I know we are repeatedly told that pools will only add realty value in a climate that is reliably warm and so many of us skip past the pools section of a magazine. However, there are so many new ideas, that you simply must read this pools article! It is almost worth having a pool even if you don't want to swim in it!
Did you know, for example, that you can now have a pool with an infinity edge for your toddlers? Or how about placing your lava rock bowl in a centrally placed rock formation in your pool and lighting it up different colors at night? Your back yard could look like the gardens of an exotic 5 star hotel!
While we have all been skipping the pool pages, it seems that swimming pools have been skipping into the 21st Century!
Apart from being a great place to cool off, or to get your daily exercise, swimming pools also serve as a gathering place. Often the home with the pool is the home with all the teenage friends hanging out - so at least you know where your kids are!
However, a pool may only increase the value of your home in warm climates, so before you take the plunge, you must thoroughly analyze whether or not you really want one - and want the cleaning of it.
Often new pool owners, who are unfamiliar with the procedure, hire a pool maintenance company to keep the Ph balance of their pool up to scratch. It is not a difficult job but it is a constant one. Pools nowadays come with filters that allow the odd leaf or insect to be whisked off the pool, so that cleaning maintenance is minimal.
There are several advantages to having your own pool. If you are a family member, then your children will inevitably learn to swim more quickly. It is also a great gathering place for social occasions and with 'outdoor living' becoming the trend, a pool has to be right up there with the outdoor living accessories.
Beach entries are also popular for family fun. The walk-in-shallow pool has gradual drops in depth utilizing steps that lower you into deeper water. Infinity edge pools are also suitable for a young family, and these look like radius shaped edges from which re circulated water keeps running off into a catch basin. You may wish to check out the new idea of a salt water pool, which has less maintenance and is still healthy to swim in.
Of course, if you do not have a family to think about, you can indulge in some of the latest trends in backyard pools. These trends include fire features, special effect fountains and in-pool rock centers.
The rock theme can be applied in smaller yards, and has been effectively used as a tall backdrop to a small pool that is at the bottom end of the yard. Larger pools are big enough to house clumps of man-made rock in the center of the pool.
The fire idea is caused by housing a lava rock fire bowl within these rock designs and then lighting the gas powered flame. Flame color can be changed and dramatic reflections can dance across the water in the pool.
Most fountains can also be dramatized by having a spotlight of a different color directed onto them after dark. The newest idea in fountains is to install a frothy, foaming one and have a mushroom effect head.
These additions of fountains, fire, rock and light can transform your modest pool into a secluded delight. But first you need the pool....!
Related Articles
The Perfect Lawn
By: Kevin Bilberry | 20/03/2008 | Gardening
These lawns pose no burden on our water supply because they never have to be watered. They're safe for your children and pets because they're never subjected to chemicals or pesticides.
Getting your House Decked Out
By: Doug Jones | 08/01/2008 | Home Improvement
Adding a deck to your property is not just a way of accessing more sunshine and fresh air. It also increases the market value of your property and, in the summer, it virtually gives you an extra room - or two!
Hanging Baskets That Last All Year Round
By: Carol Freyer | 07/05/2008 | Landscaping
Use a combination of tall and trailing plants with varied leaf color. Use taller plants or decorative grass in the center and surround with a combination of trailing blooms and vines.
Creating the Purrrrfect Outdoor Living Space for Your Feline
By: Leslie Eskildsen | 17/06/2008 | DIY
In an effort to protect our pets, it's becoming more and more common to see constructed cat enclosures that allow kitty to scamper outdoors, and enjoy the fresh air in a controlled safe environment.
February to Do's for Arizona Gardeners
By: Robert Nachman | 08/02/2008 | Gardening
Unfortunately just because it's February doesn't mean your yard requires less attention. Instead of putting a lot of energy into your gardens in the spring and fall, try giving them a little attention year-round. The results will be well worth the effort.
Winter Wonderland: Spruce-up Curb Appeal With Winter Landscaping
By: Kevin And Gretchen Koitz | 27/12/2007 | Landscaping
There is a trend toward homebuyers who are attracted to year-round, outdoor visual flair. Whether you are staging your home for potential buyers, or yearning a garden that blooms forth in the winter, there are several colorful ideas for creating a winter paradise in your own backyard.
Build Your Own Outdoor Shower
By: Eric Bramlett | 26/02/2008 | Bath Showers
It's common for beach front homes to come equipped with outdoor showers. They're extremely handy for a quick rinse of salt and sand before entering the house. Maybe you have a scenic property and simply want to enjoy a garden shower al fresco.
