Asked on Aug 07, 2014

What to do with this space?

Claire
by Claire
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Removed a 27 ft above ground pool (not replacing it) and now need suggestions on what to do with this deck, it's attached to a larger deck that is attached to the house.
q backyard ideas pool removal space uses, decks, outdoor living
q backyard ideas pool removal space uses, decks, outdoor living
  78 answers
  • Meagan.brickell Meagan.brickell on Aug 07, 2014
    Fill the circle with seating but leave room for stairs to get down to it. Another option instead of a table in the middle is to put a fire pit in there. Makes a great place for summer and fall/winter hangouts by the fire. Links to pictures: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/38/6d/e8/386de841d64cd108921d18409681c689.jpg and http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/52/29/08/5229080f99e8b276880600218375c308.jpg
  • Chris aka monkey Chris aka monkey on Aug 07, 2014
    @Claire i see it filled with flowers and herbs the smell when you are on the deck would be wonderful xx
  • Niki Hart Niki Hart on Aug 07, 2014
    I see a sunken garden, with maybe a koi pond in the middle, with seating...like a lush little hide away!
  • Gidgett Stone Gidgett Stone on Aug 07, 2014
    Trampoline...or do steps going down into a sunken seating area all around it (ex. concrete seating) then a fire pit in the middle
  • The Garden Frog with C Renee The Garden Frog with C Renee on Aug 07, 2014
    Remove that part of the deck. Looking at how it is structured it would not be hard. Then that dry hard ground turn it into a patio with a fire pit. Even building a deck on that area on the ground would be nice with a pergola and sitting area or outdoor kitchen area. You could even put in raised beds or even add horse manure now and keep turning the soil for grass again. I personally would not leave it because it will always look like a hole where a swimming pool went. Good luck
  • LinJ47 LinJ47 on Aug 07, 2014
    I would remove the part of the deck that was attached to the round pool and make a rectangle out of the deck. I agree with Garden Frog Boutique, it will always look awkward if you leave that circle. Being that the ground underneath has sand already there you could always put some slate or patio blocks down to extend the area at ground level.
  • Geneva Geneva on Aug 07, 2014
    We put in a koi pond and love it!
  • Susan Lenertz Krepsky Susan Lenertz Krepsky on Aug 07, 2014
    Fire pit area w the circumference seating , treehouse, rock garden, secret garden or trampoline pit area.
  • Trent-Tonya Sharp Trent-Tonya Sharp on Aug 07, 2014
    If ya have kids or grand babies put a trampoline in it.. or fire pit and sitting area
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Aug 08, 2014
    Why not accent with boards running in a different direction and just fill in with decking? You could dress it up with benches built around the rounded edge edge, get some snazzy cushions for it, and then make a special place for a dining area...outline the inner circle with a wide circular stripe and outfit it with a beautiful round table, chairs and umbrella. Or, if your deck is large enough for you, just tear it down, put down some top soil and reseed...since you are in PA, now would probably be a good time to reseed! Use the lumber to make a wide and deep set of steps (at least 6'-8' wide and 2 steps deep) and railing...can always be used for seating.
  • Claire Claire on Aug 08, 2014
    best idea yet, Thanks !!
  • Lorrie Lorrie on Aug 08, 2014
    We took down our pool and added a pond surrounded with native plants, modified our deck
  • Maria Maria on Aug 08, 2014
    What about an outdoor kitchen?
  • Marianne Marianne on Aug 08, 2014
    I agree to remove that part of the deck. you could then build another deck at a lower level, add a patio or use the compacted area for a container garden area.
  • HippieBob HippieBob on Aug 08, 2014
    Probably need to check local building codes. Where we live, you would need to put a railing around the hole to keep people from falling in. Might also affect insurance premiums.
  • Barbara Jo Barbara Jo on Aug 08, 2014
    I say bench seating on half of the circle with storage underneath. The other half a kitchen with gill, fridge, fireplace and countetops. Great entertaining...
  • Gretchen Gretchen on Aug 08, 2014
    I would definitely fill it in with deck planks for a dining/entertaining area or fill it in with dirt and make a garden!
