Are you planning to pour a concrete deck area? If so i would suggest concrete stamping! Looks great and also has texture so you do not have to worry about people slipping!

Thanks, i never though of that!! I will look into it, do have any suggestions on how i can work with what i have right now

Ekhayadesigns: I think if you add more concrete all around the pool area and do something like stamping as suggested or acid staining all around and added concrete will create more room for extra sitting area, fire pit with chairs and stuff. Our company specializes in space planing and acid staining as well as concrete work. I think your pool area has a huge curb appeal potential.

It depends on your budget. You can also create a theme around the pool.

thanks, do you have any photos that can give some ideas. this is my first home so with doing the inside and back yard on dont have a huge budget

I would go the other way. Cut the concrete back as close as you can to the pool. If you want/need a "deck" think about creating a buffer of decomposed granite or gravel. As it is the concrete is too big to be ignored, but too narrow to be a proper deck.

Go to my website www.stainandscorefloors.com, you can see our work and also get some ideas. My husband and I own a decorative concrete business!

Like @Ekhaya Designs I think adding more patio space for people to move around and lounge by the pool is a great idea. Below is one we designed several years ago. This is Bluestone but, adding more concrete is a more budget conscience. A large lawn area would be fairly simple then curved planting beds to be able to create some privacy would be great.

If you want to make it feel more private I have some ideas.

thanks for all the great ideas!! i am almost on a half acre of land and there is a lot of room to maneuver. I will take photos of my back yard to see if that helps with the suggestions

@willy what do you have in mind. I am open to any and all suggestions.

Ur pool is very dated having one deep end & the other shallow, the deep end was designed for a diving board that was probably removed due to liability. The deep end is hazardous for young children that can not swim, requiring special safety pool alarms. Unless you swim laps your pool is very boring and uninviting.
Today pools are not built this way because most people spend time in the shallow end where they can stand up or relax in a heated spa.
The Ideal pool is one that is active allowing children & adult to play sports, like Volley Ball, Water Polo, and Basket Ball.
Don't waste your money making your pool look good that no one goes in, ACTIVATE your pool turn it into a SPORTS POOL by doing the following;
1. Remove the concrete deck as suggested above.
2. Make the deep end shallow!!!! (by extending the drain pipe up to the new elevation (at a low point), add gravel to fill void up to drill # 4 dowels into old concrete lap bars at 18' on center each way & pour concrete slopping to the middle of the pool drain should be located at this low point 4" drain pipe to be sloped at 1/4" per foot min.
3. Add a spa at mid span of the pool in a crescent shape on the side closest to your house.
4. Re-plaster pool & spa with pebble- tech
5. Add an automatic roll out pool solar cover that will heat your pool by sun light.
6. Add convection PVC piping in(new) pool deck, this will act similar to a radiator in a car, (only) absorbing the heat from the sun heating the pool water circulating in the pipe raising the temperature of the pool & spa water & cools the deck from burning your bare feet.
7. Add a volley ball net at the center of the pool by countersinking a 1" PVC cap or nipple into the concrete deck on each side to allow easy attachment (screwing & unscrewing) of 1"x 5' PVC pipe attached to the volley ball net. PVC basket ball goals, & water polo goals can be attached securely to the concrete deck in the same manor.
Your newly remodeled pool now becomes an active game pool that your neighbors will envy.
8. The game accessories can all be purchased at your local pool supply store
7. Remove the steps in the shallow end, add a beach entry with pebble tile finish.Very good for small children first learning to swim

Here are few pictures of our work. All these projects were just the same as your concrete looks today, Imagine that! Just a mere creative touch and color.

I would remove teh small edge garden, and extend the patio with your choice of brick paver. This will add area to sit, and you can add other features to make a great entertainment space near the pool. Here is an example. [houzz=] Simple square pool like yours they chose a large paver, and added the firepit. Very classy entertaining space and budget friendly depending on the type of stone you choose.

a pergola could be a nice inexpensive accent too. Adds height and a little drama, can be enhanced with plantings. [houzz=]

Ok, one more idea, add white sand to the upper area above the retaining wall (which I would probably recommend replacing with a nice retaining block) and create your own beach! Sand is easy to maintain as weeds and grass don't thrive in it, and a couple of nice beach chairs, and done! a great tanning spot, or kids play area!

Another photo to draw ideas from...

Hello Sharnay - if you're having trouble with real grass, I'd suggest EasyTurf (www.easyturf.com) - it looks and feels like the real thing. For me, looking out over my lush green lawn beats the heck out of a large concrete patio. It's the difference between a natural, alive, relaxing feeling to a colder, industrial feeling. Check out a few of our recent pool installs and let me know if you have any questions.
Take care,
George
http://www.houzz.com/projects/164936/EasyTurf-Poolside