After a year of anticipation and hard work, our dream backyard pool is finally complete! It’s an occasion that brings immense joy to our entire household – a sentiment shared even by Burger, our furry friend, who we imagine is excitedly shaking a tiny pom-pom. This comprehensive post delves into every aspect of our pool-building journey: from initial ideas and design challenges to the final budget breakdown and, of course, a grand reveal of the finished oasis. We’ll also be addressing some of the most frequently asked questions we encountered throughout this exciting project. While it’s largely complete, a few minor details are still pending, which we’ll touch on later.
For us, owning a residential pool was an entirely new experience. Neither of us had ever lived in a home with one, nor in a region where they are commonplace. This made the prospect of having our very own backyard oasis even more exciting and truly a luxury we deeply appreciate. Our family’s love for pools was cultivated over five years of spring break trips to Florida, where we consistently rented homes with inviting backyard pools. This trend continued with our memorable Costa Rica vacation, where we spent countless hours swimming, floating, and enjoying all the pool-centric activities. These experiences solidified our desire for a private aquatic retreat, recognizing it as something we would all cherish.
One delightful discovery from those vacations was our shared enjoyment of al fresco dining by the pool. This tradition has effortlessly continued with our new pool. Imagine a table laden with pizza, classic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or even warm macaroni and cheese – a surprising hit with the kids, even on a balmy day! While Sherry’s perfectly arranged bowl of oranges makes for a beautiful photo, this table has already hosted numerous family meals, making her purchase of shatterproof bowls & plates an absolute favorite and a practical investment for our new outdoor lifestyle.
As those who followed our move to Florida last year know, finding a home with an existing pool or the potential to add one was a top priority on our house-hunting list, directly influenced by our spring break pool adventures. While residential pools are common in our area, the particular house we fell in love with initially lacked one. This felt like a minor setback at the time, but it proved to be a blessing in disguise. The lot, thoughtfully highlighted in the real estate listing with phrases like “room to add a pool!”, was perfectly suited for pool construction. In retrospect, we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to custom-design the exact space we envisioned, resulting in a pool area that truly reflects our family’s desires – and even includes Sherry’s beloved hot tub, a feature she’d long dreamt of.
The Stunning Before & After Transformation
To truly appreciate the transformation, let’s journey back to April 2020. Our contractor provided us with a grainy video revealing the space in its original, uninspiring state: a barren, largely unused area dominated by weeds. This explains why we have so few “before” photos – there simply wasn’t much to capture. It was a blank canvas, ripe for a complete overhaul.
Here’s another glimpse from about a month prior, sent by our contractor. This was before the house received its fresh coat of white paint and before the interior hallway and direct pool door access were added. While this particular shot doesn’t fully showcase the extent of the weedy wilderness, rest assured, a more comprehensive view awaits in an upcoming photo.
And now, behold the breathtaking AFTER! Gone are the weeds, replaced by a vibrant, inviting backyard paradise that truly embodies our vision of a private oasis.
To provide a more complete perspective, here’s a “before” shot looking towards our neighbor’s existing darker brown fence and the new lighter, horizontally planked fence we installed shortly after moving in. Both have since been transformed with a muted green color (SW Halcyon Green), a choice made with our neighbor’s enthusiastic approval, which you’ll see in all the “after” images. The sheer dominance of weeds in the original yard was truly remarkable.
And here’s the stunning “after” view of the same area, now transformed into a lush, inviting space.
For a broader perspective, here’s a straight-on view of the finished pool area. The vibrant greenery of the painted fences now provides a cohesive and visually pleasing backdrop to our new aquatic sanctuary.
To fully immerse yourself in the ambiance of our new space, we’ve included a short video walkthrough, captured both during the day and at night. There’s no narration, allowing you to enjoy the visual and auditory serenity – a two-minute dose of audio zen, if you’re able to listen with sound. Keep an eye out for a very subtle cameo by Burger towards the end!
NOTE: You can also watch the video above here on YouTube.
There’s undoubtedly a wealth of information to share about this extensive process, and I’ll do my utmost to cover every detail comprehensively. As you’ll discover, I tend to be quite thorough!
Planning Our Dream Backyard Pool
A significant source of inspiration for our pool design was a stunning Balinese-inspired house we experienced during our vacation to Costa Rica in January 2020. We were captivated by the entire atmosphere of that secluded pool area, from its lush, tropical greenery to the charm of a small white house with a tin roof. This aesthetic served as a powerful blueprint for our own backyard transformation, providing a clear vision for the tranquil oasis we aimed to create.
