5 Pool Landscaping Design Trends

Imagine lounging at the pool all day long in the comfort and convenience of your own backyard. As warmer weather approaches, we are thinking about this more and more! Although you have probably been browsing different swimming pool styles, what about your pool landscaping design? To make the best oasis, you need to consider how everything will look together as one cohesive layout.

Start dreaming up your ideal pool landscaping design with these 5 trends that are here to stay! Click To Tweet

Pool Landscaping Design: What’s In and What’s Out

Whether you can’t decide on a pool landscape design or this is the first time you have even thought about it, this guide is for you! Here are 5 things to include in your pool’s plant arrangement:  

  1. Less is More
  2. Include Color
  3. Don’t Overcrowd
  4. A Lucious Lawn  
  5. Low Maintenance

1) Less is More

Doesn’t this seem to be on trend for almost everything these days? But, it’s very true. Trying to cram in all of your favorite plants and flowers won’t only look stuffy, it won’t be functional either. Go for simple plants that won’t overgrow your space yet fill in the empty spots to make for one classy-looking yard.

2) Include Pops of Color

You don’t want to stare at a sea of green with only a color contrast from the bright blue pool water. Switch out flowers every 3-4 months with colors that represent each season. Vibrant orange and yellows might be better suited in the summer while soft pinks whites could be used in the spring.

Whatever you choose, don’t use flowers that will shed a ton and place them far enough away from the pool so petals don’t constantly fall in the water.

3) Don’t Overcrowd Your Space

It’s easy to bring full-bodied plants into your space, but keep functionality in mind. Will you be able to move around large trees easily? Once a plant grows, will be in the way of an outdoor fire pit or steps to the pool? If so, consider a different spot.

Pro Tip: Make your space seem even larger with a patio cover or pergola where guests can sit, eat, and mingle.

4) Invest in a Lucious Lawn

Doesn’t everyone want a heavenly green lawn? Real grass can be hard to maintain and there will no doubt be times where brown patches show through. But, by spending quality time giving it the love and attention it needs, a luscious yard is obtainable.   

If you really want to avoid the hassle of lawn maintenance, invest in synthetic turf. It’s beautiful year-round and you never have to cut or water grass again!

5) Low Maintenance  

Most people don’t like to spend hours working outside. (We would rather lay poolside!) So, get plants that don’t require a ton of maintenance like evergreens with grass-like features that don’t need pruning. Trees with pine needles, fruits or nuts should stay in a different area of your yard, away from the pool. Although delicious to eat, you don’t want to spend time fishing out apples and pecan shells.

A Pool Area You Can Be Proud Of

When envisioning your pool, remember to think about the landscaping elements as well. Use these tips to get you started in the right direction and consult a local backyard design expert for sound advice.

Want to leave us a comment about your landscape design ideas? Join the conversation!

3 Reasons to Invest in a Patio Cover for Your Pool

Summer in Houston will be here before you know it. Is your outdoor living area in need of a patio cover? Don’t wait until the outside temperatures start rising– learn why a patio cover is a great and necessary choice for your pool.

Looking forward to using your pool this summer? Learn why you should invest in a pool cover to stay cool during Houston summers. Click To Tweet

Why Do I Need a Patio Cover for my Outdoor Space?

Investing in a patio cover for your pool will provide comfort and shade from the intense summer sun. You can stress less about cleaning by keeping out leaves and outside debris. It will also help keep your pool at a pleasant temperature and reduce your risk of sunburn.

  1. Keep Pool Temperature Down
  2. Protect Your Pool from Gathering Debris
  3. Provide Shade While Swimming

1) Keep Pool Temperature Down

The perfect pool cover will keep your pool at a comfortable, cool temperature. Pool water that is too warm tends to be off-putting, so using a cover will protect your water from getting too much sun. Nobody wants to get in a hot pool in the middle of a hot, Texas summer day. You can feel confident your pool is always at the right temperature.

2) Protect Your Pool from Gathering Debris

Wind and rain bring in leaves, bugs, and other dirt and debris into your pool. A patio cover for your pool will act as a leaf net to make cleaning a breeze. You’ll spend less time fishing out unwanted items and more time enjoying your pool!

3) Provide Shade While Swimming

We all know Houston summers can get swelteringly hot. Don’t let the sun deter you from enjoying your pool! A swimming pool cover will reduce the number of UV rays overhead that put you at risk of sunburn. While you should always use sunblock to protect your skin, a cover for your pool will make you feel more comfortable while you’re swimming.

