How to Revamp Your Backyard and Make the Full Use out of Your Pool

You love your backyard and you love your inground pool. For a while now, however, you’re thinking that the entire backyard area is beginning to look a little, well, boring. It’s not quite the enticing, attention-grabbing area that it had been for so many years. You want to spruce things up and give your backyard pool area a makeover.

Fortunately for you, there are many great ideas about how to improve the look of your backyard and make your swimming pool a more attractive and versatile feature for you, your family and any guests who drop by for a visit. Even better, many of these suggestions are inexpensive, fun and easy to do. And if you’ve got a few more dollars to spend, you’ll find suggestions that you can use in this list as well.

 

Fixing up the Backyard Area

Before we start on any changes or fixes to your swimming pool itself, let’s talk about ways that we can improve the look of your backyard that both complement the pool and give your backyard a relaxing, friendly ambiance.

• • Flowers. You’ve heard the expression that flowers are for any occasion. They can also be used to improve the look of your backyard. Use bright colored flowers planted alongside the pathway to the pool. You can use large potted plants hanging near chairs or seated areas. They also add a bright flash of color to your outdoor bar or kitchen if you have one. Carefully planted shrubs and other types of greenery, such as a growing wall covered with plants or vines in one area of the pool section create a comfortable, cool feeling even on the hottest days.
  • Seating elevations. Think about redesigning the deck area around the pool to have multiple levels. One level can be used for barbecues or cooking, another level for chairs and tables, maybe a third level for people to suntan.
  • Fun seating. Traditional chairs are always good but think about having a little fun with the seating in and around the pool area. Pouf seats, which look a little bit like beanbag chairs, are a great alternative. The seats come in a variety of shapes and colors — they can be round, cube or throw-pillow shaped, or even look like an ottoman. Make sure they are made with outdoor fabric resistant to UV rays and mildew.
  • Birdfeeders. This is a wonderful addition to any backyard for several reasons. If you love the sound of songbirds while you’re relaxing in or near the pool, this is a great way to attract them to your backyard. Also, birds eat bugs. If you live near an area that has mosquito or gnat problems, a birdfeeder is an inexpensive way to help deal with that issue. If style is important to you, you can find birdfeeders that will match any look you want to achieve for your backyard.

• • String lights. String lights can give your backyard a magical, party feel. They come in a variety of colors and shapes, you can set them to flash or just provide a steady stream of color. It’s a great and inexpensive way to add a little bit of character to your backyard area.
  • Offbeat lighting. By offbeat we don’t mean weird, but unexpected and out of the ordinary. If you don’t like the idea of string lights try light fixtures that look a little different, such as Mason jars, hanging lights or paper lanterns. While you would hesitate to use these lighting fixtures inside, they are much more acceptable outside and create a unique, funky feeling.
  • Landscape lighting. Landscape lighting is one of the best pool area decorating ideas and an ideal way to give your backyard area a wonderful atmosphere. If you frequently use your pool at night or if you enjoy holding outdoor parties in the evening, landscape lighting can be used to create a real sense of style. From a practical point of view, it’s also going to make it much easier for your family and friends to see where they’re going and stay safe.
  • A new dining set. You don’t necessarily want to spend as much money on your outdoor dining facilities as you would indoors — for one thing, an outdoor set needs to be a lot more durable and weather-ready — but this is a great way to perk up a drab backyard. Dining sets come in a wide variety of prices and styles. If you’re primarily going to feed your family outside, you’ll probably want to find a more functional and durable design than if you’re primarily going to use your pool area for entertaining guests.
  • Ice bin side table. These attractive side tables come in a variety of colors and materials. Set on the edge of the pool for easy access to ice and you can put up to 12 different drinks in the middle.
  • Sail shade. Umbrellas are good but don’t always provide enough shade so that everyone seated at a table is out of the sun. Hanging a sail shade above your outdoor dining area provides more coverage and buying or making one is not anywhere near as expensive as you might think. Manufactured sail shades are durable and block UV rays.
  • Gravel. Yes, you read that correctly. Gravel. If you want to have an area between your pool and your fence, think about adding a layer of crushed white gravel. It looks good and requires less maintenance than plants. You don’t have to worry about gravel getting overgrown in the summertime.
  • Relaxation spot. There’s nothing wrong with creating a little area all for yourself. A comfortable chair, a side table, perhaps with flowers, an umbrella or smaller sail shade. A great place for morning coffee or reading a good book.
  • Hot tub or spa. A hot tub can be installed separately in your backyard area or you can build a small spa addition to your existing pool. What a great way to relax at the end of a long and difficult day.

