A container in a garden, what does that look like? Like a messy building site — or the most stylish element of the entire exterior. The difference isn't down to the container itself: it's down to what you do around it. If you've already read our A complete guide to container pools (price, sturdiness, installation), you know the structure holds up. This guide answers the real question that follows: how to make it beautiful?
Idea 1: dress the wall — industrial, unapologetic or blended into the garden?
The raw steel wall of a shipping container is its strongest visual identity. You have two possible philosophies: to assume and magnify it, or to soften it and integrate it. Both give splendid results – provided they are consistent with the rest of your garden and your home.
Wood cladding: the most requested solution
The combination that appears most frequently in widely praised garden designs on social media is dark steel + natural wood. The contrast between the materials is immediately apparent – the hardness of the metal, the warmth of the wood – and it fits into almost all garden styles, from contemporary and Scandinavian to seaside.
Two technical approaches depending on your objective:
- Cladding on the side faces only The wooden blades are attached to a light metal frame screwed directly into the container walls. This option leaves the steel visible on the main face (often the side facing the pool) and covers the sides – for a very graphic «box within a box» effect. Material budget: €800 to €2,500 depending on the surface area and type of wood.
- Full cladding The container disappears entirely beneath the wooden cladding, resulting in a beautiful garden chalet with an integrated swimming pool — the container effect is almost invisible. Ideal for gardens where industrial aesthetics would clash with the house.
For decking, composite wood (PVC + recycled wood) is the most sensible choice in terms of durability and maintenance: resistant to permanent moisture, UV stable, no treatment necessary. Solid exotic wood (teak, ipe, cumaru) offers a more noble finish but requires annual maintenance and a higher budget.
Painting and colour: when steel becomes sculpture
If you're leaning into an industrial style, the colour of your steel wall is your primary design tool. The shades that work best outdoors are:
- Anthracite (RAL 7016) The reference. Elegant, timeless, pairs with anything — wood, concrete, plants. It absorbs solar heat, which can slightly warm the water through conduction.
- Sage green or forest green (RAL 6003, 6009): the trend of the last five years. The container blends into the vegetation, the «natural» effect is immediate and particularly successful in wooded gardens.
- Matte black the most radical and photogenic option. The night effect, with underwater LED lighting, is spectacular. Best suited for contemporary gardens with strong architectural features.
- Off-white or beige: For Provençal or Mediterranean houses that want to integrate a swimming pool without too marked a stylistic break.
The paint used must obligatorily be marine paint or epoxy paint for metal – standard decorative paints do not withstand the permanent humidity and condensation of a swimming pool.
Gabions and planting: disappearing into the garden
For English gardens or natural environments where metal appears out of place, gabions (metal cages filled with natural stones) placed against the container walls create a mineral transition that significantly softens the overall look. Combined with climbing plants (roses, wisteria, Virginia creeper) on trellises fixed to the structure, they allow the container to gradually blend into the landscape – to the point of almost disappearing after a few growing seasons.
Idea 2: The terrace — creating the perfect transition between land and water
It's the design aspect that truly makes the difference between a «plonked down» shipping container pool and one fully integrated into its garden. The decking isn't an accessory – it's the link between the metal structure, the ground, and the foliage.
Exotic wood, composite or polished concrete: which to choose?
- Composite wood The best balance of durability, maintenance, and price. It's resistant to moisture and UV rays, won't warp or crack, and requires no annual treatment. It comes in dozens of shades and textures that very accurately mimic natural wood. Installed price: €80 to €180/m² depending on the range. Our recommendation for 80 % projects.
- Exotic wood (teak, ipe, cumaru) The most noble finish, the most authentic warmth underfoot. Remarkable lifespan if well maintained (20 to 40 years). Constraints: annual maintenance (oil or stain), higher cost (€150 to €350/m² installed), and sourcing to check (FSC certification mandatory). Ideal for premium projects.
- Polished concrete or exposed aggregate concrete: The most coherent option for an unashamedly industrial style. The material continuity between the slab concrete, the terrace, and the surrounding areas creates a very strong visual unity. Minimal maintenance, maximum lifespan. Supplied and fitted price: €60 to €140/m². Be mindful of underfoot comfort in high heat – concrete stores and radiates solar heat.