  • Connie Mar Connie Mar on Aug 08, 2014
    I like the idea of removing that part of the deck, but am thinking instead of grass plant a veggie garden!
  • Buster Evans Buster Evans on Aug 08, 2014
    If the deck up next to the house is large enough for your needs for cookouts and gatherings, remove the railing from the round deck and use on that deck (because it matches, and cut out for the steps centered going down into the yard... you could make one or more picnic tables or benches out of the round deck wood... for extra seating or gatherings ... I agree with the fish pond idea, OR the fire pit in the circle were the pool was... It looks like a really nice space with lots of promise and possibility... depending on family members if there are small children etc always consider safety . But it would definitely make a great extension for the other deck at ground level, whether concrete or just a stone (or even gravel) area around which ever feature you choose.
  • Rev Jandra L Rev Jandra L on Aug 08, 2014
    Remove the railing - build steps down to lower level - put or build seating all around and build a fire pit
  • Jane Chappell Jane Chappell on Aug 08, 2014
    We just took down our above ground and are planning a stone patio with fire pit. Hope to put in and small water fall scape.
  • Kelly French Johnson Kelly French Johnson on Aug 08, 2014
    I would finish it off and make it a HUGE deck. Its to nicely framed to loose so much of it by ending it where the pool starts. (not to mention the dirt/sand mess you would have to cover) Your possibilities are endless with a deck that size, benches or the sectional lawn furniture, ornamental planters, decorative lighting for nights, a water ornament etc... I bet you would live out there!
  • Bibi Sweet67 Bibi Sweet67 on Aug 08, 2014
    I would remove part of the deck and add steps going down or do a wrap around steps then do another deck at the bottom of the steps.
  • Karyn Workman Karyn Workman on Aug 08, 2014
    Enclose the bottom with board and put steps to ground. paver the bottom and leave some room for flower beds like a sunken garden.
  • Dana J Grant Dana J Grant on Aug 08, 2014
    I would buy those Interlocking Retaining Wall Blocks, then create a stair system and build a fire pit in the middle.
  • Kim Dagenais Kim Dagenais on Aug 08, 2014
    i am with most people here, I would remove about 3/4 of the pool deck. Then build ascending stairs to the bottom level. Fence in both outer sides with nice rails, and at the bottom ground level, I would put in patio stones. You will have a larger area for company, dinners and events. I can picture it, and I think this would look very nice. Also you will have a lot of deck wood left over, so you could probably recycle/reuse most of it. Last thought I had would be to install stair lighting. At night it would look beautiful. I don't think think this project would cost too much. Some extra wood if needed, patio stones and some lighting. Let us know what you ended up doing with your space.
  • Jill Jill on Aug 08, 2014
    I know this might sound crazy, and it won't be your prettiest option, but if you have kids or grandkids, I would close the circle in a bit and put a trampoline in. A deck-level trampoline would be a crazy hit with the youngsters (and even adults like them) and it would be a novel way to fill your space. It appears that you have a large deck already, so it's not like you need more deck space.
  • Barbara Turner Barbara Turner on Aug 08, 2014
    Uh, first you NEED to rope if off for safety sake! Then to have a local building county inspector come out and approve the foundation of that decking for ANY type of restructure purpose BECAUSE if you don't and you sell the house or God forbid someone gets hurt, your homeowners WILL NOT cover any lawsuit without all your bases covered!!!! Do that FIRST! You have to make sure the entire deck space there and all the way back to the house is totally code safe! Actually looks like there are a couple of spots that look like they are weak so basically my advice would be to take it all down and build a completely new one.
  • Carole curtis Carole curtis on Aug 08, 2014
    I would fill in enough from the existing deck out to be able to put your grill and a table and then put a railing with steps to one side. Perhaps you could leave the curve on most of the sides and fill in the edge where the new deck would end with a retaining wall of blocks and put a base of pavers and a fire pit in the center of the curve, leaving the opposite side open at law level to get into the yard.
