15 Above Ground Pool Hacks You’ll Actually Want To Try This Weekend
Got an above ground pool and a vibe to match? Good news: you don’t need a fancy patio or a contractor to make it look amazing and function smarter.
These DIYs are affordable, beginner-friendly, and wildly satisfying.
From chic privacy walls to storage you’ll actually use, here are 15 above ground pool hacks that bring the resort feel to your backyard—without draining your wallet.
1. Cedar Slat Wrap Skirt for a Spa-Like Look
Turn your pool from “temporary” to “wow” with a sleek cedar slat wrap. This skirt hides the metal walls and adds instant warmth and style. It’s like dressing your pool in a tailored suit.
Materials Needed
- Cedar fence pickets or 1×2 cedar slats
- Exterior screws and construction adhesive
- Pressure-treated 2x2s for vertical supports
- Level, miter saw, measuring tape
- Exterior stain/sealer
How to Make It
- Measure the pool circumference and height. Cut cedar to length, leaving 1–2 inches above ground for airflow.
- Build a simple ring of vertical 2×2 supports staked into the ground just outside the pool, ensuring you don’t screw into the pool wall.
- Attach cedar slats horizontally with small gaps (1/4 inch) between each for that modern look.
- Seal with an exterior oil-based stain to protect and enrich the wood tone.
This hack adds major curb appeal and looks custom—perfect for design lovers who want a polished finish.
2. Modular Pallet Deck With Hidden Storage Cubes
Build a small deck where it counts: the entrance. A compact pallet platform gives you a landing zone for towels and sandals, with storage tucked below.
Materials Needed
- Heat-treated pallets (look for HT stamp)
- Decking screws, joist hangers, landscape blocks
- Outdoor paint or stain
- Plastic storage bins or weatherproof baskets
How to Make It
- Level the ground and set landscape blocks as footers.
- Stack pallets to desired height and secure with screws and brackets.
- Add a plywood top or deck boards for a smoother surface.
- Slide storage bins underneath for goggles, floaties, and sunscreen.
- Paint or stain to match your backyard scheme.
It’s budget-friendly, removable, and makes pool entry safer and tidier—win, win, win.
3. Solar-Heated Black Hose Warming Coil
Want warmer water without a pricey heater? Harness the sun with a coil of black hose. It’s gloriously simple science.
Materials Needed
- 100–200 ft black garden hose
- Flat board or pallet to mount the coil
- Zip ties, Y-connector, and ball valves
- Clear polycarbonate sheet (optional for extra heat)
How to Make It
- Coil the hose tightly on a board in full sun; secure with zip ties.
- Connect the hose to the return line using a Y-connector so you can bypass at night.
- Add a ball valve to adjust flow. Slow flow equals warmer water.
- Cover with a clear sheet to trap heat if you want a boost.
This hack is cheap, effective, and super satisfying when you feel that toasty water flowing back in.
4. Rope-Wrapped Ladder Makeover With Non-Slip Rungs
Upgrade a basic ladder into a coastal-chic entry. Thick rope adds grip and style, while nonslip pads keep feet steady.
Materials Needed
- Marine-grade rope (3/8–1/2 inch)
- Heavy-duty contact adhesive and zip ties
- Non-slip stair tread tape
- Exterior spray paint (optional for the frame)
How to Make It
- Clean and paint the ladder frame if needed.
- Wrap rope tightly around the handrails; secure ends with adhesive and hidden zip ties.
- Add tread tape to each rung for grip.
It’s comfy on hands, looks designer, and makes entry safer—great for kids and guests.
5. No-Dig Privacy Screen With Planter Boxes
Create a breezy privacy wall that doubles as a lush backdrop. Bonus: the planters weigh it down—no drilling into the ground.
Materials Needed
- Two large cedar planters
- 2×4 cedar posts and 1×2 battens
- Exterior screws, L-brackets
- Climbing plants (star jasmine, clematis) or bamboo
- Landscape fabric and potting mix
How to Make It
- Build or buy two planters and set them parallel with a 4–6 ft gap.
- Mount 2×4 posts inside each planter, brace with L-brackets.
- Screw 1×2 battens horizontally between posts with 1/2 inch gaps.
- Fill planters with soil and add climbing plants or bamboo for instant green.
It screens the pool with style and softens the space with living texture.
6. Towel Bar Rail With Quick-Dry Hooks
Wet towels everywhere? Not today. Install a sturdy outdoor towel rail with quick-dry hooks so everything airs out fast.
Materials Needed
- Galvanized pipe and flanges
- Stainless screws and masonry anchors (if mounting to stone)
- Silicone-coated S-hooks or carabiners
How to Make It
- Mount flanges on a fence or deck post at shoulder height.
- Thread pipe between flanges; tighten securely.
- Hang S-hooks for towels, goggles, and swim caps.
It looks industrial-chic and keeps damp chaos under control—pool parents, rejoice.
7. Floating Umbrella Anchor Using a Weighted Basalt Planter
Shade where you need it, not where your patio furniture lives. This movable anchor gives you flexible coverage without drilling into your deck.
Materials Needed
- Heavy planter (basalt or concrete-style)
- Umbrella stand tube or flange
- Sakrete or pea gravel
- Marine rope for a carry handle
How to Make It
- Place the stand tube in the center of the planter and fill with concrete or gravel.
