We are installing a pool next month. Its coming down to the wire and we can't decide on the decking.

The existing patio is stamped concrete, a medium pinky brown (cognac?).

The pool deck area will be connected to the stamped concrete patio with a walkway. We likely won't be able to match the existing stamped concrete and besides, I don't like the pattern anyway and don't want it around our pool.

We are thinking of regular white (gasp!) or coloured concrete, or stamped concrete in a totally different pattern and colour - the "pattern" not really being a pattern........more just a textured surface. We would also make the pool coping and step edges in a cognac coloured paver to tie in the existing patio colour.

I'd appreciate any other ideas.

TIA!

BTW: we're shying away from interlocking pavers or natural stone as this would be prohibitively expensive.