- Large format tiles for contemporary gardens with strongly defined house architecture. Large format porcelain stoneware tiles (60x60cm and above) imitating concrete or stone create a natural extension from the inside to the outside. Installed price: €90 to €200/m².
The question of level: the mistake to avoid
For an above-ground shipping container pool, the decking needs to be considered. at the top edge of the container — not at ground level. This is the configuration that gives the most elegant results: the wooden deck arrives exactly flush with the water, creating the illusion that the pool is built into the deck like an infinity pool.
To achieve this, there are two solutions: either the terrace is raised on a wooden or metal structure up to the level of the lip (approximately 1.20 to 1.50 m from the ground), or the container is semi-buried so that its lip naturally reaches the level of the terrace. The second solution is visually much more accomplished, but it involves light earthworks.
Expert advice — Whatever the configuration, plan for a finishing trim of at least 15 to 20 cm around the edge of the container. This strip of material – wood, tile or concrete – creates the transition between the metal structure and the terrace, and avoids the «direct metal-wood joint» effect which ages poorly and retains moisture.
Idea 3: Vegetation — soften the angles, create contrast
Steel is hard, cold, and angular. Vegetation is supple, organic, and alive. It's precisely this contrast, when well-exploited, that transforms a container swimming pool into a strong visual composition. The rule is simple: the more graphic and angular the container, the more generous and organic the chosen plants should be – and vice versa.
Plant pairings that enhance steel
Two plant strategies oppose and complement each other depending on the desired effect:
- Radical contrast strategy plants with very graphic and architectural silhouettes – agaves, aloes, phormiums, giant grasses, bamboo in pots – which dialogue with the lines of the container without overwhelming it. The effect is immediate, photographable and low-maintenance. Ideal for minimalist or contemporary gardens.
- Gentle nature strategy voluminous and abundant plants — pampas grass, rambling roses, masses of lavender, soft grasses — which envelop the container and integrate it into a more natural garden. The steel gradually disappears behind the vegetation as the seasons change.
The 5 plants that best pair with a shipping container swimming pool
Phormium tenax (New Zealand Flax): Long, stiff, fan-shaped leaves, available in bronze-green or two-tone. Perfect for marking the corners of a container. Hardy and low water requirement.
2. Miscanthus sinensis (Chinese Rhubarb Grass): Giant grass (1.50 to 2.50 m) with flexible stems that sway in the wind. Creates a light, leafy screen in front of side walls. Very photogenic in late summer with its golden ears.
3. Potted Bamboo (Fargesia murielae): For a zen or Asian effect. In a pot, its growth is controlled. Its dense upright habit creates a natural plant screen that conceals equipment or unsightly views without making the overall look heavy.
4. Agave americana: For Mediterranean or contemporary gardens. Its sculptural blue-green rosette silhouette is spectacular at the base of an anthracite container. A «zero maintenance» plant once established.
5. Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana): The must-have for modern gardens. Its white or pink plumes, 2 to 3 m tall, create maximum contrast with the rigidity of metal. Plant at least 2 m from the pond to prevent sharp leaves from falling into the water.
A practical tip that's often overlooked: plant before the container is laid if possible, or at least at the same time. Plants need time to establish and develop their volume – a container pool inaugurated with mature plants is infinitely more beautiful than a project delivered with meagre seedlings that will take three years to reach their final size.
Idea 4: Lighting – the nocturnal metamorphosis
A well-lit container pool at night is a spectacle in itself. The turquoise water illuminating the dark steel walls, the shadows cast on the wooden cladding, the graphic plants emerging from the darkness – this is the image that remains in the memory after an evening. And it's also the image that makes people click on Discover. Here are three investment levels for three different effects.
- Level 1 — Underwater lighting (a must-have): One or two recessed RGB LED spotlights in the container wall, on the pool side. They illuminate the water from within and create that characteristic turquoise halo. Budget: €200 to €600 depending on power and connectivity (some models can be controlled via smartphone with colour changes). Must be planned from the construction stage – installing them afterwards requires drilling through the waterproof wall.
