25 posts tagged with "health"

Introduction.​

It is essential to keep your home energy-efficient. But there are a few complicated parts of the house that give a hard time in saving energy. Swimming pools can serve as one of the most prominent house features; that complicate the energy-saving process.

Swimming pools are not just spaces filled with water but are giant complex machines, using a lot of energy to keep running and staying sanitary. You would be surprised if you get to know the amount of energy taken by your swimming pool, no matter big or small. Unfortunately, most of the energy that is used by the pools goes to waste. This becomes a source of detriment to the environment, the pool owner, and the swimming pool itself.

Since sustainability has influenced almost everything globally, from architecture to travel, the pool industries are constantly developing new products geared around maximizing a minimum use of energy.

What is an Energy-Efficient Pool?​

When the summer arrives, most of us want to plan a gathering at the poolside and have a nice dip in the cold water. Pools are an excellent source of family and friends bonding and fun material throughout the year. Many pool owners often complain about spending a hefty amount of money building and powering their swimming pools. Still, its maintenance costs often outweigh all the pros, leaving them with only cons. Therefore, as the name suggests, a swimming pool that saves energy is energy-efficient. There are a lot of ways to maintain and manage energy-efficient pools effectively. It would save time and money that is needed in so many other essential aspects of life.

How can you make your pool more energy-efficient?​

Have a look below to know how you can make your pools run on minimum energy and provide maximum enjoyment.

Use Solar Energy.

Make great use of the sun by employing solar covers/blankets and solar heaters in your swimming pools. These solar heaters would absorb thermal energy from the sun and keep the pool water warm. The solar panels trap the solar energy to warm the pool water during the day, while the solar blankets, with the help of their bubble-wrap-like air pockets, maintain the pool's temperature at night by trapping the sun rays inside them.

Additionally, installing solar heaters and covers in your pools helps you save around 60% to 70% of the heating costs. The only issue with these solar heaters is when the climate makes the collection almost impossible to heat. Otherwise, you are good to go.

Decrease Water Evaporation.

According to research, the most significant part of energy in swimming pools is consumed by water evaporation. The surface evaporation of water causes around 80% to 90% of the temperature loss of the water pool, whether it is an indoor or an outdoor water body. Mathematically, a single gallon of evaporated water takes approximately 8500 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of energy and around 1.5 inches of water every week.

Water evaporation in pools can be caused by several factors. For example, a larger surface area, water temperature, humidity, wind, and pool usage. Since these factors are almost impossible to eradicate, buying a pool cover seems the best option.

Covering your pools when not in use can prevent water evaporation to about 96%, thus making your pool more energy-efficient.

Give Your Pool Lights an Update.

Well-lit swimming pools give you countless nights to enjoy a late-night swim peacefully under the stars. However, you are aware that pool lights are not a cheap investment to make. Therefore, the type of pool lights you install in your water bodies will make a vast difference in their energy consumption.

There are three most-used types of pool lights available.

Incandescent lights: These bulbs are one of the least energy-efficient bulbs because they get boiling just within no time.

Halogen lights: Like incandescent bulbs, these lights also emit heat energy and are less energy-efficient.

LED lights: The best pool lights ever existed, LED lights have become the most popular yet the most effective water lights. They save around 80% of energy, beating the two types of lights mentioned above. They also last four times longer than other bulbs, up to 300,000 hours, thus saving replacement costs and less disposal.

Look into the Filtration System.

The more the debris, the faster the pool drains. The pool's filtration system works harder to filter the water inside, thus, consuming more energy. Maintaining regular cleanliness saves up more energy, ensuring that the filtration system runs efficiently.

Sand pool filters are the commonly used pool filters. They are simple and easy to install, but the biggest drawback with these filters is that they consist of sand, as the name suggests. The more debris mixes with the sand while cleaning, the thicker it becomes. This creates a water-flow resistance, thus making sand pool filters the slowest of all filter systems.

Cartridge pool filters are the poster child of all pool filters available in the market. Let us tell you why. As their name, these filters only use cartridges to filter out the debris from swimming pools. These filters are not very sensitive like sand filters, thus causing a lesser water flow resistance, resulting in lower energy use.

Use Energy-saving Pool Pumps.

The amount of energy consumed by a swimming pool depends on the pool pump. These pumps use almost a quarter of the pool's power, which is still high on average. Because of this reason, pool owners have started showing interest in buying energy-efficient pool pumps. These state-of-the-art pumps utilize less energy than the older versions and make the homes more environmentally responsible.

There are two kinds of pool pumps.

Single-speed pool pump: The majority of pool owners across the globe use this kind of pool pump. That is because of their low cost. But this cost is only down when you buy these from the market. The amount of money it needs to be spent on its maintenance is a whole separate story. Why? A single-speed pump is not adjustable or compatible with small-sized pools. Additionally, single-speed pool pumps work at around 1.5 horsepower, while a swimming pool does not require more than 0.75 horsepower to operate. Thus, a total waste of energy.

Dual-speed & Variable-speed pumps: As their name says it all, a dual-speed pool pump will offer two-speed settings for the pump to operate. These pumps are money-saving, but it is a complicated machine for setting their flow rates. Variable-speed pumps are the best option to install in your swimming pool since it is simple, easy to use, and pretty convenient to adjust the speed settings that cater to your requirements.

Buy Automatic Pool Cleaners

Everyone requires a helping hand when it comes to cleaning their water bodies. For this reason, an automated pool cleaner is a wise choice to look for because they operate automatically to fulfill everyday tasks like vacuuming or brushing the swimming pool.

The pool cleaners working on pressure are an excellent choice for cleaning pools. Also known as Pressure side pool cleaners, this simple machine is operated by a reliable booster pump and runs automatically after the adjusted intervals of time. Like other cleaners that require direct electricity to work, these pressure-side pool cleaners can be a great selection to lower power consumption, thus making your swimming pool more energy efficient.

Benefits Of Energy-Efficient Pools.​

We have listed a few advantages you can get by making your swimming pools energy-efficient.

Reduced Amount of Energy.

Optimizing your water pool and making it more energy-efficient means decreasing the power required to heat the pool. Eventually, this would reduce the heat and release you from the burden of high electricity bills because of heating your pools.

Low Electricity Costs.

As already discussed above, an energy-efficient pool would not break your banks while paying for the electricity bills when heating. This is because, with an energy-saving pool, you will not have to run the heating machine into it constantly. For example, installing a solar heating system for pool heating means foregone all electricity expenditure that you used to do previously. The solar heating systems will only use electricity if there is no sun in extreme cold weather conditions.

Environment-friendly.

Consistent heating of the pools via conventional methods releases harmful gasses into the atmosphere and messes up the natural environment by consuming non-renewable resources. With the use of an energy-efficient pool, this is not the case. It uses all the alternative sources to heat the water and preserve the temperature so that heating your pool does not cause any harm to the environment around.

Sustainable Swimming.

How does swimming maintain sustainability? Simple. Now, installing power-saving equipment to your pools would make them energy-efficient and environment-friendly for a longer run. This ensures that your future generations would also enjoy the same optimized- energy swimming just like you would want in the present.

Encouraging State-of-the-art Technology.

When more and more people would look forward to using the energy-efficient equipment in their daily living, it would encourage the invention of new technology, thus, promising a better future. Other energy-saving products would emerge in the market by eliminating older appliances that are cheap to buy but costly to operate and maintain. New technology energy-efficient pool equipment is undoubtedly a one-time for a lifetime investment.

Quick Tips.​

• Using a solar pool cover helps lock the pool's temperature and enhances heating efficiency.
• Using an automated timer is beneficial for automatically running the pool's heating and pumping equipment.
• Keeping the filter clean is the key to minimum water-flow resistance.
• Running the pool pumps at night helps lower the energy use even further.

Who doesn't enjoy a party at the poolside? Maybe the sun, water, or just the summer season inspires us. A party at the poolside is just a perfect fit for the hot weather, meaning that we should enjoy it till it lasts.

Gathering our friends and family together, swimming in the water instead of going to work out, and having poolside parties in our outdoor spaces are all benefits of the summer season. While you prepare to throw a fun party along the poolside, serving enough food is essential. Whether you are hosting the party all by yourself or either planning a potluck with friends or family, there should be a food or drink recipe that makes everyone happy.

There is nothing that compares to having a bunch of friends by the pool and enjoying the sunshine while swimming. However, hosting a party all by yourself is quite a challenge. You must keep the food free of water, and the drinks chilled. From managing your glassware to warding off the bugs away from the food, hosting a poolside party requires a little more effort than other regular parties. You need to carefully put your thoughts on what food and drinks to serve your guests, primarily how to serve them. We have listed a few hacks below to conveniently serve snacks, keep your food fresh, and keep bugs away from the edibles. Following these simple techniques, you would actually be able to enjoy and relax at your poolside bash.

Hacks to serve food and drinks at the poolside party.​

Serving your guests with their favorite food and drinks wouldn't have been easier with these easy hacks. So go ahead and keep reading. Your pool party is waiting!

Individual Food Bags.

This is an excellent idea for serving snacks to your guests instead of using plates and bowls in which the food might get soggy because of people using their wet hands to pick the snacks up. You simply need to pack your snacks like veggie chips, popcorn, and trail mixes in portioned bags. If you are not using transparent snack bags, just label the bags with the food you have put inside the bags with a black marker. Your guests can grab their bag of choice and enjoy the food without leaving a soggy mess behind.

