4 Complete Before and After Pool Remodel Projects (Inspiration & Ideas Gallery)

Your backyard is your oasis and should be exactly as you want it. Due to the climate in Phoenix, Arizona, many homes have a backyard pool. 

However, the pool and other water features need regular maintenance, and sometimes — whether you’re ready for a change or need repairs done — they require a complete overhaul. 

When looking for renovation ideas, it’s a good idea to remember that there are different types of swimming pool remodels. These range from cosmetic touch-ups to completely overhauling your pool (and likely your backyard).

Before hiring pool builders for your remodelling project, let’s take a look at the elements that you’ll want to consider as you reimagine your dream backyard. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Luxury Features to Consider When Renovating an Inground Pool
• Pool Remodel Before and After — Pool Reshaping AZ
• 4 Complete Before and After Pool Remodels and Backyard Makeovers
• Additional Elements to Consider for Your Backyard Inground Pool Renovation Before and After Design
• Final Thoughts

Luxury Features to Consider When Renovating an Inground Pool

Inground pools are made to be tailored to your needs. After all, why shouldn’t you have exactly what you want as you want it?

The beauty of an inground pool renovation project is that it can be tailored to your preferences.

WATER FEATURES

Water features add a touch of luxury to your landscape. You can use different elements, such as a fountain, a waterfall or even a pond, to turn your backyard into a desert oasis.

Adding even just a small water feature can transform its entire look.

TANNING LEDGE

Swimming and tanning tend to go hand-in-hand, especially when the gorgeous sun shines on you throughout the year in Phoenix, Arizona.

A tanning ledge has a few purposes. One, it’s a great place to lay and catch the sun’s rays that reflect off the water. Second, it makes the perfect resting spot for when you need to catch your breath.

FIRE BOWLS

When the sun goes down, the desert nights in Phoenix, Arizona can be as chilly as the days are warm.

A fire bowl means you can keep the party outside, whether it’s a large family gathering or an intimate evening for two with stargazing on the mind. Plus, you can add an element of fun and use the fire bowl to roast some marshmallows.

DECKING

A deck area — even a small one — is necessary to create a cohesive look for your backyard. It should match the overall vibe you’re trying to set.

For example, stones can project a rustic or elegant look depending on the style and color. Consider laying bricks in various colors and patterns to achieve a touch of luxury.

DIVING BOARDS

If your pool is big enough, you should up the fun factor, and what better way to do it than to add a diving board?

Show off your acrobatic skills while whooping it up with friends and family.

LIGHTING

When the sun sets, and the stars come out, you’ll need some good lighting to keep your backyard and pool illuminated.

When it comes to your pool, there are two ways to add lights — poolside and inside the pool’s structure. Both help you to still swim at night and see in the water.

SWIM-UP BARS

Why get out of the water to get a drink when you swim up to the bar and grab a refreshing beverage?

Despite it name, it’s a suitable option for all your family and friends.

Pool Remodel Before and After — Pool Reshaping

Sometimes, a pool renovation means more than just making your existing one more beautiful. It may also include reshaping the pool to fit your new vision and then adjusting the landscape around for a true backyard overhaul that will be the envy of your neighbors.

When you envision your new pool, does it have a traditional, a contemporary, or a custom shape? Each one has its unique characteristics that warrant a closer look.

TRADITIONAL SHAPE

There is no one traditional shape but a category of those that fall into this classification. Traditional pool shapes tend to be oval or rectangular.

These pool shapes tend to be the most common ones, but many people are taking the extra step to go unique in their designs.

CONTEMPORARY SHAPE

Contemporary-shaped pools have more built-in features and are usually more curvy. Kidney-shaped pools fall into this category, as do circular ones.

But contemporary designs also feature dramatic edges, such as corners you can tuck yourself into.

CUSTOM DESIGN SHAPE

Custom designs truly open the doors to any pool shape or form you can imagine.

Want a mixture of contemporary and traditional? Consider it done. Want a more dramatic shape that has people mesmerized every time they approach? You got it!

A custom design shape is your chance to make your dream pool come off the paper and into reality.

MATERIALS COMMONLY USED IN INGROUND POOL RENOVATION BEFORE AND AFTER PROJECTS

Picking the suitable material means the difference between enjoying your pool for the foreseeable future and having it remodeled again in just a few years.

Every step in your pool remodel before and after project must be meticulously carried out to ensure your dream exceeds your expectations. The first step in this process is your pool’s surface.

