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A well thought-out swimming pool landscape plan can turn a fun, recreational area into one that forever increases the aesthetic and (quite possibly) monetary value of your home. There are few things more decadent than having a private oasis in your backyard. That said, it is surprising how frequently would-be owners of such luxury, inground pools often spare little thought for the details of poolscape design. There are manifold considerations when it comes to swimming pool landscape design, considerations that include safety, convenience, privacy and, of course, beauty.

There is only one good option for busy individuals to ensure that attention is paid to the minutiae of their pool's construction and design. You'll need to hire a seasoned construction company, preferably one that your friends or family have recommended to you. Irresponsible or unscrupulously managed construction companies are notorious for dragging out work for far longer than it needs to take, making them a serious financial risk. If you're very lucky, you may be able to find a poolscape design company that will quote you a flat rate, rather than by day or by the hour, a system which only encourages slow work.

Pretty much one of the best landscaping ideas for privacy, and a poolscape design that will look great and guard your pool area from inquiring eyes, is to surround it with foliage, creating a thick screen of protective greenery. The trees you pick do need to be chosen wisely, though. Any tree with an extensive root system will, given a few years, cause damage to the foundation of your home or of your swimming pool. Also trees that drop their leaves in autumn are going to be more trouble than they're worth - you'd prefer your pool's good hygiene to be as low-maintenance as possible.

The minimal amount of mess they'll create and their consistently beautiful, lush appearance makes evergreen trees your best bet, and they're also the most effective landscape privacy tool - with their year-round growth you won't suddenly find your private area naked (no pun intended) when the rainy season hits. Alternatively, you could install trellis walls and train vines to run up them. You can buy pre-trained trees, called Espaliers, which have been pruned and groomed to grow sideways, making them into a flat branch-barrier that will protect your privacy and even act as a windbreak.

Of course, if you're a parent or prospective parent, you may be more concerned about your young child falling in the pool than you are about good-looks or greenery. In that case, a fence or wall might be a good idea. You'll also probably want to double up on the security, and install a pool net. Not only will this keep your pool clean of detritus, but it should also hold the weight of any toddler or adult who happens to trip into the pool. Be sure that your hooks are solidly installed, and that the net is of a high quality polyfibre weave. If it's not, you're at a risk of a home drowning when the net wraps the person falling in - such accidents form a statistically significant percentage of home drownings.

Relaxing on the deck or patio surrounding your pool is one of the most decadent things about having a pool. Think about the way that people will arrange themselves and interact in the social space you're creating around your pool. Consider the materials that you're using - non-slip or tacky surfaces could make fun in the sun a lot safer for your visitors and loved ones.

It's the first sign of a narrow view of architectural arrangement and poolscape design when your pool is renovated without concern for the old-school stylings of the house, or vice versa. The best custom-designed swimming pool landscapes are constructed to complement the style of the house. Try to work out a design that will blend in, rather than call attention to itself, and that is consistent with the flow and look of your home.