- Level 2 — Architectural wall lighting: Recessed spotlights in the terrace or ground-level bollard lights, directed towards the container's side faces. They reveal the texture of the steel or wooden cladding and add depth to the structure. Opt for a warm colour temperature (2700 to 3000 K) to compensate for the coldness of the metal and create a cosy atmosphere.
- Level 3 - Integrated landscape lighting: uplighters hidden in the borders that illuminate the vegetation from below (dramatic effect on grasses and phormiums), fairy lights on pergolas or adjacent wooden structures, pathway lighting on the patio. It is this third level that transforms the garden into an evening setting and justifies the spectacular night-time photos.
Expert advice — Always install a Dimmer switch (dimmer) on the outdoor lighting circuit. Full-power lighting at night is harsh and unattractive. At 30% power, the same lights create a soft, warm glow that completely transforms the atmosphere of the space. The dimmer costs between €50 and €150 — it offers one of the best returns on investment of the entire project.
Idea 5: the bar corner and lounge area — the structure as furniture
It's the detail that distinguishes a thoughtfully designed space from a mere swimming pool placed in a garden. The structure of the container – its flat walls, right angles, and standardised dimensions – is an invitation to create functional spaces that literally build upon it.
The container wall as integrated furniture
The outer face of a container, once properly painted and dry, is a flat, robust, and perfectly vertical surface. It naturally lends itself to the following arrangements:
- The poolside bar: A solid wood plank (oak, teak or epoxy resin countertop) fixed at worktop height (90 cm) directly into the wall, supported by two metal brackets. On the pool side, it becomes the serving area for glasses and bottles. On the terrace side, it serves as a standing bar. Cost: €200 to €600 depending on materials. Result: stunning.
- Storage shelves: Continuing from the bar, industrial-style metal shelves are fixed to the wall for towels, sun creams, and pool accessories. The style is consistent with the container's aesthetic – steel, brushed brass, or driftwood, depending on your mood.
- The integrated solar shower: An outdoor showerhead fixed directly into the terrace-side wall, supplied by a pipe passing through the wall (watertight drilling). Practical, aesthetically pleasing, and planned from construction to avoid visible fittings. Budget: €150 to €400 depending on the model.
- The shady corner If your container is buried or semi-buried on the north side, the sun-facing side can receive a light aluminium or wooden pergola, directly anchored to the container's roof rails (containers have structural reinforcements in the roof that can receive fixings). A shade sail stretched between the pergola and an independent post creates a cool area just a stone's throw from the water.
The guiding principle of this fifth dimension: each side of the container is a design opportunity, not just an element to hide or dress up. The best achievements are those where the structure is an integral part of the outdoor furniture — and not an object placed there that the rest of the garden tries to ignore.
The full project: assembling the 5 ideas
These five dimensions — walls, decking, planting, lighting, integrated furniture — do not work in isolation. It is their coherence that creates the «oasis» effect. A pristine composite deck with non-existent lighting and no plants will remain cold. Spectacular lighting with an untreated wall and a shoddy deck will be disappointing. The end result is always the sum of all decisions, not the quality of a single element.
The reasonable renovation budget for a coherent project around a 40-foot container:
- Facade cladding (composite cladding on two sides): 1,500 – 4,000 €
- 50 m² composite decking: £4,000 – £9,000
- Vegetation (5 to 8 mature plants + planting): £800 – £2,500
- Lighting (levels 1 + 2): 600 – 2,000 €
- Integrated bar + shelves + shower: 500 – 1,500 €
- Total fit-out 7,400 – 19,000 €
Added to the budget for the pool itself (see our Complete guide to container pools for the detailed forecasts), the total project is between £25,000 and £60,000 depending on the configuration and trim level — for a result that visually rivals bespoke concrete pools costing twice as much.
And in your garden — what style suits you?
An anthracite container with scorched wooden cladding (Japanese yakisugi technique), a polished concrete terrace, and giant pampas grass — or a sage green container clad in gabions, surrounded by lavender and climbing roses? Both exist, both are beautiful, and both tell a very different story about their owner.
Does the industrial style appeal to you for your garden — or are you sticking with traditional concrete and its free-form shapes?