Use bread cups to serve veggies and dips.

Appetizers can be messy. This is why bread cups holding veggies and dips inside are easy to serve your appetizers without using utensils or containers. There is also no need to get out of the pool to have these. You can simply grab these mini cups from the food table and enjoy your snack while in the pool. To make the bread cups, you have to cut the baguette into a 3 or 4-inch piece for each cup. Pull out some bread from the inside to form a cup-like shape. Now fill the cups with your favorite dips and put the veggie sticks on the top. And it is ready! So simple and so delicious. The guests can enjoy their veggies and can have the cups as well!

Use lidded jars.

Having a party at the pool comes with some living challenges. Living challenges like bugs and tiny insects. You can easily prevent these little organisms from entering and enjoying your food plate by serving your food in lidded jars. The best option is to serve cold side dishes like coleslaw, cubed fruits, and grain salads in these jars. You can use plastic jars instead of glass if you are afraid of using glassware near the swimming pool. Pack these jars and store them in the refrigerator before the party timings. Serve them chilled.

Replace cocktail glasses with popsicle sticks.

Ditch your cocktail glasses this year and surprise your guests by serving popsicles instead. This hack is easy to make and a portable take if you do not want to use any glassware for your party. Your guests get to enjoy these frozen cocktails without even getting out of the pool. There are many options online from which you can make homemade cocktail popsicles, with or without alcohol. We recommend trying the refreshing margarita ice pops recipe made of lemon juice, water, sugar, and a pinch of salt.

Use juice pouches instead of glasses.

If you have set up a mini bar for your guests at your poolside party, playing bartender is not necessary. Go easy on yourself and make your guests feel like kids again! Pour the cocktails and other drinks that you made into small ziplocked juice pouches. The best thing about these plastic pouches is that they are easily available everywhere and could be reused after washing. This means you can enjoy your poolside bash with friends without worrying about glassware.

Utilize the kiddie pool uniquely.

Is the mini-fridge too small for your party? No worries! We have got you covered. If you have a portable kids pool lying around, use it as an icebox to keep your drinks and cold food chilled. Simply fill an empty inflatable pool with lots and lots of ice and nestle your canned drinks and salads or fruit bowls into it. Enjoy chilled food and beverages all day long.

Scoop that ice cream way before the party starts.

Who said you cannot serve ice cream at outdoor summer parties? Of course, you can, and that too without using any serving bowls or even spoons. How? The answer is simple. Pre-scoop your ice cream at least two days before the party and keep them in the freezer wrapped in aluminum foil. This would make the ice cream even harder, and it won't melt very quickly. You can follow the recipe to make two-ingredient strawberry ice cream sandwiches by scooping the frozen ice cream between two graham crackers. You can wrap the sandwiches again in aluminum foil individually and store them for up to seven days. Serve your guests hand-held mess-free no-bowl ice cream sandwiches straight out of the freezer. Another more straightforward way is to serve ice cream cones instead of scoops. Easy-breezy!

Keep the bugs at bay using herbs.

When organizing a party at the poolside, you invite bugs and other small insects to enjoy your food and snacks free of cost. However, do not let the tiny creatures ruin your party and mood. Many insects and bugs are allergic to a few herbs like sage, mint, and lavender. Throw these fresh herbs into your fire pit to keep away the mosquitos and some herbs onto the grill after cooking. The fragrance and smoke from these herbs do not let bugs or insects invade your space, so you can enjoy your time without any worries.

Baking cups as drink covers.

How do you like the idea of a fly floating around in your freshly made mint margarita? Gross right? So what do you do? Cover your glass with a baking paper cup to keep the flies and other insects away from your delicious cocktails. With the help of a straw, punch a hole at the bottom of the paper cup. Insert the straw into it. Now just turn the cupcake liner upside down and cover your glass, using the paper cup as a DIY glass lid. Your drink would remain insect and even spill-free while you have a chat with friends inside or outside the pool. Easy isn't it?

Struggling with finding snacks & drink hacks for the party?​

Here are a few hacks that we have listed down for you to try out when throwing a poolside party. The coolest part about these hacks is that the snacks made do not require any separate bowls to be served in. So this year, you should go utensil-free and make your poolside summer party a memory to cherish forever!

Skewer Salads.

Everyone needs something to munch on while swimming, but no one wants to balance a salad bowl while eating and being in water simultaneously. Therefore, offer your guests a DIY skewer salad bar. Keep the veggies and fruits pre-cut on the table so that your guests pick up and skewer the components of their choice, drizzle it with dressing and enjoy a mess-free skewer salad inside the water.

Mini Pitas

Poolside parties mean that your guests would be walking around, applying sunscreen, and swimming in the pool. Therefore, you do not want the hassle of paper plates, do you? That is where finger food comes to the rescue. They are the best foods to serve at parties that involve water. By placing mini pitas on the table with a spread made of cheese or any other ingredient, your guests would have something to munch around as they enjoy the party by swimming and snacking simultaneously.

Melon glasses.

There has to be a dish or a drink that involves fruits on the menu. The gathering would not get a feel of a poolside party without colorful and refreshing fruits like watermelons, cantaloupes, and other melons. Follow many recipes available online to cut these fruits into tiny glasses and serve a sip of whatever drinks your guests choose from the bar. Simply pour in apple or orange juice if you keep the party non-alcoholic.

Quick tips.​

• Try serving snacks that are smaller in size that everyone eats quickly no matter what state their hands are in, pruney or dry.
• Do not forget to keep small towels on the food table for your guests to wipe their hands before diving into the food station.
• Go for recipes that do not require crockery or cutlery to be eaten.
• Keep your food covered with a net to keep insects away.
• Make flavored ice by freezing your drink into cubes to not weaken it by water like regular ice.
• Make sure to use plastic dishware around the pool to avoid any mishaps from breaking glassware.
• Enjoy your bash to the fullest.

Owning a swimming pool is an excellent way to enjoy yourself with your family and friends, that too, inside your home premises. However, this pleasure comes with tons of winter and other off-season responsibilities. If your pool isn't properly maintained, harsh weather conditions can harm it.

Many pool owners have this common question in their minds if they could keep their swimming pools open all winter. We have made the answer pretty simple. Yes, you can. How much could it be used for swimming? We will get to that shortly.

Read below everything you need to know about keeping your swimming functional during winter, from pros, cons, and all other requirements

Reasons Behind Keeping Your Pools Open In Winter.​

Below are a few reasons you should think about keeping your pool open in the winter season.

Extended swim season.

With temperature-controlled water comes a more extended swim season during the cold weather. That means a longer time to relax, a few more laps, and outdoor fun with family and friends with the stunning view of the water on winter nights.

No need for winter cover.

If you want your swimming pool to keep functioning in the winter, it is unnecessary to cover it with a winter cover. Covering your pools occasionally helps in the improvement of cleanliness and heat retention.

Re-opening of the pool is not required.

Since you want to keep your pool open in the cold season, you can easily save yourself from the lengthy process of reopening it in the Spring season.

A cleaner pool in spring.

Similarly, there is no need to clean up your pool in the spring because you did not close it in the winter season in the first place.

Essential Factors To Consider To Keep The Pool Open.​

Temperature.

People living in the South or West can easily prolong their swim season, while those who live in the North and extremely cold weather conditions can keep their swimming pools open but can only swim for a limited period.

Budget for the pool pump.

The pool pumps need to operate constantly to keep the water moving at low temperatures. This prevents the water from freezing and means more energy use, thus increasing the budget cost.

Swimming habits.

If you are willing to keep your pool open just to reduce cleaning labor in spring, that is great. But if you are a regular swimmer, keeping your pool open and heated is an excellent way to enjoy the water and keep up with the workout.

Prepare To Use Your Swimming Pool During Winter.​

Keep the pool pump running continuously.

If you want to prevent your pool water from freezing, then you should keep the pool pump running 24/7. Why? This would constantly keep the water moving, thus not letting the water freeze when the temperature gets too low.

Install an automated freeze protector.

It is practically impossible to stand by the pool with a thermometer to check the water temperature. So how do you do it? Installing an automatic timer is the answer. The automatic freeze protection timers operate by turning the pool pumps on and off whenever they reach the temperature pre-set. They can also manage the heat pool pump for your swimming pool the same way they do for the pool pumps. Installing an automatic timer freezer protector is a wise investment if only you want your swimming pool to remain functional in the winter season.

Keep your pool water warm.

This point targets people who wish to make their swimming pools swimmable in cold weather conditions. However, while the pool pumps are constantly running, swimming is not recommended in some parts of the world with temperatures below zero because the water is too cold to be swimmable.

In areas with milder winters, you can still keep your pool warm, extending your swim season. Even if the temperature gets to 60 degrees, the heat pump installed in your swimming pool will keep the water warm enough to be swimmable.

Keep all the valves open.

Pools with complicated plumbing features and many pipes and valves should remain partially open. This would help the pool water move through each part of the system. Usually, pools with spas have their drains closed during the summer, but they should remain slightly open in the winter to keep the water moving through them. Vacuum lines, waterfall lines, cleaner lines, drainers, skimmers, and returns, all pipes and valves should remain open.

Keep the pool clean.

