by Kendra Lee
adding a pool to your backyard creates a new way of living
DO YOU EVER FIND yourself looking longingly at the backyard à la Clark Griswold daydreaming about a pool? The perfect place for family to gather. Just the spot to beat the New Mexico heat. A centerpiece for entertaining guests. It’s true that having a pool can change the way you live.
Whether you want a pool for the kids to dive, slide, splash and play with friends; or you’re looking for an easy and cool way to stay fit; or you’d like a refreshing spot to while away your weekends; the options for a backyard oasis are numerous. Grab your floaty, a cocktail—no glass containers, please—and start planning your new pool life today. The Albuquerque and Santa Fe area has some fantastic pool specialists to help you get just the right water world for your family.
“Most pools are installed for exercise purposes but also to bring the entire family together, regardless of age,” says Dion D’Angelico, owner of D’Angelico Enterprises, Inc.. “I think the pandemic really opened people’s eyes who neglected to invest in the place they were bound to. They realized home is a sanctuary and is worth investing in.”
What’s Trending
First of all, pools and spas go hand-in-hand, so you might consider both from the start. And, of course, you need to think about seating and lounging spaces and how you’ll interact in the pool area. Your backyard sanctuary will be completely custom from the layout and integration with indoor areas to the materials and color palette for the pool and surrounding hardscapes.
The most popular pool materials in this area include fiberglass and gunite, which is a specialized concrete installed with a high-pressure hose, says Jacob Poper, general manager with Lee-Sure Pools, Inc. “We’ve been seeing more spa vault installs—a portable spa that is partially dropped down into the ground to make it more visually appealing.”
Feras Irikat and Kate Wiseman, faculty advisors for GENESIS, a company of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, that provides education and certification on pool construction, design, engineering and business, have been noticing new design trends. They include natural, organic textures; earthy colors such as creamy whites, soft blacks and sage green; metallic and porcelain tiles; and more art incorporated into tile designs. They also cite more elaborate and upgraded outdoor area components. Add a firepit, outdoor kitchen, TV viewing area and family room-style furnishings to achieve greater integration between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Designing a Lifestyle
“It’s not just about adding a pool, it’s creating an entire outdoor experience,” said Amy Willer, associate marketing and communications director at Pool & Spa Alliance. “More than ever, people are designing for functionalities that speak to them, like a swimming pool, an outdoor kitchen, an outdoor seating area and play areas. In fact, pool builders and designers are seeing requests for pools with smaller footprints so people can enjoy being in the water no matter the size of their space.”
It’s all about creating the backyard oasis that suits your needs but also changes the way you live. “Installing or remodeling a pool creates a luxurious, serene getaway that eliminates the expense and stress of travel,” says D’Angelico. “A custom pool and spa turn your backyard into a vacation location all year long.”
Safety and Maintenance
“Robotic cleaners, covers, water features and heaters are all really nice accessories to add to any pool installation or remodel,” says Poper. In addition, fencing, sensors and alarms should be on the list for your outdoor oasis. But automatic covers are a must. “Automatic safety covers are the best accessory you can invest in for your pool and spa. It secures the pool in all aspects from safety through maintenance,” advises D’Angelico. He goes on to say pools are water storage vessels, and as such, another popular feature is a draft hydrant. “As we are experiencing historical drought conditions the water vessel (pool) with a draft hydrant is not only enjoyable but becomes a viable alternative for protection against fires,” he says. “We believe that awareness helps to create comfort and security for families that are now entertaining installing pools in our area.”
Whether for family time, stress relief, emotional value, physical fitness or entertainment, there’s no debating a pool/spa is a great investment … just be ready to become the new neighborhood hangout! “We always hear from clients: ‘Why did I wait so long?’” says Poper. “The love attraction is instant! Very simply, a pool or spa elevates your backyard into a beautiful setting for pure family time, stress relief, and good ol’ fun in the sun.”
resources
D’Angelico Enterprises, Inc.
dangelicoenterprises.com
Lee-Sure Pools, Inc.
leesurepools.com
