Now that summer is here, you might be giving more thought into your outdoor space. If you’re thinking about upgrading your yard, the pool is a really good place to start. And fortunately, just picking the right choice of stone for your pool deck can do a lot of the heavy lifting for you.

But while simply switching up your pool decking can totally transform your space, there are a lot of stone options to wade through, which can make picking the best one feel near impossible.

If you need help making a decision, you know H&T has you covered. To help you get started, take a look at this rundown of the best stone choices for your outdoor pool area.

Travertine

Travertine is a popular stone option for a pool deck because it can make your space look really elegant.

This natural stone is available in a variety of neutral colors like beige, ivory, and even silver so you can pick a color that matches the rest of your pool and landscaping.

Another cool thing about travertine is that it doesn’t absorb a lot of heat, even on really hot days. Instead, it stays cool so you don’t burn your feet when you walk on it, making it a great choice if you live in a particularly sunny place like Arizona or Nevada.

And if that wasn’t enough, it’s naturally slip-resistant, which is a big plus for pool safety.

Marble

If you’re looking to curate a luxurious, high-end pool, marble is just what you need for the job. Featuring a sleek, veined pattern, marble is very well-known to exude elegance thanks to its super shiny, polished appearance.

Marble comes with a really smooth texture that’s typically cool to the touch. And while this can be a nice treat on hot days, it also makes it slippery when wet, so you’ll probably have to pick a more textured finish or treat it with an anti-slip coating.

Bluestone

Bluestone is an earthy, blue-gray stone that really ramps up that natural, rustic look for your pool deck. Perfect for any outdoor setting, this stone is incredibly versatile. You can place it anywhere, from pool coping and decking to walkways and patio spaces.

But bluestone isn’t just pretty to look at, it’s also super functional. For example, it’s really strong and able to withstand various weather conditions.

Keep in mind, though, that it does have a relatively rough texture, but it’s still very comfortable to walk on. If anything, this helps make it slip-resistant, which is always a good thing near a pool.

Limestone

Limestone is what you go for if you want a clean, polished look. It comes in subtle, natural colors like white, beige, or cream, making it really easy to build on.

Limestone is kept relatively cool underfoot, making it comfy to walk on no matter how hot it is. The only major downside is that it can be more prone to staining. And you’ll probably need to seal it up every once in a while to maintain it.

But overall, whether you have a contemporary pool or a traditional one, limestone is one of the top choices people turn to to take their outdoor space to the next level.

Granite

Granite is another popular option because it looks really aesthetically pleasing, but it’s also super resistant to wear and tear, so if you live in a full house, it can definitely handle the heavy foot traffic and splashing that comes with having a pool.

But for a lot of people, the biggest advantage of granite is how low maintenance it is. Just a simple cleaning every now and then is enough to keep it in top shape.

Sandstone

Sandstone is yet another common option, and luckily, it’s a little more affordable than the other choices.

While it does feel kind of gritty to the touch, sandstone is actually really comfortable to walk on. Plus, its rough texture is what helps make it naturally slip-resistant.

Also, for the most part, sandstone is very strong — strong enough to withstand the elements pretty easily. Just make sure to seal it whenever needed to keep it from absorbing water.