Kickstart Your Texas Pool Patio Ideas Here

There’s plenty of advice about designing and building pool patios out there. But it’s hard to find expert guidance on pool patio ideas that win in Texas outdoor spaces — and Texans need a dedicated resource to inspire and elevate their project.

How will your poolside space mitigate the brutal local humidity of summer months, protect against the harsh combination of pool chemicals and high heat, and remain stable against shifting clay soil? We built this guide to answer those questions — plus jumpstart your inspiration with 10 of our very best pool patio designs.

We’re Allied Outdoor Solutions. Since 2009, we’ve changed the way 25,000+ Texans live in and love their outdoor spaces. 

Love what you see in this article? Let’s work the same magic in your backyard. Talk to us about renovating your Texas pool patio — the consultation is free!

Create Your Texas Pool Patio Idea in 5 Steps

Installing a new pool patio (or renovating your existing one) is a long-term investment that defines the way you live, play and entertain. This is particularly true here in Texas, where the poolside area is an integral part of your outdoor lifestyle.

That type of investment deserves a detailed, thoughtful plan that’s customized to your unique needs and outdoor space. Our design-build experts crafted a 5 step plan for Texans to perfect their pool patio ideas.

Use these steps to ensure your vision for your pool patio makes sense for your lifestyle, makes sense for your intended use, and makes sense for Texas.

Searching for your dream design? View our patio and pool deck gallery!

Step 1: Define Your Vision

This is the stage where many online design inspiration galleries immediately lose touch with your real life needs. The most beautiful pool patio concept loses its luster quickly if it doesn’t function in your daily life.

Set clear definitions for the what, where and why of your space:

• What you need your pool patio area to accomplish 
  
  • What’s your overall idea for the space? Backyard oasis, poolside grill, spa retreat, or family fun?
• Where it exists in your overall outdoor living space
  
  • How much usable square footage do you have to work with? Is a geometric, freeform or cocktail pool layout most effective?
• Why you’re ready for a renovated pool patio
  
  • What’s driving your desire for a new poolside living area? Identify the emotion behind the decision — do you want more fun, more relaxation, more entertainment options, or more aesthetic beauty?

Step 2: Highlight The Strengths of Your Outdoor Space

Our design-build experts never see a “drawback” or “weakness” in a backyard space. Every new outdoor area is a chance to find creative, customized solutions for the homeowner.

What makes your proposed pool patio area unique? Find the hidden strengths of your space and ask your outdoor living designer to use them to your advantage.

Working with an irregular lot? Lean into its quirks with a freeform pool and pool deck layout. 

From plans to perfection—start with a free design consultation.

An Austin, TX example: 

We frequently encounter sloped yards and smaller lots in Austin Hill Country. Rather than fight the terrain, we created a dramatic vertical landscape with terraces and retaining walls behind the outdoor kitchen and fireplace area. 

Using the same Carvestone material throughout the patio and pool deck space makes the smaller space appear bigger.

Step 3: Identify Beautiful and Functional Materials

Material selection for your pool patio is incredibly location-specific. Your preferred pool decking can’t simply be aesthetically pleasing — it has to work in Texas outdoor design.

Consider 4 qualities when selecting your potential pool deck materials:

1. Heat resistance: Think about the material and your color choice.
2. Moisture resistance: Look for non-porous materials. If you select pavers or decking with gaps, choose polymeric sand over grout — it’s more mildew and weed resistant.
3. Pool chemical resistance: High Texas temperatures mean more chlorine use. More chlorine equals faster pool deck degradation — choose materials that perform better against pool chemicals, like concrete and travertine.
4. Slip resistance: Choose a naturally slip resistant material, or one that’s textured to prevent slips and falls.

Example: Dark stone pavers look great in modern pool decks. But they retain way too much heat to be functional in Texas designs — what good is a pool deck if you can’t walk on it?

Take a deeper dive into pool deck material selection in our updated guide.

Step 4: New Pool or Refinished Pool?

The state of your existing pool isn’t inherently tied to your pool patio ideas… but it’s close.

A majority of Texas homeowners who ask us for pool patio renovations also request pool refinishing services. It doesn’t make sense to leave a worn, outdoor pool in the middle of your beautiful new oasis.

Is your pool patio a completely new space? If so, take the opportunity to thoughtfully pair the aesthetics of your pool deck, inground pool and other design elements.

Time to refinish your pool? Discover the 5 best swimming pool resurfacing materials.

Step 5: Hire a Outdoor Living Designer & Contractor

Outdoor design-build contractors are uniquely qualified to transform your pool patio idea into your new backyard reality.

These large-scale renovation and installation projects benefit from the seamless communication and collaboration between your outdoor living designer and construction professionals. 

We’ve spent decades perfecting our design-build process. When you hire Allied Outdoor Solutions, you’re assigned an outdoor living designer, Construction Coordinator and Construction Supervisor to oversee your project from start to finish.

We guarantee your pool patio project is driven by local expertise. Austin homeowners get Austin professionals. Houston residents work with our Houston pros.

Talk to us — one free consultation, and you’ll see why we’re Built Different.

10 Pool Patio Ideas to Inspire Your New Project

Now that we’ve covered the steps to a thoughtful, effective pool patio idea, let’s bring them to life with real projects we’ve completed for Texas homeowners.

Our experts highlight a particular design element or structural choice in each of these 10 projects as a great choice for Texas pool patio spaces.