  • Greg Greg on Aug 08, 2014
    Put in a large hot tub and deck in the rest of the space for entertainment would be my plan
  • Michelle Templin Michelle Templin on Aug 08, 2014
    If it were me and I'll be dealing with the same problem next year. Until you decide what you want to do with the space if you are good with plants, build yourself a tranquil garden, some nice shrubs for height, butterfly, knock our roses, some tall grasses, in the middle. Then add some interest plants around the outside with a bird bath or two and some garden stones and figures - then you can sit out and watch the butterflies and hummingbirds. Plus adding the bird baths will help reduce pest bugs. Just a thought and this time of year, your local garden centers are trying to get rid of plants so you might get off less expensive
  • Chupi Small Chupi Small on Aug 08, 2014
    Make a herb garden, herbs for use in the kitchen, for tea, for the beauty or the scents, add aromatic herbs for nice smelling time on your deck
  • Lisa Lisa on Aug 08, 2014
    I would put in an Gazebos
  • Patty Tyson Patty Tyson on Aug 08, 2014
    Fill ground with pavers, steps in several areas, big fire pit with many Adirondack chairs
  • Dr5363854 Dr5363854 on Aug 08, 2014
    I would take that part of the deck off, fill in the hole and than build an addition on to your existing deck.
  • Diana Pucci Diana Pucci on Aug 08, 2014
    Sunken Garden with hot tub. Area immediately below the deck add a ring of those wall bricks that are pie shaped and sit on top off each other without mortar.. from the ground up to the edge of the deck. At the main deck use them to create steps going down to the hot tub. Then add plants in tiers, leaving a walk way around Hot Tub, or alternatively a Gazebo, or a sitting area.
  • Katie Lloyd Mansfield Katie Lloyd Mansfield on Aug 08, 2014
    I would take it out. If that isn't an option, I'd make a fire pit.
  • Robin Miller Cresci Robin Miller Cresci on Aug 08, 2014
    Step down seating area, with a fire pit in the middle. Your welcome!
  • Colleen Colleen on Aug 08, 2014
    Gaurd railling for sure, then step down for fire pit and chairs. Agree with Barbara, get it inspected before creating any form of additional decking.
  • Joan Joan on Aug 08, 2014
    a little roller rink
  • Jean Jean on Aug 08, 2014
    ck your local building codes and call for structural inspection first and foremost, if the deck is within a few years of needing replacement would it be wise to invest more $$$ and time into it or just have it removed and begin anew ~ either way the suggestions above with firepit/seating area or if your more of a gardening sort go with the fountain idea and alot of planters and maybe a small cafe table and chairs with umbrella with the use of pallet wood you could surely construct simply and cheaply benches and planters as well as some sort of safety railing if it met code
  • LizzieB LizzieB on Aug 09, 2014
    The idea of a seating area with fire pit and chairs is a great one! My initial thought though was to "pave" the ground, add many potted plants, and add seating and table(s), maybe a water feature of some sort for a relaxing, contemplative oasis!
  • Tina Tina on Aug 09, 2014
    I agree with dr55 and would completely remove the circular portion. You want it to look like you "meant to do that" not like it used to house a swimming pool! Good luck!
    • Brenda LeCloux Brenda LeCloux on Aug 09, 2014
      @Tina totally with everything you said. I would then maybe consider growing some veggies in that naked area? Maybe a raised bed garden with flowers and veggies?
  • Janet F Janet F on Aug 09, 2014
    I agree with Patti....wide.steps down, pavers or flagstone patio with fire pit. Also agree with Jean. Check codes and the structural integrity of this part of the deck especially since it's been exposed to pool water.
  • Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. on Aug 09, 2014
    I would definitely remove that part of the deck. If you need more deck space, add some nice wide steps down to a patio area in the lower level. That big circular area just totally overwhelms the space. You can landscape around the lower level and have a lovely and functional seating area. Good luck with your project!
  • Tommie Munn Tommie Munn on Aug 09, 2014
    fill it with good soil and grow a garden...
  • Denise Rankin Denise Rankin on Aug 09, 2014
    You could do it ALL! Sunken garden with seating, hot tub, and fire pit. With careful planning it all could be there, protected but nurtured. Or you could just plant a large tree to eventually shade the house,(very cost effective). But you do need to check for condition and code first. Good luck, let us know what you decide.