Maintaining the swimming pool in cold weather is much more convenient than in the summer season, especially after the fall of the leaves when the outdoor space gets cleaned. Pools are located in areas with fewer or no trees; cleaning is much easier than pools with lots of trees and plants around. However, you should not neglect your uncovered pool. The pool water can quickly become stained from the top with lesser swims and shorter filter runs. Therefore, regular brushing and vacuuming the walls and floors of the pool to remove during winter is essential.

Switch from salt generator to regular chlorine.

Since salt generators do not operate appropriately at colder temperatures, you would have to switch to regular chlorine for your swimming pool during the winter. Though this is not a big deal, do not forget to keep your pool sanitized and clean. You can buy a gallon of liquid or powder chlorine for this reason.

Ensure the balance of the water.

Swimming pools do not require as much chlorine in the winters as in the summer season. And not at all, when the temperature reaches the 40s. However, you still need to keep the pool water balanced. Ensure that the water in your pool has reasonable pH ranges, alkaline, cyanuric acid, and calcium, along with a balanced level of chlorine and algaecide. An uncovered pool absorbs the atmosphere in the winters and messes up the water chemistry, which leads to surface stains and poor water quality.

Keep the pool covered.

If you do not wish to swim in the pool during winter, it is best to keep them covered. This prevents the heat from evaporating, thus saving you time and money (low energy cost).

If you still want to swim in your pool, you can go for solar pool covers. They are easy to set up, lightweight, and removed instantly.

Close the pool's water features.

If your pool consists of wall fountains, deck jets, waterfalls, or cascades, consider winterizing their pumps and pipes while keeping the pool's major plumbing features in operation. We recommend the closure because the water enters the pipes and pumps through cracks and freezes if left open. You can enjoy them back in the summer.

If there is no power​

Here are a few tips to keep your pool safe in a power outage due to a winter storm.

• Drain plugs for the heater, pumps, and filters should be removed.
• The breaker should be turned off for the pump and the heater.
• The valve lines should be closed.
• The filter for the air pressure release should be left open.

Pros & Cons​

Have a look at some pros and cons of leaving your pool open during the winter season.

Pros.

• Enjoy the stunning view of your pool all year long.
• Leaving the pool open saves you the money required for winterization, pool covers, and other winter supplies.
• The pool is swimmable and useful in all 4 seasons with a heat pump or gas heater.

Cons.

• Heavy on pockets since the pool pump runs 24/7.
• Salt generators do not usually work with cold water and air temperature.
• High risk of freezing damage due to loss of power, operating error, or equipment failure.

Quick dos and don'ts for the swimming pool in winter.​

The Dos.

Do check your systems regularly: Check the pipes and other motorized parts of your pool when the temperature drops below freezing point. Drain the water from the pool pump, heaters, and pool filters.

Do take care of winter safety covers: Covering your pool is simply not enough. You need to ensure that the pool cover fits appropriately on your pool and prevents debris and dirt from getting inside. If the cover consists of an air pillow, ensure that it does not deflate or flatten.

Do educate yourself about the pool chemicals: You need to be aware of the chemicals the pool requires during winter.

Algaecide: This chemical keeps the green gunk away from sitting on the pool's floor and walls.

Chlorine: Add chlorine in the cold season for a quick pool sanitization and clean-up so that the water becomes swimmable as soon as the temperature rises a little. However, the quantity of chlorine to be added should continuously be monitored.

Other off-season enzymes: Adding enzyme cleaners to your pool will help break down non-living organic compounds like pollen and animal waste.

The Don'ts.

Don't keep the filters off for too long: Do not turn the pool filter off if you plan to use the pool in the winter season. Even if no one is swimming, the filter still needs to operate to keep the water clean and away from staining.

Do not wait for long to re-open the pool: When not in use, your swimming pool is just a standing water body since the pumps and the filters aren't really doing anything. Therefore, open up your pool weeks before summer to prevent algae from growing in the stagnant water and blooming rapidly.

Parting Ways​

If you want to keep your swimming pool functional all year long, you must consider following all the points mentioned above. Even in extreme cold weather conditions, with the tips mentioned above, you would be able to close the pool late, like just 3 or 4 months before winter instead of 7 or 8 months, and open it early before summer arrives.

Due to COVID-19, where everyone has been advised to stay home, outdoor spaces like front and backyards have become shelters of sanity and solace. Gradually, people are investing their time more and more in renovating their homes, especially outdoor spaces like backyards. People who live in apartments are also looking for ideas to integrate nature into their living spaces.

According to a survey, many people preferred horticulture as a therapy in this pandemic. Therefore, green spaces in backyards are continuously increasing in value for mental wellbeing and health.

This year, the backyard living trends are all about making the most of the space and integrating them into your regular, daily life. Based on the previous year's momentum, people want to bring their indoors outdoors by using innovative technology and techniques to spend as much time outdoors as possible without interrupting their daily routine. Whether it is a space to grow natural herbs for cooking, a state-of-the-art patio with lots of shade, or a whole savvy outdoor kitchen, outdoor living in 2022 will be as similar to spending time inside your home.

Here are a few renovation designs trending in the new year, 2022. Read below if you are looking for some backyard design ideas for your outdoor space.

Products to Extend Your Stay Outdoors​

Since we all want to spend a lot of time in our outdoor spaces and utilize them every day, products that extend the outdoor stay to the maximum are trending on the top. Furniture and accessories like misting systems, fire pits, fans, and heating lamps are some of the essentials to buy to extend the outdoor living season. To add a touch of coziness, rugs, throw blankets, and lights can add comfort in cooler temperatures or at night. Although these things are fundamental and not new, their utilization is trending in the new year because they turn occasionally used spaces into a daily routine.

For instance, installing a fire pit in your backyard would simultaneously speak volumes about comfort and style. Imagine calling family and friends to spend a night around some fire with barbeque and wine. Cozy, isn't it? Building a fire pit can cost somewhere around $50-$200, depending on your budget. If you are doing a DIY project, ensure that you buy slow-combustion wood logs or gel canisters to fuel smaller fire pits. Charcoal or natural wood logs can be used in more enormous fire pits.

Edible Home Gardens​

The pandemic has motivated people to fulfill a new hobby and make the most of their time at home. Therefore, millions of people have shown interest in home gardening. However, the biggest reason behind creating edible garden space is to fill pantries with homegrown vegetables, herbs, and fruits. Nowadays, people are inclining more and more towards filling their plates with loads of color, flavor, and nutrition, which is why the grow-your-own-food movement is trending day by day. This has brought edible gardening as the hottest backyard renovation trend in 2022. The significant part is that most gardens are designed to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. Modern and useful!

Along with the homegrown edibles, your backyard garden can look super gorgeous with a bit of planning, thoughtful plant selection, and a few extra add-ons. All you need to do is:

Pre-plan​

Before scattering seeds of your favorite veggies and fruits, think carefully and plan how you will do it. You do not want your edibles to be all over the place- unable to differentiate.

Choose Multi-purpose crops​

Plan a careful selection of plants that serve delicious food and ornamental purposes.

Social Backyards​

Backyard renovation is the new addition to home designing. Before in trend, outdoor spaces were just a curb appeal, but now people are more inclined towards making use of their backyard spaces to the maximum. It is just like getting an additional room to chill in. Creating an outdoor living space in the backyard is about utilizing it in your daily routine and social gatherings. Thanks to the pandemic and the social changes, we feel the need to be more socially connected than ever. A social backyard is not as formal as a front yard design; thus, adding a few chairs, tables, and hammocks can bring life to the area while staying simple.

Outdoor Kitchens​

From the previous year, outdoor cooking has become one of the most popular activities, due to which many homeowners look forward to adding outdoor kitchens in their backyards. Since they are trending, many outdoor kitchen types have hit the market in the current year. One of the most popular outdoor kitchens is a satellite kitchen which consists of extra cooking features like ovens and grills to supplement the main kitchen inside. Therefore, satellite kitchens are built just outside the interior kitchen to make cooking more convenient. Another popular outdoor kitchen is a complete independent kitchen consisting of storage, refrigerator, sink, and other cooking elements. The choice of outdoor kitchens mostly depends on the renovation budget, the backyard's space area, and climate.

Putting Useful Furniture​

In 2021, entertainment elements became a secondary choice, while outdoor furniture in the backyards came to light accommodating both social gatherings and everyday living. This year, it is all about practicality! The multi-purpose furniture made from weather-resistant materials is essential in our outdoor hangout! Innovative and space-saving furniture helps in spending our time optimally in our backyards. Here are some furniture pieces that can make a backyard space genuinely appealing.

Extensible Tables​

Extendable tables are a great choice to add to compact backyard spaces. When hosting a party, they can be easily extended. You can also collapse it when not in need, making more space in your backyard.

Convertible furniture​

Putting up furniture that can also convert into other types of furniture is an excellent source of freeing up plenty of space in your outdoor space. There are many options of convertible furniture in the market to choose from, for example, convertible benches into tables, foldable patio sofa sets, lamp cum bottle holder, and stool.

Modest Lightings​

When everything is in chaos, soothing lightings are an excellent way to decompress. Since bright and fancy is old stuff, people in 2022 are inclining towards subtle exteriors like the inside of their homes. The best way to use lights in the backyards is to highlight parts you want to draw attention to and keep the rest of the area dimmed. If the backyard has trees, it is best to downlight or moonlight them because it never goes out of the trend. It gives a soft tracery look and blends into the night sky ordinances.

