You’ve been staring at your backyard and envisioning how your dream pool would look. Your kids have been begging for a pool too! There’s a lot of thought and planning that goes into this decision, especially the investment. It’s easy to imagine you and your children having fun in your new family pool for years to come, but you also have to weigh in the return on investment. Does it make sense for you to financially to put in an inground pool? Will the benefits outweigh the investment? It’s a difficult decision to make when you want to follow your heart but have to listen to your head. So, which one should win? Honestly, neither should win. Your decision should be made with your head and your heart. The years of family and friends time spent in the pool is completely worth it AND installing a pool can also be an investment that can pay off in the end. It all depends upon how long you plan to stay in your home. If you’re in for the long-haul, then yes, it could pay off with an increased resale value. If you’re only going to be there for a few more months or live somewhere that’s only warm for two months out of the year, then no, a pool will most likely not add immediate value to your home. Here in Central Florida, we are lucky enough to able to swim almost year-round, so it may be worth it to build Read the full article…
The temperatures are finally getting cooler in Central Florida. This means pool temperatures are getting colder, leading to less swimming if no swimming at all. Instead of jumping in the pool to cool off, we’re thinking about bundling up and having the first fire of the season. That is, unless, you’re lucky enough to have a heated pool or the less common indoor pool. The good news is, even if your pool has been winterized for the season, there are still ways to get your pool fun fix in the winter months! Host a Winter Pool Party Even if the weather may make it too cold to swim, here in Florida we still have warmer climates than most. Fall and Winter are the best seasons to enjoy the outdoors without sweating! This means that the space around your pool is still a great area to gather with friends and family and host a party. You never know, someone may end up jumping in the pool anyway! You can also decorate the area around the pool for the different holidays or just make it seasonal. Lighting is a great way to make the area around your pool feel like the holidays have arrived. For Thanksgiving, hang fall colored garland and place pumpkins around your garden or landscape. Come Christmas, run some twinkling strands of lights around your pool area and watch the holiday spirit come alive. Trim the trees and bushes with lights and ornaments. Break out the hot cocoa (or Read the full article…
Does the pool of your dreams include furniture IN your pool? Did you know that was actually an option? You may think it’s only something you will see and experience at a resort, but in-pool furniture is becoming more popular in residential pools. Picture yourself stretched out on a recliner under the sun while relaxing in the water. Doesn’t that sound amazing? Your pool can be more than just a place to swim, rather a place to relax and entertain as well. If your pool currently has a sunshelf or your new pool construction includes one, there is a lot of potential for in-pool furniture use. Types of In-Pool Furniture Chairs In-pool chairs are probably the most popular, and most familiar types of furniture that can go in the water. With this being the case, there are also a lot of options available for you to choose from at different price points depending upon what you want. Loungers come in different configurations (upright, adjustable, reclining) and are made from a wide array of materials. The least expensive in-pool loungers you can find will run around $50 with the highest priced being upwards of $900. Typically, a sunshelf is able to accommodate at least one chair, but a lot can fit two or more. Make sure you know the size of your sunshelf before purchasing your chairs! Check out Ledge Loungers to see all the different options available to you. Umbrellas You may luck out and order an in-pool table that Read the full article…
Our first Open House for our new New Smyrna Beach location was Saturday, March 16th and it was a huge success! The weather cooperated and the crowds came. We titled it “Hello Spring” open house because it was our way of welcoming in the Spring and getting to know the community of New Smyrna Beach. We had a BBQ grill, cooked BBQ, hamburgers and hotdogs. The owners of Discount Propane were kind enough to man the grills all day. We also had a live DJ playing lots of fun upbeat music all day for everyone to enjoy. Later in the afternoon we had a Kona Ice truck come and we gave free Kona ice to everyone. The kids attending especially enjoyed the Kona ice and the kids’ corner table with activities such as stringing beaded necklaces and hula hooping. The adults enjoyed corn hole and just taking in the scene. The best part of the day was the many families that came by with their surveys asking about swimming pools. The kind folks had a chance to discuss their options, design ideas and color selections. The day went better than planned and we are hoping to do another open house this summer! Everyone here at Pools by Bradley lives and breathes our mission of designing and building your ultimate outdoor pool atmosphere. We intend to inspire you to improve the recreational time you spend with your family and friends in your new outdoor environment. Our motto is “take care of Read the full article…
Summer is just around the corner which means more time spent by the pool and outdoor barbecues with friends and family. Everyone also loves a night out with friends to see a good movie. So, why not combine them all and host a poolside movie night? It might sound like a big task to take on, but it can really be as simple, or as elaborate as you want it to be. So how do you go about hosting a pool party movie night? Here are some tips for bringing it all together and creating an evening your friends and family won’t forget. Select the Movie Venue If you have enough space, and the budget, you may want to consider screening the movie on an inflatable movie screen. There are also rental options out there that come in a variety of sizes and price points. Check out this google search for options to buy or rent jumbotron inflatable movie screens. Or, you can go the free movie screen route! All you need is a large, blank wall or a king-sized white sheet. Make sure if you’re using a sheet that the wrinkles are steamed or ironed out and hang it as tout and smooth as possible. Last item needed is a projector. Again, these can be purchased or rented. You may even have a friend or family member that has one you can borrow! You may already have an outdoor TV installed, which could also work to play the film Read the full article…
