services for options.

What plants work well around a pool?

Good poolside plants are tidy, hardy and well-behaved. In general, look for:

• Ornamental grasses — movement and texture with little litter
• Evergreens — year-round structure and privacy
• Compact shrubs that don’t drop heavy leaves, berries or flowers into the water
• Perennials set back in beds for seasonal colour

What should you avoid planting near a pool?

• Trees that shed heavily — leaves, seed pods and needles end up in the skimmer
• Trees with aggressive roots too close to the pool shell or patio
• Thorny plants next to walkways
• Plants that attract lots of bees right beside the lounge area

Keep larger trees back from the water and let them frame the space from a distance. Our landscape design and planting guide covers plant selection for York Region.

How do you add privacy around a pool?

Fencing is required, but it doesn’t have to be the only layer. Combine:

• Upright evergreens or columnar trees along property lines
• Privacy screens or pergolas near lounge areas
• Raised planters that add height without a solid wall
• Placement — positioning the lounge area away from neighbours’ windows

Layered privacy feels softer and more natural than a fence alone.

Does pool fencing affect landscaping?

Yes. In Aurora, a pool enclosure permit is required before work starts, and the enclosure must meet the Town’s Fence By-law. Newmarket has its own requirements. Planting, raised beds and structures need to be placed so they don’t create climbable points near the enclosure. We design the fence and landscaping together so safety and looks both work.

How should a pool area be lit?

Lighting turns the pool into the centrepiece after dark:

• In-pool lighting for colour and safety
• Step and path lighting around the deck
• Uplighting on nearby trees and plantings
• Soft lighting under pergolas or along walls

Plan your poolscape as one design

Aurora Interlock & Pools Inc. designs the pool, deck, planting, privacy and lighting together — so your backyard feels finished from day one. We work across Aurora, Newmarket and York Region.

Call (905) 751-0077 or book a backyard design consultation.