• Clean your feet box. This is easy to make and is especially useful if you have children who like to run around in the backyard and go swimming. Dirty feet mean a dirty pool. Build a small wooden frame and fill it with flat stones. Place it near the edge of the patio surrounding the pool. Put a garden hose nearby. Children or adults can then easily wash off their feet before they go for a swim.
• Solar shower. If you have a chlorinated pool, your swimmers are going to want an area where they can wash off. Create a little nook without having to either build an outdoor shower stall or have them puddling through your house to clean off. You can hook up a solar shower to a garden hose, so it only takes minutes to install. When it’s not in use, just unhook it.
• Misting system. Your pool is the best place to cool off, but a misting area is a close second. Installing a misting system is a great way to keep cool if you live in a particularly hot area of the country.
• Fire pit. It doesn’t have to be an actual pit. We recommend a copper gas fire bowl that you can adjust to suit the coolness of the night. It’s a wonderful way to bring all your family together in the evenings around a warm flame.
• Pool enclosures. Depending on where you live in the United States, you may only get a few months during the entire year to enjoy your swimming pool. A pool enclosure — made of tempered safety glass, polycarbonate, vinyl or screen — means that you can enjoy your pool or patio area year-round. You can even buy a pool enclosure system that includes a retractable roof, enabling you to enjoy sunny days in the summer. Don’t be scared off by thinking it may be too expensive. Pool enclosures are more financially sound than you might imagine, and they also add great value to your home if you ever sell in the future.

Backyard Pool Makeover

Now that you’ve given your general backyard area a new look that makes it feel more relaxing and inviting, it’s time to think about inground pool renovation ideas. Again, many of these suggestions are inexpensive and easy to achieve. It all comes down to how much money you want to spend.

• • Colored pool finish. Tired of that white look that every swimming pool seems to have? You can now give your pool a colored finish to make it look more inviting and natural, not to mention more agreeable to the eye.
  • Floating speaker. Sometimes you’re not looking for peace and quiet when you’re in your pool, especially during a pool party. You want music and with the availability of speakers that connect to Bluetooth, you can play your entire music library on your cell phone from a full side table. Floating pool speakers are a great idea for when you’re having an event around the pool in the evening and people aren’t swimming.

• • Hammock. Now we know what you’re thinking. Normally people hang hammocks between trees. But if you put hammock chair in your pool, you’re creating a great way to cool off and relax at the same time.
  • Slide. Attaching a slide to the side of the pool will give your children and their friends hours of endless fun. And maybe even the occasional adult. Slides are a great idea if you have a smaller pool as it will encourage your kids to use it more often.
  • In pool chaise. Like the hammock idea above, this allows you to use your pool to cool off without necessarily going for a swim. Also, you can use them in or out of the water. They come in a wide variety of colors, are nearly indestructible and last for years.
  • Underwater lighting. This is a great feature if you use your pool a lot in the evenings. Once all you could get were yellow pool lights. Nowadays try multicolored LED lighting that lets you set the color with either control dials or a remote control. You can adjust the lighting in your pool to suit the occasion or to suit your mood.
  • Floating pool lights. Another great idea for any poolside event held in the evenings. Don’t have underwater lighting? Floating pool lights create ambiance and style. Lights are available in all shapes and sizes, everything from elegant flower designs to more whimsical jellyfish lights.

• Waterfalls and fountains. One of most enjoyable sounds in nature is the sound of falling water. You can find that sound if you install a waterfall or fountain either on the edge of your pool or inside it. And if you live in a more urban area, it’s not only attractive but helps drown out the sounds of traffic and transforms your pool into an oasis of calmness and relaxation.
• Change the tile in your pool. Want the feel of a new pool without the hassle or expense of building a new pool? Then install a fresh layer of tile to your current pool. New inserts can revitalize your pool and add visual interest. You can use it to create contrast and dimension, giving your old pool a whole new look and feel.
• In pool bar. Yes, this one is a little more expensive but is a great feature. It allows your pool to have that vacation feeling when you’re only enjoying a “staycation.” A swim-up bar with underwater stools is a fun and luxurious feature. Professional designers can create a pool bar that works perfectly with whatever size pool you have.

Have Fun

When you begin the process of looking into swimming pool ideas for your backyard and poolside area design ideas, have fun. Remember it doesn’t necessarily need to be an expensive venture. You can make little changes over time that don’t cost much and add more extensive features when you have the funds. And remember many of our suggestions might sound pricey, like a pool enclosure, but when you investigate the total cost and the increased value it brings to your home, it may be a cost that’s worth bearing.

If You Want the Perfect Pool Enclosure, Talk to Us At CCSI

CCSI has been making and distributing the very best pool enclosures and retractable roof systems for half a century. We have many happy residential and commercial customers. Our products, custom-designed to work with your pool or patio area, feature corrosion-resistant aluminum frames outfitted with tempered safety glass that can weather every season.

If you want to start enjoying your patio area or pool all year-round, you can call us at 800-537-8231 or contact us online and tell us all about your pool. Our knowledgeable staff will get back to you as soon as possible, so we can start talking about the perfect pool enclosure for you and your family or business.