Modern Structure with Complete Protection & Privacy​

As outdoor space activities have increased in the last few years, the need for privacy, shade, and shelter for the equipment have also noticeably risen. Whether it is a compact space for practicing yoga in peace or a place to conduct office meetings without disturbance, modern landscaping can provide protection. There are many ways to integrate an element of privacy in your backyard renovation. For example, if your backyard is covered from the top, add a few drapery panels. If it is not overhead, use an outdoor screen. Benches or chairs can also have a little privacy if a huge tilted umbrella is placed beside them.

Technology, Of Course​

It is the twentieth century, the year two thousand and twenty-two, and technology always trends in almost every aspect of architectural life. With increasing numbers of outdoor renovations, people are bringing their daily use of technology from the interior to the exterior. Streaming movies and working from home has become a new normal in this pandemic; therefore, many people have added WiFi routers in their backyard spaces. Adding technology in the outdoor areas is beneficial and cost-effective since it does not require any changes in the look of the outdoor space and can be integrated seamlessly.

Not only is work from the home side is trending, but the technology for entertainment purposes is also on the rise. Incorporating television screens and home theaters with the sound system are the top few requests that have been in demand. Neon lights around the lining of the fences or fairy lights around the plants have also made their space in the top backyard renovation trends of the year.

Minimalistic Yet Innovative Decoration​

People want their exteriors to look simultaneously beautiful to draw everyone's eye to them like home interiors. Subtle patio designs with a touch of modernism have been the hotcakes this year. Here is what you can do to decorate your backyard setting for a chic look.

Add Pillows​

If your backyard has a seating arrangement, add a few fluffy colorful cushions to them. They would make the area look bright and speak about solace and coziness.

Add Mirrors​

If you want to make your backyard space look more prominent, add a few mirrors. They can be hung on the walls that face the gardens to give an illusion of a bigger area than it actually is.

Add a Mini Bar​

It is as simple as it sounds. To build a mini drop-down bar, you just need wooden planks of different sizes, a drilling machine, and some screws with a screwdriver. Build a mini shelf and install it on the wall facing the seating arrangement. Place your favorite drinks and some wine glasses on it, and it is done! You now have your mini bar to enjoy a drink alone or with the family any time of the day.

Add Scented Candles​

Nothing can stop you from enjoying an incredible date night outdoors, but technically inside the comfort of your own home. Candles serve as a classic decor for inside as well as outside the house because they smell great and provide perfect lighting and ambiance on a romantic night with your partners.

Above are a few trending ways to renovate your backyard for the year 2022. Still, there is a long way to go before the year ends. Let us see how these trends change to even better ideas in the next and upcoming years!

If you are a homeowner and want to increase the value of your rental properties, you should consider adding a swimming pool. Adding extra features to your rental home will give your property an edge in the current fiercely competitive market. In-house swimming pools are a great way to relax and play a vital role in instantly increasing the value of a property.

The idea to have a water body inside the property premises sounds excellent to both the tenants and the landlord. A swimming pool would only add value to your home if properly maintained. Consider a few benefits of installing a pool inside your rental space.

• The property value increases quickly.
• More tenants are attracted due to this feature.
• The investment is reliable and long-term.
• A swimming pool would improve the appeal of the house.
• Higher rents as compared to the properties without swimming pools.

Upgrading Your Swimming Pool.​

Gone is the time when we all enjoyed a dip in a primary pool. Nowadays, people are not excited about spending time in a simple swimming pool. Even the pools that are best designed become conventional and outdated after some time. A practical idea to sustain the value of your swimming pool is to add a few state-of-the-art amenities to it. By doing this, you are upgrading your pool according to the latest trends and increasing your rental prospects simultaneously within very little time.

Features To Add To Your Swimming Pool.​

Here are a few exciting features you can add to your pool to give it a fantastic upgrade and make it more functional and attractive for your tenants at the same time.

Automated Leveler.

The water level of swimming pools drops rapidly due to evaporation. This means the lost water needs to be filled back in the pool. Thus, adding an automatic water level feature to your water pool would help keep the water level balanced when the water evaporates. Water levelers are often built-in in modern pools, but you have to install one if your pool is older. This feature would be a great help in maintaining your swimming pool, and your tenants would always find just the proper water level whenever they would go for a swim.

Landscaping Or Hardscaping?

Landscaping around swimming pools has become immensely popular in the previous and the current year. Adding plants, beds, and borders are great options to give your swimming area an inviting and aesthetically pleasing appeal. But, while being natural and beautiful, landscaping requires tons of maintenance. Therefore, a more feasible option can be a hardscaping feature that includes non-living decor items like rocks, stones, fountains, and boulders. These things do not require complex maintenance or physical labor. Here are some examples of what you can add when hardscaping your pool area.

• Paved paths and patios
• Fencing
• Pebbles and rock walls

Hardscaping, your pool area, is a great idea but ensure that it looks appealing to your tenants' eyes.

Saltwater System.

Another trending swimming pool feature is a saltwater system. The swimming experience in pools with saltwater systems installed is entirely different and unique. This is something that would draw more tenants to rent your property. So what does a saltwater system do? A saltwater pool system is an equipment installed in a swimming pool to keep the water sanitized and clean. Rather than adding chlorine to the pool, you can simply add some table salt into the water, and the saltwater system would convert it into chlorine. Here are a few benefits of adding a saltwater system to your pool.

• Pools with saltwater systems are gentler on clothes and bodies.
• They are free of the chlorine smell.
• The water is soft as compared to the water with chlorine.
• Their maintenance does not break your bank as salt costs cheaper than chlorine.

Trendy Finishes.

Pool designs that were once trendy and in style gradually become old-fashioned and outdated. However, one thing that does not go out of trend ever is mosaic tiles. For many years, pools with mosaic finished tiles have become a symbol of luxury, art, and craftsmanship. Adding the feature of handcrafted mosaic tiles to your swimming pool would be a lifetime investment for style and beauty. Apart from how they look, the mosaic tiles are convenient to maintain and attract more residents to your rental property. If you have ever wondered how hotels and resorts make their pools look pure blue and sparkling, then mosaic tiles are the key to your query. You can, too, bring them home in your very own swimming pool.

Spa & Jacuzzi.

Pool spas, jacuzzis, and hot tubs always seem to top the list of the latest pool trends each year. To give your pool an upgrade, you should install spa and jacuzzi features that operate on the newest technology. Since you look forward to getting higher rents with a pool in your rental property, you should keep in mind that people nowadays are interested in enjoying their time outdoors all year long. Therefore, installing a jacuzzi with a heating feature would greatly help. Waterfalls and fountains are also great features to add to your swimming pool, making it an aesthetic outdoor sanctuary. You can also opt to build a spa tub in the center of your pool to give it a resort-pool-like look with an attractive appeal.

Built-Ins.

To make your rental property more worthwhile money-wise and attract more tenants with higher rents, it makes complete sense that you want to add inherent features to your swimming pools. For instance, creating built-in ledges or seats can offer a unique experience for every resident using your pool.

LED Lighting.

At present, the LED lighting feature is everybody's choice, everywhere. Outlining the edge of your swimming pool inside or outside with multi-color bright LED lights can be an excellent upgrade to your pool. These state-of-the-art lights are energy-efficient, easy to set up, and far more pleasing than outdated conventional stripe lights. Thanks to the latest technology, these lights are shock and water-proof, and you can manage these lights at the convenience of your phone or laptop. With a vast range of colors and brightness options available, the pool LED lights can also be synchronized with many security systems and entertainment equipment.

Combined Water & Fire.

While both of these elements are totally opposite, they can be beautifully brought together around your pool area to upgrade its visual intrigue and create a resort-like, luxurious vibe. This upgrade feature is a bit overpriced but totally worth it. A luxury feature doubles the value of the space it is installed in. This year, many pool owners opt for this feature and choose options that combine fire and water in a single body. For example, you can install a fire bowl on the top of a short pillar, with a cascading waterfall running down from it into the swimming pool.

UV Sanitizers.

Many factors have got together to become a reason for the shortage of chlorine globally. Therefore among the alternative ways to keep your swimming spaces cleaned and sanitized, one way is UV sanitizers. As the name suggests, these sanitizers use ultraviolet rays to prevent the growth of bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms and eventually kill them away. Adding a sanitizer feature would be a helpful upgrade as it kills almost 99.99% of microorganisms, along with chlorine-resistant ones. Additionally, these sanitizers do their cleaning job more effectively than chlorine and do not release any harmful by-products. They are also cost-effective for maintenance by eliminating adding chemicals in the swimming pool. This pool feature is not a visual treat but is very useful to show off to your tenants upon asking what your pool consists of.

Smart Technology.

We agree that technology and Artificial Intelligence have made the majority of aspects of our lives convenient and more straightforward. And now, homeowners are looking forward to attracting tenants for their rental property via adding swimming pools; they want to move a step ahead by incorporating the newest technology into those water bodies. For example, with the ease of your phone or computer or a web-enabled device, you can instantly turn on your spas, landscape lights, pool LEDs, etc. Another way of making your pool "smarter" is to add self-cleaning devices so that your collection stays immaculate all the time and the residents do not have to do the hard work of cleaning the pool manually.

