Pool Update & What Patio Furniture I Chose

Hi friend! I hope you’re having a great week! Our pool is finally complete and I’m thrilled to get to share it with you today! And, after searching for months for patio furniture, I ordered a couch and two chairs that should be here next month!

Swimsuit • Hat

As you may remember, I started this pool project in September 2023. That’s when I started getting bids and making plans. I choose Trahan pools and signed the contract on October 20. After the backyard was marked and permits approved, they started digging the pool on November 9. The pool was filled with water on January 30.

After the pool was finished, there was still turf to install, the fence to put back up, a new Holly tree to be planted, and additional landscaping that’s still in the works. Oh, we also added landscape lights under some of the Holly trees.

The pool has three steps into the pool from the patio that we extended. There’s also a tanning ledge with umbrella mounts for shade and three bubblers.

The pool goes from 3 feet to 5 1/2 feet deep.

Eventually, I may add lounge chairs and a side table in the tanning ledge.

Basketball Goal

On the the deep end of the pool, there’s a bench going along the end of the pool for people to sit.

The coping around the pool and the patio tile is white quartzite. I’m so in love with the white marble look of this tile! It’s really gorgeous in person.

The only issue I’m having is that I have Holly trees surrounding my backyard for privacy and they bloom red berries every couple of years. They are currently dropping those berries and if I don’t sweep them off the tile, they can stain it.

The pool basketball hoop was a shared birthday gift for my kids. They LOVE it! They’ve already been using it a ton and James assembled it himself!

I like how it’s got an acrylic backboard so it doesn’t obstruct the view.

The water is chlorine as opposed to saltwater and all of the pool equipment is located at the side of the house. I can operate the pool cleaner, lights (they can change colors), heater, bubblers, from an app on my phone.

We had to wait 28 days from when the plaster was complete to heat the pool. I have it set to 84 degrees now.

I’m fortunate to have a very handsome pool boy to keep the chemicals in check. Thank you Elliott!

He also hung two hooks on the fence so we can keep the pool net out of the way here. In the future, we’ll add stepping stones so you can walk back here with bare feet.

The original backyard plan was to extend the patio three feet and then have turf surrounding the pool. I’m so glad we chose to extend the patio further, all the way to the pool.

We just added turf behind the pool because the kids still may want to have that area to play and also for the dogs. We installed sprinklers there so that the turf can be ‘washed’ and cooled during the hot summer months.

This turf is premium grade and feels so soft underfoot. It’s interesting to note that they pour sand in the turf as the last step to make it stand up.

The tile part that’s sticking out into the turf contains the skimmer baskets. Had I known that I’d be tiling all the way to the pool, I would have kept them on the side closest to house.

Egg Chair

I do like having our egg chair back here. It’s a great location to observe from and very relaxing.

Jeans • Tank

You can see in the photo above where we still need to paint some of the fence boards and plant new ground cover. I was honestly surprised that our fence went back to normal after being taken down so that the equipment could access the backyard.

Also, the new Holly tree is a small 65 gallon as opposed to a 100 gallon because that’s all that was available. It should grow to be a large tree in time though.

Table • Chairs

Extending the patio to the pool gives us so much more room to move around. This is the table and chairs I’ve had for years, but I am considering replacing the table with a six-seater.

The patio has umbrella mounts because this part of the backyard isn’t covered. We also have enough room to put lounge chairs in this space. Maybe next winter, a fire pit.

The outdoor baskets are perfect for holding balls and pool accessories, but we may need something larger in the future for pool noodles, floats, towels, etc.

Towel • Hat • Hook

This pole was the perfect place to install dual-sided hooks to hang towels, hats, and bags.

SPF Bag

Planter

A couple weekends ago, Elliott and I went in search of live plants and planters to add to the backyard. It really helps the space look more fresh with the addition of live plants.

I found this large concrete planter at Pottery Barn and the olive tree at a local nursery. The olive tree needs full sun, so we’ll keep it out from under the patio roof.

Grey Planter • Target Planter • Etsy Wall Hanger • Faux Potted Plants

We put a gorgeous aloe vera plant in the grey fluted planter and flowering plant in the smaller white one.

For now, I have faux flowers in the hanging planter, but I’d like to switch them to herbs or succulents.

Black Planter

The outdoor kitchen with sink, grill and fridge was already in place, so we didn’t have to change anything there. It’s a nice feature to be able to keep water, gatorade or fresh fruit in the fridge while we’re spending time outside.

Planters

The addition of more fresh flowers really brightens up the area.

Patio Furniture

Which brings me to the major decision of what furniture to buy for the main patio seating area.

Rug • Chairs • Side Table • Black Plant Stand

I knew I wanted an outdoor sofa and two side chairs. The sofa would go where these two chairs are sitting now and the side chairs would go opposite those.

The chairs I have in the space now go on our front patio and I’ll move them back with the new furniture arrives.

Jeans • Tank

I ended up choosing a black couch from Pottery Barn, along with two coordinating chairs.

I looked at so many places in person and online before deciding. So many things to consider including the dimensions, seating width and depth, fabric material/upkeep and color. Not to mention the design and cost.

Elliott and I went to several retailers to try to see the patio furniture in person, but many places (including Pottery Barn) didn’t have the patio furniture on their sales floor. I will say I really appreciate him talking this decision over with me at length He’s very thoughtful with these kinds of conversations and I appreciate it so much. He’s also had a pool and outdoor furniture before, so he’s been a helpful resource throughout this process.

LEFT (high performance slub weave “linen”) | RIGHT (high performance slub weave “natural”)

I ordered fabric samples and ended up ordering the one on the right “natural” but I like the linen too. Fingers crossed!

Eventually, I want to add a side table for between the two chairs and probably a coffee table.

1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13

It’s wild to remember what the back yard looked like before compared to how it is now!

I’ve never had a home with a pool, so this is all new. I can tell you that I absolutely LOVE sitting out in the patio in the morning with my coffee and journal.

I’ve also been taking my lunch outside and eating at the table.

The kids have been swimming in the pool daily and Jordan started getting in even before it was heated! I wouldn’t let her stay in too long, but I’m so happy that she wants to use it so much.

When we had our family birthday party last weekend and everyone was outside and enjoying the pool, it made my heart so happy!

And my 14 year-old son requested a pool party with his friends this weekend!

We live in Houston where it gets unbelievably hot and humid in the summer, so I’m sure this pool will be our hang out spot all summer and beyond.

If there’s anything I left our or you have any questions, let me know in the comments!

Have a fantastic day friend!