ProTip: When you invest in a patio cover for your pool, consult with a professional pool designer that will help you choose the right style to fit the rest of your outdoor living space.

Use an Outdoor Living Professional to Install Your Patio Cover

Rely on in-ground pool experts to give you insight on other ways to benefit from a patio cover for your pool. They will help you with a custom pool cover for a unique and beautiful addition to your outdoor space.

Contact us for a consultation to learn more about custom patio covers and the benefits of having one for your pool.

Custom Outdoor Kitchen and Cabana by Creekstone Outdoor Living in Houston Texas

Design Trends for a Swimming Pool You’ll Use All Summer

If you are thinking of renovating your backyard space and pool, or if you are about to have a pool installed for the first time, there is no better time than now. Updating your backyard space now allows you to have the work completed in time to enjoy your swimming pool all summer long. If you want to take your outdoor space and pool to the next level, you’ll want to make sure to pull in some of this year’s top design trends. Tired of your outdated backyard? These 6 swimming pool design trends will turn your outdoor space into your new family room! Click To Tweet

Which Design Trends Will Create an Outdoor Oasis You’ll Enjoy All Summer Long?

It’s easy to create an outdoor oasis and swimming pool that you and your family will enjoy all summer long. With sunning shelves, a fire pit, and luscious landscaping and lighting, your backyard will be transformed from boring to beautiful in no time.

  1. Dark Color Pool Interior
  2. Custom Pool Shape
  3. Sunning Shelves
  4. Swim Up Bar
  5. Landscaping and Lighting
  6. Fire Pits and Places

1) Dark Color Pool Interior

A stunning new trend is the use of darker colored pool interiors. Pool interiors coated in azures and cobalt blues lend themselves to a lagoon-like effect: deep, dark, and soothing. These darker colors are welcoming and luxurious and make your backyard the perfect place to hang out all summer long.

2) Custom Pool Shape

These days, pools can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and when you choose to get a custom pool, you can help add personality to your outdoor living space. When choosing the shape of your pool, consider your lot size and available space, your budget, whether it meets safety codes, your home’s architectural style, sun exposure, as well as how you will use the pool.

3) Sunning Shelves

Sunning shelves are some of the most popular design trends for swimming pools. Tanning shelves are great to lounge, relax and keep you refreshed on a hot Texan day. Sunning ledges are a great to place gushers and create a splash pad for the kids, too.

4) Swim Up Bar

If your pool is a regular spot for celebration and get-togethers, then adding a swim-up bar is certainly the perfect addition! Usually, you only see these in the hotels and resorts – but imagine having one in your own pool.

ProTip: With a swim up bar, you can have drinks and snacks at the ready without having to leave the water. Just swim right up, have a seat, and unwind.

5) Landscaping and Lighting

There is nothing better than nice landscaping around the pool. Some of the benefits of having landscaping around your pool include having better oxygenation in the surrounding area and having an avid display of colors. Be sure to choose plants that will thrive in your climate and illuminate them with LED or other landscaping lights to help turn your outdoor space into an outdoor oasis.

6) Fire Pits and Places

No matter what type of look or atmosphere you’re trying to create, there’s one swimming pool trend that always seems to be on the top of the list: fire. Fire is lighting in one of it’s most natural forms and creates a wonderful ambiance and warmth to your swimming pool area. Choose from a fire pit or an outdoor fireplace for the perfect place to spend all summer long.

Swimming Pool Design Trends

Vamp up your backyard retreat with a custom swimming pool design. With the addition of the above swimming pool design trends, your backyard will be the place everyone will want to be–all summer long.

Join the conversation and learn the top pool design trends that will have your spending all your days and nights in your pool and outside oasis.

New Pool Construction: Expectations vs. Reality

Have you finally made the decision to get a new pool built? Having your own pool is the perfect way to transform your backyard into the perfect oasis to relax and have fun in! So, now what? There is a lot that goes into new pool construction and it does take a little time to create the custom pool of your dreams. Wondering when your custom pool will be ready to swim in? Here are 9 aspects of new pool construction you need to know before you get started. Click To Tweet

What Should You Expect with New Pool Construction?

Swimming pool construction is a process and includes a series of steps before it will be ready to swim in. Once you get through the design process, you can get a better estimate of the time it will take to excavate, place the plumbing and other equipment, tile, deck, and plaster. Here are some things you can expect when building a new pool.

