Aquatic Face-Lift:Customize Your Swimming Pool
There are several options available to homeowners who have an existing swimming pool that is in need of remodeling; however, homeowners also elect to remodel their swimming pools not so much out of necessity, but out of the desire for change. By exploring your options when it comes to customizing a new or existing luxury swimming pool and by including certain specialty features in your swimming pool design, you can drastically alter the aesthetic and functionality of your outdoor aquatic space.

Rock & Natural Stone Features
For those who want or own a free-form or natural style luxury swimming pool, creating rock formations that follow along the edge of a swimming pool is the most common design application for rock and natural stone materials. When selecting boulders and surrounding rocks that blend into the surrounding landscape, homeowners can choose from an array of colors, textures, and types of stone depending on taste and budget. Something that homeowners may not know, however, is that decorative concrete can be used as an alternative to natural stone – it can actually be made to look like natural stone in color, shape, and texture.

Other popular swimming pool features that utilize rock and natural stone are stone ledges and waterfalls which add the tranquil sound of moving water to your backyard experience. Though often expensive, stone grottoes – or caves – have become an increasingly popular option and can be designed to fit virtually any swimming pool design. A grotto is a particularly unique swimming pool feature because other features like waterfalls and slides can be easily added onto the exterior. Inside of a grotto, features like benches, lighting, and sound systems can be included to create a truly unique experience.

Specialty Water Features & Fountains
With recirculating technology, homeowners have several options when it comes to including specialty water features and fountains in their swimming pool design. More conventional swimming pool accents like disappearing ledges, hot tubs, and spas remain popular options and are featured in many luxury swimming pool designs.

For those who want to create a truly unique appearance, fountains that combine both a cascade and rising jet fountain flow have gained immense popularity and can really add that special something to your existing or future swimming pool. Marble spheres, natural stones, and pottery can now be used to create innovative fountains on a shelf inside of a swimming pool or on an exterior swimming pool ledge.

Other Unique Swimming Pool Features
Tanning shelves with bubbling fountains and in-water bars are other examples of specialty features that can be included in a new swimming pool design or remodel. Homeowners can customize these features by using stone, tile, or other materials that provide a unique contrast to any aggregate or plaster swimming pool surface.

Accessories like custom pots and other decorative plant features can create distinctive focal points around your swimming pool and can be easily assimilated into your outdoor design at a later time.

Written by Christina Gaona
www.onespecialty.com