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Most Popular Features in Pools Going into the 2021 Season
By Bryan Hull, Co-Owner of Del Val Pools & Spas
A fun word for me to use is “poolscape.” I’m not sure where it came from and how long it has been around, but it’s a great term for expanding the vision of a pool. When one contemplates their poolscape, they should think about how they will get the most out of their investment and their time spent in and around the pool. Several features, some of which are new in concept, are the driving forces in contemporary pool design.
Sun Deck
This is the newest, and simply put, the most popular custom pool feature in years. It’s a deck typically under 6-8 inches of water with a built-in umbrella stand. An in-pool sun deck permits users to relax in chairs in the shade or in the sun with their feet in the water. Sounds simple – but it is hands-down, the most common requested feature in custom gunite pools. It can be large enough for 2-4 chairs and even reclining loungers. Usually located at the shallow entry end of the pool, it can a dedicated section or cover the entire width of the pool. It’s a custom feature – so it’s up to you!
Bistro
Here’s a new twist on an old concept – an in-pool bistro. We just completed a gorgeous pool down at the shore where one swims or wades up to built-in stools and a built-in counter height table for in-pool drinks or a meal. It’s not messy unless you let it, but it’s a heck of a lot of fun to socialize in the pool at your own private bistro with your feet dangling in the water.
Spa
Spas gain ground in popularity year after year. Whether it is simply detached or a spillover spa giving the illusion of continuous flow, the secluded section with jets for pulsating relaxation is an end of day or middle of weekend must. The spa is a great area for socializing, but also a source of hydrotherapy for stiff joints and sore or aching muscles. Kids love the area too, and ours go back and forth from spa to pool for hours on end.
Waterfalls & Waterplay
There is a myriad of options from elevated waterfalls via stone embankments or sheer rock formations, to deck jets, spillways, fountains, bubblers, scuppers, and jumping water. All lend to the imagination and expression of the homeowner. These elegant options soften the perimeters of the pool, create fun areas of play, and enrich the beauty of the poolscape. This is a subject matter for extreme creativity. If you can think it, we can build it.
Firepits
Dream outside of the box here. Many people elect to build firepits near pools as a place to warm up after swimming as we all push the season longer and longer. Firepits are also a great place to make s’mores. At one time, I was the self-appointed quality control inspector for all s’mores made in our backyard. However, more recently, elevated concrete fire pits have become decorative elements poolside with the flames fed by natural gas and burning over lava rocks, stone, and fire glass for magnificent effects. There is always something mystical about the juxtaposition of fire and water in close proximity at night.
Lighting
Every pool needs lighting as a safety feature, but it’s also a decorative welcoming feature with unlimited possibilities. Colored LED lights can enhance any aspect of a pool whether they remain one color as an overall theme or rotate through a palette of colors. An exquisite aspect, custom inground gunite pool lighting can turn a pool into a decadent night-time oasis.
At DEL VAL Pools & Spas, I like to think of us as the custom inground gunite pool builders in southern New Jersey. We may be one of the largest in the tri State area, but we work hard to be and feel small. Our three retail locations are staffed by family and friends who know you when you come in the door – maybe not always by name, but we strive to be the best in customer communication and understanding your needs. That philosophy filters down through our pool construction process. From concept to completion, we make every effort to make your pool unique – because every project we complete is ultimately our brand message.