Through our numerous vacations over the years, we learned a valuable lesson: our family doesn’t require a sprawling, extravagant “party pool” to have an incredible time. This insight proved fortunate, as most lots in our neighborhood, including ours, are not conducive to massive swimming spaces. Instead, smaller, more intimate pools – often referred to as cocktail pools, lap pools, or plunge pools – are the norm. In fact, among the four pools closest to our home on the same street, our modestly sized pool actually ranks as the second largest. This is largely thanks to our house being strategically positioned on our lot, which is why our real estate listing proudly highlighted the “room to add a pool” feature. This goes to show that thoughtful pool design can maximize even limited spaces.
Of course, size is always relative. In a different neighborhood or geographical area, our pool might be considered tiny. However, at this point, you likely understand that we don’t strictly adhere to the “bigger is better” philosophy. For us, this pool has proven to be the perfect size. We’ve even “stress-tested” it with ten people, complete with floats and balls, and it performed wonderfully, providing plenty of fun. So, while “supersized” wasn’t a primary goal for our pool design, here are the key objectives we aimed to achieve:
- **Sufficient Swimmable Area:** Enough space for our children and a few of their friends to play comfortably. This is why we opted to forgo extensive tanning ledges or sun shelves, prioritizing active swimming space.
- **Relaxing Float Space:** Room for us to float around leisurely, often joined by friends and refreshing cold beverages. We’ve even managed to fit six semi-massive floats in this pool simultaneously, resulting in a wonderfully ridiculous and enjoyable experience.
- **Integrated Spa/Hot Tub:** A dedicated hot tub area was essential, as Sherry, a true lover of warm water, missed the jacuzzi we had at our old beach house.
- **Tranquil Sound Features:** We desired an element that would introduce tranquil and soothing sounds to the space. This led to the incorporation of “scuppers,” three elegant fountain sprayers that add a calming auditory dimension.
Given the modest size of our yard, we wisely engaged the expertise of a local landscape architect to optimize our pool design. Her invaluable knowledge of local setback rules and code requirements proved crucial in navigating these parameters effectively. We discovered her through a neighbor for whom she had successfully designed a pool. Her suggestions were highly impactful, including the elegant curved edges for both the pool and the patio, which softened the overall aesthetic. She also proposed integrating a retaining wall directly into the pool as a captivating fountain element – those three distinct sprayers you see are aptly named “scuppers.” Having a professional to brainstorm ideas with and offer insightful suggestions was exceptionally beneficial and surprisingly affordable, as she charged by the hour, dedicating only about 4-5 hours to the project.
Describing the exact dimensions of our freeform pool can be a bit challenging due to its organic curves. However, the longest side measures approximately 20 feet, and the widest point across is about 14 feet. It’s important to remember that these measurements encompass the integrated hot tub, so the actual swimmable area is not a rigid rectangle but flows beautifully with the design. Deciding on this specific layout, balancing aesthetics with functionality, was just the initial step in bringing this ambitious project to life.
Our Plaster, Pool Tile, And Patio Stone Selections
In our region, most pools are constructed from concrete and finished with plaster, a combination that performs exceptionally well in our sandy soil environment. This prevalence meant we could bypass the debate between fiberglass, vinyl liner, and concrete pools, which many homeowners face. However, we dedicated considerable time to selecting the perfect plaster color, as this material profoundly influences the water’s hue. While plaster is key, we quickly learned that numerous factors, which we’ll explore shortly, affect the water’s appearance.
A bright blue water look is incredibly popular for pools in our area, and our pool builder confirmed that Blue Quartz, Cool Blue, and a standard Blue were his most requested plaster colors. These are all Diamond Brite colors, a brand he favors for its quality and durability.
Our vision, however, leaned towards a less vibrant, more subdued blue that subtly incorporated green undertones, reminiscent of the cherished Costa Rica inspiration pool. That pool, notably, was entirely tiled, a luxurious and cost-prohibitive option for pools of our size, leading most in our area to opt for plaster with waterline tile. Initially, our online search drew us to sandy-colored options like Pearl and Mojave Beige. Yet, physical samples revealed these were either too dark or excessively speckled, creating a busy look for the entire pool interior. Furthermore, many didn’t harmonize well with our chosen tile selections. This led us to two crucial guidelines:
- **Rule #1: Always view samples in person!** Online swatches can be deceptive; the actual colors and textures differ significantly.
- **Rule #2: Test materials together, wet!** Bring your tile and plaster samples together, and wet them to accurately assess how they will look when permanently immersed.
Ultimately, we selected Ivory (circled above) for its ideal compatibility with our chosen tile and stone, its ability to maintain a bright water appearance, and its placement within a column of colors that offered a desirable green-blue rather than a stark bright-blue hue. While deeper water naturally darkens the color, the Ivory plaster ensures a consistently light and unspeckled look, as beautifully illustrated below.
