7 Reasons Why You Need a Home Swimming Pool

There are currently 10.7 million swimming pools in the U.S. The average inground pool costs around $35,000 but increases the home value by up to 7%. Florida has more pools—1.5 million—than any other state.

Outdoor entertaining spaces with seating arrangements, firepits, kitchens, patios, decks, and a home swimming pool is trending. These outdoor areas expand your home entertainment area, providing a relaxing atmosphere for everything from an adult-only cocktail party, a kiddie birthday, or an all-inclusive family gathering.

Keep reading to learn why installing a pool needs to rank #1 on your list of home improvements.

1. Family Time

Today’s on-the-run lifestyle makes family time more important than ever. One of the easiest ways to get everyone off social media and gaming is to gather in the water. This is the perfect way for everyone to participate in fun, low-impact exercise.

Action-packed pool activities include swimming races, water polo, water volleyball, swimming pool basketball, noodle jousting, and more. Take a break to grab lunch or dinner while relaxing on your custom-designed pool deck, then work off those calories by enjoying another dip in the pool.

Bonus—after all that physical activity, the kids will sack out early, giving you plenty of free adult time.

2. Increase Property Value

If you’re looking for a significant boost to your outdoor entertaining space and a way to add value to your home later, you can’t go wrong with a swimming pool installation. A quality pool that is well maintained is a “must-have” for home buyers in Florida.

If several neighbors have swimming pools, not having one may work to your disadvantage, decreasing your property's marketability.

If your property has a value of $300,000, and you install an inground pool, you’ll likely boost your property value by about $21,000. That increase does not include the additional value you get from having an entire outdoor living space. Adding a fire pit, patio, pergola, and outdoor kitchen can further boost resale value.

Most homeowners recoup 78% of their cost from a built-in fire pit. Adding a pergola or extended roof gives a return of about 50%. When you include an outdoor kitchen in your backyard improvements, you'll see a return on investment of 100% to 200%.

Bottom line—don’t just add a swimming pool. Go for the gusto on your backyard improvement plans to get the biggest bang for your buck when you’re ready to sell.

3. Visual Appeal

When you create an outdoor living space that includes a home swimming pool, you add curb appeal to your backyard. Even if your guests never take a plunge, the relaxing, beautiful reflections on the water create ambiance.

A bubbler is an inexpensive fountain that adds the appealing sound of running water. A scupper creates a small stream, moving water from one area to another. You can add a small waterfall to the pool for a dramatic effect.

Custom pools are works of beauty, blending in with the landscape. Adding one or two custom features to the pool can significantly impact the overall visual appeal of your backyard.

4. Home Swimming Pool Parties

Whether six or sixty, pool parties are quick, easy, and appeal to everyone. Provide hand-held munchies, disposable plates and utensils, and a covered trash bin so party attendees clean up after themselves. With guests hanging outside, there are no indoor messes to clean up when the group leaves.

Teens and adults love the fun of a Hawaiian Luau with tiki lights and music or a beach bummer gathering with flip-flops, brightly colored pool floats, and Beach Boys music. For the smaller set, theme the party after The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, or Dolphin Tale, and you’ll be the hit of the block.

Regardless of age, provide some fun party favors like wild and wacky sunglasses, beach balls, Hawaiian lei, inflatable drink holders, and water pistols. They provide fun during the party, and everyone takes home a souvenir.

5. Healthy Gym Alternative

If those good intentions of hitting the gym 2-3 times a week end up being 2-3 times a month, a backyard pool is a perfect solution. Swimming is easy on the joints while providing an excellent cardiovascular workout. This is especially beneficial to anyone with arthritis, sore joints, or muscle problems.

Pool exercises help you meet fitness goals in your own backyard with no membership fees. In addition to swimming laps, you can do water aerobics, bicycle kicks, jumping jacks, and jogging to get the body moving.

6. Swimming Lessons

No matter where you live or travel, there is always the risk of a child falling into the water. Drowning is the number one cause of death for children in Florida between one to four years old. Learning how to swim is imperative to survive a misstep, and what better location than at home in your own pool?

Teaching children to swim at home saves money and allows them to learn at their own pace, not that of an entire class. Your child’s ability to swim gives you ease of mind. You don’t need to worry whether they can survive if they accidentally end up in a friend’s pool.

7. Affordable Upgrade

A pool increases your home value, and financing options are available. You can reap the benefits without saving for years or emptying your bank account.

Pool loans are designed to finance the construction and installation of a built-in pool or spa and do not require collateral. They are usually available with a fixed interest rate, and terms vary from a few years to several decades.

The loan can help you cover all costs relating to the pool, including excavating, pool equipment, landscaping, and installation. You may be able to secure this type of loan through a credit union or bank; some lenders specialize in pool loans, and some pool companies may offer financing.

Set up the pool as a focal point when sketching your backyard ideas. When deciding on pool deck materials and design, you can incorporate your outdoor kitchen and seating so everything blends aesthetically.

Outdoor Pool Living

When planning an outdoor living space that incorporates the needs of family time, adult entertaining, health benefits, and a home swimming pool, you need a professional team that can bring it all together.

At Outdoor Escapes, we assist you with everything from concept design to installation. We custom design your backyard to fit your needs, including a pool patio, outdoor sitting areas, kitchen, fire pits, and more. To learn what we can do for you, call us at (407) 456-7000, or use our contact form to tell us your needs.

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