Backyard Pool Renovation: How I Created a Resort-Style Oasis at Home
The backyard pool renovation I’ve been dreaming about (and why I’m never going inside again)
There are projects you think you want to do someday…
…and then there are the ones where you hit a breaking point and just go for it.
This pool? Definitely the second one.
My old pool was over 30 years old, and let’s just say, it was hanging on by a thread. Tiles were literally falling off, it felt outdated, and it definitely wasn’t the kind of space you walk into and think, “ahh yes, this is where I want to spend my entire summer.”
So I decided to change that.
The Vision: Backyard Oasis
I had one goal:
resort vibes, right in our backyard.
And honestly… is that too much to ask?
I wanted a space that felt:
- Relaxing
- Functional for our family
- A place we’d actually use every day
Because what’s the point of a beautiful space if it doesn’t fit your life?
The Reality (aka the messy middle)
Let’s just say… it wasn’t exactly a quick weekend project.
- It took 22½ hours just to drain the pool
- The tile was falling apart
- Every decision (especially the tile) took way longer than expected
- And yes… some design choices stirred opinions
But that’s part of it, right?
Good design usually comes with a little tension.
The Big Decision: Changing the Depth
One of the biggest changes we made?
We filled the pool in, from 8 feet deep to 5 feet.
And I’ll be honest… not everyone loved that idea.
But here’s the thing:
Some families love deep pools.
My family loves to stand, play, laugh, and shoot hoops together.
So we made the pool work for us.
That’s the whole point.
There is no “right” design, only what works best for your life.
The Must-Have: Sun Ledge Living
If there’s one decision I’d make again instantly…
It’s the sun ledge.
This is officially my spot now:
- Sitting in the water
- Under an umbrella
- Watching my kids play
- Not moving for hours
I didn’t expect to love it this much, but now I can’t imagine the pool without it.
The Details That Made It Feel Like a Resort
Once the structure was done, it was all about the feeling.
I wanted it to feel elevated but still fun. Simple, but styled.
The Umbrella (obsessed is an understatement)
A 7-ft beach umbrella with fringe. It instantly gives that resort feel.
The Lounge Chairs (aka where I live now)
Clean, modern, and comfortable enough that I genuinely don’t want to get up.
The Fun Touch
A flamingo float for under $30, because not everything has to be serious.
The Unexpected Favorite
Floating solar lights… and honestly, I didn’t know how much I needed these until now.
The Best Part
It’s not the tile.
It’s not the plaster.
It’s not even the design.
It’s this:
We use it. Every single day.
That’s when you know a project worked.
Want to See It Come to Life?
We captured the whole process, from demo to transformation.
It’s one of those transformations you just have to see.
If you’re stuck in the “saving it for later” phase…
this is your sign.
You don’t need perfect timing.
You don’t need every detail figured out.
You just need to start.
Stop pinning. Start doing.