- Set rope handles in place while it cures to make moving easier.
- Pop in your umbrella and roll it near the pool for instant shade.
A stylish, sturdy solution that keeps you sun-smart without permanent fixtures.
8. DIY Poolside Caddy on Wheels
Keep sunscreen, snacks, and speakers in one place. This rolling caddy follows you from shade to sun like a loyal sidekick.
Materials Needed
- Utility cart or wooden bar cart
- Outdoor paint or polyurethane
- Wire baskets, cup holders, towel rod
- Locking casters
How to Make It
- Paint or seal the cart for splash resistance.
- Attach wire baskets to the sides for small items.
- Add a towel rod on the back and cup holders on top.
- Swap wheels for locking casters so it stays put.
You’ll wonder how you ever ran pool days without this compact command center.
9. LED Light Ring With Weatherproof Strip Lights
Turn evening swims into a vibe. A soft halo of LEDs around the base or top rail is pure magic after sunset.
Materials Needed
- IP67 waterproof LED strip lights (warm white or RGB)
- Outdoor-rated power supply
- Clear mounting clips and adhesive promoter
- Smart plug (optional)
How to Make It
- Clean the mounting surface along the pool’s perimeter.
- Apply adhesive promoter and secure strips with clips—avoid piercing the pool wall.
- Route cables neatly to a GFCI outlet with a drip loop.
- Use a smart plug to set schedules and dimming.
It’s low effort, high reward—romantic glow for night swims and parties.
10. Inflatable Storage Hammock for Floats
Corral those giant flamingos. A stretchy hammock keeps floats off the grass and out of the walkway.
Materials Needed
- Bungee cargo net or heavy mesh fabric
- Eye hooks and carabiners
- Fence posts or privacy screen for mounting
How to Make It
- Install eye hooks in two posts, about 5–6 feet apart and 3–4 feet high.
- Clip the net between hooks to create a sling.
- Toss floats in at an angle so they drain and dry.
It’s airy, accessible, and stops floats from becoming tripping hazards—minimal effort, maximum tidy.
11. Pebble-and-Paver Splash Path
Make a pretty path from house to pool that handles drips and wet feet without mud. It’s practical and Pinterest-y.
Materials Needed
- Pavers or stepping stones
- Landscape fabric, edging
- Pea gravel or Mexican beach pebbles
- Sand for leveling
How to Make It
- Sketch your path and clear the area.
- Lay landscape fabric and edging to define borders.
- Set pavers on a thin sand bed; fill spaces with gravel or smooth pebbles.
It drains beautifully and feels spa-like underfoot—barefoot approved.
12. Magnetic Skimmer Tool Rack
Where did the skimmer go? Right here, always. A magnetic rack keeps pool tools upright and organized.
Materials Needed
- Powder-coated steel strip
- Neodymium magnets with hooks
- Exterior screws
- Fence or deck post for mounting
How to Make It
- Mount the steel strip to a fence near the pool (not on the pool wall).
- Clip on magnet hooks and hang skimmer, brush, and vacuum head.
No more tool pile. It’s fast, tidy, and oddly satisfying to use.
13. Quick-Drain Rinse Station With Foot Shower
Keep the pool cleaner by rinsing off grass and sunscreen first. A tiny rinse station makes it easy and even kind of fun.
Materials Needed
- Outdoor shower head or hose sprayer
- Decking tiles or wood slat platform
- Gravel base and drainage mat
- Hose splitter and ball valve
How to Make It
- Lay a shallow pit with gravel and set drainage mat and tiles on top.
- Attach a sprayer to a hose splitter with a ball valve for easy on/off.
- Mount the sprayer to a post or use a tall shepherd’s hook.
Cleaner feet, cleaner water, fewer chemicals battling debris—your filter will thank you.
14. Sun-Blocking Sail With Tensioned Hardware
Beat the midday glare with a tailored shade sail. Crisp lines give serious resort energy.
Materials Needed
- UV-rated shade sail (triangle or rectangle)
- Turnbuckles, pad eyes, carabiners
- 4×4 posts, cement, or existing anchor points
How to Make It
- Set posts outside the pool footprint, at least 2 feet deep in concrete.
- Install pad eyes at the top and attach the sail with turnbuckles.
- Tension evenly to prevent sagging and shed rain.
Custom shade where you need it, and it looks sleek. Choose sand, charcoal, or terracotta for a designer palette.
15. DIY Floating Bar Caddy With Cup Slots
Snacks and sips, right on the water. A floating bar makes lazy afternoons legendary.
Materials Needed
- Foam board insulation or pool noodle frame
- Marine plywood top, sealed with spar urethane
- Contact cement, utility knife
- Hole saw for cup slots
- Velcro straps for securing bottles
How to Make It
- Cut foam to size and glue layers for buoyancy, or frame with pool noodles.
- Cut a plywood top to match and seal all sides with spar urethane.
- Use a hole saw to create cup holders; add a raised edge to prevent roll-offs.
- Secure the top to the foam and add Velcro straps for bottles.
It’s playful, practical, and Insta-ready—customize with paint or vinyl decals for your “pool bar” logo.
Final Words
Are you ready to give your above ground pool main-character energy?
Pick one project and start small—then watch the whole area transform with each hack you add.
You’ve got this, and your backyard is about to be everyone’s favorite summer hangout. Now, which one are you trying first?
