Top 3 Questions Homeowners Have About Having a Pool

Outdoor Pool at nightA pool makes a dramatic addition to any backyard. It’s a source of entertainment, and also a landscaping quagmire. Some homeowners struggle to landscape around their pool, with concerns that their pool takes up all usable space and prevents them from installing beautiful shrubbery.

Your pool and landscaping can work hand in hand, but it’s important to work with the right landscaping company. If your pool is pre-existing, your landscaping company can work with the space you already own to create a beautiful and relaxing outdoor environment. If your pool is not yet installed, it’s important to assemble a team that can make the most of your property.

How will my pool affect my landscaping?

Your pool is a focal point in your landscape. The eyes are drawn to that big blue shape on the lawn. Once installed, a pool will influence your landscaping in a variety of ways. These tips can help ensure that your pool will look its best in the environment where it is placed.

Keep Landscaping Practical

Shrubs, flowers and trees tend to shed debris that can blow around and fill spaces like pools and pool decks. When choosing shrubs and plants for the area around your pool, it’s important to identify types that create as little debris as possible.

  • Succulents. Succulents are slow-growing plants that are easy to keep contained to flower beds. They require little pruning and often create little debris.
  • No-mess perennials. Some perennials just make little mess, producing few dead leaves and needing little pruning or trimming over time. Hostas, ornamental grasses and heuchera are all examples of these kinds of plants.
  • Contained flowers. Most flowers produce lots of dead blossoms and even seeds as they age – but some do not. Some good examples of flowers that make little mess include zinnias, marigolds and strawflowers.

Landscaping needs to be set back far enough that it will not impede your ability to use your pool. If you’re working with a landscaping company, you should have no trouble with this.

What can I do to make my pool look like a natural part of my backyard space?

Pools have a way of standing out, and sometimes they can be tough to integrate into outdoor spaces. You can make your pool look like a natural part of your backyard space, but it helps to work with a landscaper that knows how to strategically position trees, shrubs and flowers around your pool deck and in the surrounding environment.

Strategically Position Trees and Shrubs

Trees and shrubs frame the landscaping around your pool, to create a varying green space that adds an attractive border around the deck. When planting trees, be cognizant of how large the tree will grow. Keep trees that might shed leaves far back, or you could spend the next several years fishing leaves out of your pool.

Integrate Boulders Into Your Landscaping

One way to make your pool look more like a natural part of your landscaping is to integrate boulders into the area just around the pool deck. This creates a transition from water to pavement to natural stone, so that the leaves and other plants around your pool seem to be a more natural part of the environment.

One way to smooth the transition from a man-made pool to natural landscaping is to install a water feature near the pool, with boulders and a waterfall. Install this feature just to the side of your pool.

Install Planter Beds Near the Pool

Line the pool deck with planter beds where you can plant large tropical plants or one of the easily contained plants described above. Line the planter beds with stone to prevent any dirt or leaves from blowing into your pool.

How can I prevent my pool from taking up all my usable backyard space?

Pools do take up a lot of usable space in the backyard, so it’s important to work with a landscaping company that can help you make efficient use of the remaining space. They can help you by devising design proposals that will enable you to make good use of the remaining space in your backyard.

Installing hardscaping is one way that your landscaper can help you create more useful space. By installing a separate patio, deck or play equipment set back away from the pool, your landscaping team will help you install useful space where you can engage in non-pool activities.

Work With Hidden Creek Landscaping

Want to make the space around your pool look its best? Call Hidden Creek Landscaping to discuss your upcoming landscape installation and what you can do to make your backyard a more attractive space for your swimming pool.

If you’re installing a pool in your backyard, talk to us to find out which pool installation contractors we’ve worked with in the past. By working with a team that already knows and trusts each other, you can help ensure that your pool and landscaping installation will be a success.

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Make a Splash! Benefits of Having an Inground Pool

One of the most luxurious and versatile ways to enjoy your landscape is to install an inground pool. Pools provide an excellent way for the whole family to enjoy the outdoors, and they add an elegant element to your outdoor space.

Are you considering installing an inground pool? Contact your local landscape designer to incorporate your pool into your existing landscape design.

Pools Promote Family Time

One of the most popular reasons to install a pool is to create a family-friendly outdoor environment.

Pools can be designed to accommodate a wide range of age groups. Shallow pool areas provide a refreshing spot for babies and toddlers, while a traditional swimming pool is best for older children and adults.

Incorporate a hot tub into your swimming pool for a relaxing seating area or spruce up the pool area with underwater LED lighting. The options to upgrade your swimming area are endless, which allow you to tailor your pool design to specific audiences.

Pools Increase Home Value

According to HGTV, a pool can increase your home’s value by five to eight percent, depending on the location.

They also found that not having a pool in a neighborhood where pools are common may decrease the value of your home.

The determining factor for improving your home’s value was a well-maintained, aesthetic pool area. Attractive pool tiles, walkways and a landscaped backdrop all improve the overall value of your home.

Pools Promote Fitness

According to the CDC, water-based exercises are an excellent way to improve your physical health without putting too much strain on your joints.

This is especially good news for people suffering from diseases causing joint pain. Water-based exercises may help alleviate some symptoms and provide a way to improve overall health in a low-impact environment.

Swimming is an obvious water-based workout, but the options don’t end there. Water aerobics and resistance training may help build muscle and improve flexibility, giving your body a total workout.

Pools Build Community

Pools attract parties, which is good news for extroverts and socialites. Nothing brings people together in the heat of summer like a cool, refreshing swim.

Whether you’re entertaining families, children’s sports teams, church groups or a few adult friends, a pool is an excellent hangout spot.

