Posted by Marcus Sheridan on Sat, Jul 31, 2010 @ 10:49 AM
When purchasing a swimming pool, many homeowners debate as to whether or not a water feature is a worthy investment. Although arguments could likely be made for both sides, I would emphasize here that a pool is an AWESOME addition to a back yard and to your family experience with or without such a feature. Notwithstanding, there are some definite benefits to having a water feature installed on your swimming pool. Here are my top 3. Also, make sure you take a look at the following video as it shows a recent stone water feature we built on a 16x40 fiberglass pool from Leisure.
Sound: Believe or not, the number one reason why people get water features on their pools is more for sound and less for looks. Simply put, there is just something very tranquil and relaxing about floating in a pool or laying out on a deck and listening to the sound of cascading water.
Aesthetics: Although sound is quite nice, the beauty a water feature can add to a pool project can be quite dynamic as well. Whether you’re going for a simple, 18” cascade that comes off the side of the pool, or a dynamic, 10’ grotto that is the talk of the neighborhood, water features can be quite please to the eye and very much enhance the look of one’s backyard.
Fun to Play In: My swimming pool has a very simple water feature on it called a ‘Wonderfall’. Basically, it’s a small piece of plumbing that connects to one of the pool’s returns and uses the water pressure from the return to create a spraying water feature. Because this little tube can be rotated and manipulated, the kids have a blast spraying it at each other and also floating under it to get a simple ‘cool-off’ while on a raft.
So there are 3 reasons to consider some type of water feature on your swimming pool. As always, if you have any questions or comments regarding this or any other pool topic, don’t hesitate to leave your thoughts below.
Posted by Marcus Sheridan on Mon, Jul 12, 2010 @ 09:54 AM
Although there are certainly many ways to dress up an inground swimming pool, I wanted to write a brief list showing 11 things (just about all of which are shown in the video) you may consider to dress up the overall appearance of your backyard ‘poolscape’. Keep in mind that as you read the following ideas they are just that-- ideas, and by no means a requisite to having a beautiful pool in your backyard. As I always say, it’s better to have a pool in your backyard without all the options you wanted, than it is to have a beautiful pool with every option you ever dreamed of......in your head……and not in your backyard.
But without further ado, here goes:
1. Colored Pool Finish: White pools, especially if you’re considering fiberglass or concrete, have gone the way of the dinosaur. And to this I say good riddance. Colors make swimming pools look more natural, inviting, and often times create that ‘Carribean’ feel so many are looking for.
2. Separate Coping Color: As shown in the attached video, installing a separate border around an inground pool not only delineates the pool, but it adds a ‘pop’ to the shape itself. Borders can be done in a variety of ways, with an 18” stamped concrete border w/extra cuts the most common method on a fiberglass swimming pool.
3. Decorative Patio: Stamped Concrete and Pavers are two of the most common ways homeowners dress up their pool patio, but there are also many more, like bluestone, CoolDeck/Spray Deck, etc.
4. Gravel Between Pool and Fence: You'll notice on the video that the homeowner layed a white gravel beteen the fence and the pool. This makes for a perfect transition and is also rather low maintenance in terms of yardwork.
5. Dress Up the Fence: As shown in the video, black aluminum combined with brick pillars is very, very pretty. It’s also very expensive, but if you have the additional funds, the elegant feel it brings to the backyard is significant.
6. Arched Gate: This one goes hand-in-hand with brick pillars, but an arched gate has an impressive feel adds a nice flare to the fence itself.
7. Flowers/Greenery/Shrubs/Etc: The homeowner in the video did an excellent job with his plantings around the pool area, especially in the pathways that lead to the pool. When done the right way and with the right selection, plantings can completely change the look and feel of a backyard.
8. Water Features: This is one of the few elements not shown in the video, but water features have a powerful effect on the backyard/swimming pool experience. Even simple waterfalls are popular these days because of their relaxing and tranquil impact on the pool area.
9. Multiple Seating Elevations: In the attached video, the homeowner achieved this with a nicely designed composite deck that had multiple levels, overlooking the pool. This can also be achieved by using landscape blocks to create steps, benches, etc.
10. Contour Your Patio: The homeowners did an excellent job of this in the video, as they put an arch in the concrete on the opposite side of the arch in the Moroccan (fiberglass pool by Leisure), thus accentuating the shape of the pool and adding further to the 'classy' feel of the backyard.
11. Landscape Lighting: It's a shame we couldn't do a night-time video of this pool as well, because all of the landscape lighting has an awesome effect on the overall ambiance of the backyard at night time.