Plaster

Plaster is typically the most common material used in pool renovations. It’s durable and slick, and it plays nicely with water. You can choose lighter colors to give your pool water a tropical hue, or you can go a little darker for a deep-sea look. It’s one of the easiest materials to maintain.

Concrete

Concrete is the most durable option for pool remodeling. It lasts for years and is often what people use in public pools that see a lot of use.

It’s versatile, and you can paint over it to create your color scheme. Concrete is also the easiest material to fix should it chip or crack.

Pebble

If you’re going for a more natural look, pebbles are a great option to create a lake effect. They’re mixed with plaster to adhere to the pool’s surface.

However, one thing to keep in mind with pebbles is that you won’t have a smooth surface. It is a good option for stepping outside the typical design.

Tile

Tiles, while not very common, have their perks. For one, you can design any scheme you want and use a variety of colors or patterns. However, keeping them clean is essential, as dirt can catch in the creases. Many who opt for tiles see this as a small price to pay for having a genuinely stellar pool surface.

4 Complete Before and After Pool Remodels and Backyard Makeovers

Now that we explored all the ways you can improve your pool, let’s see how that looks in practice.

STEELE

This renovation took a typical Arizona backyard and turned it into an oasis.

Not only is the pool the focal point, but there’s a gorgeous outdoor kitchen space that screams entertainment. A hot tub to the side creates a space to relax. The lush grass and tile complete the look.

SIMMONS

The Simmons renovation makes the pool the focal point of the backyard.

The tile surround is part of a pool deck remodel before and after project. It leads to the house and the outdoor BBQ setup and adds a touch of elegance that compliments the landscape. An elevated spa with a stone wall takes this kidney-shaped pool to the next level.

MCH-WILLIAMS

This look foregoes a lot of greenery in favor of elegant tile that creates a spa look in the backyard.

The rectangular pool is enhanced by several stairs and rock gardens nearby for a classic-meets-contemporary look. This gives the perfect space to set up a seating area around the fire pit for those cool desert nights.

HENDRICKSON

This is another pool remodel before and after project in which the homeowner decided to go with a gorgeous, tiled entertainment space instead of lots of greenery. There’s plenty of room for the entire family to swim.

A pergola off to the side covers the outdoor kitchen and creates a space to relax in the shade while the hot tub overlooks a lush green area.

Additional Elements to Consider for Your Backyard Inground Pool Renovation Before and After Design

HOT TUB

Your pool is a great way to cool off and beat the summer heat or even work out, but what about after a long day when your muscles are tired?

Adding a hot tub to your pool renovation is a great way to relax and soothe your muscles. Plus, you can set a nice romantic mood under the stars making it a versatile option to consider.

OUTDOOR KITCHEN

If you love to entertain, an outdoor kitchen is a must.

Set it up under your lanai or have a custom ramada or pergola installed to give you a place to beat the heat. An outdoor kitchen can be as simple or as elaborate as you like.

Consider a built-in stove and oven unit or a pizza oven, or you can go a little simpler with a BBQ setup.

BBQ

If you don’t want to go the full outdoor kitchen route, a BBQ is the perfect compromise. Since they come in various sizes, you can find one that fits your needs.

Add in some countertops and cabinets so you have a workspace and don’t have to keep walking back inside; you’ll have everything at your fingertips!

SEATING

Once you’re done swimming, you’ll need a place to sit, relax and dry off. Aim for poolside seating that’s built to withstand not just the temperatures but also the moisture.

A variety of seating options is best. Chairs and reclining loungers are a must.

If you also have an outdoor kitchen or seating area, you’ll want to invest in stools or patio furniture, such as a sofa and coffee table, to create an intimate setting.

GARDEN/PLANTERS

No outdoor area, including your pool, is complete without a bit of greenery around. This is where gardens and planters come into play.

With various plants that thrive in Arizona’s arid climate, you won’t be short on options.

Colorful blooms can give your backyard that tropical look, or you can keep it simple with lush greens such as bushes and a well-manicured lawn.

FOUNTAIN

If you’re looking to add elegance to your swimming pool remodel, you’ll want to explore fountains. These can be standalone near your pool or as a focal point meant to draw the eye and the senses.

Final Thoughts

Investing in the pool renovation of your dreams is a great way to spruce up your backyard and the entertainment factor. And what’s better than being the envy of your neighborhood?

Whether you’re simply overhauling the pool itself or adding more features to your existing setup, at the end of it, you’ll have a backyard you can indeed be proud to show off.

Getting started with your before and after pool remodel project is as simple as reaching out and filling out our inquiry form. We look forward to dazzling you with our team of experts who can take any vision you have and not only design it but exceed your wildest expectations!