Create an entertainment area in your backyard by incorporating the pool into other outdoor living spaces. Patios, outdoor kitchens, water features and other outdoor improvements can create a welcoming environment in your yard for any social gathering.

Pools Are Relaxing

Of course, if you would rather use your yard as a private oasis, a pool can be a secluded, relaxing hideaway.

Going for a swim can help reduce stress, as well as provide a great workout. Lounging in or near the pool can help calm your mind as you take a break from devices and the hustle and bustle of society.

A well-landscaped pool area can reduce stress by providing an aesthetic green space.

Green spaces are known to:

  • Restore mental energy
  • Inspire learning and creativity
  • Encourage physical activity
  • Improve emotional and social health
  • Reduce symptoms of ADD
  • Improve cognitive function
  • Improve symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
  • Improve sleep habits
  • Improve immune system

A pool can help encourage outdoor time and add another layer of relaxation and stress relief in addition to the many health benefits of spending time in a green space.

Pools Provide Aquatic Therapy

In addition to promoting relaxation and physical activity, pools can provide a source of physical therapy for some people suffering from disabilities.

The water pressure on a person’s body has been found to be especially calming to people who are diagnosed with autism. Research shows the even pressure from being underwater has the same calming effect as a weighted blanket and can help autistic people reduce stress and focus on other activities.

Water therapy is also a great way for people with degenerative disorders to get physical activity without putting strain on joints or bones. It’s also a relaxing experience that can help relieve stress and improve mental health.

Of course, aquatic therapy is also beneficial for people suffering from injuries that make traditional exercises painful or dangerous. Recovering from torn ligaments, broken bones, or other traumatic injuries can be easier in a pool where the exercises are low-impact and there is a much lower risk of getting re-injured.

If you wish to install a pool for aquatic therapy, contact your doctor about the best design for your need, and work with a trained professional for workout routines.

Pools provide a refreshing hangout spot, and they can take your entertainment game to the next level. They also help improve physical and mental health, as well as improve the value of your home.

For more information on installing a pool, contact us today.

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The Top Pool Trends of 2018

A swimming pool is the perfect way to bring fun and luxury to your home. As of late, there are many new trends that you can use to make your pool perfect for your space. Check out these different pool trends that have become increasingly popular this year:

1) Darker Colors

Pools that have darker tiling and darker edges have become very popular recently, and can drastically improve the aesthetic of your area. Dark blue and green flooring has the added advantage of making your pool look deeper than it is, and the colors tend to be more soothing to the eye. If you want your backyard to have a calming vibe, a darker pool is for you.

2) Pool Landscaping

While your pool may look like the center of your outdoor area, the landscaping around your pool can make a huge aesthetic difference. Pool landscaping is one trend that has been making its way into the home decor and landscaping industry because of how beautiful it can make the space look. A few simple planters and along neatly constructed concrete can give your pool a fresh and vibrant feel

3) Pool Ledges

A pool ledge is a shallow part of the pool that protrudes inward from the edge. Pool ledges can give your pool the additional space, and can even be used to place your loungers on a hot sunny day. A pool ledge also works well for children, since it gives them a safe and shallow part of the pool that they can play in. Adding a ledge can give your pool and overall more dynamic look.

4) Infinity Pools

While infinity pools are often associated with luxury resorts and spas,they have become a more common household trend recently.  An infinity pool is designed so that the water line of the pool looks like it is touching the water line of the natural body near it. These pools can make the entire landscape look incredibly scenic and beautiful.

5) Smart Pools

With how much technology is being integrated into our homes, it is no surprise that smart pools have come forth as a trend does this year. Smart pools use a combination of devices to improve their efficiency and make the process of maintaining the pool a lot easier. Smart pools can help you clean your pool, adjust temperature controls, turn on lighting with just the click of a button.  

6) Monochrome Pools

Minimalism and monochrome tones are a classic pooling trend. Sticking to this theme is a great way to give your home an added touch of sophistication. A pool with white or light blue tiling or spa colors tend goes well with this theme in a classy, yet functional way. When trying to achieve the monochrome look, make sure that you don’t add any bright colors, since that can take away from the theme that you are going in for.

7) Elevated Pools

Elevated pools that are made slightly above the ground. This trend is becoming more and more popular for those who want to go in for a unique design that is sure to grab onlookers’ attention. Elevated pools add a nice modern touch to your outdoor area. Innovative placement and structure can give your pool its own unique flare.

8) Compact Pools

Pools don’t always have to span over a large area. Sometimes compact pools can add just as much grandeur to your home. Pools that are smaller are ideal for those who don’t have as much space for a full-scale pool. A smaller pool fits well with a landscape design that has seating areas, a grill to barbeque and any other kind of outdoor essentials.

9) Pool Additions

Things like fountains, water jets and other kinds of pool decor and add-ons can help personalize your pool. Finding additions that match the theme and color scheme of the rest of your home is key. Your landscape designer is the best person to talk to about this since they can give you a creative insight into how you can achieve your desired look.

10) LED Pool Lights

Making your pool look as bright as it can seem to be a big trend in 2018, and LED lights are the perfect way to be able to do so. LED lights are available in an incredibly wide range of colors, giving you lots of creative freedom with the look of your pool area. Using LED pool lights tends to be a lot safer than other kinds of pool lighting. There are several different kinds of LED lights, some of which come with app-based automation that enables you to change the color of the lights, as and when you please.

If you are interested in any of these awesome pool customizations or want to learn more about getting a pool in general, contact your experts at Hidden Creek Landscaping today!

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