Small-sized Pools.

This is not an upgrade but just an idea for those who want to boost their rental income by adding a swimming pool inside their property premises.

While resort-like giant pools are beautiful, they do not fit with the space and budget of every homeowner. This results in people opting for smaller-sized pools, often known as "cocktail pools." These swimming pools are usually shallow water bodies 4 ft or less than 4 ft deep and around 300-400 square meters in size. However, the pool's small size does not mean you cannot install any other feature in it. You can easily customize your mini-pool with heaters, jets, and spa features.

Seamless Edges.

Last but not least, one of the hottest trends in the pool world is making your pool appear infinite. This infinity pool feature has been among the leading pool trends for many years and remains on top in the current times. It would be quite an experience for the residents of your rental home to enjoy the seamless swimming pool as long as they stay there.

Parting Ways.

Installing a swimming pool inside your rental space is a great idea to increase the value of your property. However, you have to make sure that you have enough financial support to sustain the maintenance cost for the pools to become an essential asset of your property in the future. Design a pool that incorporates the interior space with the exteriors to add value. This would act as an extension of the inside living space and can be used in daily life routine. However, more tenants would get attracted to lease your property, and it will serve as an accessible amenity for you if you decide to stop renting out your property in the future.

The winter will pass soon and then we will have a longer season of summer. Why don't you plan something interesting to make your summer memorable this time? Can you think of some ideas that can let you enjoy summertime to the fullest and with a difference? We can. In this article, we present a great idea of celebrating your kids' birthday party at the poolside. By the way, if your kid's birthday comes in winter, you can still make the most of this idea; just avoid the swimming part! Moreover, if you do not have a pool in your home, you do not have to worry! Just pick up a pool rental app and find hundreds of great rental pools nearby your location. Isn’t it great? Now let us start our guide to celebrate kids’ birthday parties at the poolside.

When the temperature starts rising, the oh-so-cool pools are the best way to enjoy the summer heat. While adults love a great afternoon swim, the kids also want some nice time in the in-ground or above-ground pool. Whether you already have a pool or are planning to rent one for your occasion, you must know how to throw a fun and memorable birthday pool party. With a little planning, you can give the best treat to your not only kids but also guests.

However, planning the ideas for a birthday party for kids at a poolside can be confusing. If you are not very familiar with how to make your kid’s birthday party the best on the poolside, you can use these amazing pool birthday party ideas. These will help you take the pool party for kids from just another simple get-together to an all-out bash. From the fascinating pool party themes to fun games and delicious and quick-to-make snacks, we have put together this ultimate pool party planning guide to let you have the ultimate backyard birthday event.

Finding the Pool for a Party

Of course, if you already have a pool in your backyard, this part is already taken care of. However, if you do not have a pool in your backyard, you may still host a pool party. Nowadays, several pools are available for party rentals. With the pandemic, people are shifting from public pools to private pools and backyards and the pool owners consider it a flourishing business. You can use some of the best pool rental apps to see the pools nearby your area and choose the one based on your requirements and budget.

Moreover, if any of your acquaintances have a backyard pool, you can have the venue easily.

Think of Safety

Safety around the pool must be the highest priority. Having fun in the sun and splashing around the pool is something great, but you must make sure no one is hurt. Following are some general guidelines to take care of to keep everyone safe:

• If there are no lifeguards for the pool, tell the invited teen's parents to help you keep an eye on the party.
• If you know any older teen having acquired lifeguards training you may consider hiring that individual for the day. It does not cost much and having a lifeguard on hand can take a lot of the pressure off you.
• All chaperones must be ready to get in the water in an event of any emergency.
• If it is a rental pool, there should be rules posted. If it is your private pool, you will want to make rules and explain them to your guests ahead of time. Diving and doing stunts are easy ways for the kids to get seriously hurt and you must prevent that before it starts.
• If there is any problem, calmly pull all the teens aside and explain the rules.
• Keep the sunscreen on hand and tell the teens to apply it as required if you are hosting an outdoor pool birthday party.

Party Décor & Games

One of the best aspects of the pool birthday party from the parent's view is that most of the party décor and favors are already available since the party is in a pool!

You can use many pool accessories as well as beach items to add natural decor:

• Beach towels and jazzy sunglasses make interesting party favors.
• Beach music must be there. Ask teens what they would like you to play during the party.
• Drape seashells and fishnet on tables and fences or walls surrounding the pool.
• Use lively colored tablecloths and floppy strings of lights.
• Buy many blow-up beach balls and let them float into the pool.
• Set up the beach towels around the pool for laying-out or conversation.
• Keep bugs away and set a mood with the citronella candles. You should take a bug spray that is available for your guests to use.

Organize Fun & Safe Pool Games

Teens surely entertain themselves for hours in the pool, but they would love the organized games. Water games are abundant and even more fun than those played on dry land.

Choose some fun and safe water games to play at the party. Have a two or three in consideration just in case the party becomes a little dull or some kids appear to be left out. You might not use all of them, but you should always be ready.

Remember to move running relay games away from the showery edges of the pool. Kids must not be running on the tile anyway and you do not want to allow any bad behavior. If it is an indoor pool, skip these games or adapt them so everybody stays safe.

Food and Drinks

Wet kids feel hungrier but they are very easy to feed and please at a pool party. Order some pizzas or 6-foot long sub sandwiches and set them up for kids to graze on.

Smoothies are great pool party drinks and homemade lemonade is always kids’ favorite. Instead of cake, offer some cupcakes. Keep some hand towels available at your food table so that the kids can dry their wet hands before eating the food.

Jellyfish Lanterns

If you have experienced scuba diving, you perhaps understand that taking the sea vibes at your party will make things more interesting. With these fanciful sea creatures, making an under-the-sea look must be easy. To make the Jellyfish Lanterns from scratch, you will be needing some colorful paper lanterns, crepe party streams, and probably a few matching ribbons.

Balloons

One of the most fun and reasonable pool birthday party ideas, since balloons can make your swimming pool more fun and colorful for the kids. Before your kids wear their swimming goggles and get in the pool, think of throwing some balloons in the water. This will have kids rushing for more water play.

Inflatables

From bananas to donuts to flamingoes, the pool floats (or inflatables) are available in all sizes and shapes. These will let you add a splash of color to the pool. While your kids must know how to swim before you make a pool party for them, the inflatables may also help ensure water safety. The smaller ones can also help to make a whimsical table décor or DIY ice chests.

Pool Party Theme

While you do not essentially need a theme for the birthday party, you can also take advantage of the likes of the birthday kid to get your friends and family together. Sit with your kid and check the kinds of themes he would love to see. Some popular birthday themes include spider-man, batman, Cinderella, Frozen, Lion King, and Snow White, and so on. Once you decide the theme, you can also make your birthday party décor accordingly; for instance, if you are choosing Frozen theme for a birthday girl, you can use the sky blue table cloth, inflatables, towels, and decorate the food table, pool edges, and trees across with sparkling cotton to give a snowy effect all around. There is no end to creativity when it comes to the birthday pool party themes. Use whatever you can think will make the party charismatic.

Final Thoughts

Any big event requires some amount of planning, but when you work out all the details for the food, theme, games, and accessories ahead of time, it gives you and your guests more time to enjoy the pool and each other’s company.

Use the resources we have compiled here to plan and make fun but important decisions about food, themes, activities, and more. Once you have done the planning, the only thing left to do is jump in (feet first for safety) and have fun!

If you are dreaming of throwing epic pool parties but still unsure of how to get the party started simply hook up your wireless speaker and press play on your favorite pool party playlist.

While your teen might be too old for a birthday party that involves games and party favors, a pool party might be perfect. In fact, your teen might be willing to play games and do silly things as long as there is water involved. It can be an inexpensive way to entertain a group of teens for hours. Of course, you will need to consider safety issues when swimming is involved, but a pool party might be the best way to celebrate your teen's next birthday.

We hope that these ideas will help you plan the best pool party for your kid’s birthday. These ideas can be customized based on your preferences and help you have a great time.

Introduction.​

Want to rent your backyard to generate some income? If yes, the first step is to renovate your backyard. Do not worry! The renovation we are talking about is not a costly one! We have a great idea through which you can turn your dull backyard into a luxurious and elegant recreational spot or event venue. Looking to renovate your backyard but not sure where to start? A gazebo or pergola is a nice starting point. Check out this pergola vs. gazebo article to learn how to select the perfect backyard structure for your guests and upcoming events.

Pergola Vs. Gazebo – What is the difference?

The key difference between a pergola and a gazebo is the function of a roof. A gazebo provides full coverage from the sun, while a pergola allows sunlight to shine through its slatted roof. Typically, a pergola provides partial shelter and shade over a garden, pathway, or patio. The crisscrossed wooden roof is an optimal space for plants and vines to climb. Meanwhile, a gazebo is a covered, designated seating area in the yard that offers more protection from the elements.

Choosing Gazebo

- The Design

Patio: The most popular type of gazebo, these are a permanent fixture on your patio or yard. They can be made from metal, wood, plastic, or vinyl.

Pop-Up: As the name states, this portable gazebo can be easily moved and propped up or taken down. It is great for a tailgate party, summer barbeque, or sports game.

