by Jemma Pearson Value-added feature or lifestyle addition? A pool is both, and right now many home owners are taking the plunge and installing one. Do it right and it’s an investment you won’t regret.

Lap pools are perfect for long, skinny spaces down the side of the home and for serious swimmers who don’t want to wait for a lane down at Cotton Tree, Kawana or Noosa. The plunge pool will be big for the seasons ahead. While you can’t dive in or do laps in these pools, they are a great water feature, perfect for cooling off in small backyards. Wet-edge or infinity pools suit larger abodes. These pools create the visual illusion of the water vanishing over an unseen edge  or extending to the horizon  – great for elevated homes with views. For those  who take their water recreation seriously  – and have the space  – an indoor pool might be the way to go. Some home owners are incorporating their pools into the design of new homes, with waterways that weave past the front entrance, through the house and out the back to finish in  a large body of water. Very posh.

Water features are also hugely popular additions, either as part of  a pool or standing alone. There’s nothing more soothing than the sound of bubbling, trickling water.

If you spent last summer wishing you had a pool and spent winter saving up for one, now is the time to get stuck in and do something about it, says Richard Fogarty from Pools by Design. It takes this local pool builder anywhere from four to six weeks to construct a pool, but it is good to get in early. “Get it done now,” says Richard.

So what’s hot (or indeed, refreshingly cool)  in pools this season? “The latest I think is mainly the formal pool, and a lot of people are looking  at freshwater systems more than saltwater,” Richard says.
In terms of pool shape, Richard gets a lot  of inquiry (he does about three or four quotes  a week) for the formal rectangle pool. “There  is not much call for resort-style pools.”

He adds, “A lot of people choose concrete. It has a thicker shell and, I think, a better look. With the concrete we custom design the pool to fit well in any space, so you get more area for the money.”
Simplicity is king for the pool surrounds.  Many of Richard’s clients like to keep it simple with “some surrounding paving and tiling, maybe a small water feature. We get a fair bit of  decking and landscaping work too, because  we can do everything.”

Landscape architect David Kirkpatrick also advocates a modest approach to landscaping.  His first piece of advice is “look at what is highly fashionable and avoid”. “With decking, try to avoid merbau timber. It comes from Indonesia,  is green and it bleeds resin. Also it is very hard  to get a 100 per cent guarantee that it’s not from a protected forest. The other thing with decking  is to make sure it is thick enough so it won’t warp – 25 to 30 millimetres thick is the way to go as it looks good and marries into tiles.”

Plants are still popular to soften pool surrounds. David’s advice? “If you have garden beds close to the pool, put some good border plantings in.” Strappy-leafed plants such as dianella are a good choice, he says.

“The other thing is to top dress and feed lawns and do a pH test on the garden and lawn.” This is because the pH balance in gardens near pools are often knocked about by splashing.

When budgeting for a new pool, keep in  mind that you get what you pay for. “I would  start a pool budget for 20 linear metres at $20,000,” says Richard. “It pays to have good products and service.” This price includes it all, from pool design and construction to landscaping and paving. “Fencing is extra, but $20,000 to $25,000 is a good start for a plunge pool.”

Even those with established pool areas will probably be noticing that it’s looking a bit tired after months of winter neglect, but there are some simple things you can do to get it summer ready. “The first thing is to high-pressure clean around the pool,” says David. “A lot of cracking happens between the pool beam and paving,  so re-grout with flexible grout. Make sure you  put down masking tape so you don’t stain your paving with the grout and do a sample area to match the colour.”

While spring is the traditional time of year that home owners think about installing pools, it’s also a traditional time to sell. If you’re tidying up your property before putting it on the market, don’t forget the pool area. It’s essential to make this area appealing to potential buyers.

If you’re tidying up your property before putting it on the market, don’t forget the pool area. It’s essential to make this area appealing to potential buyers.

Bevan Horsnell is from Belle Property Buderim. Like any area of the home, whether it’s the street appeal, the kitchen or bathrooms, “keep your presentation up”, says Bevan. “Also, one of the big things is safety. Landscaping is always a good thing.” Complying with all pool safety regulations is crucial. “Parents will be looking at the pool to see if the fence is up to scratch.”

RealWay Buderim principal Jarrad McCarthy adds, “Having the pool area landscaped is the ideal so it blends in with the house and the yard. It’s also a good idea to get some nice furniture inside the pool enclosure.”

Use your pool to help sell your home to the right buyer. “They are a pretty sound investment for the outlay – a pool will always return at least what it cost,” Jarrad says. “Even those buyers who don’t necessarily want a pool are willing to pay more for a property that has one.”