Orlando Pool Design by BLG: What Works in Central Florida?

Designing the perfect pool area in Orlando is about more than just pavers and palm trees. It’s about creating a private, resort-style escape. Orlando pool design takes into consideration our unique climate, what works in Central Florida, complements your home, and looks just as good from your kitchen window as it does from the patio. Whether you’re planning a new pool install or upgrading your existing space, learn more about our Pool Landscaping approach. Here are the top pool landscaping ideas in Orlando and backyard design ideas that truly work in Central Florida.

Highlights of Orlando Pool Design by BLG

• Privacy-focused planting layouts and fencing suggestions
• Use of layered textures and bold focal plantings
• Lighting concepts for safety and evening ambiance
• Smart drainage strategies suited for Florida weather
• Custom outdoor living elements designed for comfort

1. For Orlando Pool Design, Privacy Is the New Luxury

If you’ve ever stayed at a high-end resort like the Four Seasons or Disney’s Grand Floridian, you’ll notice one thing: it feels completely tucked away from the outside world. That’s the same feeling we aim to create with pool landscaping Orlando.

Use strategic plantings—like clumping bamboo, podocarpus, or magnolia trees—to form natural privacy screens. Pair these with decorative fencing or lattice with vines to block sight lines from neighbors. The goal is to make your pool area feel like a private retreat, not a shared space.

2. Texture, Color & Focal Points Add Visual Depth

Backyard design ideas Orlando thrives when pool landscaping avoids flat, monotonous looks. Instead, use layers of tropical textures, contrasting foliage, and focal-point plantings to create a space that’s lush but not overwhelming.

Think in terms of:

• Textural contrast: Pair soft grasses with bold-leaved philodendrons or agaves.
• Focal points: Consider a Sylvester palm, foxtail palms, or rich hollies, that anchor and draw the eye.
• Color: Add year-round visual interest with drift roses, firebush, or flowering hibiscus.

The idea is to create something you’ll enjoy looking at every day, not just when you’re in the water.

3. Resort-Inspired Lighting

When it comes to premium pool design in Orlando Florida, pool landscaping doesn’t end when the sun goes down. Outdoor lighting transforms your poolscape into a glowing evening oasis. Use up-lighting on palms, path lights along walkways, and subtle LED accents around water features or seating areas to create warmth and ambiance.

A good lighting design adds both safety and atmosphere, giving you a space that feels usable and inviting any time of day. Meet the certified team behind the design.

4. Smart Drainage & Hurricane-Resilient Landscaping

Orlando homeowners know that rainy season and hurricane prep are real parts of life. Orlando pool design needs to support proper drainage and resist storm damage.

That means:

• Using well-draining materials like gravel, stone, or permeable pavers.
• Selecting wind-tolerant plants and carefully positioning them according to your property’s layout.
• Ensuring grading slopes away from your pool and home to avoid water pooling.
• Incorporating underground drainage systems and diversion solutions to effectively channel excess water away from your pool area and foundation, preventing flooding and erosion during heavy rains and storms.

A beautiful design is only successful if it holds up to the weather.

5. Comfortable, Custom Outdoor Living

Your pool area should feel like an extension of your home. Think pergolas for shade, outdoor kitchens, or custom seating areas that make the space livable—not just swimmable.
We design Orlando pool landscapes with Central Florida’s climate in mind, using materials that stay cool underfoot and stand up to sun and moisture. Add ceiling fans, misters, or privacy screens for even more function and comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

What influences a successful pool landscape design in Orlando?

Design choices often reflect Florida’s weather, soil conditions, and your home’s existing layout. Plant selection, drainage planning, and hardscape placement are commonly considered.

Does BLG provide outdoor living enhancements beyond planting?

Yes, projects may include design concepts for pergolas, seating areas, and lighting—all tailored to comfort, usability, and long-term durability.

How personalized is the design process?

Each project is individually planned. Visual options—such as sketches or 3D renderings—are discussed based on project goals, budget, and site needs.

Ready to Transform Your Backyard?

Your backyard should feel like a vacation—every single day. As an FNGLA-certified landscape designer, I specialize in turning everyday outdoor spaces into resort-style environments that blend beauty, function, and Florida durability.

Ready to bring your vision to life? Contact BLG Environmental Services today to schedule a free consultation and explore pool landscaping options tailored to your lifestyle, property, and climate.

Robert Burns, FCLD

FNGLA Certified Landscape Designer