4 Features That Belong Right Alongside Your Inground Pool in the McLean and Brambleton, VA, Areas
For many homeowners, the backyard pool is the ultimate staycation-worthy feature. It’s an entertainment hub for summer fun and an oasis of relaxation a few steps from the home. However, the scene isn’t complete with just a pool. It’s what’s around the pool that makes for the perfect setting for backyard activities. If you’re wondering how to take your pool to the next level, here are four features that belong right alongside your inground pool in the McLean and Brambleton, VA, areas.
Related: Complete Your Backyard With These Inground Pool Ideas in Great Falls and Leesburg, VA
A Paver Pool Deck
One of the biggest impacts on your pool area is the surface around the pool. Pavers contribute to the vibe you want at the poolside. They are a popular materials choice for pool decks because they can be non-slip, stand up well to water, and are available in a huge variety of styles. Modern large-format patio pavers contribute to a clean, uncluttered look whether your backyard is tiny or spacious, partly because there will be fewer joint lines than patios made of smaller pavers.
The Right Plants
The plants you include around your pool will help create the mood of the space. If you want a tranquil spa-like setting, choose simple monochromatic plantings that surround you in nature’s most soothing color: green. Dense evergreen shrubs, billowing ornamental grasses, soft ground covers, lush ferns and other broad-leafed plants, and climbing vines can create a soothing atmosphere.
For a more vibrant look reminiscent of a Monet painting, choose flowering plants around your pool for a constant show of color throughout the season. Roses, hydrangeas, and an endless array of annual and perennial plants will create a fun atmosphere around the pool.
Whether you opt for monochromatic or vibrant plantings, make sure that you take one of two approaches to make sure plant debris—including grass clippings—don’t end up in the pool. One is to create a buffer between the pool and the plants, in the form of a full-surround pool deck. Another approach is to choose plants that shed very little.
A Shelter Structure
A pavilion next to your pool will provide shelter from the sun and the rain. You can stay outside no matter what the weather is like with a poolside pavilion. The open walls give you the feeling of being outdoors, but the solid roof offers a lot of protection. Include a comfortable seating area; or, if the pool and outdoor living area are immediately adjacent, you could make the pavilion into the hub of outdoor living. With room for seating, dining, and an outdoor kitchen, you’d have an all-in-one living space.
A Cozy Fire Pit
Everyone needs a place to warm up after a swim. A natural gas or propane fire pit could create the perfect place to relax after a dip in the pool, or just to hang out on a cool evening. There’s an added bonus to fire, too: The dancing flames will create stunning reflections on the pool surface for a truly magical effect. A fire feature also builds a sense of community around the flames. Be sure to choose natural gas or propane to keep your pool area free of splinters and other wood debris. If you had a portable propane fire pit, you could move it closer to the pool for a “bonfire on the beach” experience or further away onto the main patio once swim season is over.
