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Taking a Pleasurable plunge - Backyard swimming pools
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 As recent as a few decades ago, backyard swimming pools were a status-symbol, a
luxury afforded only to the most elite families. But as pools became an ever
more common sight across residential America, the need for innovation arose when
people began looking for ways to make their pool stand out from the rest. As
with everything in interior and exterior home design, individuality and personal
expression are the biggest factors driving the market today.
Whether you are
considering building a new pool, or just looking to spice up an existing one,
the following list of exciting trends should help inspire you to make the most
of your outdoor living space.
Shape and Depth
Gone are the days of
big boxes suitable for swimming laps; modern pools are more likely to reflect
the curving free-form shapes of natural bodies of water. The versatility of
fiberglass and concrete – the two most common pool-building materials – have
given people the opportunity to let their imaginations run wild and create
virtually any shape they choose, from a giant whale to a replica of Lake
Michigan. Pools resembling little swimming holes with coves and rocks are very
popular, especially when combined with exotic landscaping. Depth is also an
important consideration. Instead of the relatively steep gradation of a
traditional pool, which goes from shallow end to 7 or 8 feet deep in a short
space, many people are opting to keep the bottom flatter. This is especially
helpful in providing an even playing surface for those families who wish to
engage in sports such as basketball or volleyball while in the water.
Materials
Tired of scraping knees and elbows or snagging swimsuits on
the rough walls and floor of the pool? Smooth finishes are now available which
combine slip-proof safety with a comfortable feel. For the person who is seeking
a unique detail, luxury materials, such as Italian glass tiles, natural native
stone, and decorative concrete studded with rounded beach pebbles gathered from
all over the world, are just some of the innovations available today.
Vanishing-Edges
One of the absolute hottest trends in pool design is
a feature that came out of Europe and is sweeping the American market. Vanishing
edges create the optical illusion of a missing wall, such that someone inside
the pool sees the water as though it were extending outwards toward the infinite
horizon beyond. This is achieved by water flowing softly and evenly over a ledge
and into a catch basin before being recirculated back into the pool. The concept
fits perfectly with homeowners who wish to construct their pool as though it
were an extension of the natural surroundings.
Zero-Entry
Instead of
having to climb into the pool via steps or a ladder, many people prefer to
create a gently sloping entry-point which suggests the way one ambles easily
into the water at the beach. This effect can be enhanced by painting the
shallows to resemble sand, then allowing the color to gradually intensify to
aqua and dark blue as depth increases. Seaside motifs such as turtles, shells,
mermaids, and crabs are often worked into tile mosaics to add further whimsy to
the scene.
 Wet Decks
A level area where you can lie comfortably in
about 4 inches of water is great for keeping cool during those hot summer
months. Umbrellas can be mounted to protect you from the sun while you lounge in
the shallows reading a magazine.
Fountains and Waterfalls
There are
many different styles of fountains and falls, but all of them add a dynamic
kinetic element to your pool. They also create a sound shield, which often can
be controlled depending on whether you want to hear a gentle trickle or
something more like a gushing roar. Some styles of fountains include foaming
gushers that incorporate air into the water to make it froth; laminar flow
fountains that shoot slender streams of water which act as carriers for the glow
of fiber optic lighting; classical Greek urns; and playful, intermittently
squirting fountains that are connected to motion-censors.
Waterfalls
continue to be one of the most sought-after design elements, and they basically
fall into two categories: contemporary and naturalistic. Contemporary would be
described as a sleek sheet of water gliding over a smooth linear wall, whereas
naturalistic would seek to recreate the bubbling springs and dramatic cascades
of a wild environment. A particularly elaborate fall might even spill over a
platform and down into the pool below, providing a secluded spot for the swimmer
to take refuge behind the wall of water.
Color and Lighting
Fun,
flashy colors are not limited to the paint color reflecting up from the bottom
of the water; fiber optic technology has allowed people to add exciting splashes
of color all across their poolscape. Fiber optics transmit light from an outside
source through glass or acrylic cables, making it possible to have lights both
underwater and along the pool’s perimeter. Little lights lining walkways create
a magical look at night, as well as making the pool environment safer.
Spotlights on water features such as fountains and springs add drama, whereas a
sprinkling of tiny lights over the canvas of a darkly painted pool bottom
creates an incredibly striking impression of the night sky. There is practically
no limit to the possibilities!
Beyond the Water’s Edge
A complete
poolscape includes a great deal of planning besides just the actual pool itself.
Nowadays, people want to create an entire outdoor living environment, including
landscaping, decks, furniture, and entertainment features. Lush vegetation can
turn a small, contoured swimming hole into a tropical oasis, while nearby arches
and columns can help set the mood of an ancient Roman bath. Tiled or terra cotta
patios replace the old-fashioned concrete decks, and swim-up bars provide hours
of continuous fun. Nearby grilling stations, or perhaps even a fire pit, help
center the activity around the pool, and a mini-inferno in a specialized basin
will add heat, light, and a beautiful reflection of flames dancing in the water.
However you choose to design and accessorize your pool, the sophistication
and availability of modern technology is guaranteed to help you express your
artistic creativity and bring your backyard fantasies to life.
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