Big pots of plants and umbrellas.

I think your pool could definitely look better. Your pool deck and coping looks really pretty. If I moved into your place and stepped out back, with it just the way it is, the first thing I would do is remove everything. Get all the plants, chairs, umbrella, etc (everything) moved off to the side, so I could start with a clean slate. If it isn’t planted “in the ground”, move it out. You need to look at it empty, with fresh eyes. It looks like a lot of stuff running all around the whole parameter, making it look cluttered. To my eye, it looks like waaay to much stuff. Then start to put stuff back, building a clean put together space. Group your chaise lounges together with a small table, or plant, maybe at the other end with the umbrella. Make a few conversation areas around the pool. Clean up the table area ... only table and chairs under pergola with maybe a plant or two. Place a candle or small plant on table. Make sense? Simplify. If you feel like you can’t see it differently, clear it all out and ask a friend/family member who’s taste you trust to come help you. Sometimes I think we are just used to seeing something one way, it’s hard to reimagine.

Sometimes you have to work with what you have. If you address the soft landscape and vertical space it will detract from the concrete deck. Be grateful that the deck is neutral and now painted aquamarine blue. I would take out the raise bed with the artificial turf and remove all of the small pots and small planting beds. Fill any cracks in the deck and have it smoothed out so that the pool coping is refreshed and more of a feature.

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You could also skim coat the brick wall to create more of a stucco wall or cover with wood to add a warmer texture to the backyard. I would de-emphasize them by putting tall, container friendly trees along the wall. All uniform, same size, colour, shape and the same trees. You could do the same thing with grasses.

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Vines could be used to disguise the wall and to create vertical interest.

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Columnar trees could work in containers if you choose dwarf varieties.

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Grasses are inexpensive and can be very architectural and bring in colour and shapes. But repeating the same plant in the same container simplifies the landscape and is pleasing to the eye. You will find that the deck becomes a none issue after you pare back on the different types of plant. I would keep the multi coloured bush in your third picture it has a nice shape and colour. Just clear out everything around the base and put rocks with a few small shrubs (three of the same should do it) to make that tree the focal point.

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But only plant at the widest section of the planting bed. The undulating bed wall is a bit outdated. If you could remove it and then use rocks in the bed around the tree with more grasses that would update it. Limit your yard to 3 -5 different plants and repeat, repeat, repeat. You're lucky to have a pool and ample room for entertaining. You just have too many different things going on. Enjoy.

There's a lot going on there especially (4) different types of masonry surfaces.

Looks like an old Anthony pool-coil spring under the diving board and the pre-cast concrete sides is a give away.

I would tear up the patio, the coping and the red brick. The material around the pool can be all the same, or at the very least complement each other. Lose the diving board. The pool probably isn't compliant for it anyway.

The block wall on the property line could be faced with a nice natural wood to soften it up.

Photos posted by others give an idea of color and textures.

Keep the grassy area for contrast will a small retaining wall of natural stone to replace the red brick. Place plants appropriately. Speak with a landscape designer for plant selections and a layout.

The structure for the covered porch could be painted to work with other planned colors.

While tearing up the patio, address and upgrade pool piping. Perhaps add lines for LED lights or a pressure side cleaner. Have an electrician, versed in swimming pool electric, to bring the pool up to the current National Electric Code.

Hate to sound like I'm spending your money! These are items I address very often on a reno project.