Pool furniture ideas: splash around and soak up the sun on these statement buys

These gorgeous, splash-proof pool furniture picks will furnish your backyard area in style

outdoor living area next to pool
(Image credit: The Home Depot)

If you're lucky enough to have an outdoor pool, the right pool furniture will ensure you curate the perfect outdoor area.

The best garden furniture for your space can really make or break a scheme, so it's important to consider all your options before you buy. 

Furnishing an outdoor pool area is a little different from furnishing a garden, as after taking a dip, you're likely to want to lounge around and dry off in the sunshine. That said, backyard pools are often the center of a social space, so you also want space to gather your friends, catch up and chill out together. 

Whatever style you're looking for, it's important to consider the materials you choose for your pool furniture, as being splash-proof is, naturally, an essential. We've gathered some slick pool furniture ideas to furnish your pool space with stylish and practical pieces you'll be excited to use.

1. Choose colorful pool furniture

two green sun loungers next to a pool

(Image credit: Amazon)

Sun loungers are essential for any backyard pool, so why not use them to make a statement? These aluminum lounge chairs from Amazon are the perfect way to add a pop of color to your space while you stretch out and soak up the sun. 

'It's important to select a durable long-lasting product, so I'd recommend choosing high-quality aluminum furniture. Aluminum is very durable as it won't rust, and a powder-coated finish will make it all the more protective and good-looking too,' says Tammy Leeman, owner of Absolute Patio Furniture. 

2. Create a focal point with an egg chair 

standing egg chair next to a pool

(Image credit: The Home Depot)

Give your pool area all the design and style points it deserves and create a statement focal paint with a stand-out chair. This teardrop outdoor lounge chair from The Home Depot is the perfect blend of comfort and practicality with its chunky, waterproof cushions. 

3. Go funky with a bean bag lounger

outdoor bean bag lounger next to a tree

(Image credit: Cos & Cox)

If your pool area is contemporary and cool but you want some cozy comfort too, consider a bean bag style design. This indoor outdoor bean bag lounger from Cox & Cox comes complete with a handy headrest for the ultimate comfort and can be used indoors throughout the winter months too.

4. Go for classic Adirondack chairs 

grey adirondack chairs next to a pool

(Image credit: Amazon)

You can't go wrong with classic style furniture and Adirondack chairs are timeless, comfy, and practical for the poolside. This set of two chairs with a connecting plate from Amazonin a contemporary grey shade creates the perfect space for a poolside catch-up.

5. Swing around in a boho hammock 

white boho hammock in a garden

(Image credit: Wayfair)

There's something whimsical and somewhat luxurious about having a hammock in your garden. With a nod to boho, relaxed and meditative design, a hammock instantly brings a chilled-out vibe to any space. This Vauxhall classic hammock from Wayfair is complete with decorative fringes for an amplified boho look.

6. Create an outdoor living room feel

outdoor living room patio furniture on wooden decking

(Image credit: Amazon)

If your pool area is set to be the social hub of your outdoor space, create a cozy and chatter-friendly feel with an outdoor living room. This grey outdoor patio set from Wayfair comes complete with the table and cushions for an instant, perfectly matching set. Rattan garden furniture like this is an ongoing trend that brings texture, depth, and warmth to your space. 

'Choose a neutral-colored outdoor sofa so that you can quickly alter the appearance of the area by mixing and matching various colored cushions,' says Robert Antill at Leisure Buildings. Mix up your cushions, throws, and accessories to bring a new lease of life to your outdoor space year after year. 

7. Hang up an egg chair

boho hanging chair and blue floor and white walls

(Image credit: Anthropologie)

Add an extra dimension to your outdoor pool area by introducing a hanging egg chair. We're seeing these crop up all over the interior design sphere, both outside and inside our homes, and we can't get enough of them. This Peacock indoor/ outdoor hanging chair from Anthropologie is the perfect example of a beautiful statement feature that can be transferred inside and out. 

8. Or get the ultimate luxury with an outdoor day bed

day bed in a garden

(Image credit: Cox & Cox)

Treat yourself to the ultimate comfy space outside with a daybed that's suitable for everything. 

From spreading out and lounging in the sun to an outdoor picnic or the comfiest outdoor cinema scene you ever did see, a day bed is suitable for any occasion. Wooden garden furniture will bring texture and warmth to your outside pool area and warm up your scheme.

What pool furniture do I need?

The pool furniture you need is greatly determined by the size of your space. If your pool takes up the majority of your back garden, prioritize an outdoor dining table as having somewhere to sit and eat alfresco meals all year round is essential. 

If you've got a little more square footage to play with, choose enough sun loungers to house the whole family. A couple of parasols and side tables are also a great idea to help you seek shade while you set down your ice-cold beverage.  

If your pool is set to be a party hotspot, consider buying some stackable furniture – such as chairs and tables – so you can host lots of people, but then stow the furniture out of sight when not in use.

How do you set up furniture around a pool?

Like a moth to a flame, where there's a pool involved, we are always drawn to it. Whether it's the beauty of the light flickering off the water or the practicality of keeping an eye on the kids while they're in the pool, it's a good idea to position your furniture facing your pool. Picture a hotel swimming pool – the sun loungers frame the pool looking inwards, so yours should too. 

Place your dining set a little further away from the pool to create a more restful, calming retreat away from the hustle and bustle of, say, your family splashing around. This will also prevent any unwanted splashes if you've got two separate gatherings going on at once. 

Amelia Smith
Content Editor

After joining Real Homes as content producer in 2016, Amelia has taken on several different roles and is now content editor. She specializes in style and decorating features and loves nothing more than finding the most beautiful new furniture, fabrics and accessories and sharing them with our readers. As a newbie London renter, Amelia’s loving exploring the big city and mooching around vintage markets to kit out her new home. 

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