The exact color of your pool water is a dynamic element, influenced by a multitude of factors. Beyond your plaster choice, the waterline tile, time of day, cloud cover, and even the reflections from surrounding landscaping (like green trees, blue sky, houses, and fences) all play a role. You’ll likely notice subtle shifts in water color throughout this post, including the contrast between the photo above and the one below. Even the spa can appear different from the main pool if the sunlight hits it at a distinct angle. Over time, as our landscaping matures and fills in, we anticipate the water might even skew more green. The takeaway here is that water color is a captivating, ever-changing feature. Thankfully, we are extremely pleased with the aesthetic we’ve achieved so far.
As you can observe in the photo above, our chosen plaster color seamlessly blends into the border tile that encircles the waterline. This deliberate choice creates a soft, continuous transition rather than a stark, abrupt line, a key reason why we avoided overly speckled or dark plaster options. The goal was always a fluid, organic aesthetic.
This next shot further illustrates how our plaster choice and waterline tiles harmoniously connect with the retaining wall stone and the spillover stone on the hot tub, which also extends along the top of the retaining wall. And speaking of the water’s chameleon-like qualities, notice how the hot tub appears lighter and more green-blue than the main pool in the image below? This effect is primarily due to the shallower depth in the hot tub, as well as along the integrated ledge on the left side of the pool. It’s genuinely fascinating to observe these color shifts, influenced by both depth and the intensity/time of day. It adds another layer of natural beauty to the entire setup.
Beyond plaster, the second most debated choice for pool owners is tile. While some pool designs incorporate a wide array of tiles, we focused on selecting just two types: our waterline tile and our retaining wall tile. The waterline tile, as its name suggests, creates a border along the pool’s edge. Its primary function is to prevent a unsightly ring from forming if the water ever gets scummy, providing both aesthetic appeal and practical maintenance benefits. For this, we again opted for a neutral, sand-colored option to maintain a light, relaxed, and organic feel throughout the space. We chose Stratos Avorio 2×2 Mosaic, purchased from a local tile store. The 2×2 inch size was crucial for its flexibility, allowing it to gracefully conform to the pool’s organic curves. Larger tiles, while ideal for crisp rectangular pools, are challenging to maneuver around curved edges, making a smaller mosaic a practical and beautiful choice for our freeform design.
For the accent wall, our goal was to achieve a natural, earthy look. We selected a subtle stacked stone tile that mimics the organic texture of natural rock, deliberately avoiding the vibrant glass mosaics often seen in contemporary pools. While these can be stunning in elaborate designs, we sought a neutral, tone-on-tone effect that would evoke a sense of calm and unity. This approach allows the sparkling water, the soft green of the fence, and the future landscaping to introduce pops of color and vibrancy. Our chosen retaining wall tile is Travertine Splitface in the Ivory color, a 7×20 inch panel composed of irregularly sized pieces, which further enhances its natural, textural appeal.
The final significant material decision for our pool area was the patio material. While some designs feature different materials for the coping (the border immediately surrounding the pool) and the broader patio, we opted for a cohesive look, using the same 12×24 inch travertine throughout. This choice creates a seamless flow and a sense of expansive elegance. We sourced this travertine locally, but for your reference, this is the exact material we used. Its consistent texture and color contribute significantly to the unified and tranquil ambiance of our backyard oasis.
You may have noticed our consistent application of the same travertine material on both the top of the retaining wall, where the fountains reside, and on the curved spillover between the hot tub and the pool. While some homeowners opt for distinct accent materials in these areas, our design philosophy prioritized a tone-on-tone, layered effect. This deliberate choice creates a cohesive and visually calming environment, where the various elements blend seamlessly rather than competing for attention. We are genuinely thrilled with how these choices have come together, forming a harmonious and elegant space.
After installation, we proactively sealed the entire patio, including the hot tub spillover and the stone across the top of the retaining wall, as a protective measure. This step has proven highly effective. We’re actually planning a dedicated post to share more about this sealing process, as we experimented with a newer product that has delivered excellent results and is applicable to various outdoor surfaces beyond just pool patios. Stay tuned for more details on that!
The Pool Building Process & Timeline: A Year in the Making
As mentioned, our pool construction journey spanned over a year, and it’s still not 100% complete (we’re eagerly awaiting back-ordered spa fittings to activate our hot tub jets). We hope that sharing our detailed timeline will be beneficial for anyone contemplating their own pool project, especially given the current high demand for pools. We heard reports of year-long waiting lists in places like Richmond, VA – a year just to break ground, and even longer for completion! This surge in interest has stretched many pool builders thin and led to frequent material shortages, including a surprising chlorine shortage that cascaded into a salt shortage as people switched systems. Fortunately, the supply chain seems to be stabilizing, which should pave the way for faster completion times for future builds.
