Whether you’re dreaming of installing a new pool or looking at upgrading the one you have, you’ll need to start thinking about what you want to include. Internet research can be time-consuming, so we’ve prepared this handy guide. Read on for fun and unique pool features to consider during installation or remodel.
Pool Features to Consider: Inside the Pool
Lounging Around
When you spend time at the pool, you don’t spend it all in the pool. Much of the recreation and relaxation of a swimming pool comes from its adjacent areas. Poolside lounge areas can increase your enjoyment of your backyard and give you more opportunities to spend time outdoors.
Lounge areas are most effective and attractive when deliberately crafted. Unlike an afterthought, these purposely designed spaces respond to the specific types of functions that your pool area will have. This customization ensures you will have a place for the activities you love.
If you enjoy sitting by the pool with a book or magazine, for instance, consider a space for adjustable lounge chairs. Families that eat outdoors should make sure there is room for tables and chairs. You can also integrate landscaping with shaded areas for sitting or playing games.
Related: 7 Stunning Pool Remodel Ideas for Your Backyard Oasis
Your Personal Spa
Unlike the standalone hot tubs of decades past, a spa is now one of the top pool features to consider when planning a modern outdoor oasis. This multifunctional element helps to extend the use of your pool throughout the year, encourage social interactions, and promote wellness.
If you aren’t sure whether it’s a good fit for you, take a look at the calendar. Think about the months when it can be cool in the day but nippy in the evening. Those in-between days are just the moments when a hot tub will hit the spot.
Even in cooler areas, spas offer a welcoming space for guests. By adding a hot tub to your backyard, you can promote year-round entertaining in your outdoor space. As small spaces, they also encourage conversation and mingling in a way that larger pools may not.
Warm, soothing water can also be good for your body and mind. From heart health and sleeping to pain and stress, hot tubs may offer health benefits beyond the relaxation of a simple soak. Remember, those with health conditions should consult a doctor since heat can be a risk to some.
Turn on the Lights
Have you ever been to a hotel pool at night and marveled at how beautiful the lights were? Luckily for homeowners, lighting is a pool feature that gives a lot of bang for your buck. In fact, it is one of the most impactful pool features to consider during installation or remodel or any outdoor space, pool or not. Even simple upgrades can make a massive difference in the final look and feel of your pool and outdoor area.
By choosing LED lighting, you can customize colors, sizes, timers, and more, ensuring that your space truly reflects your vision. Extend your pool use into night hours or program lights for poolside relaxation or a party atmosphere.
Make a Splash
Imagine walking into your backyard and hearing the soothing sound of water running. You feel a fresh, cool breeze with just a few droplets, and you watch the mesmerizing movement of water crashing over rocks. This image doesn’t have to be a dream—with a bit of planning, water features are an accessible, modern option for your pool area.
By adding a soundscape and visual contrast, this type of feature can enhance your enjoyment of your outdoor space. Even if you don’t feel like going for a swim, you’ll be able to sit near the water and enjoy an exotic, refreshing environment. Waterfalls and fountains are just a few of the creative options available.
In addition to the relaxation that running water provides, these elements can play a practical role by increasing water circulation. This can help with chemical distribution, foreign objects, and algae issues.
Make sure to take your landscaping into account when looking at water features. A professional pool builder will be able to ensure all the aspects of your backyard fit together harmoniously.
Related: Pools for Small Yards: Tips for Building a Your Backyard Oasis
Pool Features to Consider: Beyond the Pool
On the Green
When you’re looking at pool features to consider during installation or remodel, don’t forget about the green: your landscaping.
To plan the backyard of your dreams, think about your yard and your pool as a single entity: the two pieces of the puzzle work together to create a unified experience. If your landscaping doesn’t fit your pool or vice versa, you won’t get maximum enjoyment out of the outdoor space.
Consider how you plan to use your backyard, as well as the space you need for those activities. In addition, think about how much time and money you have for yard upkeep and maintenance. An unkempt green area can negatively impact the joy you feel when you peek through the window into the backyard.
Luckily, pool builders can be knowledgeable resources when it comes to landscaping. They can help you balance the size of your pool with grassy areas, for example, or find creative ways to work around trees and other natural obstacles. They can also educate you on the types of plants and trees that will work best in your environment and require little maintenance.
Cooking in the Great Outdoors
What would a pool party be without a barbecue? Not as much fun, that’s for sure. While we’re used to the idea of a poolside grill, the concept of outdoor kitchens isn’t as common for many of us. That’s a shame because they offer an easy, straightforward way to share meals with friends and family in the backyard.
If you’ve ever hosted an outdoor event, you’ve suffered the effects of having a sole indoor kitchen. Back and forth, inside and outside. Forget something? Back to the indoor kitchen! Sometimes it can feel like you don’t get to enjoy the party, even if you’re the one throwing it.
With an outdoor kitchen, you can continue to spend time with your guests even if you need to prepare more food. A dedicated outdoor space also encourages others to pitch in as appropriate, and it allows for a buffet area or bar for self-service. Building the kitchen into a structure as opposed to having a free-standing grill will also look more upscale.
Even if you’re not entertaining guests, having a kitchen outside has benefits. It’s why we always recommend it as a pool feature to consider during installations or remodels. This feature can keep your house cooler and prevent smells in your indoor kitchen.
Can You Take the Heat?
One exciting pool feature to consider may sound contradictory: fire. Fire and water, you say? When it comes to outdoor living, it turns out that they’re a perfect match.
A few fiery options include fire bowls, fire pits, and fireplaces. Each offers its own unique spin on this elemental feature and adds flair to your backyard. Builders can even incorporate certain fire features into a pool itself, so get creative as you plan your space.
Fire features can also extend the use of your backyard into the cooler parts of the year. When it may be too chilly to take a dip in the pool, you and your guests can still enjoy the fresh air as you warm yourselves by the fire.
Still not sure which pool features to consider for your backyard project? At California Pools, we’ve helped thousands of families plan the perfect pool. Contact us today for personalized assistance in making your dreams a reality.