Well I hope this little list and video helps you with further ideas to enhance the look of your backyard swimming pool experience. If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to leave them below.
Posted by Jason Hughes on Mon, Jul 20, 2009 @ 03:37 PM
Swimming Pool Landscaping 101
by: Jason Hughes
Swimming Pool Landscaping can turn the most basic pool and patio into an absolute oasis. In many cases, it's not until the pool landscaping is completed that a project develops the "wow" factor that people are after.
Consider the following principles of pool landscaping:
Make use of Potted Plants
The use of potted plants can transform the most lackluster area of an outdoor space. The power of these contained beauties is that they are totally portable. Here are some tips on maintaining and positioning potted plans in pool landscaping:
Potted plant tips:
- Be sure to water your potted plants more frequently. They dry out much faster because of exposure of the pot to warm air.
- Cluster potted plants together to obtain the feel of a landscape bed.
- Utilize stands to combine various types of pots and plants.
- Use potted plants as a means of transition. For example, place them at the end of a bench wall, on both sides of a door or gate, or beside pool patio furniture to help bring the pool layout together.
Something simple like adding a few potted plants beside this bench swing adds a little vitality to the area.
Utilize Pool Landscaping for Privacy
Privacy is a major concern for most pool owners. No one wants to feel like they are literally swimming in a fish bowl. The visual and audible screening properties of natural plants and trees make landscaping one of the most powerful ways to achieve privacy in a swimming pool area. Take a look at the difference this single row of Leland cypress trees makes in this setting.
Incorporate Planters into your design
As opposed to potted plants, planters are a permanent feature of your pool landscaping area. They are typically incorporated into a design as a flat open area in the pool patio, or as an elevated feature adjacent to benches or walls. Either way, planting beds are a great way to bring diversity and vitality to any poolscape. Take a look at how this planter is incorporated into the pool deck. Notice how it breaks the monotony of the open area. From a budget perspective, it also reduced the amount of square footage of the patio which lowered the cost of the project.
Incorporating this simple planter into the patio transformed this little used section of patio into an area that adds character to the layout.
Utilize Landscape Lighting
Nothing adds class and sophistication to an outdoor area like properly designed outdoor lighting. Because most outdoor lighting systems are low voltage, many people choose to tackle the installation themselves, but there are many reputable companies available to do turn-key installations. If you think outdoor lighting may be an option for you in the future but the budget doesn't allow it now, have your electrician run some extra conduit to the pool area for your future installation. Spending a few extra dollars now will save you big time in the future.
Plants to Use and Avoid
Wide varieties of plants and trees are used in pool landscaping according to region. Even though comprehensive lists of acceptable plants are available, most folks just want some general guidelines of what plants to use in their pool landscaping and what to stay away from. Consider the following:
Plants to use in pool landscaping
Evergreen trees and groundcover
Shrubs
Long blooming flowers
Ornamental grasses like fountain grass
Avoid these types of plants in pool landscaping
Fruit bearing trees
Plants that attracts bees and other insects like mint or bee balm
Plants with thorns, barbs, or other prickly parts like roses or hollies
Deciduous trees whenever possible
Crape myrtles
Be careful with Boulders
If you use boulders, make sure they fit into the theme of the total design. One of the biggest head-scratchers is when people plop a single boulder around a pool that has no business there. As a general rule, a pool is either naturalistic or not. If yours falls into the "not" category, please stay away from the boulder. Now, with that said the proper use of boulders can transform a pool area into an oasis. Based on my experience, boulders are best utilized when they are used in groups and with an abundance of pool landscaping.
Use Grass with discretion inside the Fence
Be careful not to create awkward strips of grass inside the fence area. Typically a pool fence either borders the pool patio or encompasses a large area of the yard. Getting caught in the middle will cause more maintenance. You do not want to weed-eat or push mow inside the fence if it can be avoided. If you end up with a small space between the patio and fence, fill it with low maintenance landscaping like washed stone and simple plants. Be sure not to use small pea gravel around your pool because it has a tendency to scatter across the pool deck when stepped on. Round stone 1 ½" or bigger is perfect because it looks great and stays put.
This article on pool landscaping is an excert from my swimming pool ebook "6 Steps to Pool and Patio Success" found at http://www.poolschool.us/6_steps_to_pool_and_patio_sucess.htm . For more information on inground swimming pools visit http://www.riverpoolsandspas.com/ and http://www.poolschool.us/ where the complete book along with Marcus Sheridan's popular ebook "How to Buy the Right Pool at the Right Price from the Right Company" is also available for immediate download.