Here’s a breakdown of our journey:
- June 2020: We received our first quote from a local pool builder, but their limited options for speckled blue plaster didn’t align with our desired water color or seamless aesthetic.
- July 2020: We consulted a landscape architect. Her expertise was invaluable in refining our pool design and helping us identify a more flexible pool builder regarding plaster choices.
- September 2020: We officially hired our chosen pool builder and submitted our finalized design for county approval and our building permit.
At this point, we felt optimistic, envisioning a completed pool by December 1st, as promised by the builder. However, we hit a significant snag due to a permit submission error on their part; our application sat pending for months without review, unbeknownst to anyone. This regrettable delay meant our project didn’t resume until the following year.
- February 2021: The permit was finally issued, material selections were finalized, and the build was officially scheduled.
- March 2021: This was a busy month as construction kicked off! The pool hole was dug in a matter of hours, a surprisingly swift first step.
- Still March 2021: Next, the area was expertly framed with wood, followed by the installation of rebar, which forms the structural cage of the pool, and the intricate plumbing lines.
- Still March 2021: Shotcrete was then applied to create the basic shell of the pool. Shotcrete is a method where concrete is pneumatically projected at high velocity onto a surface, compacting it and allowing for freeform shaping. This stage also marked the beginning of our months-long relationship with the temporary, murky water that would collect in the unfinished pool basin.
Following the shotcrete application, things slowed considerably. The shotcrete required several weeks to cure properly before any tile work could commence. For over a month, there was no progress on the pool itself, apart from our independent efforts to install and paint a new section of fencing to ensure the area was fully enclosed, meeting local code requirements. We also addressed other safety codes, such as installing alarms on doors and windows leading to the pool. Construction resumed in:
- May 2021: The waterline tile and the tile for the retaining wall were meticulously installed and completed.
- Also May 2021: The coping, patio, and stone retaining wall were expertly installed. Simultaneously, we began the exciting process of landscaping around the newly defined space.
- June 2021: All essential pool equipment – including the heater, pump, and filter – was installed. This was a monumental month as the pool was plastered, and we could finally begin filling it with water! Plaster cures optimally underwater, necessitating immediate filling (within hours of application). It truly felt like a momentous occasion, complete with friends joining us to celebrate “The Official Turning On Of The Hose.” A helpful note: red duct tape held a washcloth over the hose end, a clever tip from the plaster guy to prevent the metal from scratching or staining the fresh plaster.
- July 2021: The three aesthetic fountains (our beloved “scuppers”) integrated into the retaining wall were finally plumbed. The heater for the hot tub also became operational. A crucial waiting period of 30 days after plastering is required, as lingering plaster dust can damage the heating coils. The rough, dusty appearance of the plaster initially smooths out with brushing and time, removing this particulate matter before the heater is safely engaged.
- August 2021 (Present Day): As mentioned earlier, we are still awaiting a few back-ordered parts, specifically the fittings to activate the bubbling jets in our spa. However, for most practical purposes, the pool is fully complete. Even without the bubbler fittings, the hot tub provides a wonderful, heated soak.
This provides a very broad overview of how our pool construction project unfolded over approximately 13 months. At times, the process was thrillingly fast, with significant milestones like our retaining wall and patio being completed in just 2.5 days. At other times, it felt incredibly challenging, especially with at least ten pool-related items experiencing backorders, some extending beyond six months. This explains why we might not see those missing spa bubbler fittings until January or February of 2022! In every sense, it was a roller coaster ride, but these challenges only amplify our gratitude for its 99.9% completion. We cherish every moment in this space and wouldn’t hesitate to do it all again, though we certainly wouldn’t wish the extended timeline on anyone else.
Landscaping, Furnishing, And Other Unsung Heroes of Our Backyard Oasis
While the pool itself is undeniably the centerpiece of our outdoor transformation, we’ve come to realize that many other deliberate decisions surrounding its creation were equally instrumental in achieving the stunning result we now enjoy. Let’s explore some of these crucial elements that elevated our backyard into a true oasis.