Grill: This is placed over your grill to shield it from snow and rain. It also covers you, if you are grilling in bad weather, or need some shade from the sun.

- Installation Kind

Permanent: These often include a floor, or are anchored to the ground so they can withstand extreme weather. Permanent gazebos should be built on a flat surface, such as an existing patio, pavers, or a concrete pad. To avoid standing water – which leads to rot – you will need to make sure it is placed in an area that has adequate drainage.

Portable: These typically do not include a floor – only four legs and a roof – so they can be taken on the go or moved easily.

Wall-Mounted: Designed to be installed against your home’s exterior wall, these gazebos usually cover a patio and are perfect for creating a shady or bug-free place to relax outside.

- Key Features

Weather-Resistant: These gazebos are designed to resist the elements and keep you drier in rain or snow.

No-Foundation-Needed: Concrete pads, pavers, or foundations are not required for set up, making for an easier installation process. However, it's recommended you use stakes or weights to secure the legs to the ground.

Screens-Included: Mesh screens are provided to keep bugs out.

Enclosed: Built for more privacy and protection from the elements, these come with mesh screen windows, curtains, and/or walls.

Double-Roof: As the name states, these have a tiered roof that can be used as decoration or as a vent for grills or fire pits.

Gazebo Installation Tips

Check with your local building codes to see if the size of the structure you are looking at is okay to place in your yard. In most cases, if the gazebo is less than 100 square feet you will not need special permissions, however, it is always better to double-check. Some towns require a certain distance between the structure and the road or utility poles, etc. If you are digging to install your foundation, call your local utility company to ensure that you can dig without hitting the water, sewer, or electrical line.

Any permanent gazebo structure must have a foundation that has proper water drainage and it must be anchored to concrete footers. When bolting it to your deck, use metal strapping to secure it to the beams of the deck. Since gazebos vary so much in size, design, and assembly, it is best to follow the manufacturer's directions regarding assembly and installation requirements. Professional installation may be required as digging, pouring concrete, laying paving stones, or building a lumber foundation is typically necessary.

Choosing Pergola

- Installation Type

No matter the installation type, it's best to secure all gazebos and pergolas for extra stability.

Anchored: This type of pergola must be anchored into the ground with stakes or cement.

Freestanding: These are not mounted to a wall or anchored into the ground, so you can place them on any level patio area or ground. We recommend placing them in a spot that is sheltered from high winds.

Wall-Mounted: One side of the pergola is mounted to your home’s exterior wall, the slats extend over the patio, and the other legs rest on the patio.

- Key Features

Weather-Resistant: A weather-resistant material is used to avoid rust and rot.

Canopy-Included: A piece of weather-resistant fabric is included to provide shade. It is typically hung over the top slats, but some canopies extend down the sides as well.

Louvers-Included: Louvers are blind-like slats that are angled to keep out rain and direct sunlight. They are a stylish alternative to a canopy.

Arched-Roof: Instead of a flat roof, these pergolas have arched roofs for a less-traditional aesthetic.

Pergola Installation Tips

Before choosing a pergola, make sure to measure the area you plan on placing it to ensure it fits. The location you choose should be level, an area where rain will not pool, and not where your gutter downspouts are empty. Before you dig post holes, contact your local town authorities to make sure you won't hit the water, sewer, or utility lines.

Since pergolas vary so much in size, design, and assembly, it is best to follow the manufacturer's directions regarding assembly and installation requirements. Two people are often required for assembly and installation. Generally, pergolas can be anchored to your deck with 90-degree strap brackets. It is best to screw into the deck's beams, not the floorboards. If you cannot place it over a beam, place a 2" x 6" board perpendicularly under the deck boards and screw the brackets into that. They should be anchored into the ground by digging 6" deep post holes, filling it with concrete, and then using hammer set fasteners to keep it in place and connect it to the concrete.

The Materials

Wood: As the most traditional material choice, wood offers a rustic and classic look. Cedar wood, which is commonly used, is a natural, weather-resistant, and insect-resistant option. Make sure to reseal or stain the structure every year to avoid rot or insect damage.

Metal: Metal frames are durable and offer an easy-to-assemble structure with their click-together frames. However, they may rust over time if not properly taken care of.

Vinyl: Easily cleaned off with a hose, vinyl gazebos are a low-maintenance option as they won’t rot or warp. If your home has vinyl siding, the gazebo can easily match.

Plastic: Resin plastic will not rust, rot, or splinter. Consider plastic for a durable and more affordable option compared to manufactured wood.

The Benefits of Gazebo & Pergola

The first thing to consider when adding an outdoor structure to your yard is to decide on the style you want to build. While gazebos and pergolas are similar, they do have differences. Gazebos are traditionally built in a round or octagonal shape and contain a proper roof structure. In contrast, pergolas are built in a square or rectangular shape and offer partial covering. Pergolas tend to provide less coverage with their open roofs although they can also be modified to include more cover.

There are several benefits to having one of these structures in your backyard:

• Gazebos provide ample shade from the hot summer sun, which means you’ll be able to enjoy more of the outdoors even in warmer weather.
• Gazebos provide shelter from the rain and will allow you to entertain outdoors even when the weather turns poor.
• Both create inviting spaces for guests and add a welcoming seating area for entertaining.
• Gazebos can be screened in, which is great for protecting from mosquitoes and other bugs, especially in the evenings.
• With both options, you can add a little touch of outdoor charm by wiring lights along the structure making it the perfect outdoor space for those evenings when you don’t want to go back inside.

The Icing on the Cake

Gazebos and pergolas are an additional “wow” factor in any get-together. Imagine a wedding with the gazebo decked out in flowers with sheer fabric moving lightly in the wind. Families creating shared memories under a Gazebo. Not only does the Gazebo add to the practical needs but ones that build memories and relationships for years to come.

Final Thoughts

While outdoor structures do not necessarily count toward the total square footage of your home, they do provide much of the privacy and functionality of an indoor room. They also increase your home’s value. 51 percent of buyers surveyed earlier this year by one of the realtors expressed that outdoor living space was the most attractive quality in a home, over even open floor plans and curb appeal. Add in the fact that your new outdoor room will soon become everyone’s favorite and that square footage becomes very valuable indeed. Add a space that brings you back to the center. You will feel and see the difference. Above all, it will attract more prospects looking to rent a backyard for their upcoming events. A renovated backyard with this structure will surely bring more guests and more revenue for the homeowners who are interested in renting their pools and backyards to people.

Do you know what is going to be this summer’s hottest and most popular moneymaker in America? That is renting out the swimming pool and backyard. If you have any of these, you have a great opportunity to make some handsome income in 2022. In this article, we will be highlighting the significance of this trend in the light of the real stories of some homeowners who adopted the pool and backyard rental business model and earned a great deal of money.

The Story of Alice Goldsmith

As Alice’s kids grew older, her backyard pool in Aurora, Colorado rose as one of the most afterthought spots for family fun. The bills to keep the whole system running, however, were still coming. Alice told us that once a pool is turned on, it must stay on, continually circulating, heating, and always checking the chemicals. On average, the pool maintenance costs are between $3,000 and $5,000 per year.

So, when Alice heard about a pool rental app that connects the pool owners with people wanting to rent pools, she opted to become a host to offset her pool maintenance costs. Things worked very well. In 2020, she rented her pool out 200 times and made around 25,000. This year she expects to earn more by a minimum of at least 500 reservations.

Alice affirmed that only she got some additional money to cover the cost of maintaining the pool, but it also actually brought her a completely new revenue stream for her family.

The Exponential Growth of Pool Rentals during the Pandemic

Pool rentals is one of the growing businesses taking advantage of the sharing economy, following the business models of Uber and Resortifi. Many pool rental apps started as a trial version with the idea of determining the best means to streamline the process for both pool hosts and the renters.

The homeowners using such apps to rent their pools and backyards have reported a huge stream of revenues before the pandemic hits. Even during the pandemic, the stream of income has been considered for most of the owners, indicating that pool rentals are here to stay.

After the pandemic, people were looking for ways to safely go back to their fitness and recreational routines while maintaining pandemic-driven social distancing. Since then, the pool rentals are increasing in number; many pool rental apps show a similar trend.

For pool owners such as Alice, these pool rental apps provide not just a way to offset their pool costs but also a source of additional income for the individuals who lost their jobs or were deprived of their incomes because of the COVID-19.

This kind of business was needed as people were unable to go to the pools and gyms. These apps help both sides.

The Big Picture

An idea that began as a way to give people who do not possess a pool a safe spot to swim soon turned into something else. It was found that pools and backyards could be used for more than just exercise. Some homeowners rented their pool out for activities as diverse as birthday parties and baptisms to aqua therapy sessions and even underwater drone trials.

Over the past year, many apps have been reported to facilitate more than 200,000 bookings and currently have over 20,000 pools listed on the sites. Listings are available all across the states in the US, Puerto Rico, Australia, and Canada.

Even some of the pool rental apps have gone even beyond this scope; they have expanded their offering with a new service that matches the renters up with owners of various kinds of amenities like tennis and basketball courts, home theaters and gyms, kitchens (for photoshoots and educational videos) and even home recording studios.

Rental Pricing

These pool rental apps vet the owners and the pools and list them with their full description and cost, and the actual homeowner becomes a host. Anyone can go online via the website or app, see the pool and any extra amenities offered, and easily make a reservation.