Good news, everyone. Fire and water DO mix! In our world of custom pool building and integrated backyard designs, adding pool features (bubblers, waterfalls, sun shelves) is becoming more and more popular. One of the most popular being the addition of fire features which add a very elegant flare to any backyard. There are many ways to add flames to your pool, from fire pits and fire bowls to fire walls and outdoor kitchens. The sky’s the limit. No matter which you choose, fire features add style and warmth to your landscaping while creating a comfortable space to socialize with friends and family. Fire Features for Your Pool Fire Pits One of the most popular fire features added to backyards are fire pits. Regardless of the amount of outdoor space you have available, fire pits are a great feature in any backyard. They come in a variety of price points and are available in all kinds of materials, such as steel, concrete and brick, so you’re sure to find the design that works for your backyard oasis. They can be gas, propane or wood-burning and are most times placed or built into a sitting area; however, you can also choose to have a fire pit that is built into the pool’s perimeter wall, making it part of the pool itself, not a free-standing structure. This area becomes the focal point at outdoor gatherings and the best part is they can be used year-round! Wrap yourself up in a cozy blanket Read the full article…
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go! From retail stores to grocery stores, holiday decor is at the forefront and the holiday party planning has begun. And while most people in the northern states have to plan for indoor parties, here in Central Florida, we get to enjoy the outdoors almost year-round. Even if we do get a chill in the air, the weather here enables us to continue entertaining outside throughout the winter months. So, let’s continue on with the holiday decorating ideas for your pool and back yard for Christmas and New Year’s Eve! Check out these awesome tips to bring the winter holiday decor outdoors for everyone to enjoy. Christmas Christmas…it’s the most wonderful time of the year! With the children’s anticipation of Santa coming to gatherings with family and friends, it is a time to really get everyone in the holiday spirit. Check out these ideas to decorate your pool and backyard to make your Christmas party one to remember: Trim the Trees: You’ve decorated your inside tree, but how about your outdoor trees? Get some extra plastic ornaments on your next trip out and hang them on the greenery around your pool. Place large ornaments in the big trees and add colorful regular sized ornaments in your small trees and shrubs. You can even float some of the large faux Christmas tree bulbs in your pool! Watch your kids’ eyes light up when they see Christmas inside and outside. Floating Candles: Read the full article…
Pool noodles are a staple in almost everyone’s pool. They’re inexpensive, take up little space and provide a fun way to float around kids and adults – as well as pets! However, as we’ve all experienced, pool noodles don’t have a lifetime warranty, especially in the heat of Central Florida and their constant exposure to chlorine and other pool chemicals. Luckily, pool noodles are very versatile and can be played with in so many different ways! So what can you do with all those pool noodles when swimming season is coming to a close? Here are some clever ways to use those pool noodles before they disintegrate in your shed or garage and make them into something that is new and entertaining. Pool Noodle Ponies Want to take your foam noodle sword jousting match to the next level? Make some pool noodle ponies to ride on while you duel! You won’t be cutting the noodle this time, rather bend the noodle 1/3 of the way down the length. Take some twine and tie it tightly around near the bottom where the noodle meets below the bend to keep it in place. To create ears cut a piece of felt (any color is fine!) so it is about 7″ long and 1″ wide and slide it between the section of the noodle that is folded. Secure with hot glue. Cut another piece for the main the same length but make it 4″ wide and hot glue onto the back of the Read the full article…
When you’re building your outdoor oasis, plans don’t stop at the pool. You want a beautiful backyard around your pool that feels warm and inviting, cool and especially peaceful. The space should welcome relaxation, entertainment and especially FUN! You want places to sit, sounds to enjoy, colorful surroundings and maybe a spot for cold drinks and food. When designing your backyard to further enhance your amazing pool, there are many different features and additions you can add to take your outdoor oasis to the next level. Pools by Bradley offers numerous options when it comes to backyard design from outdoor showers to pergolas, we also have entertainment options that can be added to enhance the recreational time that you will be spending in your new outdoor environment like outdoor kitchens. Here is some additional information on the additions we offer to help take your backyard to the next level: Backyard Enhancements Outdoor Showers Outdoor showers are a great addition to any backyard with a pool. You may think of an outdoor shower as something you’d find at a beach house, and while that may be true, the benefits of outdoor showers don’t stop at salt and sand. An outdoor shower is the perfect spot for cleanup and changing after a dip in the pool. They’re also a handy area for getting the kids cleaned up without tracking everything in the house. Have a lot of guests this summer? Shower space for everyone. From a one-stop dog-cleaning spot to a post-gardening Read the full article…
Adding enhancements to your back-yard pool design can add stimulation, soothing sights and sounds, plus can engage your senses to result in a more enjoyable experience for you and your family. When building your pool and choosing to add some special features such as water fountains, fire elements or enhanced lighting effects, it’s extremely important to take into consideration the proportion and scale of the enhancements in comparison to the size of your pool and your yard. If the new pool is a part of your new home construction, it’s easiest to add these features during the design process, as opposed to adding them on later. This way you make absolutely sure that everything flows correctly with the layout of your backyard oasis. If you’re adding features onto an existing pool, you’ll want to make sure you know the shape of your pool (geometric, free-form, infinity, etc.) and the materials that your pool is built with in order to add a feature that blends in with your existing design. Also, unless you are adding a very basic feature, you’ll definitely want to hire an experienced and qualified pool builder, plumber, electrician or pool technician to install your pool’s enhancements correctly. Pools by Bradley offers numerous options when it comes to enhancements to your pool design! From water features to fire elements, we also have entertainment options that can be added in order to enhance the recreational time that you will be spending in your new outdoor environment. Some examples of Read the full article…