Crafting Our Tropical Landscape
One of the most rewarding aspects of this entire project was designing and implementing the planting beds. We tackled this endeavor ourselves, relying on invaluable input from experts at our local garden center during our frequent visits to purchase supplies. Sherry also swears by the “PictureThis” app, a fantastic tool for identifying suitable local plants based on lighting and water conditions, and helping us track them down for DIY planting. To achieve an immediate sense of lushness and tropical ambiance, we had a few large Chinese Fan Palms delivered. Everything else, however, comprised smaller plants – such as star jasmine, foxtail ferns, stonecrop, and vibrant red ti plants – which we meticulously transported in our car over numerous trips to the garden center, gradually filling in every empty spot. We estimate we made about eight such trips, carefully selecting and placing each addition.
While all the smaller plants have shown noticeable growth since we began planting in the spring (we started as soon as the patio was installed), the progress we’re most thrilled about is the jasmine along the back wall. Our neighbors already have it gracefully growing over their side of the fence, so we decided to join the green movement and train some of our own on our side. You may recall our affection for jasmine – it thrives and grows remarkably fast in our climate. We are eagerly anticipating that by next spring, this area will transform into a magnificent, leafy wall adorned with fragrant blossoms, creating a truly sensory delight.
Interspersed among the jasmine is the light green, fluffy-looking stonecrop, which we expect to eventually cascade down the retaining wall, adding another layer of texture and softness to the landscape. For ongoing updates and progress reports on our plant growth (one of Sherry’s favorite topics!), be sure to follow her Instagram Stories.
The Role of Our Retaining Walls
Our retaining walls were a functional necessity, dictated by the natural slope of our lot relative to the surrounding properties. The pool had to be constructed at the same elevation as our house, which, as evident in the photo below, positioned it several feet lower than the existing ground and the bases of the fences on those two sides. Both of our neighbors’ houses sit on slightly higher ground, so these retaining walls are critical for preventing dirt and debris from flowing downhill directly into our pristine pool. They are not merely decorative but serve a vital structural purpose.
However, what began as a structural necessity for the retaining wall ultimately blossomed into the innovative idea of creating an accent wall with integrated fountains. This truly turned a “lemon” of a problem into a “lemonade” design feature. The gentle sound of running water from the scuppers is incredibly calming, and our children adore pretending to run a smoothie shop, with different “flavors” emanating from each spout. We have the flexibility to turn them on or off as desired, but we typically leave them running continuously, as they efficiently recirculate the pool water, much like the filter. You can also see in the image below how the functional gray block retaining wall, which runs along the two fenced sides, seamlessly transitions into the pool’s decorative fountain wall, creating a massive, raised planting bed for that side of the house. This dual function demonstrates thoughtful space utilization.
We strategically selected plants that would minimize leaf drop into the pool and surrounding area, and so far, our choices have proven to be remarkably low maintenance. Additional Chinese Fan Palms continue to contribute to that enveloped, tropical ambiance, and we anticipate they will eventually double in size, offering even greater privacy and a cozier feel to the space.
You might observe in the picture above that the fence appears to subtly slope downwards from left to right. This is indeed the case! We consider this our single regret in the entire area. When that fence was installed last summer, the builders simply followed the natural, gradual slope of the ground (a common practice, as one of our other neighbor’s fences also exhibits this). In retrospect, we wish we had instructed them to maintain level fence slats, even if it meant incorporating a step-down at some point, perhaps further back and obscured by the house. Every other fenced area we’ve added since then is perfectly level, which is undeniably more aesthetically pleasing. It’s a valuable lesson learned. Fortunately, the slope isn’t highly noticeable in person, given the richness of other visual elements, and we’re confident it will become even less prominent as our fan palms mature and grow.
Thoughtful Fencing for Privacy and Aesthetics
As I mentioned, we were far more meticulous about ensuring everything was level when we added the subsequent sections of fencing, including the one enclosing our bedroom fire pit area and the fence along the left side of the pool, pictured below. We were also fortunate to “inherit” the fence at the back from our neighbors, and we greatly appreciated their blessing to paint its reverse side the same unifying color as our own fences (SW Halycon Green). This cohesive color scheme significantly contributes to the overall integrated and tranquil feel of our backyard.
We actually had a stroke of luck with the placement of this newest section of fence. We strategically connected it from the point where our neighbor’s fence changed height (as seen above) to where our outdoor shower protrudes from the corner of our house (pictured below). While we could have opted for an even taller fence (it currently stands at 7 feet), we prioritized a logical and seamless connection to the outdoor shower rather than having it awkwardly poke up another foot. We are genuinely delighted with the integrated result.
