Ask Mr. Fix it

Is there anything in the world more relaxing than heading out to relax by your own personal pool? On hot summer days, taking a dip or cooling off under an umbrella with an iced tea – or better yet, a margarita – can make every care of the day seem to melt away.

In some of the hotter climates of the country, such as Florida, Arizona, Texas, and the like, having a pool seems to be more of a necessity, not a luxury. However, it’s sad to think that many treat their pools as just functional and not as a beautiful retreat that it’s meant to be. Sure, you don’t need to decorate your patio or deck to really enjoy your pool, but it certainly helps! Your pool area should be thought of as an extension of your home, and chances are, you’ve put a lot of thought into the décor and accessories of every other part of your home, so why not the pool area?

If you’re at a loss as to where to begin, here are some ideas to consider:

Potted palms and other plants.

There is nothing like the look and feel of an absolute outdoor oasis to make poolside living its most luxuriant. The easiest way to achieve this is to incorporate plants and lush greenery in your pool area.

Potted palms are a favorite for many pool owners because they are tall and provide some needed height to the pool area, in other words, they draw the eye up and balance out a flat patio or deck. Be sure to complement your palms with ivies, ferns, and other greens, but keep in mind your climate and the amount of sunlight they’ll be getting every day. If you live in a very hot and sunny area, you may want to concentrate on cacti and other warm-weather plants.

A good way to know what plants can be incorporated in your décor is to think about what greenery grows in your area. What plants are native and do well? If you’re not sure, you can always speak to someone at a local nursery or greenhouse and get their input. They may also be able to recommend flowering plants, something that will add a lot of beauty and grandeur to your pool as well.

Consider your furniture.

If you haven’t had a professional decorator spruce up your furnishings by offering his or her recommendations, and if you’re settling for old lawn chairs or plastic furnishings, it’s time to shop around. After all, the entire point of being by the pool is to relax and feel good, and how can you do that in ratty old chairs and furniture?

One thing you should do first before buying new furniture is plan out your pool area. If it’s quite large, it can probably accommodate several seating groups and will also need some lounge chairs along the side of it. If it’s somewhat smaller, a nice group by the entrance to the home and then a few additional chairs may suffice.

The important thing when considering new furniture for poolside is comfort. The days of old folding chairs and those made of cheap plastic tubing are gone. Lounge chairs are available made of teak and other natural woods, with cushions that rival any quality mattress. Many are handmade and should be expected to last a lifetime.

And when we talk about furniture, we don’t mean just a few chairs. Pool furniture today means serving carts, footstools, coffee tables, and storage bins for fresh towels. So this is where the planning comes into play. What are your seating needs, your needs for tables and storage? How can you arrange these things decoratively but in a practical way around your particular poolside?

Don’t hesitate to do some comparison shopping before settling on a brand and style. If you have the budget, you can find outdoor furniture sets that rival indoor furniture, and rightly so. Their style and comfort are noteworthy, and the only drawback being that it may be impossible to break people away from the pool!

Cooking areas and other outdoor appliances.

If you love to spend hours and hours by your pool, certainly the comfort and convenience of having an outdoor cooking area is one not to be missed. Why go in for meals when you can prepare and serve them right at poolside?

Today, cooking units for the pool are not just barbecue or grilling pits, and include more than just a propane cooking stove. Most are complete outdoor systems, with grills, rotisseries, refrigerator units, freezer units, pizza ovens, and even built-in stereo systems. Many of these systems rival the units you would see in an indoor kitchen, even in a restaurant-quality area!

And the real beauty of these is that they can be custom made and installed to match the décor of your poolside. If you love the look of real brick, most dealers will have an entire system surrounded by the brick color of your choice built right into your patio or deck. If sleek and modern is your style, there are many stainless steel models to choose from. Whatever your cooking skills or interests, there is an outdoor system just for you.

Decorating and accessories.

To really enjoy your pool and get the most out of it, you should think about how you want it decorated. Yes, as we said, the pools of today are considered as another room or extension of your house, and should be decorated to reflect your love of this area.

Your poolside can become an oasis with brick overlay, waterfalls, water gardens, fountains, and virtually anything else you can dream of. Or, if nature isn’t your interest and you prefer your pool to look like an expensive spa, cabanas can be added along with swaying curtains and beautiful candle stands.

And of course, when creating any look or feel, lighting is key. Don’t forget to add strings of lights for nighttime, or invest in floating candles. Because after all, if you love your pool as much as most people do, you want to spend as much time next to it, and that means even after the sun goes down.

So with some thought and imagination – and if necessary, help from a designer – your poolside can truly become the delightful oasis and restful retreat that it’s meant to be.

Tags: landscaping, diy, remodeling, home improvement, electrical