If you have an inground pool, chances are it's one of the most visually important elements of your backyard. (And since you're reading this article, we're guessing once it's caught your eye all you want to do is look away!) These pool makeover ideas cover everything from new lighting to a new liner. Check out the photos and start planning your own backyard makeover!
Water feature
Adding the soothing sound of moving water can transform your backyard oasis, and since you already have a pool you've got a built-in water source. Popular swimming pool water features include fountains, water walls, cascades, sheetfalls, waterfalls and spillways. The right water feature for your pool will depend on the design and construction of your pool, the look (and sound) you want to achieve and your budget.
Lighting
Summer's too short to spend our nights inside. Many older pools and yards lack proper lighting to set the mood and ensure safety. Add lights in the pool to enhance your swim and give your pool a gorgeous glow. Use lights around the pool to highlight architectural features as well as illuminate pathways and potential tripping hazards. If you're in the market for a new pool liner, it's a good idea to factor the colour of the liner at night into your decision.
Coping
Coping is the technical term for the protective lip or cap that covers your pool's edge. Redoing your pool's coping can give your pool a completely new and polished look. Coping can be natural stone, concreted paver, concrete or composite material. Even something as simple replacing single track coping with double-track coping can allow you to add a lock-in vinyl cover in the future, something we did as part of a pool renovation explored in another article.
Liner
Pool liners have a limited lifespan—even with the most diligent chemical balancing and care you're still looking at replacing a pool liner after about 15 years. If yours has seen better days, the good news is that a new pool liner can completely renew your pool's appearance. Colour choice is increasing, with sandstone and grey liners becoming popular ways to bring a completely different mood, such as tropical lagoon or natural pond, to a backyard.
Steps
If you want to be known for your graceful exits and entrances, stairs are a must-have on your pool makeover ideas list. Stairs increase accessibility and in-pool seating and play areas. They also create visual interest, enhancing the style of an otherwise boring older pool. Options for adding pool stairs include drop-in stairs, vinyl-over stairs and in-wall stairs. The best choice will depend on the shape of your pool, the space around the pool, the look you're trying to achieve and your budget.
Tanning ledge
A tanning ledge (also known as a tanning shelf, baja shelf and sun shelf) takes stairs to the next level. Not only do they allow easy accessibility to the pool, but they give a larger space for relaxing and playing, particularly for younger children and those who are fans of the water but not swimming. A tanning ledge gives you the feeling of being at the beach and means your pool will appeal to people of all ages and swimming skills.
Connecting spa
A connecting spa or spillover spa is another way to up your backyard water game. If you're hosting a party, suddenly your pool appeals to a wider variety of people with different activity preferences. When it's just your family at home, you can meet everyone's changing needs, all in the same yard. A hot tub that connects to your pool extends your enjoyment of your backyard into cooler months. A spillover spa also adds that all-important sound of water to your at-home escape.
Want to talk ideas? You can bounce them off us!
RELATED ARTICLES
Plunge Pool vs. Traditional Swimming Pool: Which One Is Right for You?
Plunge Pool vs. Traditional Swimming Pool: Which One Is Right for You? When designing your dream backyard oasis, one of the biggest decisions is choosing between a plunge pool and a traditional swimming pool. While both offer the joys of relaxation and recreation, they differ significantly in size, maintenance, cost, and suitability for various lifestyles…
What is a plunge pool, and should I get one?
What is a plunge pool, and should I get one? If you’ve been researching pools at all this year, you may have noticed that plunge pools are seriously trending. While you probably have some idea of what a plunge pool is all about, you might be wondering about the specifics that make these pools different…
![Photo: Hydropool [swim spa]](https://budsspas.com/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/swimming-pool-small-yard-9-square-57235efa5c8b11df53a00ee0c9a24018-.jpg "swimming-pool-small-yard-9")
Treating Biofilm in a Swim Spa
How to Treat Biofilm in your Swim Spa What is Biofilm? Biofilm in hot tubs refers to a complex community of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces and form a slimy, protective layer. Biofilm can develop on various surfaces within a hot tub, such as the walls, pipes, and filters. IMPACT Reduced effectiveness of sanitizers: The…
Swim spa winterization guide
how to prepare your swim spa for the winter Winterizing your swim spa properly is extremely important to ensure that all the lines and equipment do not freeze and crack over the winter. Drain spa as per normal procedure. Remove pillows, the skimmer basket and the filter(s) from the canister. Chemically clean your filter(s) with…
Understanding and Addressing Pool Liner Wrinkles
Understanding and Addressing Pool Liner Wrinkles When it comes to pool liner wrinkles, it’s crucial to distinguish between those caused by installation issues and those arising from other factors. If a wrinkle appears due to a poor fit or incorrect measurements during installation, it will be evident as soon as the pool is filled. Wrinkles…
What is a Pool Orientation and Why is it Essential for New Pool Owners?
