Pool Landscaping Ideas for Stunning Santa Fe Backyards

Pool Landscaping Ideas: Key Takeaways

• You can transform your outdoor space with magical pool landscape ideas: layered gardens, adobe-inspired patios, pergolas, grill corners, or family-friendly zones
• When choosing your pool landscape, consider Santa Fe’s local conditions
• To enjoy a beautiful pool area year-round, use native, drought-tolerant plants, materials like gravel and mulch, and drip irrigation systems
• Professional landscaping agencies can handle your project from design to permits and maintenance

About 143,000 households in New Mexico have swimming pools, indicating how popular they are across the state.

If you are one of them and want to enhance the charm and functionality of your pool, you might be wondering about the type of landscape you can create.

This guide will break down:

• Seven turning-heads pool landscaping ideas
• What local challenges to factor in when designing your project
• How to build and maintain a fresh and functional pool landscape

Pool Landscaping Ideas for Your Santa Fe Outdoor Space

Do you want to turn your pool area into a special place, adding touches of desert beauty, Southwest charm, or family-specific character?

Pool landscaping ideas can take hundreds of shapes and colors. Let your imagination fly as you explore the inspiring pictures we’ll paint for you.

1. Layered Pool Garden

Can you see yourself walking barefoot towards your pool among the gentle rustle of grasses and the scent of hummingbird mint filling the air?

Create a layered pool garden.

Steps to follow:

• Map out zones for your plants, starting with low ones for the front, like blue grama grass or creeping thyme.
• Choose mid-height perennials like Agastache for the middle part.
• Frame the area with upright grasses or ornamental yuccas.
• Add mulch between the plants to control weed growth and retain moisture.

2. Desert Retreat

Can you sense the quiet? The whisper of the breeze stirring the water in the pool, with only the occasional buzz of a bee breaking the silence?

To create a peaceful oasis:

• Clear and grade the area for proper drainage.
• Plant sculptural cacti and clusters of agave, leaving ample space between them.
• Add large stones or metal edging for clean lines.

3. Fireplace Comfort

Feeling cold after a swim at dusk? An outdoor fireplace can be both a striking focal point and a place offering warmth and cozy charm. Wrap yourself in a blanket and listen to the crackle of fire. 

Here’s how to make it happen: 

• Choose a safe, wind-sheltered location.
• Build a stucco or stone structure that reflects Santa Fe’s architectural heritage.
• Add seating areas with benches or weatherproof chairs.
• Surround the fireplace with native plantings and soft lighting (check out our creative lighting ideas).

4. Pergola and Grill Corner

Love weekends with your friends? Transform a corner of your pool area into a shaded cooking and lounging zone. Then savor the aroma of green chile burgers while music and laughter fill the air.

Now it’s time to bring it to life:

1. Install a metal pergola facing west for optimal afternoon shade.
2. Arrange heat-resistant pavers or flagstone beneath.
3. Build a BBQ island with stucco, tile, or stone.
4. Add lighting, colorful plants, and ceiling fans.

5. Dual Pool Magic

Do you need a shallow pool for your kids or separate pools for recreation and exercise that link together in perfect harmony?

Don’t forget to add an artistic touch to this double fun:

1. Use the same type of stone or tile to connect the two water features.
2. Plant groups of Agastache and Winterfat as visually unifying elements.
3. Install subtle lighting along the pathways between the pools for added charm and safe movement.

6. Natural Adobe Oasis

Willing to recreate Santa Fe’s natural beauty in every corner of your pool area? Use classic elements like adobe walls, flagstone patios, and native grasses.

Steps to follow:

• Build low adobe walls to create intimate spaces.
• Lay flagstone to shape natural-looking patios and steps.
• Plant native grasses like Big Sage for a touch of nature.

7. Family-Friendly Fun Zone

Like listening to kids’ laughter and tiny bare feet running around the pool? Create an inviting and lively poolscape for adult relaxation and kids’ fun.

Your landscape strategy:

• Install artificial turf or drought-tolerant grass.
• Add curved seating walls or built-in benches in interesting shapes.
• Add a shade sail or pergola.
• Use decorative containers to store toys and floaties.

What To Consider When Planning Pool Landscaping in Santa Fe

Ready to start? First, consider a few local specificities when bringing your idea to life.

Climate and Water Restrictions

Santa Fe has an arid climate, with only 14 inches of annual rainfall. Opt for drought-tolerant landscaping and efficient irrigation.

Sun Exposure and Shade Planning

New Mexico has 300+ sunny days a year, and the sun can be truly intense. Use structures like pergolas, shade sails, or strategic planting to find comfort.

Soil Type

Santa Fe soil can be sandy or clay-heavy. Test your soil before you plant and amend it as needed.

Drainage

Ensure water drains away from the pool. Rainwater, irrigation runoff, or hose water can carry dirt, debris, and fertilizers into the pool, clouding the water and disrupting chemical balance.

Wind and Privacy

Santa Fe’s high-desert setting is characterized by strong, dry winds. Use walls, tall plantings, or windbreaks to shield from the wind, feeling calm and protected by the pool.

Practical Tips for a Low-Maintenance Pool Landscape

Want to landscape like a pro? Follow what landscaping experts do.

• Choose native and drought-tolerant plants like Agastache, Winterfat, Big Sage, and ornamental grasses.
• Use mulch and gravel to reduce weeds and retain moisture.
• Choose natural tones for your hardscaping to reflect local aesthetics.
• Install drip irrigation that will water the roots, keeping patios or pool surfaces clean.
• Add low-voltage LED or solar lights to your pathways and seating areas to enhance functionality and highlight plants or walls.

Create a Poolside Paradise With Urbanna Landscaping

Having a dream idea but worried you cannot bring it to life on your own? Urbanna Landscaping will do this for you.

Our team of experts specializes in creative landscapes that meet Santa Fe’s climate challenges and naturally extend your living space.

As a full-service landscape agency, Urbanna covers the full pool landscaping cycle, from vision and design to installation and year-round maintenance.

But pool landscaping is only part of our extensive expertise. We also offer tailored:

• Dry landscape  designs
• Retaining wall landscaping
• Modern landscape designs
• River rock layouts

Contact Urbanna Landscaping, and we’ll build for you the pool oasis you’ve always dreamed of.

Pool Landscaping in Santa Fe: FAQs

Do I need a permit to build a pergola or fireplace?

Yes. Santa Fe typically requires permits for structures like pergolas, fireplaces, and retaining walls. But you don’t need to handle the process yourself. With years of experience, our team of experts will secure the permits required for your project.

Can I use grass in my pool landscaping?

Yes, grass is a gentle, natural addition to your pool surroundings. Choose native options to minimize water use and maintenance. Urbanna can help you with the choice, supply top-quality species from trusted sources, and take care of them so you always enjoy a colorful pool environment.

What plants work best for my pool area?

Species that grow well with little water and under high sun exposure include Agastache, Big Sage, Winterfat, and ornamental grasses.

How do I manage wind and dust around my pool?

To manage wind and dust in your pool area, install walls and use gravel and windbreak plantings.

Is it safe to have lighting around the pool?

Absolutely. We use certified, low-voltage or solar lighting recommended and tested for wet areas to ensure safety and beauty.