We arranged our expert pool patio tips and project photos into 5 categories:

1. Shade structures: Shade structures aren’t necessary on every pool patio, but they’re absolutely essential in Texas. We’ll tell you why.
2. Shape and layout: Discover new ways to approach your pool patio’s overall shape in ideas #2 and #3.
3. Hardscape: Visit ideas #4 & #5 to see how Carvestone and natural Texas flagstone succeed in pool deck and patio spaces. Then, see a dazzling and different approach to pool patio hardscape design in idea #5.
4. Poolside dining: Ideas #6 & #7 offer solutions to incorporate an outdoor kitchen, grill island and/or dining space on your pool patio.
5. Design features: Our final 3 design ideas highlight the most requested design features in Texas pool patio design — poolside water features, custom fire features, natural and artificial rock elements, and native landscaping concepts.

Every Texas Pool Patio Needs a Shade Structure (or Two)

Not every pool patio has a shade structure. But if you’re upgrading your Texas poolside area, a shade structure isn’t just a good idea — it’s practically a must-have feature.

A poolside cabana offers a quick poolside escape from heat, humidity and unexpected storms. They also provide protection for your outdoor grill, bar island and other appliances (more on this later).

Which type of shade structure you build on your pool patio is up to your needs and style preferences: Perhaps you like the classic beach vibes of a wood lattice pergola, or you value the overhead protection of a solid gable or hip roof structure.

“Think Outside the Rectangle”: Consider Unique Pool Patio Shapes

Step beyond the definition of a swimming pool as a rectangular object. Inground pools are designed and built to fit the unique footprint and layout of your backyard — consider how cocktail, freeform, and resort style pools fit in your space.

Just as your pool can be any shape or size — your pool patio can be, too. Don’t worry if your pool deck isn’t shaped like anyone else’s you’ve seen in the neighborhood or online. It’s yours, after all. Embrace unique design that’s tailored to your space.

Vertical Design: Add Dimension with Terraced Patio Spaces

Perhaps you have a smaller property. Maybe your Dallas lot is shrinking. You can still have the pool patio of your dreams — it simply requires a creative approach to zoning and design.

Look for opportunities to design vertically around your poolside area. Terraced landscaping offers a great opportunity to “build upward” rather than outward, saving precious square footage for your pool and spa.

Carvestone: An Ideal Pool Patio Material for Texas Living

Carvestone is a modified concrete overlay product with innate qualities that make it a superior choice for pool patios — especially in hot, humid conditions (we’re looking at you, Houston!).

Here’s a quick list of reasons we love Carvestone for pool decks:

• Endless aesthetic versatility. Easily customize its color, texture and pattern to mimic materials from natural stone to brick to wood to tile.
• Heat resistance. Excellent heat resistance and ability to withstand fading from UV radiation.
• Moisture resistance. Seal your Carvestone once every 2 years and it thrives against pool water, humidity and the elements.
• Pressure resistance. Carvestone withstands 6,000+ PSI — more than double the pressure rating of standard concrete.

View our Carvestone gallery for a variety of custom designs!

Local Luxury: Flagstone Pavers in Texas Pool Patio Design

If Carvestone is the best option for pool patio materials, then local flagstone is a strong runner-up for Texas homeowners. 

When properly sealed, most Texas stone pavers do surprisingly well against moisture. They’re naturally equipped to endure our local heat and humidity, and look aesthetically beautiful in any local landscape and hardscape design.

Added bonus: locally sourced flagstone from TX quarries saves money on shipping costs.

Visual Intrigue: Explore Custom Hardscape Designs

Sure, you can make a visual statement around your pool patio with design elements and landscape features. But what if your patio was the visual statement?

In this design, we used two-toned Carvestone to create a dramatic patterned pool deck design that adds depth, dimension and movement to the space. The two-toned theme extends to other areas of the outdoor space to create borders for separate zones.

Poolside Dining: Incorporate an Outdoor Dinner Space

Towel off, grab a seat and enjoy a relaxing meal at poolside. A covered patio space at the water’s edge creates the feeling you’re at a resort and restaurant in your own backyard.

For this pool patio, we opted for porcelain tile throughout the design space. Its exceptional durability against heat and moisture lets guests travel safely from pool to dining area without damaging the patio itself. 

Poolside Grill: Add an Outdoor Kitchen Cabana

Build an outdoor grill station into your poolside cabana for a backyard BBQ spot the neighbors can’t stop visiting. 

Be sure to install a patio cover to keep your grill and appliances out of the blazing sun and rain, and add smart fans for overhead ventilation to reduce smoke and direct heat from the grill.

Design a space you’ll never want to leave. Book your free design consultation today!

Heightened Serenity: Add a Custom Water Feature

Water features add movement and peaceful sound to your poolside space — not to mention the feeling of enhanced luxury. Whether it’s a gentle rain curtain, custom rock waterfall or bubblers in the pool, consider a custom water feature to make your pool patio uniquely your own.

Did you know? Rock waterfalls can be crafted using natural stone or artificial materials. 

Elemental Spa: Incorporate Poolside Fire Features

The balance between water and fire has dazzled us for thousands of years. Bring these unique opposites together in a striking pool patio design, and create a visual focal point and instant conversation starter.

This Allied Outdoor Solutions pool and pool patio design incorporates 3 unique, handcrafted fire features around the inground pool space — two urn torches and a custom fire pit table. A delicate rain curtain in the center of the design provides balance.

Bring Your Pool Patio Ideas to Life With Allied Outdoor Solutions

Your dream pool patio begins with a simple idea. Cultivate that idea with your goals for the design area, then nurture it with smart material and design element choices that succeed in Texas outdoor living spaces.

Partner with a design-build firm that offers decades of local experience. When you choose Allied Outdoor Solutions, you gain over 25,000 projects’ worth of design expertise, custom craftsmanship, and the insight that turns ordinary pool patios into extraordinary ones.

Reach out and set up a free consultation! We’d love to hear your pool patio ideas — and we can’t wait to make them your new outdoor way of life.