And by some sheer miracle – though I’d love to claim it was meticulous planning – this fence runs almost perfectly parallel to this side of the pool. While that might not sound particularly impressive, it’s worth noting that our entire house is subtly skewed on our rectangular lot. This inherent angle was a key reason we incorporated curves into our pool’s design, as a rectangular pool would have starkly highlighted the house’s misalignment. So, whenever an element aligns so perfectly like this, it feels like a small triumph! This new fence significantly enhances our privacy and masterfully defines the boundary of our secluded “oasis.” Plus, Sherry gained another prime spot for a landscape bed, which, in her world, is always a win.
For context, here’s a view from the other side of the pool fence. That magnificent, sprawling live oak tree, which gracefully supports our children’s swing, is undoubtedly everyone’s favorite tree on our entire property. Crucially, it stands well in front of the pool area, alleviating any concerns about damaging its roots during the pool excavation. The large stepping stones you see are simple, off-the-shelf purchases from Lowe’s, placed to create a pathway to the pool gate and the swing; we envision a more permanent path in the future. Those diagonal light sand lines amidst the pine needles, coming in from the bottom left of this picture, are tire marks – a natural consequence of living on a sand road and occasionally parking our car in that front area (you can read more about living without a garage and parking in pine needles here).
And while we’re on this side of the pool fence, let’s take a moment for a broader “before & after.” The image below captures the scene in February 2020, during our initial viewing of the house. All the larger trees visible in the background of what would become our pool area are actually on our neighbor’s lot, where they have since built a house (you can catch glimpses of its construction in this post).
And here’s the identical angle today! Naturally, everything is significantly greener in August compared to February, and some plants have truly flourished. The tree near our garbage can, for instance, has nearly doubled in size! And yes, we’ve deliberately left our trusty, dusty garbage can in the picture – a nod to our “keeping it real” philosophy.
Hopefully, that wider shot above effectively conveys the cozy, insulated feeling of the pool area. It transitions from a lush, woodsy ambiance on the front side of the fence…
…to a vibrant, private tropical paradise once you step through the gate.
Designing the Perfect Poolside Seating Area & Furniture
Creating this dedicated poolside seating area has been an incredible addition to our home! We deliberated between a large dining table and a quartet of lounge chairs, but ultimately, the current arrangement of two more upright chairs paired with a coffee table, alongside two lounge chairs, has proven to be absolutely perfect. Strategically, both upright chairs and one lounger remain comfortably shaded by our expansive 11-foot umbrella for most of the day, leaving the remaining lounger basking in the sun – ideal for anyone seeking warmth or a quick dry-off. This setup also offers remarkable flexibility for entertaining; we’ve comfortably hosted more than four people, with kids happily perching sideways on loungers for snacks or dangling their feet in the pool from the edge.
Refining this seating area involved a bit of trial and error. We initially experimented with a 9-foot umbrella, but it simply didn’t provide adequate shade. Curiously, its fabric also shrunk in the sun over time, making it incredibly difficult to open and close – a bizarre issue that, fortunately, allowed us to return it. This new 11-foot version has been a vast improvement in every regard. We paired it with this robust free-standing umbrella base, which ensures stability and durability.
To enhance the evening ambiance, we installed these solar LED fairy lights specifically designed to adorn a patio umbrella, creating a magical glow. In fact, nearly all the lighting in this area is solar-powered, with the exception of the pool light and a single sconce on the house. As seen more clearly in our video walkthrough, we’ve strategically placed our preferred solar pathway lights around the perimeter of the patio, complemented by additional solar fairy string lights along the fence. The beauty of these solar lights is their automatic activation each night, effortlessly illuminating the space with a warm, inviting glow.
Our initial seating choices included some fabric cabana-style chairs, but within a month, the unsealed wood components developed unsightly black mildew. Despite being marketed for outdoor use, they arrived without any protective sealant. Our attempts to pressure wash them back to life for self-sealing were unsuccessful. Consequently, we replaced them with these superior wood & wicker chairs, paired with some excellent outdoor pillows from Pottery Barn (the lounge chair pillows are also from PB). This combination has proven to be a much better investment. The coffee table serves perfectly for propping up feet or enjoying a leisurely poolside lunch. Unfortunately, I can’t provide a direct link as we purchased the floor model after it was discontinued at World Market, but here’s a very similar table.
We’ve also placed an additional matching chair on the opposite side of the pool. This spot becomes wonderfully shaded by the house in the afternoon, offering another comfortable seating option. It’s also convenient for extra guests, as we can easily move it to the main seating area if needed. While we might eventually upgrade this spot with a larger, perhaps egg-style chair, this current setup perfectly meets our needs for now.
This image provides a perfect segue into discussing…
Streamlining Pool Organization for Easy Living
The photo above, taken from behind the hot tub (with the back of the fountain wall visible in the bottom corner), highlights a crucial element of pool organization: hooks! When living near the beach and owning a pool, you truly cannot have enough hooks for all the wet bathing suits and towels. In addition to the five hooks shown, we’ve installed two more in the hallway leading to the pool (visible in the video) and three more around the corner of the house. Frankly, we could probably still use a few more!