  1. Design Consultation
  2. Time Considerations
  3. Forms & Excavation
  4. Structural Steel & Gunite
  5. Plumbing & Equipment
  6. Tile & Coping
  7. Decking
  8. Plaster & Startup
  9. Pool Party Time

1) Design Consultation

The entire pool building process begins with a home design consultation. You need to work with a contractor who is both skilled in pool design and can help you choose the features that will work best for your lifestyle.

2) Time Considerations

One of the most popular questions asked is “how long does it take to build a pool start to finish?”. Providing an allowance for weather delays, and that many skilled tradesmen do not perform labor on Sundays, you can usually expect a pool construction project to take about six to ten weeks.

3) Forms & Excavation

After you’ve planned the design concept of your new swimming pool, they will break ground and exact the outer shape of the swimming pool. It takes approximately one full day to properly excavate a swimming pool in preparation for the structural reinforcement stage.

4) Structural Steel & Gunite

Next, they will install structural steel into the excavated shape, and install the stub-out plumbing for the proper placement of all water-return jets, water features, suction lines, and your spa plumbing system. Once this is in place, the gunite material is applied.

ProTip: Once the gunite is in place, it takes a minimum of 24 hours to harden and up to two weeks to fully cure.

5) Plumbing & Equipment

After the gunite has properly cured, they will lay down the total pool plumbing system of network of pipes that carry the water to and from the pool.

6) Tile & Coping

This is the stage that the pool will begin to start looking more like a pool, as experienced tile installers will amaze you with careful installation of all tiles and decorative stone materials to create your customized pool.

7) Decking

Next, your custom decking will be installed according to your design ideas. You can choose from natural pavers, wood, concrete, or many other materials for your pool decking.

8) Plaster & Startup

The mechanical components, including the filter system, pumps, time clock or wireless components, cleaner, heater (if required) are installed, and then they will start with the final step of the process–the plaster. You will not be able to swim right away until the start-up procedure has completed after or up to at least 7 days.

9) Pool Party Time

Once all this is complete, it is time to plan that pool party to show off your gorgeous new outdoor living space and pool!

Getting Ready for New Pool Construction

Vamp up your backyard retreat with a custom swimming pool design. Luxury or classic? That’s for you to decide! Select the pool shape, size, and features that you love the most. And, also consider a custom pool house to go along with your new custom designed pool.

Thinking about getting a custom pool? Join the conversation to learn more about what to expect during new pool construction.

5 Reasons to Build a New Pool in Houston

Are you on the fence about getting a pool for your outdoor space? Building a pool in Houston has a lot more benefits than just getting out of that hot, summer heat! Do you frequent the public pool and wondering if you should take the plunge and have one built in your own backyard? Here are 5 reasons you need to build your own custom pool if you live in Houston. Click To Tweet

What Are the Benefits of Building a Pool in Houston?

There are so many benefits to building a pool in Houston. A pool can offer the perfect place for outdoor entertaining and quality family time, and also help keep you and your family healthy! Here are five reasons why you need to build a pool in your Houston backyard.

  1. Added Home Value
  2. Quality Family Time
  3. Backyard Entertaining
  4. Better Health and Wellness
  5. Cool Off in the Hot Seasons

1) Added Home Value

If you live in Texas, you know how popular having a pool is. In fact, most people, when looking to buy a new home, look for a place that has a pool. Installing a backyard pool is one of the best ways to add value to your home, and can add 15% or more with a pool installation.

2) Quality Family Time

One of the top reasons to build a swimming pool is that it gives you the opportunity to spend more time together as a family. Instead of your kids heading to their friend’s house, or the neighborhood pool, they will want to be at home having fun right in the backyard.

3) Backyard Entertaining

With a custom pool, you’re certain to draw party people to your place–especially when temperatures soar each summer.

ProTip: If you enjoy outdoor entertaining, then a pool is the perfect addition to your backyard barbecue, and will give you a reason to do more of it!

4) Better Health and Wellness

If you are trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a pool is an ideal answer. Swimming is great exercise and just being in the water has been known to decrease stress levels and create a luxury relaxation experience right in your backyard.

5) Cool Off in the Hot Summer

And, of course, you can’t forget the number one reason why having a pool in Houston…to cool off when the sweltering heat hits. Houston is known for its heat and humidity and a pool provides the perfect place to cool down. Luckily, Houston also has weather that is great for almost year-round swimming!

Top Reasons to Build a Pool in Houston

As you see, there are many reasons to consider building a pool in Houston, and now is the best time to do it so your custom pool will be complete before the temperatures start to rise.

Sold on the ideas of building a new custom pool in your Houston backyard? Join the conversation to talk with our team about our custom pool designs.