3 Things You Should Know Before Building a Pool
Relaxation for everyone!
Building a pool is most homeowners' dream – especially as we come up on the warm summer months! However, before you dig that great big hole for that dream pool, there are a few things that you need to know to make your pool building process successful.
Begin with the end in mind.
The first thing you’ll need to do is to make sure that you understand the optimal outdoor experience.
Adding a pool to your yard takes up quite a bit of valuable square footage, so make sure the pool that's constructed is appropriately sized while also leaving additional areas for additional zones of activity.
If swimming in your new pool will be the ultimate focus, then give that element as much square footage as needed to build out the pool of your dreams.
However, if the pool is only one element in the overall experience you want your family to have outdoors, then you need to make sure that the size of your pool leaves enough “free” space in the yard to accommodate other activities. For example, if you know you want an outdoor dining area make sure that the square footage needed for that is accounted for and preserved as you consider the layout of the pool.
If your family needs room to play or you've got a dog who needs the space to frolic about, think about how you'll delineate those areas in your overall outdoor space design. Ultimately, what you need to know is how the pool factors into the overall experience you want to have in your outdoor living space.
The next thing you need to know before building your pool is what style of pool complements the architecture of your home. If you've been saving lots of inspirational photos of pools that are winding, rounded, curvy, and have cool architectural details like fountains on your Pinterest board, but your home doesn't match that aesthetic, then once you build this elaborate new pool there might be a disconnect in how your home presents itself.
So when thinking about the style of your pool, look at the style of your home and the colors, materials, and finishes that are incorporated on the exterior of your home, and make sure that the pool company you hire helps you create a design that connects this new feature to your existing home.
Finally, as you consider investing in a new pool, make sure that you understand all the maintenance that's required to keep your pool looking brand-new.
One thing our sample homeowners didn't anticipate before they built their own home pool was how much work it would take on a weekly and monthly basis to make sure that the pool always looks pristine and clean! There’s also the issue of maintaining proper pH-level balances.
The company they hired to construct their pool gave them training once their pool was built,walking them through how to prep the pool with the right chemicals, how to clean the initial construction debris from the pool before the first swim, and how to remove leaves and other debris from the pool on a daily basis to avoid buildup in the drains.
Because there is literally a science to the maintenance of pools, make sure that the company you hire educates you on how to maintain your pool once it is installed.
Also, consider the cost of time and money for maintenance into the overall cost of investing in a new pool. If you know you don't have the time to spend hours upon hours outside mixing different formulas, adding different chemicals, and doing the daily water skimmings, then you ask your pool company how much it will cost to have someone come and do that work for you.
Yes, having a pool is a dream for most people, but don't forget to consider the work that's required to make that dream come true.
So if you get the chance to build your own pool remember the three tips shared with you today: Make sure that you understand the overall goal and experience you want to have in your outdoor space, make sure that your pool design pairs well with the architectural style of your home, and make sure you understand the full investment of not only building the pool but also maintaining the pool so that you get longevity out of that investment.
Award-winning, Baton Rouge-based interior designer and content creator Arianne Bellizaire has been named a High Point Market Authority Style Spotter (2015), Perlick Ambassador of Cool (2017), Villeroy & Boch Color Challenge Winner (2017), Modenus Blog Tour invitee (2016 & 2019), and Modenus DesignHound (Spain and London 2016, Surfaces 2018). She was also selected as an Ambassador for NYDC 2020 What's New What's Next. Her work and expertise have been featured in Forbes, Rue Daily, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Business Of Home, and USA Today.
