Many pool owners dream of a backyard oasis, but think stunning pool water features are only for concrete pools. This misconception means vinyl pool owners miss out on the chance to transform their space into a resort-style retreat with exciting upgrades like cascading waterfalls, creative LED lighting, and in-pool seating or swim-up bars. Without these, their pool remains a pool, not the staycation paradise they truly desire.

The truth is, vinyl pools can be enhanced with these features! These vinyl pool upgrades boost beauty and significantly improve ambiance, functionality, and enjoyment, turning any pool into the staycation paradise you've always wanted.

Water Features: From Pool Waterfalls to Fountains

Enhance your pool with moving water features like waterfalls, fountains, or jets. The sight and sound of flowing water create a luxurious, calming atmosphere, transforming your pool into a focal point with the feel of a high-end resort. Versatile designs, from natural rock waterfalls to sleek sheer descents, add visual interest and luxury to any backyard.

• Visual and Sensory Appeal: Beyond their beauty, waterfalls and fountains engage the other senses. The sound of falling water is a calming quality that helps people unwind and de-stress. It’s like having a natural sound machine in your yard – the gentle cascade can mask distant traffic or neighbourhood noise, making your space feel more private and peaceful. Many homeowners find that sitting poolside listening to a waterfall after a long day is like their miniature spa trip. The serene soundscape and shimmering motion of water together create a truly tranquil environment.
  
  
• Practical Benefits of Moving Water: Water features aren’t just for looks; they can improve your pool’s environment in practical ways, too. Constant circulation helps distribute heat and chemicals more evenly in the pool water. This means fewer cold spots and potentially cleaner water with less algae growth, since the added aeration introduces oxygen that helps keep water fresh.
  
  
• Fun and Increased Enjoyment: Installing a water feature often has the delightful side effect of getting everyone to use the pool more. Kids, for example, absolutely love interactive features. Your pool could become their favourite hangout spot once you add something like a waterfall or a spraying fountain. Even adults swim more often simply because the pool area is more inviting and interesting.

Popular Pool Water Features

If you’re considering adding a water feature to your vinyl pool, you have plenty of options to choose from:

• Waterfalls: Pool waterfalls can be built from natural rock for a lagoon-like feel or installed as a contemporary sheer descent sheet of water. Larger waterfalls create a dramatic focal point and the sound of falling water. Smaller waterfalls or cascading spillways are ideal for compact spaces, still offering that tranquil sound. Many vinyl pool owners can integrate beautiful waterfalls—some units sit at the waterline, so no special raised wall is required.
  
  
• Fountains & Deck Jets: Fountains add elegance and fun, ranging from simple spillover bowls to deck jets that shoot arcs of water into the pool. Deck jets can stream graceful plumes, often enhanced with LED lights. Fountains can be elaborate sculptures or simple floating sprays. A few small deck jets create a lively atmosphere, especially for kids. When not in use, many jets can sit flush with the deck.
  
  
• Bubblers: Bubblers are small gushers from shallow areas (tanning ledge or steps) that create an enchanting bubbling effect. They make a gentle burbling sound and a cool visual accent. Bubblers are easy to install and budget-friendly, using recirculated pool water. They provide a fun splash pad for little ones and a spa-like ambiance for adults. Multiple bubblers can be installed on a wide shallow step for a dynamic feature.

Upgrade your pool to a resort-inspired oasis with customizable water features like fountains, waterfalls, or bubblers. Vinyl pools are compatible with all features. Work with a pool professional to choose the ideal water feature for your space and instantly elevate your backyard.

LED Pool Lighting Ideas to Enhance Ambiance and Safety

If water features bring your pool to life during the day, LED pool lighting brings it to life after dark. Upgrading your pool’s lighting is one of the easiest ways to change its mood and extend your swimming hours. On a warm summer night in London, there’s nothing better than taking an evening dip in a beautifully lit pool. With the flip of a switch (or a tap on your phone), today’s LED lights can make your vinyl pool glow in any colour you choose, from tranquil blues to party pinks. Let’s consider how creative lighting can transform your backyard pool design.

