Americans love their pools. According to the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (yes, there is an association of pool and spa professionals), there are approximately 10.4 million residential pools and a further 309k public swimming pools in the United States.

It’s worth saying again‚ÄìAmericans love their pools. Why wouldn’t they? Swimming is not only good for your personal health, but it’s a convenient way to stay cool during the hot summer days. Pools and water features are common meeting places too, so if you live in a close-knit neighborhood and are looking for a place to celebrate a holiday, then where better to have a party (remember those?) than around a swimming pool? Kids love playing in them, adults love lounging by them, and no one can deny that a good swimming pool design makes for a great yard aesthetic.

Americans really love their pools.

If you’re looking to get yourself a well-designed swimming pool installed, either to cool off during the hot weather or to add some exercise to bolster your 2021 diets, then here are a few ideas to get you started.

Make sure the land is right first.

You don’t want to build a pool in your backyard only to find it sinking not long after. Alternatively, who wants to jump into a pool that was found to have been built on a historical burial site? A haunted swimming pool can be easily avoided with a little research into the land first.

Ok, that example might be a little unrealistic, but do you know what really lies beneath the ground behind your home? The quality of the soil might be a giveaway that there’s something under it that wouldn’t do well if a water feature was installed above, but that’s only the case if you know what it is that you’re looking for. To make sure that the land that you’re planning to put your swimming pool on is fit for your purpose, you’re going to need a topographical-based opinion.

You should have been made aware of anything that might be under the ground that your home rests on before you moved in, but on the off-chance that you haven’t been, it will definitely be worth double-checking with the local authorities first. You might have built your swimming pool with good intentions, but if it turns out that you stuck on over a historical site or land, then no one is going to thank you for it. In all likelihood, your backyard is going to be fine, but let’s imagine for a moment that building a swimming pool behind your house is not a viable option. What do you do then?

At that point, you can always look for some cheap, unused land in the area. Somewhere that’s not too far away and cheap enough to make the project worth it. Before you go in with all shovels digging, don’t forget that you have to still do your due diligence there too. For this, you can rely on Acrebin (found at acrebin.com). This is a land broker that will help you find that fit-for-purpose place to build your pool. They provide topographical maps, ordinance surveys, and everything else that you need to know before you sign on the dotted line. You should never make an uninformed decision, and Acrebin will ensure that you don’t. Ordinarily, they help buyers find land for farming and hunting, so tell them that you are planning to build a pool on there and they might ask to be invited to the Fourth of July.

Get the pool built to be how you want it.

Let’s be honest, this isn’t going to be one the cheapest of purchases that you’re going to make. If you’re going to be investing a fair bit of money into installing one, your pool design may as well be exactly to your liking‚Äîwithin reason, of course. You don’t simply have to have the first option that the pool builder comes up with; this is your project, and you have the final say on what you’re buying.

Obviously, this is probably not going to be your area of expertise, but that shouldn’t be an issue. Most pool companies that are worth the money are the ones who can advise you and do their best to keep the pool design exactly as you want it. Take Olympus Pools as an example. There are a number of pool companies in Lakeland, Florida, but Olympus stands out for their customer service, their unique pool designs, and their willingness to work with you and within your expectations. If you want, you can have an outdoor kitchen added close by or have part of your new pool convert to a hot-tub for a nice winter haven during the colder months of the year. They also offer a free estimate, so if you’re in the Lakeland area, then check out Olympus pools.

Add a few little extra features here and there.

Sitting and chatting by the pool is one of the oldest recreational activities in the world. In fact, there are even some ancient empires who would make serious governmental decisions from them (looking at you specifically, Ancient Roman Senators). If you have a particularly great looking pool or one with an abundance of adjacent features, then you’re probably about to become a central community hub (if you want to be, of course!).

Once the main feature is installed, you can spruce up the surrounding area with seating areas and a good amount of shrubbery. The power of plants is that they make even the most minimalist of areas look incredible. Have a look at Lively Root’s website to find some plant bundles for delivery at some great prices too. You can add all sorts of natural coloring to the surrounding pool side area without breaking the bank on a whole host of furniture or statues. Plus, in the long run, the more plants you have around your yard, the better for the environment your home will be‚Äîand ultimately, who doesn’t want a healthier planet in which to enjoy our healthier activities?