Pools can be rented per hour, with an average rate of $45 per hour. Bigger pools and pool areas may also include hot tubs, spas, outdoor grills, or television/music and can be rented at as high as $200 per hour. Some owners might charge an additional premium for big groups.

On average, the pool and the backyard owners earn between $10,000 to $20,000 per year, according to some of the key pool rental apps’ owners. However, some hosts are making much more. On the high end, one of the pool hosts in Portland, Oregon, has earned more than $130,000 since September last year.

Are you ready to rent your pool or backyard?

If yes, here is some information to know and follow.

While the idea of being able to make income off your home without selling it is fascinating as heck, you want to ensure you are ready to open your home to complete strangers. You are no longer only a pool owner; you are actually running a business.

However, you do not have to establish a commercial entity. You can work as a sole proprietor or as a business like a partnership or limited liability company. Pool rental apps provide you with a 1099 form for tax purposes if you surpass a certain level of income or number of reservations.

1. Get Insurance

One of the very first things you should think of is insurance. You naturally wish to protect your property from any kind of damage from potentially disruptive guests, but now you also have to consider your liability for their security.

What happens if the renter has an accident while using your pool or backyard? Your usual homeowner’s insurance might not cover your liability in this event or might not offer sufficient coverage. In 2019, it was up to the individual hosts to get liability insurance to protect themselves.

Starting 2020, however, there are pool rental apps that have collaborated with some big insurance companies to provide such insurance to the hosts. This program usually offers liability insurance up to $1 million for its hosts (it also offers up to $10,000 in separate property damage insurance). The insurance policies are delivered free of cost to the host by some apps.

2. Know the activities

You should determine the activities you are comfortable with. As some of the app users point out, they are renting out a pool that they will probably be using themselves at some point. Think about the kinds of activities you are willing to host. You might feel more comfortable renting to lesser family groups or persons instead of larger groups. You can make the parameters of how many people and what kind of activity you will include in your pool rental pool package.

Also think of how frequently you want to rent the pool, whether it be all days a week or only on the weekends. Are you renting the pool at night or is it also open during the day?

You should also consider how renting out your pool can affect your neighbors, especially if you are hosting big groups that may lead to traffic congestion on the residential streets.

3. The Amenities

Perhaps you have a backyard grill or a hot tub close to your pool. Will you have these in the rental? Will you offer towels, a sound system, a TV or some other kind of entertainment? How about access to the bathrooms?

Be clear about what is and is not incorporated in the rental and what might be included at an additional cost. Consider all that information when you set your pool rental price.

4. Rules & expectations

Keep in mind that this is your home after all. Some hosts try to greet their guests in person and show them the area rented and where all the facilities are located. This is also a good time to discuss the rules and expectations to avoid misunderstandings. This sets a tone for both their fun and the level of respect necessary to treat the pool and property.

5. Keep Promises

Like with a home listing, what is going to sell your pool or backyard are the photographs you post. Quality photos of your pool and surrounding areas go a long way towards attracting more renters to your listing (such as pool, backyard, resort, guest room, garden etc). This means you must keep the area clean and well maintained.

When your guest arrives, they are expecting to get exactly what they saw in the photographs. Ensure that the area is clean, the equipment is in place and that any extra services offered, like sound systems, are in good working condition.

Final Thoughts

Starting a swimming pool or backyard rental business necessitates a great deal of effort, dedication, and most significantly passion. You must be having full knowledge about the state rules about the guests' safety using your space. Most importantly, you should be able to precisely make your plan that accommodates all elements that can affect your business.

One of the best parts of beginning a swimming pool rental business is that you get an opportunity to build a local following by selling your pool or backyard at the shows, nearby markets, or even local storefront businesses. This gives you access to additional revenue streams and loyal customers. We are expecting high demand from hosts wanting to list hot tubs and tennis courts, for example, on the rental apps since this can turn into a marketplace for shared outdoor resources and that’s an enormous market opportunity that adds value on both sides.

Do you have any idea how to throw such a pool party that becomes a huge success? OK, before we start, let us just say well for you: there are many reasons why pool parties are remarkable, and we are happy to know that you want to have one. Now, there are numerous elements involved in throwing a completely fun pool party, like putting together a list of vital items for a great pool party, how to find the best app that helps organize your swimming pool party rentals in your area, selecting the theme and so on. We will start with some of the key secrets for the best pool party.

What makes the best pool party?

Even if you just rent a swimming pool, take your family or friends there, and say, “Hey, we’re having a pool party!” it sounds just awesome. However, if you want to have a custom pool party, there should be some planning involved.

While a mere idea of planning may sound dull, the process of planning a pool party can still be fun, and often is. Here are some of the most significant secrets to hosting a completely amazing pool party that will leave your visitors speechless:

- Invitations – It all starts with the invites. Now, you can pick to send out emails or texts, but that does not sound too fun now, does it? Take your time to make vibrant, interesting invitations that will demonstrate just how amazing the pool party is going to be.

- Decorations – What is a pool party without wild summer decorations? You can exactly go crazy with these. Start thinking of including tiki torches, palm trees, streamers, and anything else you can think of.

- Drinks – Why should the drinks at your pool party be orthodox? You can even have them themed if you try hard enough. Ensure to offer numerous cocktails: nothing says pool party like a delicious cocktail, and do not forget that some of them must be virgin, per everybody’s taste.

- Snacks – Pool party snacks are all about the subtle balance between healthy and junk. A collection of fresh fruit is often a decent counterpart to a range of salty treats, such as pretzels or chips.

- Floats – Floats are necessary for an unforgettable pool party. There is no reason to think that floats are just for kids. You will find it very difficult to curb your adult guests’ enthusiasm once they see and get their hands on these babies. Just ensure that your floats are big enough to accommodate their weight.

- Music – There is no pool party without a striking soundtrack, and that drives double for pool parties. You can use one of your favorite streaming services to play some chill summer songs, or you can go old school and make a playlist on your own.

- Sunscreen – Not all your guests will remember to keep pool party essentials with them, and applying sun protection is certainly important if you are about to spend a couple of hours in the pool. That is why you must not forget to have a sunscreen station.

- Lounging – Not everyone is going to be keen to spend all the time in the pool, and some people just avoid spending time in the water. Do yourself a favor and get some cozy lounge chairs for your less-than-enthusiastic pool-goers.

- Phone cases – And of a water-resistant variety. If you are hosting a pool party, you want to be able to document it. These waterproof phone cases let you take crazy pics that will look unbelievable on social media. No filter is required.

- Games – To take things up a notch, think of organizing fun poolside games for all your friends to join in and enjoy. Just do not overdo it. Try to keep these games simple enough for everyone to take part in without trying too hard. - Pests – An amazing pool party can rapidly turn into a catastrophic chaotic situation if all types of nasty pests begin showing up. Know how you are going to protect your guests from parasites and other annoying insects. Think basil or lavender-based repellents, which are efficient and natural with a pleasant fragrance.

The best time for a pool party

As easy as it might seem, selecting the date and time of day for your future pool party is easier said as done. It is not just about when it suits you the best. You have to think about everyone’s schedules so all your beloved people can make it to the party and consider other factors, such as the accessibility of the pool.

However, as a general rule of thumb, pool parties are the pre-dinner parties, particularly if you want to embrace some swimming and pool games while it is hot and nice outside. Therefore, the ideal time for a pool party to start would be 3:00 PM. It should last for a couple of hours afterward.

Alternatively, you can select to have a nighttime pool party, which is also a great idea, but there is probably going to be a lot less swimming. In addition, you will need to plan changed activities instead. Nighttime pool parties are typically parties that happen around the pool, not in it.

Movie Night Pool Party

Do you have a craving for watching movies? Then hosting a “dive-in” pool party might be for you! This memorable pool party theme will amuse your guests. This theme’s easy set-up may make it your go-to party.

- Food – Have your own outdoor movie theater stand and serve buttery popcorn, candy and sodas. For dinner, choose the movie-theater favorites with an outside twist, like grilled pizza or nachos!

- Décor – Get some inflatable lounge chairs from the local pool retailer to enjoy the movie from the best seat in your house: your pool. Buy an outdoor projector, and then project the movie onto the side of the house or a big white sheet. Make a step and repeat the backdrop complete with glitter for a faultless photo-op. Do not forget your cup holders for the flawless dive-in movie seat.

- Games & Activities – Choose your favorite adventure movie such as “E.T.,” or “Jurassic Park.” For a good laugh, you can think of movies like “Napoleon Dynamite,” or “Clueless.” Alternatively, go for classic ones like “Back to the Future,” or “Mean Girls.”

- Party Favors – When guests reach, have them stand and repeat and snap a Polaroid of them. Give them a snapshot to take home as a party favor.

- Clothing – Dress as if you are attending a movie premiere! Cocktail attire is flawless for arrival. Once you have enjoyed each other’s company, switch to your preferred swimsuit and cover-up to have a dive-in movie.

