Pool installation falls under one of the most challenging tasks a homeowner could undertake, and the fun side is very obvious – time is spent evaluating pool designs, testing tiles, and discussing saltwater and chlorine.
But it is only after the contractors leave the backyard silent that the real challenge starts; that is the point where all the omissions become obvious.
Pool installation does not happen within a vacuum – a pool exists within a backyard that must have some shade, storage space, some degree of privacy, and a maintenance area.
Ignoring this step means that your beautiful pool will end up surrounded by chaos – noise, lack of shade, dripping wet walkways and disorganization. Below are some forgotten features of backyards that should be sorted out early enough.
1. Sunlight, Shade, and Tree Droppings
When you picture your ideal pool day, you probably imagine soaking up bright sunshine. But you may not think about being scorched on a deck that is 100 degrees since there isn’t one square inch of shadow anywhere around.
Placement is everything:
- Track the sun: Notice how the shadows on your lawn move at midday and 5:00 P.M. You’ll want sunshine on your pool, but you’ll certainly need some shade for your patio furniture.
- Watch out for trees: Placing a pool directly under oak, pine, or crepe myrtle trees guarantees endless sweeping. Leaves, sap, and seed pods constantly clog skimmers and stain plaster.
Rather than fighting dirty water every weekend, many homeowners use hands-free automated devices to clean their pool efficiently. Having an automatic robot that handles the floors, walls, and waterline on its own schedule means you do not have to spend your entire Saturday morning dragging out manual vacuum hoses.
2. A Hidden Home for Loud Equipment
Pool pumps, heaters, and filtration systems are hard and tough equipment. Such equipment is also heavy-duty in nature and produces a lot of noise when working at high speed.
A very common mistake is dropping the pool equipment pad right next to a patio dining table or right outside a primary bedroom window. You do not want the hum of a two-horsepower motor interrupting a quiet evening outdoors.
Make sure to arrange a separate place for the equipment in the first place. Build a simple wooden screen, fence, or hedge line around it. Not only does this keep the machinery hidden from sight, but it also muffles the sound and keeps chemicals safely stored away from kids and pets.
3. Equipment Storage That Is Easy to Reach
Where are you going to keep the pool noodles, lounge cushions, skimmer nets, and chemical buckets?
Without proper planning, they will simply be left around on the lawn or porch area.
- Add deck boxes early: Heavy-duty, weather-resistant deck boxes placed along the pool border keep toys and towels dry and out of the sun.
- Build a shed nearby: A small garden shed gives you a secure place to lock up pool chemicals, extra pumps, and winter covers.
- Include built-in bench storage: Seating benches that come with lift-up tops give you hidden storage without taking up extra footprint on the deck.
4. Outdoor Showers and Quick Bathroom Access
There is nothing quite like the trail of wet footprints leading from the backyard, down the hallway, and into the indoor bathroom. It ruins hardwood floors, leaves puddle hazards on tile, and forces you to mop every time you host a pool party.
Adding a basic outdoor shower fixture near the pool lets everyone rinse off chlorine or salt before stepping inside. It also keeps dirt and sunblock from getting tracked into the house.
If your budget allows, planning a small half-bath with exterior entry attached to the house or pool house keeps wet feet completely out of your main living areas.
5. Night Lighting That Isn’t Blinding
Pools are just stunning at night, but only if the surrounding yard is lit correctly.
Relying on a single high-powered light from the house wall causes deep shadows and blinds everyone on the deck. On the flip side, leaving the deck pitch black is a major safety risk.
Mix up your lighting levels:
- Low-voltage path lights: Place small ground lights along walkways and steps so people do not trip in the dark.
- Up-lighting on trees: Aim soft spotlights up into surrounding palm trees or large hardwoods to create a warm, gentle glow around the yard.
- Under-cap deck lights: Install hidden LED strips underneath step edges or bench seating for subtle safety lighting that does not glare in your eyes.
6. Proper Drainage and Water Runoff
Where does the water go when twenty people splash out of the pool all at once? Or during a heavy summer thunderstorm?
If your yard is not sloped correctly away from the deck, splash water pools against the house foundations or turns the surrounding lawn into a mud pit.
Consult with your contractor and design the grading. Channel drains installed along the edge of the patio catch excess deck water and route it safely toward storm drains or rain gardens, keeping your grass healthy and your patio dry.
7. Wind Protection and Privacy Screens
Strong winds across the water cause the pool water to cool quickly through evaporation, which makes your pool heater work harder. Wind can blow dust and lawn trash directly into your pool.
Observe where the dominant winds are coming from in your locality. Erecting privacy fences, planting an evergreen hedge, or having an artistic louver wall installation interrupts the forceful winds. Not only that, but it will provide you with privacy from your neighbors.
Put Simply, Build a Yard You Actually Enjoy!
An excellent swimming pool is only half the equation. When you take the time to plan for shade, storage, noise control, and drainage along with the pool shell, the whole yard works together perfectly. You spend less time wrestling with maintenance and cleanups and much more time actually floating in the water.
FAQs
Where should I place my pool when there are trees nearby?
Try to avoid placing your pool beneath oaks, pines, or crepe myrtles, as they are constantly dropping their leaves, sap, and seed pods into your skimmer and staining your plaster surface.
How do I prevent pool equipment noises from bothering my patio and bedroom?
Install them in an isolated place, screened by a fence or hedge, or even a wooden shed.
Should I really have an outdoor shower close to my pool?
The outdoor shower allows guests to rinse off chlorine or salt prior to entering the pool so that there are no traces of water on the floor.
Which type of lighting should I use for my pool area at night?
A combination of low-voltage path lights, tree up-lighting, and under-cap deck lights will work perfectly well.
