5 Ideas for Upgrading Your Swimming Pool

Swim season is nearly upon us, which means that it’s time to uncover the pool and start getting it ready for another summer of fun. Along with your standard pool maintenance tasks, however, you may want to look at your pool and the surrounding area with a critical eye to see if you need to make any design updates.

All too often, the pool is one of the last areas of the home to get needed improvement attention, and many pools look like they last underwent a design overhaul in the eighties. If you’re pool area looks like it needs a modern makeover, never fear. Here are five unique ideas for your pool that will have you swimming laps around the neighbors:

1.       Add the right lighting – Putting in pool lighting can instantly change your pool’s dynamic. Even if you use your pool primarily during the day, adding lights can bring a fun element to your pool’s atmosphere. Consider adding colored fiber optic lighting under the water or above-ground landscape lighting to give your pool an ambient feel.

2.       Build a patio – The perfect patio gives you a place to relax in the sun after an afternoon spent bathing in the cool water. You may choose to build a wooden patio (this is an especially attractive option for above-ground pools), a rock patio, or a cement one.

3.       Upgrade the furniture – Forget the plastic lawn chairs, one of the best ways to update the look of your pool area is by investing in quality outdoor furniture. Decide on a design aesthetic that you love, whether it be breezy and bohemian or modern and minimalist and get pieces that match what you have in mind. Look at pictures of luxury pools in magazines and on the internet to get an idea of what’s possible and then get creative.

4.       Change up the landscaping – Even if you have minimal space in your yard, you can still do a lot to give your pool landscaping a once over by working with the natural surroundings to create poolside harmony. If you live in a place without a lot of vegetation, for example, you can use carefully-chosen colors and patterns to invoke the feeling that your pool is an oasis in a desert. If you’re in an area that’s more verdant, you may want to plant poolside gardens.

5.       Put in a water feature – Waterfalls and fountains aren’t just for your garden any more. Consider adding a water feature to your pool to give it a one-of-a-kind personality. You can go cool and ultra modern with lighted flow fountains, or give your pool some natural interest with a rock waterfall. If you aren’t sure what will work in your yard, ask an expert to take a look and discuss possibilities.

Many homeowners are able to turn the look of their pools from fun play area to luxurious retreat with a few simple changes. How are you planning to change your pool up this summer?

Amy Burweigh works in marketing and real estate for Aim Your Way. Connect with Amy on Google +. Aim has provided a variety of property maintenance services as well as inspections for over 20 years and can be found at aimyourway.com