Swimming Pool- Safety Guidelines

No matter how big or small your pool party is, safety comes first. Here are some safety guidelines to follow:

• Check your local ordinances and codes for safety requirements.
• Use non-slip materials over the pool deck, diving board, and ladders.
• The steps of the pool ladder should be at least three inches broad, and the ladder should have handrails on both sides minor enough for a child to grasp. There must be a ladder at both ends of the pool.
• A licensed electrician following local safety codes should install electrical equipment.
• Check with an expert pool contractor to be sure the depth is adequate for a diving board or slide. Always put a slide in a deep area of the pool—and not in shallow water.
• There must be a fence at least four feet high around all sides of the pool with the locked gate to keep kids out when there is no observation and the fence should be built so it is difficult to climb. Lawn furniture, trees, and shrubs should not be near to provide an easy boost over the fence. Avoid using a side of the home in place of fencing to keep toddlers or pets from falling into the pool area via an open door or window.
• Mark water depths noticeably. Use a safety float line where a bottom slope deepens.
• Above Ground pools: Install robust guardrails around the pool deck. Look for rolled rims on the metal shell to ensure that the rims do not have a sharp cutting edge if someone falls. The access ladder to the deck must be sturdy and without bulging bolts or other sharp edges. The access ladder should swing up to avoid children having any unauthorized entry or should be easily detachable for secure storage away from a pool area.
• Check your pool and equipment occasionally for cleanliness and good care. Cover all the sharp edges and protruding bolts; repair wobbly or broken ladders and railings. Replace non-slip materials if these wear out.
• Teach kids to float or swim as soon as possible.
• Always deliver competent adult supervision when the pool is in use.
• No one should swim alone.
• Caution kids against showing off and playing rough and clarify the hazards of running and driving recklessly.
• Never push others into a pool.
• When using water slides, go feet first.
• Before diving or sliding, check if other swimmers are out of the way.
• Keep rescue devices and first aid supplies accessible.
• Teach guests what to do in case of emergency. An alarm bell would be a good idea.
• Keep electrical appliances like radios out of the pool area due to the risk of electrical shock.
• Never swim after consuming alcoholic beverages, eating, or taking medications.

Final Thoughts

A pool party can be a modest, impromptu gathering or a luxurious and carefully planned show. It is all based on your budget, age of guests, and the time you would like to dedicate to planning. The key to throwing the best pool party ever is selecting a theme that resonates with your guests’ preferences.

Looking for a great venue for the upcoming birthdays? Whether you want to take your kids' celebration to the next level or please your beloved by giving them the best moments of life, celebrating a birthday in your backyard is a great idea to explore. If you have a backyard, you have a great venue already; the only thing that you need to do is to turn it into a great birthday party spot. How? We will let you know! In this article, we present some of the best and easiest backyard birthday party ideas that would transform your backyard into a welcoming and attractive place for entertaining, no matter what time of the year or the size of the space. In case, if you do not have your backyard, rental backyards are great alternatives to hold your next birthday bash.

1. Make your backyard party feel special with soothing textiles

One of the easiest ways to lift your backyard birthday party game and make it feel like a fascinating occasion is to just lay down some attractive table linen. You want to shadow the lines between outdoors and indoors and make the tables outside feel just as special as they would at a usual indoor party. Layer some table clothes on top of each other for a laid-back, countryside feel and match the table decor to that country vibe with some wooden chopping boards, Mason jars, and little vases of sweet-smelling fresh flowers.

2. Hanging Candles

When it comes to a backyard party, you will always love the look the hanging candles create. Moreover, just think how special these would look at night, making a lovely glow over the tables. You could easily do such a structure using beams (or for a more subtle look, use wood) and then just hang up the candle holders at various heights to make a lovely ambiance at the dinner table.

3. Table Decoration With Garden Findings

The key to producing lovely, country-style backyard table scrapes is using many textures, so place jars of flowers randomly throughout the plates and foods and trail garlands so they fall naturally off the sides. Instead of buying your greenery, have a look around your backyard for decor and make your floral decor. This will make a nice bond between the table design and the surrounding backyard too.

4. A Camping Vibe

Even for the adults, there is something so thrilling about camping, and that sense of a backyard party turning into a night sleepover. So pop up a tipi or tent if you have a backyard and surround it with rugs, floor cushions, and chairs to create a nice vacation feel. Get a fire going too as it gets dark and hand out some marshmallows as an after-dinner feast.

5. Green Theme

If you want to decorate your backyard for the birthday party, selecting a theme will make it punchier visually. Wish you were having a garden party in the tropics somewhere? Why not re-form a sweet tropical atmosphere with flamboyant accessories and a piñata. Add bright cushions and hanging beautifications, and you are good to go.

6. Add a shaded area

It is always a nice idea to have some shaded area at your backyard party for people who do not like being in the sun for too long, or if your visitors want a shaded spot to relax away from the main event. A gazebo or pergola would do the job, but we are loving sail shades this summer, they are so simple and fashionable and add a twist of beachy vibe to a backyard.

If you want to go for a gazebo or pergola, here is some information to know before making your decision.

Pergolas are the structures that shelter the seating areas or landscaping elements such as walkways. Often, these are rectangle-shaped, but you can also go for squares. One of the easiest ways to find a pergola is by its roof. A pergola has a roof made from horizontal planks of wood or metal. The open roof is flat instead of being angled. Adding a pergola to your backyard for the party has various benefits.

• It is a sophisticated design feature for the outdoor seating area.
• Added over outside park cooking spaces, it delivers protection from the sun.
• Foliage can be developed across the top for sun protection and landscaping
• It adds graphic appeal to a backyard or park.
• They are reasonable and easy to use.
• Vinyl pergolas are long-lasting, need low maintenance, and are water-resistant and rust-resistant.

A gazebo is a shade structure usually octagonal in shape. This open-air shelter includes a rounded roof besides symmetrical columns. Gazebos come in different sizes, and they are normally large enough to accommodate medium-sized gatherings of 20 to 40 people.

Adding a gazebo to your backyard will likely renovate the look of the space without necessitating a tremendous investment. Businesses that manufacture gazebos typically prepare them against insect invasions since they are alfresco structures. Gazebos are normally manufactured from wood, but you can also go for steel and other metals as per your party idea.

With a bolted roof and solid floor, alfresco gazebos extend your backyard’s capacity to host a horde of events as well as give a place for public gatherings on the off days. Other benefits include:

• Enhance the safety of the backyard by protecting it from outdoor elements.
• Create an extra source of revenue with weddings, parties, and more for the backyard owners
• Add a performance venue for the local concerts or recitals.
• Enhance the attractiveness of your space with a gazebo as a focal point or backyard structure.
• Offer a public gathering place where guests can rest, get out of the elements or meet a like minded person at the party
• Preserve your patio backyard furniture and amenities by placing them under a closed roof. They will withstand water and sun damage much longer.

7. A night-time backyard party

To ensure your garden party continues flawlessly into the evening, make plenty of outdoor lighting. Mix and match diverse types, from tea lights to lanterns, for a truly pretty, luminous effect.

8. Serve Fresh Lemonade

Nothing screams 'backyard party' like a lemonade dispenser. In addition, it adds such an attractive rustic feel to your backyard birthday party. You can pick them up cheaply on Amazon and make your lemonade easily using just lemons, sugar, and water. It is easy, economical, and pleasing to guests.

9. Include a Fire Pit

If you are throwing a backyard birthday party in autumn or winter, having an open fire of some kind always helps to draw everybody together. Marshmallow toasting is one of the great wishes of a cold-weather party, particularly if there are children at the party.

10. Hanging Lampshades

Give your backyard party table a real indoor/outdoor feel with some hanging actual lamp shades above. You could only hang them from string to a tree and wind around a battery-powered fairy light to form a more rustic and lovely version of this beautiful element.

11. Comfy Seating

Comfortable seating is mandatory to include in a backyard party since it is for keeping everyone pleased into the evening. We say plenty of cushions is the way to go. If your seating is naturally hard, for instance, a corner bench or metal set, get some cushions and blankets to make a cozy atmosphere for your guests.

12. Outdoor Speaker

Want to just get the party started? You must have music. And while you do not want to irritate all your neighbors with an excessively loud sound, a tinny old speaker will not do, either. Use a portable speaker that you can simply bring out into the backyard and move it around should you need to. Then you just ensure you have a banging playlist all set to play.

13. Make an outdoor kitchen for live cooking

If you are more into your al fresco dining, you can think of building an outdoor kitchen. This is a mainly worthwhile deal if you entertain regularly – imagine the time and effort saved by not having to have endless dishes back and forth between your kitchen and backyard.

14. Backyard Movie Night

There is nothing like concluding a successful backyard party with a late-night film screening. Precisely, for an outdoor cinema, all is needed is a sheet, or a white wall and an outdoor projector (if you do not know what to go for, check out online some best outdoor projectors), but we think it is the extras that make it all the more special. We love the look of festoon lights and you could add some lanterns to make even more of a lovely glow. In addition, if you are feeling extra, bring out your duvet and hang up a net-made canopy to have an almost outdoor bedroom. Isn’t it dreamy?

15. Backyard Bar

Bar stools are so nice and fun and make a cool and warm atmosphere; and – if you are very lucky and have a swimming pool – they can contribute to a poolside bar look that is just perfect for a backyard party.

Final Thoughts

It just does not matter where in the world you are, you can bet that, as soon as you use these ideas for your backyard birthday parties, you are going to nail it, helping everyone have some of the best moments of their life. Try any or all of these great backyard party ideas and let us know your experiences. We would love to add some more innovative ideas to our backyard party ideas list.