  • Beverly P Beverly P on Aug 09, 2014
    I think it would be a fab koi pond! Plants all around the perimeter, it would be gorgeous! Special lighting, nice chairs around to sit and watch the fish....my kind of deck there!
  • Claire Claire on Aug 09, 2014
    thank you !
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Aug 10, 2014
    Agree with others. Remove the whole thing. Add wide steps down to the yard. .
  • Cathy Phillips Cathy Phillips on Aug 10, 2014
    Remove top boards, measure, get material to refinish as full deck, get two concert round planters, one small one big, turn the small one upside down, put on some liquid nail, set bigger potter right side up, place together, add rock in bottom of the bowl, add fire wood for a fire pit, add seating, planters,a nice little hang out area for family and friends
  • Halka.maryjo Halka.maryjo on Aug 10, 2014
    I would keep the deck around the house area, and take the rest out, then maybe put in a pretty pond with rocks around it, but still take the pool deck out, looks like it is dry rotting any way, I am sure what ever you decide would be great, just an idea!
  • Carol Van Aardt Carol Van Aardt on Aug 11, 2014
    I would remove the front deck with round cut out, and use the wood to either extend the other deck or make steps down. Then landscape the garden to hide the open sides of the deck and give privacy if you need it.
  • Claire Claire on Aug 11, 2014
    Thank you all !! many great ideas
  • Charlene Myers Charlene Myers on Aug 11, 2014
    If you have dogs it would make a great play yard for them totally enclosed, just add some steps or because it is enclosed use it as a garden for vegetables. Place screening on the inside of the lattice underneath to keep garden critters out. You could also garden on the walkway in pots and the lattice would be great for pole beans and vines. Although, if you are not a gardener, I would enclose the big hole into an enlarged deck with a set in hot tub.
  • Kelly Kelly on Aug 11, 2014
    sunken fire pit made with brick pavers with seating
  • Heather Stimmel Heather Stimmel on Aug 11, 2014
    I would have replaced it with an inground pool with updated deck.
  • Debbie Kuhar Debbie Kuhar on Aug 12, 2014
    I have a sumiliar situation, but I did not build a deck around our pool. I hve 2 acres of land and the pool was half way down in the middle of the yard. Being that my yard is on a sland,/ , the pool was dug for a high area about 5 foot of dirt was removed and then the dirt was leveled off so that the opposite end on the pool is exactly level with the rest of the lawn. My driveway is extremely bad for such a large truck to come down if I wanted to fill with dirt. But I did find a contractor that has a pumper truck to make a cement pad. Been waiting to get this done, but we have had nothing but rain all summer. Need about 5 dys for it to dry up. Once I get the pad poured, I was going to put a shed on the pad to house our mowing tractors, rakes, and a few inexpensive tools. Im stuck in such a delima.
  • Claire Claire on Aug 12, 2014
    wow, good luck, I'll probably won't be doing anything until next spring. I tried to give the deck away for free, but all that asked about it or came to see it, just didn't understand that the deck went around the pool.And thought it was a full deck.with the winters so long I'm thinking of taking all the deck off and building a year round sunroom
    • See 1 previous
    • Claire Claire on Aug 12, 2014
      @Connie Mar yes, my cats and plants would love a sunroomas well as I , no I don't entertain and onc e it gets below 72 I don't go outside
  • Opal Opal on Aug 12, 2014
    I would take out the lower deck and use the good pieces to make steps down and adirondack furniture, build a fire pit with gravel all around, maybe a few plants (ferns, grasses) for interest and burn the leftovers with marshmelows and chocolate.
  • Roberta Wingard Roberta Wingard on Aug 12, 2014
    I visualize a gorgeous sunk in out door kitchen, with seating around the inside deck maybe a tall pergola roof, bricked pavers and maybe even a fountain one with fire and water.
  • Loriann Peterson Loriann Peterson on Aug 12, 2014
    or fill it with dirt & make it an herb & veggie garden :)
  • Debbie Kuhar Debbie Kuhar on Aug 12, 2014
    What kind of wood is the deck made of? Built a deck around my home 20 yrs ago, used Trex. Lucky I did it way back then. The price of it today is almost trippled. Wanted to add trex to an existing area, not putting $900.00 out for that, Just bought some pressure treated & I'll stain it a light gray to match the trex. Most people are not using pressure treaded wood today. I dont know how they can afford it.?
