Want to give your backyard pool a stylish makeover on a budget? With a bit of creativity and elbow grease, you can transform your poolside oasis into a tropical paradise or chic retreat for less than $50.
From repurposed accessories to simple landscaping projects, these wallet-friendly tips will allow you to upgrade your pool decor all summer long.
Fabulous Poolside Makeovers for Under $50
You don’t need expensive materials or professional help to give your poolside an instant facelift. Here are some creative ways to fashion designer details for your outdoor space using household items and bargain finds.
Repurpose Common Household Items
Look no further than your home, garage and the thrift store for unique pool decorating materials. Everyday items can be upcycled into fabulous focal points and functional accessories when paired with a little imagination.
- Turn old light fixtures, pots and pans, ladders, and frames into one-of-a-kind wall art or striking stands for potted plants.
- Give dated ceramics and glassware new life by transforming them into cheerful vases and candleholders.
- Use colorful buckets, watering cans, and bins as budget-friendly cache pots or storage solutions.
- Upcycle salvaged wood from shipping pallets and crates into signage, serving trays, or display shelves.
Keep costs low by spray painting finds in your favorite bright and sunny shades. Distress surfaces with sandpaper for added vintage flair. This is an easy way to create coordinating accessories that reflect your unique personality and style.
Create Budget-Friendly Water Features
The tranquil sound of running water instantly enhances any backyard. But expensive custom fountains and rock features can blow your budget. Luckily, you can make magical DIY water features for your poolscape using basic supplies.
- Cut plastic storage bins in half to make two mini ponds, then connect with flexible tubing.
- Recycle old wooden wine crates or barrels into stunning cascading waterfall planters.
- Use a submersible fountain pump, rocks and marbles to create babbling fountains in pots and buckets.
- Fashion small waterwalls from old metal or plastic rain gutters mounted to posts.
Let your imagination run wild when it comes to crafting unique water features from salvaged and repurposed items around your home. Even a humble bucket fountain can make a big visual impact without spending more than $20.
Fashion Homemade Pool Accessories
Why spend a fortune on mass-produced pool furnishings when you can sew and craft custom accessories for your poolside sanctuary? Make the most of your creativity with these crafty decor projects.
- Sew bright throw pillows and cushions for lounge chairs using outdoor fabric, then add pom poms, tassels, or trims.
- Embroider and monogram inexpensive canvas tote bags and beach towels.
- Craft concrete leaf or shell-shaped stepping stones using plastic molds.
- Knit, crochet, or macrame hanging planters, hammocks, wall hangings, and more.
Not only will these homemade accents infuse personality into your space, they also make great pool gifts for family and friends. The options for easy, inexpensive crafts are endless with a bit of do-it-yourself inspiration.
DIY Fun and Functional Items
Why spend a small fortune on mass-produced pool accessories when you can make tailored functional items for a fraction of the cost? These practical DIY projects provide purpose while adding playful spirit.
- Make hanging caddies for pool toys using wire baskets and sturdy hooks.
- Fashion snack buckets from plastic paint cans fitted with rope handles.
- Craft critter-proof trash and recycling bins from large plastic storage tubs.
- Cut sections of pool noodles to make floating cupholders.
Not only are these homemade items budget-savvy, you can customize them to perfectly suit your space. Add bright colors or fun patterns through paints, decals and fabric. The options for easy, functional DIY projects are endless.
Inexpensive Pool Landscaping Ideas
You don’t need to spend a lot to make your pool blend beautifully into your backyard landscape. Small upgrades and creative solutions allow you to enhance the area around your pool while sticking to your budget.
Utilize What You Already Have
Take advantage of hardscape and greenery already in your yard for an instant pool area makeover on a dime.
- Repurpose old pavers, bricks, stones or broken concrete around the pool perimeter.
- Move existing outdoor accent pieces like yard art, sculptures, and fountains closer to the poolside.
- Reuse garden soil, mulch, gravel, and sod cuttings removed during pool installation for landscaping.
