| If you have the luxury of having a pool right | | | | suffered from the years of wet feet drudging |
| outside your back door, chances are you and | | | | across it to get to and from the free standing |
| your family spend most of your summer enjoying | | | | pool.o If building a deck isn't on your agenda, |
| it. For many, a pool is a wonderful and fun | | | | consider the landscaping around the pool area. If |
| investment, but if your kids have gotten older | | | | the grass surrounding your pool has suffered, |
| and the pool has been ignored by you and your | | | | consider adding some bushes and shrubs around |
| family - don't get ready to re-do your backyard | | | | the base. It will add an instant frame to the pool |
| just yet. Sure, you may no longer have a use for | | | | area and will also help hide any eyesores. Buying |
| the water noodles and the inflatable alligator | | | | some larger potted plants or ferns for on the |
| anymore, but you can easily turn your water hole | | | | pool deck (if you have the space) will also help |
| from kiddie pool to luxurious get-away by making | | | | create a luxurious and tropical feel for |
| some small adjustments.o First of all, get rid of all | | | | swimmers.o Keep your pool area well lit. Whether |
| of those old and worn pool toys. Keeping them | | | | you like to night swim now or you've always liked |
| around for the "neighbor kids" or your friend's | | | | the idea of it - a well-lit pool area creates a |
| children is not a good idea. Old and dirty pool toys | | | | beautiful and serene scene in the backyard. If |
| are more of an eyesore than anything, and | | | | you're entertaining at night, throwing some light on |
| storing them can be a real pain. If you're looking | | | | the pool can create a beautiful, twinkling back |
| to upgrade the look of your pool - clearing them | | | | drop. Installing some ground level spot lights on |
| out is the first step. If you'd like some inflatable | | | | the pool will help you to instantly throw some light |
| rafts for you and your friends (and even the | | | | on the area without being too overwhelming.o |
| neighbor kids) to lounge on, head to the local pool | | | | Finally, the best way to create a beautiful pool |
| store at the close of the summer. Your new | | | | area in your backyard is to make sure you keep |
| inflatables will be much cheaper at this time of | | | | your pool well maintained. Having a pool is a |
| year.o If you have a freestanding, above ground | | | | luxury, but it's also an investment that needs care. |
| pool in the backyard, chances are it's not the | | | | By keeping up with maintenance and routine |
| most beautiful sight to look out on. By building a | | | | cleanings, you can be sure that when you go to |
| deck spanning from a back door that connects to | | | | do the job - nothing gets too built up - causing |
| the pool area, you've instantly made your above | | | | you more work than necessary. If you know |
| ground pool look as though it's built into the yard. | | | | you're going to be out of town for a few weeks |
| You can do great things when you have a deck | | | | in the summer, invest in an electronic pool cleaner |
| and pool area combined into one. Pool parties, | | | | that will help you while you're gone. By keeping |
| barbeques, and other family gatherings can be | | | | your pool clean and following some of the other |
| held on the deck while kids (and adults) can splash | | | | guidelines spelled out in this article - you'll be doing |
| in the pool a few feet away. It's also a great way | | | | you, your home, and your family a favor. |
| to hide the worn down lawn that may have | | | | |