  • Tina Tina on Aug 18, 2014
    I would do a sunken fire pit. Take some stairs down on the narrow side, wide ones, with enough room to sit on. Maybe line the bottom with rocks and gravel. Plant some citronella plants and some butterfly plants mixed with some ferns in the shadey areas. On the deck level maybe a hand rail or bar railing that looks down into the fire pit (not everyone likes to be next to the fire, but they like to see it).
    • Irish Pack Irish Pack on Feb 27, 2017
      that is exactly what I thought of, except to make seating all the way around the pit (pallet project?) and some cute, bold pillows. I'll bring the marshmallows and graham crackers!
  • Mary Turnbull Mary Turnbull on Aug 20, 2014
    Make it an outdoor movie area with fire pit. Lots of potential.
  • Susan Susan on Aug 25, 2014
    I think I would some planting all around the are that faces the house. put in some nice seating with side tables maybe a nice fire pit in the center and or a nice large stainless steel cooker maybe with surrounding seating so as the cook is cooking other can sit and talk with the chef and eat there too. Maybe one area with a table for playing board games or cards and other table across the way for the children to play and do their thing. So many things you can do please submit photos after you complete this I would love to you what you decide to do. Good luck.
  • Heid Dimock Heid Dimock on Sep 17, 2014
    turn it into a Bubble Green House....
  • Debbie Kuhar Debbie Kuhar on Sep 20, 2014
    Ever thing of putting underground storage. Replace some of the decking? Have a cement pad poured. Put decking into place afterwards. In years to come, when affordable, build small storage shed on top?
  • Treasuredchaos.com Treasuredchaos.com on Jun 09, 2016
    what did you end up doing or have you decided?
  • Jeanne Baker Jeanne Baker on Feb 22, 2017
    I have a similar issue with a 30 x 15 pool that was placed lower inground with decking all around it. No longer want pool. Most of it is gone with the exception of pool sides and a swamp. Its disgusting and I don't go out in my back yard that was once my oasis. Single mom, three kids. No help. Need I say more. I have also thought about a sunken area with fire pit. Any other suggestions? On a budget, but need a solution as its been this way for 8 yrs. Thankfully, I have a full privacy fence and neighbors do not see this horribly enbarrasing eyesore. I maintain the front. Its all an illusion. Ha ha
  • Jeanne Baker Jeanne Baker on Feb 22, 2017
    I forgot to mention the "swamp" is at least 4'-5’ in depth as above ground pool was 4’ deep
  • Claire Claire on Feb 23, 2017
    Thanks for all the ideas, after mowing more grass and having very humid summers, I had another pool put in the same spot. it's only 21 foot around. I still have room to mow the sides of the steep sand mound without running into the pool.
  • Tracey Bolejack Tracey Bolejack on Feb 26, 2017
    I had the same issue for a while. I just took down the extra deck and seeded it. only problem is now its just more grass to cut.
  • Wanda sinnema Wanda sinnema on Mar 07, 2017
    I'd treat it like part of the "yard" . Like you do with a terraced deck. Instead of heading to the grass, head there..Make wide wide steps do to it. Put a over sized fire pit with lots of seating around it. I'd add some large pots in the seating area. On the upper part-add a 3 groupings of low pots here and there. Maybe more lattice to hide the underneath part. another idea would be a beautiful fountain with same extra pots and seating, depending on the ages,it would become sort of a hidden retreat depending on the foliage you pick
  • Charles Charles on Mar 08, 2017
    I'm late to the conversation and I see that you replaced it with another pool already, but I was thinking maybe a Japanese rock garden as a place for meditation.
  • Caryn Casey Caryn Casey on Mar 09, 2017
    Put in a trampoline if you have kids. Or a fire pit with seating
  • Brigette Brigette on Apr 18, 2020

    What did you end up doing? Ou above ground pool blew out, now we don’t know what to do with space. Was considering a waterfall, dog play area and fire pit..

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Dec 21, 2021

    Fire Pit area of Seating?
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