Regretting anything about your pool build?

A

Alberto Manolas

New member
I’m in the early planning stages of getting a pool, and I keep hearing about things people wish they had done differently—whether it’s not getting a tanning ledge, going too small on the steps, or picking the wrong surface. For those who’ve been through it, what’s one thing you’d absolutely change if you could do it again?
 
Ohhh, where do I start? 😆 I love my pool, but I wish I’d gone deeper..ours is only 5.5 feet, and my husband (who’s 6’2”) can basically just stand there. Also, I skipped a baja shelf to save money, and now I really wish I had one for lounging. If you’re still planning, I’d say think about how you’ll actually use the pool. What’s the must-have feature for you?
 
Hey Alberto,

Good question and yeah, there are a couple of things I’d do differently if I had the chance. The biggest one for me? I went with a basic concrete finish to save some money, and I kinda wish I’d splurged on something a bit nicer. It’s rougher on the feet than I expected, and it shows dirt pretty fast.

Also, I didn’t think I needed a tanning ledge at first… now I really wish I had one. Not even for sunbathing, but just to sit and relax with a drink or for the kids to play in shallow water. It’s one of those features you don’t realize you’d love until it’s not there.

If I could go back, I’d also rethink the step placement. They’re fine, but they feel a little awkward when getting in and out. Just stuff you don’t think about until you’re actually using the pool regularly.

So yeah, my advice: think about how you’ll actually use the pool day to day, not just how it’ll look when it’s finished. Hope that helps a bit!
 
That’s a great question and honestly, hearing what people regret can be just as helpful (if not more) than hearing what went right.

If I could go back and change one thing, I’d make the shallow end a bit bigger. At the time, I thought we’d be swimming laps more often, so we went with a deeper overall layout. Turns out, most of the time we’re just standing around, relaxing, or tossing a ball around with the kids. The shallow space feels a little cramped when there are a few people in the pool. Would’ve been nice to have more room where you can stand comfortably.

Another thing, I didn’t think much about shade during the planning stage. Now that we’ve had the pool for a couple seasons, I wish I had worked a small pergola or shade sail into the original design. Midday sun can be brutal, and dragging umbrellas around gets old fast.

I’ll also say this: I skipped the tanning ledge, thinking it was just a visual thing. Now I’m seeing how useful it actually is. Friends with little kids use it all the time, and it’s also perfect for just lounging half-in, half-out of the water without committing to a full swim.

Every pool’s different, but those are the things that stood out for me. Definitely worth thinking about how you actually plan to use it day to day, that helped me more than any brochure.
 
If I had to do mine over again, I’d definitely add a tanning ledge and a bit more shade. At the time, I thought both were just extras, but now I see how much they add to comfort and usability. We end up dragging umbrellas around, and it’s not the same. I’d also upgrade the finish, cheaper plaster looks fine at first but wears fast. Small choices during the build end up making a big difference once you start using the pool daily.
 
If I could go back, I’d definitely plan for better lighting and more deck space. I underestimated how much time we’d spend around the pool instead of in it. At night, the area felt too dim, and adding lights later was way pricier than doing it during the build. Also, a few extra feet of deck makes a big difference when you’ve got chairs, towels, and kids running around. Little design details like that don’t seem huge on paper, but once you start using the pool every day, they’re the things you notice most.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top