Top 10 Awesome Swimming Pool Features to Add to Your SoCal Poolscape

Exciting new features and fresh designer touches can transform your swimming pool and spa into a custom haven of fun and relaxation designed just for you! From bold fire elements casting sparkling reflections to burbling waterfalls to energy-saving LED Color lighting that you can control from your phone, you can add both style and functionality to your outdoor living space. At Gardner Outdoor and Pool Remodeling, we’ve completed over 44,000 remodel projects in Southern California over the past 49 years, so we know a thing or two about swimming pool features. Here are just a few of our favorites.

1. The Custom Grotto

Let’s face it. We all still enjoy having a secret get-a-way like when we were kids. Custom caves and grottos can be added to pools, creating a private space in which to chill out, get away from it all or simply hide. Done right, they can provide a feeling of being miles away in a secluded oasis of your own. Besides they’re just plain fun!

2. The Waterfall

Is any swimming pool feature as idyllic as the waterfall? A well-designed and built waterfall will add a striking and very unique feature to your swimming pool, while the sound of the bubbling, free-flowing water brings a sense of peace and serenity.

3. The Fountain

Fountains can be as basic or as ornate as you choose. They are a great way to customize your poolscape and create a signature design in your backyard, possibly becoming a much-needed focal point for your design aesthetic. Like waterfalls, fountains add moving water to your poolscape to bring another dimension of sight and sound. Don’t forget to take advantage of available spectacular fountain lighting to create a nighttime fantasy.

4. The Sheer Descent

Sheer descents are a popular choice for modern pools because of their crisp lines and sleek edges. They give many of the benefits of fountains and waterfalls while keeping the swimming pool minimalist, modern and a much smaller price tag. Available in various lengths and ability to be lit from inside, they can be placed almost anywhere in the pool and add the sound and beauty of a smooth sheet of falling water.

5. The Beach Entry

Swapping out pool steps and ladders with a gently sloped beach entry has been a top pool remodel around Southern California for a number of years, especially for those who want an easier access point. This attractive pool renovation pool renovation can include a transition of materials from dry to wet. At the same time, it provides a dual-purpose; easy access and a comfortable place to cool off without having to actually get in the pool.

6. The Tanning Ledge

The tanning ledge, also known as the baja reef or shamu shelf, is a fun swimming pool feature perfect for lounging and soaking up some much needed vitamin D. For those with little ones, it can serve as a great spot to splash and play with youngsters without wading into the deeper water. With the addition of an umbrella and a couple of lounge chairs, you’ll find yourself transport to a Caribbean island. Oh, waiter!

7. The Swim-Up Bar

Who wants to get out of the pool to eat or drink? Popular at many resorts, the swim-up bar with built-in bar stools is a fun and unique element to add to your pool. It’s a way to enjoy the water while also enjoying a drink or snack. Connect it to an outdoor and kitchen and you’ve got the ultimate party space.

8. Pool Mosaics

Adding a pool mosaic as part of your renovation project will make your swimming pool uniquely you. From geometric designs to animals to favorite sports team logos, pool mosaics allow you to express your individuality. They can even be custom designed to be almost anything you like. You might want to check out our creative Mosaic Game.

9. The Fire Pit

Add a whole different dynamic to your backyard with a firepit. Perfect for cool nights, they add light and warmth to your backyard. A firepit will quickly become the go-to place for your guests during any party. Concerned that you don’t have a lot of room? No problem. Look into a zero elevation firepit where you can turn it on during cool evenings or place a lounge chair over it when not in use.

10. The Lighting

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to showcase your poolscape is to update your pool lighting. Plus, by upgrading to LED lighting, you’ll be doing both your wallet and the environment a favor. Lighting styles and options have greatly expanded over the years to let you control the colors and mood of your backyard. Talk to an Outside Consultant to learn more about the almost endless possibilities.

With over 44,000 outdoor and pool remodeling projects completed, we at Gardner Outdoor and Pool Remodeling have done it all. If you want to add any of these ideas to your Southern California swimming pool, contact an Outside Consultant. Or, if you simply want to update your coping, replaster your pool, or upgrade your plumbing and equipment, we can do that, too.

About The Company

Gardner Outdoor and Pool Remodeling has been serving the Southern California area since 1969. As one of only 50 licensed PebbleTec® applicators in the entire United States and the exclusive SoCal referral partner of Leslie’s Pool Supplies, Gardner Remodeling is the premier pool contractor in San Diego County, LA County, Orange County, and Palm Springs.

Gardner Outdoor and Pool Remodeling completes over 1,600 projects each year and has completed over 44,000 projects in the Southern California area. They focus solely on swimming pools and the surrounding landscaping and specialize in all aspects of pool remodeling, including pool finishes, pool tile, pool coping, pool mosaics, plumbing and electrical work, and both commercial and residential swimming pools.

As the only pool remodeling company with three showrooms to serve you – in El Cajon, Anaheim, and Indio – Gardner Outdoor and Pool Remodeling has over 170 employees and has three levels of management to ensure the quality of every project. Gardner Remodeling maintains an A+ rating with the BBB and is certified by the ASPS, IPSA, and National Plasterers Council. Take a look at their gallery for inspiration and contact them to get started on your pool remodeling project.