Having a personal pool is the best way to achieve both luxury and amusement in an outdoor living oasis totally customizable for each household—but like everything worthwhile, it takes planning, time, education, options and upkeep. Modern options can take a pool to the next level with exciting colors, lighting, designs, shapes and add-on features. The variability within and surrounding a pool is what expands it into much more than a place to swim.

It is that stark distinction between personalized pools across the region that makes them so impressive. By starting fresh, or by updating an already existing outdoor living space, homeowners can expand their home to the backyard with every member of the family’s unique preferences. It might even be the favorite hang-out spot all summer long to encourage fresh air, staying active and spending time away from screens.

House & Home magazine spoke with local pool and deck specialists to learn more about “taking the plunge” into pool designs, installation and maintenance.

What are the most popular pool options that homeowners have incorporated within the past year?
“Recently, people with smaller backyards are putting in large wading pools that are not deep, more for relaxing and having cocktails. They are also using low voltage lighting for a more relaxing atmosphere.”
—Donald Panetta, owner of D. Panetta Contracting, LLC

“Water purification systems, salt water systems, quartz ozone systems, and water features like waterfalls and raised walls with waterfalls coming off of them [are most popular]. Then, blossoming into landscape items like a poolside cabana, a bar area [or] sun lounges. Probably about 60%-65% of the pools that we build have sun lounges in them. …[In addition,] we offer fire features, a swim-up bar area, outdoor kitchens and cabanas. There’s a wide spectrum of choices out there, it just depends on what's going to fit into everybody’s wants and budgets.”
—Dominic DiCesare, general manager of Blue Haven Pools & Spas by Calvitti

How does one decide what styles and features are best for them? 
“First, we discuss the goals of the customer and I try to get an understanding of the type of person the customer is. If the customer’s home has a flow that should be continued in the yard, I steer the customer toward a freeform [pool] that has curves that can accentuate the existing flow. If the customer likes lines and geometric shapes and the house reflects this style, I steer the customer toward a rectangle pool that will continue the existing aesthetic of the property. This is not a definite process for all customers because some rectangles have the features that a customer is looking for, but the property has a flow that would lend itself to a freeform. If this is the case, I make suggestions for hardscaping and landscaping that will shift the sharp angles of the rectangle pool toward a flow of green space and curved pavers and deck space.”—Derek Blasker, owner of Pool Designs

What are some features that can transform a pool into an outdoor living space? 
“There are many elements or features that can transform your pool area into an outdoor living space [including] adding an outdoor kitchen with dining area, firepit area, a sitting area with gazebo, or adding outdoor low-voltage lighting to bring your outdoor living to life.”—Donald Panetta

“To transform a pool into an outdoor ‘living’ space it would need to have areas for relaxation such as a tanning deck, seats, a spa—features that encourage family and guests to spend time in the pool and not just around it. Some type of shade from the sun is also needed to use the pool as an area for relaxation. Some chose a large umbrella for the tanning deck and recently we’ve even installed a motorized retractable shade over the pool to allow the children to play outside in the water for longer during the hotter days.

When planning a full backyard renovation or new-build masterplan, homeowners should think about how they can make their life easier through automation. Planning this from the beginning makes everything flow so much easier. If you’re going to have a pool, a spa, speakers, a retractable shade and fire feature it would be worth doing some research on how these can all be brought together via a single voice control system, for example.”
—Keith Frederick, owner of ELA Outdoor Living

How has technology changed over the years?
“Technology has moved toward more automation and less personal maintenance of the pool. Customers can control their pump, heat and lights from an app on their phone. This app can also be linked to the water features and landscape lighting. Robotic cleaners can clean the pool floor, walls and tile line. There are solar powered cleaners that float on the pool surface and target debris that is floating at the top, which cuts down on clogging the skimmer. Salt generators, UV/ozone generators and acid feeders allow for easier chemical maintenance and greater sanitation and pH regulation.”
—Derek Blasker

What colors and designs are trending most for pool decks?
“Stamped concrete is one of the most customizable materials out there for outdoor living. We can match almost any aesthetic—from rustic to ultra-modern—using a variety of stamps that mimic stone, brick, tile or wood. …We’re seeing a strong trend toward cool, coastal-inspired color palettes—think soft grays, driftwood tones, and light taupes. These hues not only create a sophisticated, calming atmosphere, but they also stay cooler underfoot, which is ideal for sunny pool environments. Pattern-wise, large-format slate textures remain popular for their clean lines and modern appeal. Another standout trend is the wood plank stamp in weathered, beachy tones—it offers the warmth and charm of natural wood with the durability of concrete.”
—Steve Abel, managing partner of Architectural Concrete Design

How should deck design vary between the different areas of an outdoor living space?
“Many of our clients are extending their pool decks into full backyard living spaces with outdoor kitchens, dining areas and fire features. In those cases, we often use complementary designs to help visually zone each area. For example, we might use a slate pattern around the pool and transition to a wood plank look under a pergola or outdoor kitchen. In some cases, we use the same pattern throughout but shift the coloring or finish to create contrast. These layered designs make the entire space feel cohesive and intentional.”
—Steve Abel

What is the best pool water system?
“We've been [offering] salt water for about 20 years—we’re 100% salt water. …It’s much healthier. You're [converting] natural salt into chlorine, but it's more user-friendly. It's less irritating to the skin, to the eyes—especially for people who have skin conditions, it's a lot better.”
—Dominic DiCesare

How do you balance functionality with aesthetics when it comes to customization? 
“I believe the outside should be an extension of the home’s architecture, but also of the owners’ personalities. If someone has a large enough yard and is more of a creative energy, they might want a freeform pool with natural flowing curves and unique features. You can add features to any pool, but the freeform or kidney-shaped pools allow for really interesting additions. …[Fiberglass pools] offer lots of different shapes and sizes and are customizable to a certain extent with waterfalls, slides, lighting, coping options and the pool deck.”
—Keith Frederick

RESOURCES

Architectural Concrete Design
Levittown, Pa.
(866) 956-2818
ACDConcrete.com

Blue Haven Pools & Spas by Calvitti
Serving N.J., Pa. & Del.
(800) 219-2141
BlueHaven.com

D. Panetta Contracting, LLC 
Randolph, N.J.
(973) 659-9374
DPanettaContracting.com

ELA Outdoor Living 
Doylestown, Pa.
(215) 794-2400
ELAOutdoorLiving.com

Pool Designs 
Yardville, N.J.
(609) 257-2279
PoolInADay.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 25, Issue 3 (March/April 2025)
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