In the same photo, you can also spot our compact wall of pool “tools” neatly organized on the side of the house. These are simply some sturdy garage hooks that keep our brushes, pole, and skim net tidily secured. The gate in the background discreetly leads to where all our pool equipment is housed, also cleverly concealing less attractive elements like our generator, gas meter, and A/C unit.
In this corner, we’ve also designated a smart storage solution for pool toys and floats. Sherry ingeniously DIYed a float holder: a plant pot filled with white rocks, from which a leftover PVC pipe (courtesy of the pool guys) protrudes like a submarine viewfinder. This simple yet effective setup prevents our floats from blowing around – a lesson we learned quickly on a particularly windy day when the tubes decided to have a “pool party” of their own.
Most other pool essentials – such as towels, sunscreen, and our Bluetooth speaker – are conveniently stored indoors in our laundry closet. Given the lack of a large covered awning or a truly waterproof/weatherproof outdoor storage area, attempting to keep all pool items outside in bins felt like a losing battle, risking dampness or musty smells. Fortunately, the laundry closet is just a quick walk from the hallway that leads to the pool, making it incredibly convenient. We often pop inside for bathroom breaks or snacks, so grabbing the speaker or fresh towels is effortless. Speaking of Bluetooth speakers, we invested in this particular model and have been thoroughly impressed with its performance so far.
Miscellaneous Pool FAQs: Your Questions Answered
We’ve received many questions about our pool, and here are answers to some of the most common ones:
Do you have a foot wash or outdoor shower by the pool?
We have an outdoor shower that we absolutely love (seen here), but it’s not directly accessible from within the pool area. You exit through the gate in the photo below, and it’s immediately to your left – which is also where we have a hose for quick foot-washing. We initially worried that its placement behind the gate might be inconvenient, but so far, it hasn’t posed any issues for us. This is primarily because we typically access the pool from inside the house, where we aren’t tracking in sand or in need of a rinse before swimming. When returning from the beach, our routine involves dropping off beach chairs and toys in the bin on the front porch, making it simple to use the nearby outdoor shower and then proceed to the pool, sand-free and ready to swim.
Initially, we had plans to incorporate a dedicated foot wash, showerhead, and/or hose bib inside the pool area itself, specifically in the corner seen above. The existing outdoor shower’s plumbing already runs down that corner of the house (those copper pipes visible in the photo), making it seem like a straightforward task to tap into. However, as its current placement hasn’t proven problematic, we may never actually proceed with that modification. Only time will tell if it becomes a necessary addition.
Do you have a salt or chlorine pool?
We opted for a saltwater system, which is the prevailing standard in our area; almost every new pool constructed nearby utilizes this technology. An interesting detail is that the pool had to be treated with chlorine for the first month. This is because salt can potentially damage the plaster during its crucial curing period. Exactly 30 days in, our pool professional arrived and, quite literally, just poured bags of food-grade salt directly into the pool. He even jested that it’s edible, though, of course, drinking pool water isn’t recommended!
The widespread adoption of saltwater systems in our region stems from several compelling advantages: a) they are generally more eco-friendly and require fewer harsh chemicals; b) the water is significantly gentler on eyes and skin – it’s not like swimming in the ocean with burning eyes, as the salt concentration is much lower; and c) there is absolutely no chlorine smell, a distinct improvement over our first month of chlorine treatment. Furthermore, saltwater is much less abrasive on swimwear and towels, preserving their quality. For those interested in a deeper dive, you can learn more about the differences between chlorine and saltwater pools here.
What are you doing for pool safety?
Pool safety regulations in our area are quite stringent. They mandate a fence around the entire pool, equipped with latches positioned high enough to prevent small children from opening them, and self-closing springs ensuring pool gates firmly close behind anyone entering. Additionally, loud blaring siren alarms are required on any doors and windows that provide access to the pool area from inside the house. As an extra layer of precaution, we’ve installed a camera in our pool area equipped with advanced movement sensing technology. This camera is specifically programmed to detect human presence (it’s intelligent enough to distinguish humans from squirrels!), sending an immediate alert to our phones if someone enters the area. (We temporarily disable it when our family is actively using the pool.) This feature serves as an excellent safety measure and a robust security feature, providing us with considerable peace of mind. Many modern camera systems, such as Ring outdoor cameras, now offer similar human-sensing capabilities for those looking to enhance their pool safeguards.
Are you maintaining the pool yourself?
