top of page

Transform Your Pool Area with Custom Water Features

  • Writer: Grace Zurovec
    Grace Zurovec
  • Jun 9
  • 5 min read
Natural Rock Water Feature - Slide

When it comes to elevating your pool experience, water features are a game-changer. Whether you're aiming to create a serene, spa-like atmosphere or add a touch of drama and elegance, incorporating custom water features into your pool area can transform the space into a luxurious retreat. From soothing waterfalls to dramatic fountains and jets, the options are endless. Let’s explore the different water features that can enhance the aesthetics of your pool while also providing a relaxing, calming environment.


1. Waterfalls: A Natural Focal Point

Waterfalls are one of the most popular and visually stunning water features for pools. They can create a peaceful ambiance while adding a natural element to your outdoor space. Whether you want a small trickling waterfall or a grand, multi-tiered cascade, waterfalls can be designed to suit the style and scale of your pool.


Benefits of Waterfalls:

  • Soothing Sound: The sound of flowing water is universally calming, making waterfalls ideal for creating a tranquil, zen-like environment.

  • Aesthetic Appeal: A waterfall adds visual interest and can serve as the centerpiece of your pool, blending beautifully with landscaping like rocks, plants, and natural stone.

  • Privacy: In addition to their aesthetic benefits, waterfalls can provide a sense of privacy by blocking the view from neighbors or the street.


Design Ideas:

  • Natural Rock Waterfalls: These waterfalls use stacked rocks and stones to mimic the look of a natural spring or stream, blending seamlessly with the landscape.

  • Modern, Sleek Waterfalls: For a contemporary touch, consider a sleek, minimalist waterfall with smooth, clean lines and a sheet of water flowing over a glass or stone surface.


2. Pool Jets and Bubblers: Fun and Functional

Jets and bubblers are dynamic water features that add a playful element to your pool while also providing functional benefits. These features are perfect for those who want a more interactive experience or enjoy adding extra flair to their pool design.


Benefits of Jets and Bubblers:

  • Therapeutic Effect: Jets can be used to create a mini spa experience in your pool, with water gently massaging the back, neck, and shoulders. This makes them ideal for relaxation and unwinding after a long day.

  • Fun for the Family: Bubblers can create a bubbly effect in the pool, making it more fun for kids and adults alike. You can place them in shallow areas for a gentle water flow or near the pool steps for a relaxing foot massage.

  • Visual Appeal: Both jets and bubblers create a lively water display that adds movement and interest to the pool area.


Design Ideas:

  • Scattered Bubblers: Place small bubblers around the pool’s edge for a whimsical effect, making the water surface appear to shimmer and dance.

  • Wall Jets: Jets installed in pool walls or columns create cascading streams of water that can add elegance and motion to the pool.


3. Deck Jets: Sleek and Stylish

Deck jets are small, customizable water features that shoot streams of water into the pool from the deck. These jets create an elegant arc of water, adding beauty and sophistication to your pool without taking up space in the water itself.


Benefits of Deck Jets:

  • Space-Saving: Because deck jets are mounted on the deck rather than in the pool, they don't take up any space in the water, allowing for a clean, open swimming area.

  • Controllable Water Flow: Deck jets can be adjusted to create a subtle mist or a strong, dramatic spray, giving you flexibility in the water effect you want to create.

  • Sophisticated Look: Deck jets create a refined, modern look that can add luxury and style to any pool.


Design Ideas:

  • Multiple Streams: Install several deck jets around the pool to create a dynamic, interactive experience with water arcs shooting into the pool from different angles.

  • Illuminated Deck Jets: Add LED lights to deck jets for a dazzling nighttime display. The soft glow combined with the flowing water creates a magical effect.


4. Grottoes: Hidden Waterfalls for a Tropical Feel

For a more dramatic and private water feature, consider adding a grotto to your pool area. A grotto is essentially a cave-like structure with a waterfall flowing over it, creating a secluded, tropical atmosphere.


Benefits of Grottoes:

  • Private Retreat: Grottoes provide a secluded area where you can relax and enjoy the calming sound of water while being surrounded by rocks and natural materials.

  • Tropical Ambiance: Grottoes evoke a sense of being on an exotic vacation, bringing a tropical, resort-like feel to your backyard.

  • Unique Aesthetic: Grottoes are customizable to fit the style of your pool and can be designed with natural stone, lush plants, and soft lighting for a serene experience.


Design Ideas:

  • Rock-Faced Grotto: Incorporate natural stone to create the look of a hidden cave or waterfall, with lush foliage surrounding the grotto for added privacy.

  • Integrated Hot Tubs: Consider adding a hot tub within the grotto, offering an intimate space to relax while enjoying the waterfall’s soothing sounds.


5. Rain Curtains: A Unique and Calming Effect

Rain curtains are a modern and stylish water feature that involves a thin sheet of water flowing down from above, like a gentle rain. These can be installed as part of a pool wall or as a standalone feature to create a soft, flowing visual effect.


Benefits of Rain Curtains:

  • Visual Elegance: Rain curtains create a gentle, tranquil aesthetic, offering a soothing sound and stunning visual effects as the water cascades down.

  • Privacy and Separation: They can act as a divider between different areas of the pool, such as separating a spa area from the main pool or providing privacy around a lounging area.

  • Low Maintenance: Unlike larger waterfalls or fountains, rain curtains are relatively easy to maintain and can be seamlessly integrated into modern pool designs.


Design Ideas:

  • Vertical Rain Curtains: Install rain curtains along a tall wall or structure to create a dramatic waterfall effect that cascades down into the pool.

  • Interactive Rain Curtains: Make the rain curtain a fun feature by allowing it to be turned on and off, letting you control the flow based on your mood or pool party vibe.


6. Lighted Water Features: Magic After Dark

Lighting can completely transform the look of your pool's water features once the sun goes down. Whether it’s a simple LED light illuminating the flow of a fountain or multi-colored lights in a waterfall, lighting creates a magical ambiance.


Benefits of Lighted Water Features:

  • Enhanced Atmosphere: The right lighting can turn your pool into a nighttime wonderland, creating drama and elegance as the water glows and sparkles.

  • Safety: Proper lighting around water features ensures that the pool area remains safe after dark, helping to prevent accidents.

  • Customization: With LED technology, you can customize the color of your lights, creating different moods or themes for pool parties, family gatherings, or romantic evenings.


Design Ideas:

  • Underwater LED Lighting: Place lights beneath the water’s surface or within water features to create a soft glow and highlight the natural flow of water.

  • Color-Changing Lights: Use color-changing LEDs to match your pool’s aesthetic, whether you're setting the mood for a relaxing evening or hosting a festive gathering.


Conclusion

Custom water features are an excellent way to transform your pool into an extraordinary outdoor oasis. From relaxing waterfalls and playful jets to dramatic fountains and grottos, the right water feature can completely enhance the aesthetic, functionality, and ambiance of your pool area. Whether you want to create a peaceful retreat or a lively space for family fun, water features add both beauty and tranquility to your backyard.


Ready to make a splash? Contact us today to discuss how we can help you design the perfect custom water features for your pool!

Comments


bottom of page