Extend the Use of Your Pool With These Additions to Your Patio in Newport and Jamestown RI

Pool season is over, right? Well, for most homeowners it is… but it doesn’t have to be. As long as the weather stays above freezing, you could extend the use of your pool with these additions to your patio in Newport and Jamestown, RI.

While the pool is the hub of summer fun, it takes more than water to make the experience memorable - and a few key amenities to make “summer” last longer.

Related: How a Mason Can Turn Your Inground Pool Into a Mini-Resort in Barrington RI

A Fire Feature

Adding a place where you can warm up after a swim can entice people to use the pool longer - when the water temperature is higher than the air temperature. A gas- or propane-fueled fire pit or outdoor fireplace creates a cozy place to warm up (avoid wood fires near the pool, because of the splinters and mess). It also helps make the best use of your patio even after the pool is finally closed down for the summer: this benefit alone makes a fire feature the single best investment you could make to your backyard living design, because it helps you make more use of a space you otherwise pay for but can’t enjoy.

A Shelter Structure

When the temperatures dip, you may be thinking that the last place you want to be is in the shade. However, a permanent shelter structure such as a pavilion or gazebo also makes the pool deck area more usable in colder months, especially if you combine it with a fire feature. A gas fire pit, fire table, or outdoor fireplace could be placed right within the confines of the shelter structure. Adding a fire feature turns your shelter structure into an outdoor room you can use year-round: even if the snow is falling!

A Hot Tub

Warm up with a relaxing soak and extend the use of your pool deck by adding a hot tub adjacent to your pool, so you can easily switch between the relatively cold pool water and the soothing warmth of the hot tub. This is another feature that helps you use your pool patio year-round.

A Wind Break

If your backyard tends to feel like a wind tunnel - which is particularly noticeable in the colder months - then a wind break will take the bite out of the air. This could be in the form of a privacy fence which of course does double duty in making your backyard a more secluded spot - or it could be more natural, such as a living wall of closely planted cedars.

A Hot Beverage Center

Having the possibility of a hot drink on hand on a chilly day will encourage you to linger outdoors longer without retreating into the house and getting too comfortable indoors. Adding a mini-kitchen to your pavilion - or anywhere near the pool such as part of your outdoor kitchen - will help you enjoy a cup of tea or hot cocoa anytime. All you need is a hot plate, a few mugs, water, and your beverage choices.

Storage for Creature Comforts

Having a few cozy fleece blankets on hand will help you make the transition to fall activities around the pool - or even just something other than a wet towel to wrap around yourself after you dry off. Weatherproof storage bins will keep your blankets dry; and some can double as attractive bench seating around the pool.

Related: 6 Ways to Customize an Inground Pool for Next Summer in Middletown and Jamestown RI Areas