As first-time pool owners, we decided to enlist the expertise of a professional pool technician. He visits weekly to vacuum the pool, meticulously balance the salt levels, and ensure all the pool equipment is in optimal working order. This decision has proven incredibly beneficial; he has already been instrumental in expanding our knowledge of our system and promptly troubleshooting a few minor issues that have arisen. While we initially hesitated about hiring professional help, we are now immensely glad we did. He has also graciously offered to teach us the ropes if we ever decide to take over the maintenance entirely, so it remains a potential option for the future, perhaps in our second year of pool ownership.
What kind of pool equipment do you have?
We’re still relatively new to the intricate world of pool systems. For our pool equipment, we largely followed our pool builder’s recommendations, which were also echoed by several neighbors. The consensus was clear: invest in a variable speed pump. While slightly more expensive upfront, these pumps are significantly more energy-efficient and eco-friendly over the long term. Consequently, that’s what we have. It operates quietly, performs excellently, and we’ve been very satisfied with it so far. Our equipment is by Hayward, which might be helpful for those considering brands.
Is your pool heated?
Yes, indeed! Given that we have an integrated spa (a hot tub), heating is an essential feature; otherwise, it would simply be a “cold tub,” as we humorously refer to it. Nearly every pool in our area, even those without hot tubs, is heated. This is because, unlike colder northern climates, no one here “closes” their pools for the winter season. We’ve only utilized the heater for a few hours in the evening for the hot tub thus far, as the main pool naturally maintains a comfortable 87-91 degrees Fahrenheit from the sun’s warmth. We’ll have a more precise understanding of the overall cost of heating the pool once we’ve experienced a full winter season. However, the Energy Star sticker on our gas heater estimates an average cost of $8 per month, and we anticipate ours might be even lower given the pool’s moderate size.
Is your pool “smart”?
Every pool comes with a controller, which is essentially a dedicated box mounted near your pool equipment (or on the fence in our case). Think of it as an electrical panel, but specifically designed with buttons to operate all your pool’s functions: turning on the lights, activating the spa, adjusting the temperature, and engaging the fountains. Our particular controller features an antenna that facilitates operation via a remote control. While the remote itself is currently on backorder (a minor “D’OH!” moment, as Homer Simpson would say!), we cleverly purchased a special receiver as a workaround. This receiver enables us to control every aspect of the pool – from the heater and lights to the fountains – directly from an app on our smartphones. It’s incredibly convenient and a feature we highly recommend for any modern pool setup.
Understanding Our Pool Budget and Cost Factors
When all was said and done, the total cost for everything our pool builder handled came to approximately $45,000. This figure specifically covers the pool construction itself and does not include additional expenses like fencing, landscaping, or outdoor furniture. Interestingly, our initial estimate from a different company fell within a similar price range, confirming this was a competitive quote for our area. While sharing our progress on Instagram Stories, we quickly learned firsthand just how widely pool prices can vary. Our direct messages were flooded with comments like, “In Texas, my quote was $100K!” and “I’m in Arizona, and it was $150K!”
Indeed, a multitude of factors contribute to the significant regional differences in pool construction costs. These can include location-specific pricing, the type of soil, the chosen materials, and the ease of access to the yard where the pool is to be installed. We believe several key elements helped keep our costs more modest compared to some other areas. Firstly, our location boasts a large number of pool builders, fostering a competitive market that often translates to more favorable pricing, unlike areas with fewer options that might command higher rates. Secondly, our soil is predominantly sand – literally like beach sand – which means digging the hole takes only a few hours. Pool builders here don’t encounter the expensive and time-consuming task of blasting through subterranean rock deposits, a common and price-inflating challenge in regions like Texas and Arizona.
We were also incredibly fortunate that the area designated for our pool offered exceptionally easy access. An excavator could be driven directly to the site from the street, eliminating complex logistical challenges such as craning materials over a house or requiring manual digging due to limited vehicle access. Lastly, the relatively modest size of our pool undoubtedly contributed to keeping the total cost down, as it naturally required less wood for framing, less shotcrete, fewer tiles, and less plaster compared to a larger installation. These combined factors allowed us to achieve our dream pool without incurring the exorbitant costs often seen elsewhere.
So, there you have it: ALL the words and pictures chronicling our incredible pool construction journey, from its inception to its near-completion. Excluding extensive whole-house renovations like our beach house or our duplex project, this pool has been the longest and most financially significant undertaking in our fifteen years of homeownership. We sincerely thank you for indulging us in this exceptionally detailed post. We are incredibly proud of this new addition and are certain to continue sharing and discussing our beloved pool extensively for the foreseeable future.
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