Swimming is the most popular recreational activity for children and teens between the ages of seven and 17 in the United States. Even having the most simplistic pool on your property can be great for the whole family, but there are so many custom pool designs and pool renovations that give it an aesthetic and practical boost.

Keep in mind, it’s best to work with experienced pool contractors whenever you’re upgrading your pool.

Here are some great swimming pool renovations to consider this year:

• Install LED lights — Conventional floodlights and other basic pool lighting can look fine, but imagine how awesome your pool will look at night with LED lighting. This kind of lighting is much more energy efficient than other options and can look incredible.
• Waterline Tile — Updating your pool’s waterline tile will give it a much more modern and visually appealing look. If you really want to transform your pool’s appearance, combine the waterline tile with entire deck and pool resurfacing jobs, as well.
• Handrails — Handrails are not only extremely safe, but they can improve the pool’s accessibility and boost its appearance, as well. Rather than installing shiny metal handrails, which can be extremely hot and even burn hands in triple-digit temperatures, consider installing powder-coated handrails.
• Tanning Ledge — A tanning ledge — also known as a Baja step — is a large, flat, shallow surface in a pool that is extremely popular in resort pools. But you can have your very own lounge chair in your backyard pool after installing an underwater tanning ledge.
• Efficient Pool Pump — Though new poolside equipment isn’t exactly the nicest thing to look at, it can end up saving you money. Pool experts say a variable-speed pump can end up saving a significant amount of money and even pay for itself within one to three years.

Instead of just having a plain, boring pool, consider making some aesthetic upgrades. You, your entire family, and everyone who comes over for a swim with love it! If you want to learn more about custom pool renovations and work with experienced pool contractors, give Challenger Pools a call right away.

Yes, you enjoy your yard. That’s a good thing! But there’s always room for improvement, right? If that’s how you’re feeling, then you are not alone. According to the responses of 56% of the people participating in a Houzz study, people want to make their yards more friendly for entertaining. Here are five ways they are doing this.

They are Calling Pool Contractors
Swimming is an extremely popular sport. It is also a very popular leisure activity, and residential pools are a great feature for a home. People who are interested in improving their yards are calling pool contractors. They can find out about what is involved in having a pool installed in their yard. Do they need an above ground pool or in-ground pool? What would be best in their yard? A pool contractor can also handle questions about spas and other water features for the yard and the pool area.

Call Landscaping Professionals
Dramatic lighting, flowering trees, flower beds, custom stonework and more are all fantastic features that and add to the dramatic impact and monetary value of your property.

Call Home Improvement Specialists
One of the most popular features to add to outdoor property has to do with cooking and cuisine. In fact, the home design site Houzz has compiled data which indicates that barbecues or grills are one of the top three selections when homeowners are making improvements their yards and outdoor areas. It has been reported that outdoor kitchens are being added to the backyards of 14% of consumers.

Call Trainers and Doctors
Pool contractors will tell you that a really good reason to add a pool to your property is for your overall health and general well-being. Swimming is a wonderful exercise! A call to your doctor or your trainer will confirm this. It gives a great cardiovascular workout since it is more difficult to move in water than it is to move through the air. Water is much denser than air, actually ten times denser, so the increased resistance translates to a fantastic workout.

Respondents to the Spring Landscaping Trends Study by Houzz in 2014 overwhelmingly endorsed their backyards. In fact, 83% said it was “an ideal entertaining space.” If you are thinking about updating your yard, professionals such as landscapers, pool contractors, and home improvement specialists will help make your dream a reality.

As a property owner, you should never neglect your landscape. You may spend more time indoors, but that doesn’t mean you should let your backyard go to waste. Don’t know where to start? There are plenty of things you can do to turn a boring backyard into a beautiful and valuable piece of property. Let’s take a look at some excellent ideas that will transform your backyard and entire landscape into the nicest-looking and most valuable property in your neighborhood:

• Swimming Pool — Installing a swimming pool is the perfect way to transform a boring backyard into a vibrant one. No matter the size or shape of your landscape, there are plenty of custom pool designs that will be perfect for your property. No more hiding inside on nice summer days. Now, you’ll be able to relax by the water as your kids have fun splashing around in the pool.
• Outdoor Kitchen — Landscape architects who specialize in residential design were asked to rate the expected popularity of a variety of outdoor design elements: outdoor living spaces, defined as kitchens and entertainment areas, were the second most popular project at 92%. Having an outdoor kitchen on your property is perfect for throwing a barbecue and spending more time in your backyard, as well as having fun with family, friends, and neighbors.
• Garden — A nice garden can add character to your yard and tie your landscaping together. You can start off small, but as long as you keep working at it and focus on maintaining healthy plants, your garden will start to grow and end up looking magnificent. You don’t have to be a professional botanist or horticulturist to grow a few nice-looking and healthy plants on your property. Do a little research online, purchase some mulch and necessary equipment, and get to work on your new backyard (or front yard) garden.

Don’t let your backyard go underutilized any longer. It’s time to improve the look, feel, and worth of your entire property. If you want to learn more about how some of these projects can boost your property’s appearance and value, or work with professionals who are experienced at constructing outdoor kitchens and swimming pools, give Challenger Pools a call right away!