For several years running, you’ve contemplated buying a pool for your backyard. And it’s not just any pool. It’s a pool that is the central gathering place for your family, loved ones, and friends. It’s the hub of all things fun, entertaining, and relaxing. It’s where you’ve imagined having birthday parties for your kids, dinner parties for friends and colleagues, and spontaneous casual cook-outs. It’s the swimming pool area of your dreams in the Long Island and Riverhead, NY area.
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Now, you want to make those dreams a reality. That means taking the time to plan and consider all of the details to ensure a pool area that is welcoming, functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. Here are some tips and insights to help guide you, so you finally have the swimming pool area you’ve always wanted.
Your budget
Before you start planning the swimming pool area of your dreams, it's important to determine how much you want to spend on the project. Getting clarity on your budget will help you narrow down your options and ensure that you don't overspend on certain aspects of the design. Your pool builder will be able to help you sift through your list of must-haves and nice-to-haves, so you’re able to get exactly what you want.
Pool size and shape
There are many different sizes and shapes of swimming pools to choose from, so it's important to consider which one will best fit the space you have available and meet your needs. Consider the size of your yard, the number of people who will be using the pool, and any special features or amenities you want to include.
Pool location
Where you have your pool installed is a huge factor to consider. Location will affect the overall design of your pool and how much sun or shade the pool will receive. Your pool builder will help you consider factors like proximity to your home, the direction the pool will face, and any existing trees or other structures that may cast shadows.
Materials
The materials you choose for your pool area will have a big impact on the overall look and feel of the space. Some options to consider include concrete, fiberglass, and vinyl liners. Each material has its own pros and cons. But the most customizable material that will give you the greatest creative leeway is Gunite. Gunite doesn’t use a wooden frame and poured concrete. Instead, Gunite pools are “sprayed” in. As you might imagine, that means you can have a pool installed in any number of shapes and sizes, making the swimming pool area of your dreams that much closer to reality.
Safety
The pool of your dreams is the safest pool possible. When considering pool area design, it’s a smart idea to weigh options like adding fencing or other barriers to keep children and pets away from your pool. Fencing is one option. But you could think about installing a pool cover which provides a powerful safeguard, while also protecting your pool from debris. One key safety feature for pool decks is having permeable pavers installed. Permeable pavers allow water to seep through, keeping water from gathering and puddling on the surface, causing a serious hazard concern.
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Landscaping
Well-planned landscaping can add visual interest and privacy and it can also create a cohesive look with the rest of your property. Landscaping serves as a kind of welcoming point, inviting and enticing family and guests to come and enjoy your pool. Consider adding plants, trees, and other greenery to provide shade, create a natural barrier, and add visual interest. But as you do that, keep in mind the potential for branches, twigs, or leaves to make their way onto your deck and into your pool.
Lighting
Just because the sun goes down doesn’t mean swimming has to end or hanging out around the pool has to stop. Well-appointed lighting allows you, your family, and friends to spend more time together in and around your pool. A pool is a big investment with an even bigger return, especially if you’re able to extend its use into the evening. You can also consider adding both functional and decorative lighting to your pool area like underwater lights, pathway lights, and string lights. Lighting brings so much ambient value to a pool and a poolscape. A pool at night with good lighting is tough to beat. Luminous is the operative word that comes to mind.
Furnishings
A pool area offers extra incentive to make the most of outdoor living. Within this area, you have a great opportunity to bring more of the inside of your home outside. That means incorporating stylish furnishings, including couches, chairs, tables, umbrellas, lounge chairs, pillows, towels, throw blankets, and more. All of the sudden, you now have 4-6 months out of the year to enjoy outdoor living. You’re also substantially increasing the overall living space of your home.
Maintenance
The point of building the swimming pool area of your dreams is to spend as much time as possible enjoying it and as little time as possible maintaining it. That said, it’s advisable to consider maintenance and upkeep challenges as you think through your pool area design. Your pool builder will be able to offer advice on how best to optimize maintenance and upkeep, so that the requirements on your part are as minimal as possible. Maintenance includes regular cleaning, water testing and treatment, and any necessary repairs.
Features and Amenities
There are features and amenities that you can include in your swimming pool area to enhance its functionality and enjoyment.
A built-in kitchen
Next to the pool itself, a built-in kitchen is the primary gathering place of your pool area. It’s where you have your grill, fridge, sink, prep space, and bar for family and guests to eat and drink. You can even have a pizza oven, which is great for kids and adults alike. You may also want to consider a pergola–with a dining table and chairs underneath. Having a built-in kitchen brings everything up a level, minimizes foot traffic back and forth from your pool to your house, makes snacks and drinks easily accessible, and maximizes outdoor living.
Pool house or cabana
Another way to make things more self-contained outside, so everyone spends more time together in one area, is to have a pool house or a cabana. It’s so much more convenient to provide storage for pool equipment and supplies, as well as a place to change or relax.
Waterfalls and fountains
Water features add visual interest to your pool and help create a relaxing atmosphere. They’re fun to swim through as well.
Hot tub or spa
A hot tub or spa can provide a relaxing retreat after a swim, and can also be used for therapeutic purposes. It’s another way to extend the seasonality of your pool area. It helps you maximize your enjoyment of your outdoor space. What could be better than that?
Fire features
A beautiful natural stone or brick fireplace that fits your landscape scheme and overall aesthetic can be a source of warmth and enjoyment for most of the year, if not close to year around. One consideration you’ll want to discuss with your contractor is whether to have a gas fireplace or wood burning fireplace. There are pros and cons to each. If you opt for a wood burning fireplace, as part of the fireplace build, you’ll want a place to keep your wood. To truly optimize for ambience, a wood burning fireplace is tough to match. Not only is it beautiful to watch, it’s magical to listen to the crackle and the roar of the flames, and there’s nothing quite like the scent of wood burning, especially by a pool.
A fireplace is another welcoming point and a place that brings people together to simply enjoy each other’s company. A fireplace is a wonderful way to usher in the spring or say goodbye to the fall.
Fire pit
A fire pit won’t have the same level of warmth as a fireplace because a fireplace has directed heat. But what a fire pit does have is a kind of campfire ambience which allows people to sit around it. A fire pit allows people to see each other better and can be more conducive to conversation. There are various configurations to consider from round to square to rectangular. There is also the option of fire bowls that certainly give off heat but also evoke a majestic quality that raises the overall ambience to a new level.
As you contemplate your swimming pool area of your dreams and all the various aspects to realizing those dreams, the most important thing you can do is to imagine the pool scenes you would like to see, experience, and that you would like your family, friends, and loved ones to experience as well along with you. The more specific you can be when it comes to your ideal pool area the better. Start with your dreams and then work backwards with your contractor to figure out what things you need to do to realize those dreams.