Waterscape Design Trends

Water – a natural stress reliever

In a society where we are tied to our electronic devices all day, nowadays, the need to get away and de-stress is greater than ever before. The preferable place is by the water, maybe in a tropical locale, or a beautiful resort. Sometimes, people will buy a boat. Why? Because, to listen to the waves gently lapping all around you is very soothing. It is a well-known fact that people who live near the water are many more laid back than the rest of us. Psychologists tell us that floating weightlessly in water, like on an air mattress or pool float, is a comforting, almost womb-like experience which tends to make anxiety dissolve away. So also, can being in or around a pool have a definite positive impact on your state of mind. Beautiful surroundings and the soothing sound of water equate peace and offer a perfect setting for quiet meditation. It is true that your simple, rectangular concrete pool can become the ultimate stress reliever, or, you can take it one step further, and enhance that beautiful swimming pool setting by installing waterscape features in close proximity to your pool.

Waterscape design trends

As you strolled around the big box stores, you’ve seen sprinkling fountains or bubbling spheres or even a simple vertical plane waterfall. Those enhancements, either beautiful or whimsical, are easy enough ways to add some pizazz to your outdoor living space and can be done by any DIYer.

But, if you choose to pair up a waterscape extravaganza with your in-ground pool, there are options galore, especially if you are getting a brand-new pool. Don’t limit yourself to the regular rectangular-shaped pool … if you choose a fiberglass pool, because they are constructed in a one-piece molded design, you can have any shape or style of pool depending on the size of your backyard. Thus, with the pool shape of your choice, there is much more room for creativity. A naturalistic or rustic setting can be created wherein the actual pool and its accessories will just morph into the background. In-ground pools may meld into a lush tropical setting and have adjoining spas or whirlpools just steps away from the main pool area. A newer trend with swimming pools is to create an exciting “fire and water” effect wherein huge fire bowls spewing cascading water appear every ten feet around the entire pool perimeter. Hiring a local contractor who specializes in pool design can help you turn your pool area into a mini-paradise which is sure to make a big splash with your family and friends.

Rectangular swimming pools are now considered passé because these newer exciting pool shapes are more versatile and may be combined with softscape items like ornamental grasses, rock gardens or maybe consider using various types of waterscape extravaganzas. Why not try meshing your in-ground pool with a stupendous waterfall? Consulting with a pool construction expert will yield ideas and concepts to create a paradise with your regular or lap pool, and then add a cascading waterfall in the background, which will softly trickle down and empty into your swimming pool. A waterfall can even be placed amidst your existing landscape or new landscape to create a lush, tropical effect or paired with boulders from which water trickles or cascades down right into your pool or adjoining spa.

There are countless options for creating visual and sound effects using water, all designed to make your pool look and feel like paradise, and the benefit to you is it is the most ultimate relaxing go-to spot you could ever ask for. Although the cascading waterfall trickling into your swimming pool is the most popular waterscape concept, tropical-style fountains or even sheer waterfalls, can create a unique or exotic look to your pool. For fun and frivolity try adding spraying jets – they, like the waterfalls, add movement and drama, especially when paired with low lights for an evening setting. Special soft lights or even piped-in easy listening music with that moving water will mellow you out like nothing else. How relaxing is that?

Life’s a beach.

A getaway to a beach is the ultimate luxury, but a good pool design contractor can create that beach effect for you, just without the sand between your toes, right in your own backyard. A new concept for pools is how the edge of the pool is created. The way that a waterfall trickles from high above into a pool as you leisurely take long strokes across its expanse is the ultimate waterscape treat for upscale homes. But, couple that waterscape treatment with an edgy concept like the newest trend of how you enter your pool. As mentioned above, rectangular pools are so “yesterday” and trending pools are now found in any size or shape. Likewise, you used to be able to enter a pool only by steps or a ladder. If you like the feel of wading into the ocean, a “beach entry” pool edge creates that experience by utilizing a gradual slope from the deck into the water. Because no steps are involved, not only is the effect pretty awesome, it is ideal for children, seniors or those with special needs. What a great look if you are using the naturalistic background of a cascading waterfall. This natural transition entry into the pool takes many of space to achieve, so it is often used in combination with a multi-level transition in another area. The final result is the illusion that your pool area is along a sandy shore, not just beyond your back door.

Yup, life’s a beach.