What is a Pool Orientation and Why is it Essential for New Pool Owners? Owning a pool is a luxury that brings fun, relaxation, and a perfect gathering spot for family and friends. However, with this luxury comes the responsibility of maintaining and managing your pool to ensure it remains a safe and enjoyable space.…
Benefits of In-Person Shopping for Hot Tubs, Pools & Swim Spas
We know that online shopping can be convenient. But at Buds we still believe that hot tubs, swim spas and pools, not to mention their parts and supplies, are best shopped for in person.
So while you might start your shopping journey online, we hope that you’ll take the chance to visit us in store before finally making your purchase.
There are many reasons why we think brick-and-mortar stores like Buds are the smart choice for customers.
Check out our top reasons and let us know if you agree!
How to Treat and Prevent Metals and Staining
How to treat and prevent metals and staining Metals and Staining in a Pool Metals can be introduced to the water through foreign object or equipment such as: Copper piping and fittings, Heat exchanger, Using Copper Sulphate and other copper-based algaecides, Source water. Metals in pool water may cause staining to the liner, fiberglass, or…
Should I finance my pool purchase?
In its most formal application, contrast hydrotherapy involves alternating between immersion in hot and cold water. It’s a practice with growing popularity among athletes and health enthusiasts for its many reported benefits.
Above Ground Pool Closing Instructions
How to close your above ground pool Pool Closing Steps 1 One week prior to closing, bring a pool water sample to the store so your pool can be properly balanced. It is natural for sitting water to become acidic on its own, so balancing the water is very important prior to closing your pool.…
The Benefits of Borate to Treat Your Pool
Why Your Should Use Borate In Your Pool What is Borate? Borate prevents pH drifting, which results in calcium scaling, metal stains, cloudy water, algae, and hard pool water. When you use borate, the water will remain clear for a long period since chloramine (or combined chlorine) does not form quickly as compared to a…
How to Reduce Phosphates in Your Pool
How to Reduce Pool Phosphates What are phosphates? Phosphates are food for algae. Although they are present in all water, once they reach a certain level they can cause issues in your pool. Phosphates can consume chlorine causing a consistently low level in your pool. When you have an extremely low chlorine reading, your pool…
Spring Set-up for Pool UV Systems
How To Open Your Pool’s UV System SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS When spring arrives, it’s time to pull out your UV system and get it ready for the summer pool season. Below is a checklist that will help in getting the most out of your system. If your UV system is still installed on your pool equipment,…
How to Treat Pool Algae
How to Treat and Prevent Algae How to Treat and Prevent Algae during Spring Opening Warning: when following these steps, DO NOT use your automatic vacuum as there is no option of vacuuming on waste/drain. Bring a pool water sample into Buds for water balance assistance. Remove large organic debris from the bottom of the…
How to Change & Clean the Filter Media
How to Clean & Change a sand filter How to Change the Filter Media Sand should be changed in the filter every 3-5 years. However, if the sand is not cleaned once per season the sand may need to be changed much more often than that. 1 Turn off the pump. 2 Take the drain…
How to Clean a Pool Salt Cell
How to Clean a Salt Cell It is important to maintain a clean salt cell so chlorine can be continuously produced. Salt cells that have a lot of scale or calcium build up cannot effectively produce sanitizer and often create flow issues within the pool system. You should check your salt cell weekly to ensure…
How to Treat and Prevent Cloudy or Foggy Pool Water
How to Treat Extremely Cloudy or Foggy Water How to Treat Extremely Cloudy or Foggy Water Bring a pool water sample into Buds Spas and Pools for water balance analysis. Adjust pH and/or chlorine levels as recommended by the water lab. Follow Option A, B or C depending on the level of clarity in the…
Pool Filter Cartridge Cleaning Instructions
How To Clean A Pool Filter Cartridge When should a cartridge element be cleaned? For hot tubs and swim spas, establish a routine cartridge cleaning schedule based on the amount of spa usage. This should include rinsing the cartridge weekly (or more frequently with heavy use), as well as using Rapid Action Filter Cleanse every…
Maintenance for Saltwater Pools
Saltwater pool maintenance Helpful Tips to Maintain Your Pool New pool or new liner customers: Please bring in a water sample to Bud’s Spas and Pools before adding any chemicals and/or before entering your pool for the first time. Filtration To maintain proper filtration the pump should be operating 24/7. If your pump is on…
Maintenance for Non-Saltwater Pools
Non-saltwater pool maintenance HELPFUL TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN MAINTAINING YOUR POOL NEW POOL OR NEW LINER CUSTOMERS:PLEASE BRING IN A WATER SAMPLE (IN THE SAMPLE BOTTLE PROVIDED) TO BUDS SPAS AND POOLS BEFORE ADDING ANY CHEMICALS AND/OR BEFORE ENTERING YOUR POOL FOR THE FIRST TIME. Filtration To maintain proper filtration the pump should…