If you already have a pool, or are thinking of putting one in, go that one step further and increase the value of your property by adding a pool house.  Even if you have only a small space you can still create a useful pool house that can include a bathroom and shower.  Choose the right sort of non-slip flooring such as sandstone pavers because you will find that people will be walking through straight from being in the pool.  If you have a larger back garden you might want to include a whole entertainment area with comfortable lounges, a television and stereo and even a kitchen with a water purifier. Practical design You want your pool house to be a practical area so before you come up with a design think about what you will be using it for.  If you just want a bathroom and shower to stop people walking through your house with wet bathers then you won’t need to go overboard.  If you have the space, and you are the type of people that entertain often, you can build a pool house that doubles as an entertainment area.  You don’t want your garden to look too cramped either, so perhaps a design that incorporates a more open front which has large folding doors that can close against bad weather. Flooring Although a pool house is essential an indoor room, remember that it really is another outdoor space and part of your pool area.  Your flooring should be hard wearing and preferably non-slip as people will be coming in wet from the pool.  You can continue your outdoor pavers on through into the pool house, and with the choice available today they will look as good as any normal tiles.  Sandstone pavers are a good choice as they are non-slip and have a lovely natural look.  You can always put rugs down under your lounge suite or other furniture. Storage Storage is one thing everyone runs out of quickly so it is a good idea to build extra storage space within your pool house.  Large cupboards and deep drawers that can hold extra towels and everything you need when you are outdoors by the pool are handy, and you might want to include storage space on the outside wall of the pool house for your pool cleaning equipment and pool toys. Furniture To create a whole other living area furnish your pool house with a comfortable lounge suite and places to relax.  You might even want to use the space as a games area with things like a pool table.  Choose furniture that is a little more hard wearing as it is likely people will sit on it with wet bathers. Kitchen By having a kitchen in your pool house you can turn it into a great entertainment area.  Include a fridge and storage for utensils and crockery, particularly larger cupboards that can fit your platters and big salad bowls.  Having a sink for washing up is handy, and you might want to install a water filter so you also have pure fresh water on tap. Read more »

If you have decided to have an outdoor wedding you may be lucky and have the use of an area with a pool.  If this is the case you can use the pool as the focus of your wedding theme and part of your decorations.  Whether your wedding is during the day or in the evening, an outdoor wedding by the pool will be a lovely relaxed affair that your guests will always remember.  You may have a pool in your own garden, or choose to use a friend or family members poolside area.  You could also see whether hotels would let you use their pool areas for your wedding, although they will, of course, charge you a hire fee.  If you are having it beside a backyard pool make sure you clean the water the week before and on the day have someone vacuum up any leaves and clear the debris from the pool filter. Decorate Use the pool as the centrepiece of your wedding and decorate around the pool and even have decorations in the pool.  Have bouquets of flowers placed around the edges of the pool, with lower arrangements being more suitable.  Pedestal urns look lovely with flowers in them and would be sturdier than glass vases.  When you pick your flowers choose colours that will suit the colour of the pool as well as tie in with the colour theme of your wedding.  Oranges and pinks would suit a blue pool, and large leafy foliage would also look good pool side.  You can buy floating candles that you can have drifting across the pool, which is particularly effective in the evening, and you could even scatter flower petals, or whole flowers like orchids, in the water. Light it up If your wedding extends into the evening the pool will look beautiful lit up and create a lovely relaxed feel to your reception.  With the pool light switched on you won’t need large overhead lights on, instead you can make do with more subdued lighting like fairy lights or bamboo garden torches. Have candles positioned around the pool, as well as floating on it, and have candles in coloured glass vases on people’s tables or placed on furniture. Furniture A pool side wedding is not necessarily as formal as one held at a reception centre or restaurant.  You may choose to not serve a main meal and have plates of different dishes circulating amongst your guests throughout the evening.  Set up furniture in a way to create separate areas for your guests.  Have groups of tables and chairs in one area and comfortable outdoor lounges in another area.  If you have a bar area set up some stools and have tables scattered about where guests can stand their drinks. Set the stage If you have a bigger budget you could even use the pool as part of your wedding.  It would take some planning in advance but you could have a bridge constructed over the pool or even have a clear cover over it that guests can walk over.  You could even get married standing over the pool and have flowers floating underneath you.  Speak to a pool supplies place and a builder and see what they can come up with. Read more »

Installing a light into your pool can be a great way to extend the time you spend in your pool. Just like other electrical issues with your pool pump and pool cleaner system, if there is anything you are not 100% sure of, consulting an electrician is highly recommended. Types of Pool Lights. Just like any other category of lights, there are many to choose from. There are colored light systems, where you can change the light color by turning one set off and another on. There are light-sensitive lights that will turn on automatically as the ambient light fades at the end of the day. There are even solar powered lights, although these do not have the strength of normally powered lights. There is such a range to choose from it gets down to personal preference. Many lighting systems can even be flush-mounted and retro-fitted into concrete, fiberglass and even vinyl above and in-ground pools. Don’t think because they were not installed when your pool was put in, you are limited to the cheaper versions that just hang in the water attached to the wall. Cost. Pool lighting, like all lighting has become very inexpensive in the last 10 years. When we were children, the cost of anything to do with lighting was astronomical. With the boom in production in China, where all goods on the planet are made, even underwater and waterproofed lighting is very inexpensive. You will find these items in hardware stores, pool supply stores, and of course you can always get a great deal by buying online. Installation. Anything to do with electricity and water is very dangerous. You must always cut any power to your pool lighting system while making any changes. Make sure others in your property are aware. If someone does not know and switches the circuit breaker on you could be in serious trouble. The cost of an electrician might just well be worth it, despite this being a relatively simple job. They do know what they are doing and their work will be guaranteed. The last thing you want is someone getting in your swimming pool and getting shocked to death. Many underwater lights will have special circuit breaking abilities, and also your home should have these functions built into the electricity system. If you have an older home, this might not be the case. Some lighting systems also come with low voltage transformers that allow quieter and cooler operating temperatures. Again, this might be a little tricky for the home-handyman, and consulting your local electrical services supplier is highly recommended. Maintenance. There will be a limited amount of maintenance. You will need to keep the glass clean and change the bulbs every so often. Again, this is something you should talk with your electrician about when first installing. The higher quality lights will have very long-lasting globes, and this might not be necessary for a few years. For anyone who has a home swimming pool, this small investment is worth thinking about. The luxurious ambience created is definitely worth the minimal cost.   Read more »

Having a pool is lots of fun, but it’s also lots of responsibility as well. When you have a pool, you not only have to keep it clean and well maintained, but you have to ensure that your family, as well as neighbors and even strangers, are safe and secure around the pool. Read more »

One of the most well known aspects of pool maintenance is that one must use special chemicals to clean the pool and rid it of unsanitary bacteria which might infect the waters you’d like to swim in. Read more »