Swimming Pool & Backyard Modification Ideas

Prepare the Area Carefully

• As anyone who has installed an above-ground pool can tell you, making sure the ground is completely level is absolutely essential. If the ground where the pool is to sit is not perfectly level, the pool will not fill properly and can even collapse. Before you start putting up a pool, it's absolutely vital to make sure the ground is perfectly level.

  Fortunately, you can incorporate that leveling project into your overall backyard design. Sand makes a great leveling tool for any backyard landscape, so why not use the sand to create a miniature beach in your backyard. You can even add some buckets, shovels and other fun beach toys to complete the look.

Make the Fence Part of the Design

• Nothing looks worse than a beautiful (and expensive) pool surrounded by a big, ugly safety fence. But because fences are legally required in many parts of the country and are an important safety precaution even where they are not mandatory, why not incorporate the fence into your design?

  You could, for instance, plant some attractive tropical foliage along the fence and allow it to grow into a sort of natural camouflage. Flowers, vines and other plants look wonderful in the backyard, so let the beauty of nature create a pool safety fence you can be proud of.

Create a Tropical Look and Feel

• One of the great things about a pool is that it allows you to vacation in your backyard. Once the initial expense of the pool has been met, you and your family may be able to save a great deal of money by hanging out in your backyard than at some costly beach. And because you have already used your leveling sand to create your own beach, it will be easy to complete the look.

  Adding a few tiki torches, some festive drink tables and other accessories is a great way to dress up your backyard pool vacation and show off your style. After you have put your backyard oasis in place, you may never want to leave.