Pool Deck Expansion & Low-Maintenance Rock Garden — Mount Pleasant, SC

As you can see from the before photos, this pool had very limited space around it — barely enough room to walk, let alone set up comfortable seating for family and guests. The backyard simply was not usable the way the homeowners wanted it to be.

On top of that, the surrounding lawn was a constant headache. Every time the maintenance crews mowed, grass clippings ended up in the pool — and the homeowners had to clean out the pool filter equipment on more than one occasion. The lawn also demanded ongoing mowing, edging, and weed control in a spot that was awkward to maintain in the first place.

We expanded the hardscape to create over 400 square feet of additional outdoor living space around the pool — enough room for a real lounge seating area, a dining set, and comfortable circulation on every side. The new paver pool deck wraps the water so the whole backyard finally works as one connected space.

To solve the grass-clipping problem for good, we converted the excessive lawn and weed maintenance into a very low- to no-maintenance river-rock garden. The rock beds frame the pool and beds with clean lines, drain freely in Lowcountry downpours, and eliminate the mowing that was sending clippings into the water and clogging the filter.

A backyard that is ready for the season: 400+ square feet of new outdoor living space for entertaining, and a low-maintenance rock garden that keeps grass out of the pool and takes the lawn chores off the homeowners’ plate. More room to relax, far less work to keep it looking sharp.