• Ambiance and Beauty After Sunset: Modern LED pool lights offer versatile programming for solid colours or dynamic shows. Set them to soft turquoise for a resort feel or vivid magenta for parties. LED technology lets homeowners set the mood for any occasion. Many systems have pre-programmed themes or allow custom sequences. Accentuate features like waterfalls with LED lights for dramatic areas of interest.
  
  
• Safety and Extended Enjoyment: A well-lit pool is safer after dark, preventing slips and accidents. Strategically placed lights illuminate all areas, including steps and edges. Proper pool lighting significantly improves nighttime visibility, highlighting hazards. This provides peace of mind and extends usable hours, allowing you to linger by the pool well into the night. In Canada, this extra pool time is a huge bonus!
  
  
• Creative LED Lighting Ideas: Integrate LEDs for pool function and flair. Standard underwater LED lights in walls (deep, shallow, or a single fixture for small pools) offer colour-changing effects like fades and strobes. Install LEDs on steps or ledges for safety and style. Explore LED bubblers, waterfall backlighting, rope lights under coping/pathways, and landscape lighting. LEDs are energy-efficient, saving power. Smart controls via apps/voice commands are available. LED upgrades enhance pool safety, appeal, and personalization.

In-Pool Seating and Swim-Up Bars: Resort-Style Luxury at Home

Swim-up seating for pools is a popular vinyl pool upgrade, adding luxury and functionality. This wet/dry setup features underwater barstools in a shallow area and a poolside counter. Enjoy refreshments without leaving the water, while those on the patio serve easily. It merges your pool with your outdoor entertaining space for ultimate fun. Swim-up seating transforms your backyard.

The Ultimate Entertaining Spot: A swim-up bar elevates pool parties, providing a social area where swimmers can enjoy snacks or beverages without leaving the water. It takes poolside entertaining to the next level, allowing friends to enjoy drinks and appetizers without leaving the water. You could even incorporate an outdoor TV near the bar to watch a big game or one of your favourite shows while enjoying the serenity of your pool. It truly makes your backyard the go-to spot for summer get-togethers.

Fun for the Whole Family: Swim-up bars are fantastic for kids, too. The pool’s bar area is a shallow bench with a countertop, perfect for kids to take a break and enjoy juice or ice cream. It works just as well for serving soft drinks, smoothies, and snacks to kids in the pool as for adult beverages. Parents can supervise while children perch happily in the water. It’s an all-ages upgrade that makes pool days more enjoyable for everyone.

Space-Saving and Convenient Design: Adding a swim-up bar can save space by combining your pool and outdoor dining area. It connects directly to your outdoor kitchen, creating a centralized hub. The bar’s countertop on the dry side can be part of an outdoor kitchen island or built against the pool wall, serving a dual purpose. Modern products make installation feasible in many existing pools, including those with vinyl liners.

Adding a Resort Feel to Your Backyard: Adding a seating area in your pool instantly creates the feeling of a luxury vacation spot at home. Enjoy your morning coffee or wind down in the evening with a drink. The swim-up bar brings some Caribbean resort fantasy to your suburban backyard. It’s also a great conversation piece. Combined with waterfalls and mood lighting, a swim-up bar completes the oasis package. You’ll find yourself spending more time outdoors.

Bringing It All Together: Backyard Pool Design Ideas for a Personal Paradise

Upgrading your pool with waterfalls, LED lighting, and swim-up seating is a fantastic way to maximize your investment and enrich your outdoor lifestyle. These enhancements turn a plain pool into the centerpiece of a stunning outdoor living space. The water features bring beauty and relaxation, the lighting adds mood and safety for nighttime fun, and the in-pool seating creates a social hub reminiscent of luxury resorts. Together, they truly transform your backyard into an at-home paradise. So go ahead and envision the possibilities for your vinyl pool: the calm retreat you crave or the party-perfect oasis for friends and family. With the right combination of features, your backyard pool will increase your home’s value and curb appeal and provide endless hours of enjoyment and memories under the sun (and stars!). Your dream resort awaits right outside your door – no passport required.

Contact us to dive in and start creating your backyard paradise today.