Pool Water Features, Lighting & Accessories
The pool itself is only part of the project.
The goal is not to add everything available.
Lighting can change how the space feels after dark. A water feature can add movement and sound. The right cover can make everyday pool ownership more practical. And features such as slides, bubblers, or an attached spa can change how the pool is actually used.
It is to choose the features that make sense for your pool type, your property, and the way you want to use the backyard.
It is to choose the features that make sense for your pool type, your property, and the way you want to use the backyard.
Pool Lighting
Lighting is one of the simplest ways to extend how long you can enjoy the pool area.
It improves visibility after dark, highlights the shape of the pool, and can make the water look completely different at night than it does during the day.
Depending on the pool and equipment setup, lighting options may include:
Underwater pool lights
Spa lighting
Accent lighting
Color-changing options
Lighting coordinated with pool automation
The best lighting plan starts with where the pool sits in relation to the house, patio, seating areas, and other parts of the yard.
A clean sheet of water that works especially well with more geometric pool designs and raised walls.
Sheer Descents
Often used on tanning ledges or shallow areas to add movement without overwhelming the rest of the pool.
Bubblers
A waterfall can create a more natural visual effect and add noticeable water sound to the backyard.
Waterfalls
Depending on the project, additional water elements can be incorporated to create movement, sound, or a more distinctive focal point.
Fountains and Other Water Effects
Water Features
Water features add movement and sound to a pool project.
That can create a stronger visual focal point, but the feature should still fit the scale and style of the pool.
Not every feature is appropriate for every pool type or layout. DRS Pool & Spa can help determine what works with a vinyl liner, fiberglass, or gunite pool before the design is finalized.
Pool Covers
A pool cover can serve several purposes depending on the type selected.
Some homeowners prioritize convenience. Others are focused on seasonal protection or safety.
Available options may include automatic or safety-style covers depending on the pool design and project.
Cover compatibility should be considered early because the pool shape, coping, decking, and other details can affect what options are practical.
For homeowners planning a new pool, it is much easier to account for the cover during the design phase than to treat it as an afterthought.
Slides and Other
Recreation Features
For some families, the best pool is the one that gets used constantly.
Features such as slides can create more activity and give kids another reason to spend time outside.
But they also require enough space, proper positioning, and a pool configuration that supports safe use.
That is why recreation features need to be considered as part of the overall design rather than squeezed into whatever space is left.
Attached Spas
An attached spa can add another way to use the backyard, especially during cooler Michigan weather.
DRS Pool & Spa can incorporate attached inground spas into vinyl liner, fiberglass, and gunite pool projects, depending on the specific design and configuration.
If a spa is one of your priorities, it should be part of the design conversation from the beginning.
Equipment & Automation
Many features depend on what is happening behind the scenes.
Pumps, heaters, lighting controls, water features, and attached spas all need to work together through the pool’s equipment system.
DRS Pool & Spa works with Hayward pool equipment, with components selected according to the needs of the project.
Automation can also make certain pool functions easier to control, including lighting, heating, pumps, and compatible water features.
The equipment plan should support how you actually intend to use the pool rather than simply adding technology because it is available.
Choose Features Based on How You Will Use the Pool
It is easy to build a long wish list.
The harder question is which features will still matter after the first few weeks of owning the pool. Those questions tend to lead to better decisions than choosing features based entirely on photos.
Before adding something, ask:
Will we use this regularly?
Does it improve how the pool functions?
Does it fit the scale of the backyard?
Is it worth the effect it has on the overall project investment?
Does it work with our selected pool type?
Pool Features FAQs
Can water features be added to any pool?
It depends on the pool type, design, plumbing, and overall project. Water features are easiest to plan during new construction or a substantial remodel.
Does DRS Pool & Spa install pool lighting?
Yes. Pool lighting can be incorporated into qualifying new construction and remodeling projects.
Can I add a slide to my pool?
Potentially. The pool layout, water depth, available deck space, and installation requirements all need to support the feature.
Does DRS install pool covers?
Pool cover options can be incorporated depending on the pool design and project. The exact product should be selected based on the pool and homeowner's priorities.
Can I add an attached spa?
Yes. DRS Pool & Spa offers attached inground spas as part of vinyl liner, fiberglass, and gunite pool projects.
Build Around the Features You Will Actually Use
A good pool design does not need the longest feature list.
It needs the right combination of water, deck space, lighting, equipment, and added features for the way you plan to use the backyard.
DRS Pool & Spa can help you sort through the options and decide what belongs in your project before construction begins.