Guardians of the Home: Traditional Statues of Property Protection
By: Karrie Rose | 15/05/2008 | Landscaping
Since not many cultures are going to be thrilled if you take their sacred statues home after a tour, it's fortunate that many companies advertising today on the Internet carry replicas of many ancient artifacts. If you do a search on the kind of guardian that you want, you will likely find many avenues to indulge your taste.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Dry well?
By: lisa | 22-07-2008
how do you know when your well is going dry?
Water level dropping in my pond
By: basingert | 22-07-2008
I have a 125 gallon fish pond make of preformed hard plastic. It is buried in the ground. I holds water for weeks and then one day it will be down a foot. I checked the pump and disconnected the waterfall trying to pinpoint the reason for water loss. How much can evaporate? Do these ponds leak sonetimes? The plastic is heavy. Purchased at Lowes
Portable boat docks
By: Elizabeth | 22-07-2008
I am interested in a floating dock for lakefront no motor boats allowed small like it to fit two chair square shaped easy to install portable best cold weather state
Air in water lines
By: sandman | 22-07-2008
I installed a new electric water heater, and since then I cannot get the air out of the lines. Or Dishwasher doesn't fill to the required amount of water, and the pressure is low. We replaced the old 55 gal. heater with a 80 gal. heater. we also are getting deposits at the screens on the fixtures, and we have to clean them often. How can we correct this problem? It is driving us CRAZY! Thanks
Salt free water softners
By: krisbidtw | 22-07-2008
how does salt free water softners compare to salt water softners?
Fire sprinkler pressure
By: george | 21-07-2008
why don't all the fire sprinklers in the design area have the same pressure as the end head
Q&A Powered by:
More from Alan Olson
Getting Green With Bamboo
By: Alan Olson | 01/04/2008 | Real Estate
Even under natural growth conditions, a large full-sized bamboo tree could grow in six years, as opposed to sixty years for an average North American tree. This is a very high yield; in fact bamboo has been labeled the fastest growing renewable resource on the planet.
Shattering Real Estate Marketing Nightmares
By: Alan Olson | 27/03/2008 | Real Estate
The game, is really along the lines of, "you snooze, you lose". So be prepared by avoiding the pitfalls that include, having restricted hours for showings, having no lock box on the property, having a 24 hour notice restriction or an appointment only stipulation.
Schmidt Brewery Lofts
By: Alan Olson | 31/01/2008 | Real Estate
There has been a lot of speculation about the fate of the old Schmidt Brewery. Once a bustling brewery, employing over 400 workers, it has been sitting vacant since 2004. Council Member Dave Thune describes it as a "symbol of the Seventh Street community. We want to bring life and liveliness back into the neighborhood".
Thinking of Selling your Home?
By: Alan Olson | 22/01/2008 | Real Estate
Selling a home in many areas of the USA at the moment is a gamble. It is difficult to decide whether or not to sell, whether to list at what you feel is the market price, or whether you should undercut the market price.
Extend or Move?
By: Alan Olson | 14/12/2007 | Real Estate
Why do people renovate and add onto their existing home? It may be that your family is getting larger or perhaps you've decided to run your business from home, or even simply because you would like a formal dining room. For some of us the first thought is obviously to move, but others are too fond of their home and neighborhood to want to leave it.
Grow Op-portunities, a Modern Day Realty Dilemma
By: Alan Olson | 29/11/2007 | Real Estate
When buying a house we all know the pitfalls, and our realtor will guide us through any other nuances of house purchase that we may be unaware of. However, as with everything else, fads and changing lifestyles can move the goal posts and catch us all out! With this in mind, here is a cautionary note if you find yourself looking at ex-rental properties.
Steam Out the Cold
By: Alan Olson | 21/11/2007 | Home Improvement
Did you know that if you increase the humidity ratio in your house, you will feel warmer? It would seem that the old-timers knew this long before science announced it. They always stood the kettle on top of their wood-burning cook stove to steam away into the atmosphere all day long.
Get Rolling With a House Painting Party
By: Alan Olson | 25/10/2007 | Home Improvement
Painting is one of those jobs that can go on forever; repair the walls, primer the walls, apply two coats of paint, and then run around fixing all the spots you missed. Maybe you've just bought a new home or are trying to get your current house sale ready, a painting party can help you get this done quickly.
Home Improvement 