- Relocate established plants, trees, and shrubbery alongside the pool for built-in landscaping.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to giving existing materials new life in your poolscape. Upcycling keeps costs low while allowing you to revamp the space in an eco-friendly way.
Get Creative With Greenery
Plants are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to enhance your pool environment. Choose selections that thrive in your climate while adding multi-season interest.
- Sow wildflower seeds like daisies, lavender, and black-eyed Susans in the surrounding soil for pops of color.
- Edge the pool with heat-tolerant succulents like aloe vera, agave, and hen-and-chicks.
- Plant fragrant herbs such as mint, rosemary, thyme in containers.
- Add height with ornamental grasses, ferns, and bamboo surrounding a small tree.
Visit local nurseries or divide plants already growing in your garden beds. This is an inexpensive way to create a lush poolside oasis using nature’s bounty.
Define Your Pool Area Artistically
Unleash your creative spirit to define the space around your pool in artful ways, without spending much green.
- Use stencils and acrylic craft paints to decorate the concrete deck with fun patterns.
- Adhere colorful mosaic tiles or mirror pieces to plain terra cotta or plastic planters.
- Place large stones around the pool perimeter, then paint inspirational quotes on them with outdoor paint.
- Make a bold statement by painting stripes or geometric shapes on inexpensive outdoor rugs and mats.
Your pool environment is the perfect blank canvas when it comes to adding artistic details. Have fun brainstorming clever and thrifty ways to infuse visual interest using color, texture, shape, and dimension.
Bright and Cheery Pool Decor Ideas
Little splashes of color and whimsy go a long way when it comes to livening up your poolscape on a budget. Use these playful tips and ideas to punctuate your space with vibrant personality.
Craft Colorful Outdoor Art
Deck out your poolside retreat with cheery handmade art that makes a bold decorative statement for less than $20.
- Paint inexpensive wood plaques with uplifting phrases and distress for a vintage look.
- Glue together painted rocks, marbles, shards, and found objects to make unique mixed media sculptures.
- Fashion mobiles from painted wood cut-outs, silk flowers, crystals, and beachy elements like shells.
- Stencil or freestyle paint colorful patterns and designs onto budget-friendly canvas totes, trays, and hampers.
Don’t be afraid to embrace your playful, creative side when decorating your outdoor oasis. Even if you don’t consider yourself artistic, you can fashion beautiful backyard art that brings joy.
String Festive Lighting
Outdoor lighting is an easy way to set a fun mood for your poolside entertaining. Brighten up the space with these thrifty ideas.
- Drape strings of fairy or globe lights along the edges of umbrellas, fences, railings, and eaves.
- Line the pool and garden perimeter with inexpensive solar-powered garden stakes.
- Tuck flameless candles or floating paper lanterns into planters and amongst the pool waterlilies at night.
- Suspend glass jar lanterns or chili pepper string lights from tree branches and overhead beams.
The right lighting adds ambience and sparkle to your pool area for just a few dollars. Play with positioning until you find the perfect balance between dreamy and dramatic.
Display Vibrant Poolside Fabrics
Inexpensive yet durable outdoor fabric is an easy way to add pops of color and camouflage problem spots around your pool.
- Sew ribbon, rickrack, raffia, or colorful trims onto solid towels and cushions to make them uniquely yours.
- Hang inexpensive curtains around pool cabanas, changing rooms, or storage areas to create a polished look.
- Layer outdoor area rugs in complementary brights under lounge chairs, tables, and hard-to-maintain areas.
- Toss inexpensive sarongs, tablecloths, and cafe curtains over furnishings to instantly change up the look.
Don’t be afraid to think creatively when it comes to displaying fabric elements poolside. Small flourishes make a big difference in enhancing your space with playful spirit.
You don’t need to spend big bucks to give your pool and backyard a dreamy makeover. With clever usage of budget-friendly DIY projects, repurposed items, and creative landscaping solutions, you can craft a beautiful poolscape with personality for under $50.
The ideas shared in this article will empower you to transform your pool area from basic to beautiful on a shoestring budget. Get inspired by your space, unleash your imagination, and enjoy your stylish poolside oasis all season long.
