@lottielong, Whatever you do do, seek professional help because no matter what, a pool RENO, can be a very expensive venture that you do want to get right. I'm not all for designers for this and that in the home, as I'd like to think I have a good enough idea myself but when it comes to a pool, mistakes are almost life long or simply too expensive to rectify. It's all about how much you are able to spend ultimately. Hubby and I are building a new home and we have allowed ourselves an indoor pool, very extravagant for a farming family, ha-ha.....anyway, we were lucky to be able to purchase a second hand fibreglass pool for a 1/3 of the cost. It is a little faded but we will give it a polish and see how it comes up or alternatively, we'll re-coat. We'll tile over the concrete base and it should be stuning when complete. I've attached a photo before the frame went up.

A plunge pool gives you the best of both and allows you to maximise the space and your budget. Adding gas heating and spa jets and even a swim spa jet to a plunge pool would really complete this goal.

Had you considered reconfiguring and adding to the pool fence in order to incorporate the pergola inside pool fence boundary? I can certainly understand there are pros and cons to this, but I thought I would throw it out there. In any case, landscaping, lighting and painting pergola a more harmonious colour seem very good ideas to me. If you sketch out on paper some of the various plans and ideas you like or have in mind, and colour-in the different features, this might help you visualise things better. It's sort of rudimentary, but I have done it several times and it did help me 'see'. Best wishes, and please keep us posted on how you are going.

What a great pool for starters. I do see your dilemma though. For the fence: I would give it a paint, choose a colour that ties your house in. Add laser cut screens or put in a vertical wall garden as you don't have a lot of room to have a row of pots. In saying that a few large pots around are great to add some interest and colour. Strelitzia's are great plants to use. Tough, can handle sun, lovely bright orange flowers. Certain sun loving bromeliads, great colours. Clumping palms are always a winner. Just watch yuccas, as previously suggested, as they are often spikey, with kids running around I would stick with softer foliage. Somewhere to sit is always important but again you don't seem to have a lot of space and you don't want to overcrowd the area. Perhaps a long bench seat along the far fence, include outdoor cushions and built in storage under seat for pool toys. A large umbrella in the corner for some shade. All of these can add colour while being practical. However I do like the idea of extending the back pool fence out to create more space, Bali hut here we come! This may not be an option.... Good luck, I'm sure with a bit of planning you can turn this into a beautiful space for everyone to enjoy.