For many homeowners in the Capital Region, a pool is the crown jewel of their vision for their property. They serve as the ultimate area for relaxation and spa-like zen, the perfect place for family and friends to gather, and a paradisical reprieve from the summer heat and chaos of the outside world.

If you already have a pool or intend to install one in the future, taking it to the next level by investing in pool features like waterfalls, lighting, and spas can elevate your backyard from fun to phenomenal. The question is, what are the latest trends in pool design that fit your lifestyle and preferences?

We’re here to explore inground pool upgrades with you, providing the inspiration and information you need to create the pool of your dreams. Whether you’re building a classic backyard oasis or opting for state-of-the-art pool water features, you’ve come to the right place.

Jump To:

Design Elements
Water Features
Spa Options
Pool Lighting
Money-Saving Upgrades
Working with a Pool Pro

Inground Pool Upgrades for Capital Region Homeowners

Design Elements

Pools are incredibly versatile additions to any Capital Region home. In many ways, they take on the personality and lifestyle of the homeowner, giving you the opportunity to make your pool uniquely yours. This starts with the design elements you choose.

While inground pool upgrades like water features and thoughtful lighting tend to steal the show, pool design is more than gorgeous waterfalls and color-changing lights. Opting for materials like natural stone, integrating glass walls, incorporating swim-up bars, and complementing your pool with stunning landscaping and luxurious amenities are all ways to elevate your pool in impactful ways.

For a comprehensive approach to pool design elements, working with a pool design and installation company in the Capital Region is the best path forward. They can take your dream from concept to reality while working within your budget, vision, and lifestyle factors.

Water Features

Many of the major elements of pool design, functionality, and fun come in the form of water features. From creating a relaxing environment full of peaceful ambient sound to encouraging kids to live their childhoods to the fullest, water features for pools bring distinct style and playfulness to your Capital Region oasis.

As with other design elements, the pool water features you can choose are largely limited only by your imagination and your budget. With that in mind, the most popular options when adding a water feature to your pool include waterfalls, fountains, bubblers, scuppers, and spouts.

Pool Waterfalls

Visually stunning and aesthetically pleasing, pool waterfalls are the pinnacle of water features. They are a luxury addition to any pool, and have the added benefits of soothing sounds and enhanced water circulation. That said, waterfalls are expensive to install, require increased maintenance, and can be a safety concern in pools frequented by young children.

Bubblers and Fountains

Similar to waterfalls, adding bubblers or fountains to your pool can enhance the aesthetic, ambiance, and enjoyment of your backyard. While these features do come at a lower price than waterfalls, they also require maintenance and can come with some installation challenges if they are added to a preexisting pool.

Scuppers and Spouts

As more budget-friendly pool water features, scuppers, and decorative pool water spouts excel at creating a playful atmosphere with a minimalist design. They are effective at circulating water, and they both look and sound fantastic. While they do require installation and maintenance, neither one is quite as complicated as waterfalls, bubblers, or fountains.

Spa Options

Swimming pools are relaxing, bringing both reprieve from the summer heat and immaculate poolside vibes for everything from hosting parties to reading a good book. Adding to the zen-like atmosphere that pools provide by integrating a spa can expand on the relaxation opportunities and make your pool a multi-season paradise.

A modern pool with a spa typically allows for enjoyment of both the pool and spa in the same area. Often, they are attached, maximizing the space and versatility of your inground pool. Some of the benefits of integrated spas include energy efficiency (you can use the same pump and filtration system), increased home value, multi-season use, and an upscale aesthetic.

Pool Lighting

Lighting can make or break a landscape, and backyards with pools in the Capital Region are no exception. In fact, pool landscape lighting might be the single most pivotal upgrade you can make to enhance your property and produce the ambiance you’ve always dreamed of.

Pool lighting ideas are not limited to the pool itself (though they often start there). A comprehensive approach to landscape lighting that centers around your pool is what truly distinguishes your atmosphere from the average. To make the most of your pool, you should consider the following benefits of pool landscape lighting, then work with a professional to implement lighting in a streamlined, complementary manner.

Pool Lighting Functionality and Safety

In-pool lighting, lighting markers for pool edges, and surrounding landscape lighting all contribute to a safe environment where a pool can be enjoyed at all hours without increased danger. By drawing attention to pool depth, areas of focus like steps, the edges of pools, and the infrastructure surrounding the area, you can rest assured that everyone is as safe as possible, whether the sun is shining or not.

Not only does pool landscape lighting improve the safety of your pool, but it also increases its usability. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbeque that stretches past dark or going for a late-night swim, adding lighting to your pool practically guarantees that it will see more use.

Pool Lighting Ideas for Aesthetics

The visual appeal of pools is strong during the day, but when the sun starts to set, the ambiance also fades. By investing in pool landscape lighting, you can create the mood you want, no matter how dark it gets.

Light up the water with color, highlight your pool’s water features, emphasize the landscaping that surrounds the area, and set the tone for any occasion. Whether you opt for a mild style that feels peaceful or you keep the party going with vibrant pool lights, one thing is certain: lighting is a beautiful addition to your inground pool.

Maintenance and Money-Saving Upgrades

Focusing on the pool experience is important. You want your pool to be beautiful and functional, and investing in inground pool upgrades that enhance the enjoyment you receive is a phenomenal way to ensure it serves you well for years to come.

However, pool landscape lighting and pool water features are not the only way to improve your investment. There are a number of maintenance and energy efficiency upgrades you can make to your pool that create convenience and save you money in the long run, making these more subtle additions well worth considering.

Energy-Efficient Pool Equipment

While the upfront cost may be higher, opting for energy-efficient pumps and filters can save you a significant amount of money over the lifetime of your pool. Saving energy is saving money, and your pumps and filters are key components of that equation.

This is especially true when they are paired with smart technology and pool automation. These technologies can sense pool needs and ambient factors, then automate everything from filtration and sanitization to heating and lighting.

Pool Covers and Heaters

Speaking of heating, using pool covers to limit evaporation and heat loss can extend the usability of a pool across seasons and help save resources. Other heating methods, like solar heating and heat pumps, can be effective, particularly when paired with smart technologies that minimize waste.

Working with a Pool Pro to Bring Your Vision to Life

When it comes to pool design and installation in the Capital Region and cities such as Saratoga Springs, Albany, and Clifton Park, considering the local climate and regional factors is essential. The same principle applies to the partner you choose to accompany you through the process of upgrading your pool. Local expertise is a must.

Extending the usable season for your pool, incorporating water features that accentuate the natural beauty of the region, and otherwise perfecting your backyard oasis are all considerations that can take your landscape to the next level.

Working with a pool professional helps bring all the elements of your pool and property together into one cohesive masterpiece. With a partner like Gallivan on your side, you can rest assured that your dreams of idyllic poolside memories are in good hands.

We have a long history of helping clients realize their dream pool - with design and installation, we offer a wide range of pool sizes, shapes, and features to fit your lifestyle and preferences. We even have 3D design services that help you visualize your pool and how it will mesh with your existing landscaping before you commit to it.

It all starts with a consultation with our in-house design team. From exploring the latest trends in pool design to developing an actionable plan for your Capital Region home, we will be with you every step of the way, ensuring that your pool features are the perfect fit for your backyard paradise. Contact our team today to schedule your consultation!