Pool Deck Furniture & Design

Draft Your Ideal Plan

• Sit by your pool with a notepad and pen, and imagine what your ideal deck would look like. Would it be a lush tropical area featuring lounges, fluffy cushions, tables, chairs and hammocks? Perhaps it would be more minimalist, with an uncluttered look and few pieces of furniture. Decide whether you'd like an entirely sunny or shady pool deck, or a mixture of the two. Writing down exactly how you'd design your pool deck if price were not a consideration helps you decide what design direction to work toward. Write down any themes you notice emerging from your wish list, as this can make your eventual shopping easier by looking for pieces that fit within the overall theme.

Make It Realistic

• Drawing inspiration from your ultimate pool deck area, begin making a plan that is reasonable, based on your budget. Draw a sketch of your pool area that includes the pool itself, open deck space and foliage. Make the sketch to scale so you know how much room you have to work with. Add in your most desired features, whether a picnic table with built-in umbrella and chairs, outdoor bar or a grouping of chaise lounges. Keep in mind how many people will typically use the pool. You'll want enough seating not only for your family, but also room for a few guests. Your sketch will tell you what you need to purchase for your pool deck and how much room you have, so bring it with you when shopping.

Shop for Furniture

• Look in stores and online for pieces to complete your pool deck design plan. Remember your theme as you shop, and check if the store groups its furniture by themes to make shopping easier. Purchase materials that complement each other, as clashing colors can quickly mar an otherwise beautiful pool deck's look. Some stores sell coordinated deck sets. Above all, choose deck furniture that is sturdy and weatherproof -- you'll want the pieces to last through both sunny weather and windy rainstorms alike. Test out the furniture by rattling it, sitting or lying on it and inspecting its construction.

Complete Your Design Look

• Shop for accent pieces that help create your desired oasis. If your preferred theme is tropical, for example, add in a brightly flowered umbrella or cushions with a tropical theme. Be wary about going overboard, as less is often more with bright designs. Instead, search for complementary design features, such as chaise lounge cushions in a solid color and pillows with a bold pattern. Like the furniture itself, the accent materials should be sturdy and made for outdoor use. Using chair cushions not made for the outdoors, for example, can quickly lead to moldy, fraying material.