Hello @craigm
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your pool area.
Your pool area already has a fantastic natural backdrop, and a relaxed resort-style feel, so with a few thoughtful upgrades I believe it could look truly exceptional. The bamboo screening and surrounding bushland create a beautiful sense of privacy and calm, and the updates suggested in the concept design help elevate the space into something that feels more refined, modern and cohesive without losing its relaxed character.
The proposed updated design uses a selection of hardy, architectural plants that are all readily available in at the store and well suited to coastal and poolside conditions. On both sides of the pool, I added large Bird of Paradise plants (Strelitzia), which bring a lush tropical feel while still looking clean and contemporary. They work beautifully against the bamboo backdrop and are commonly stocked at Bunnings.
To balance the larger plants, I suggest medium-sized Agave and Lomandra in matte pots. The Agave adds a sculptural, resort-style look with very little maintenance, while the Lomandra softens the space with texture and movement without creating much mess around the pool. Smaller accent pots use compact native shrubs and ornamental grasses to bring warmth and layering while keeping the overall look tidy and relaxed.
The timber decking has been refreshed in the image below with a sanded and stained finish in a rich walnut tone, which immediately makes the area feel newer, warmer and more luxurious. The retaining wall has also been re-stained to match the decking, so the entire space feels cohesive and polished. A balanced arrangement of potted plants on both sides of the pool helps frame the area naturally, while the addition of subtle warm deck lighting creates a softer atmosphere in the evenings. Removing the table and extra items from the deck opens the space up visually and gives it a much cleaner, resort-style feel.
To elevate the area even further, I would recommend sticking with matte black or soft off-white pots to maintain the modern aesthetic and avoiding terracotta tones, which can make the space feel more dated. Warm LED uplighting directed into the bamboo would add beautiful depth and ambience at night, while replacing the current reed fencing with horizontal timber slats over time would create a more refined architectural finish. Adding two matching sun loungers in the foreground would make the pool area feel more intentional and inviting, and a dark charcoal pool roller cover box would help conceal the pool cover neatly and complete the cleaner, high-end look.
I've placed a sample image below using AI to upgrade the look and feel of your pool area.
Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 @twocutekelpies, @Prof and @Nailbag for their recommendations.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Good Evening @craigm
Some ideas that come to mind for your pool area…
Dave
Hi @craigm ,
There were some really great ideas shared above around refreshing the deck, introducing some more structured planting and creating a more cohesive resort-style feel around the pool.
I’d be interested to hear whether you ended up making any changes to the space or if you’re still planning things out. Even a few smaller updates like lighting, fresh stain on the decking or some new plants can make a surprisingly big difference.
And if the project’s still evolving or you’d like some more ideas bounced around, happy to help further.
Mitchell
