How to upgrade your pool this summer

Three Birds Renovations

There is that moment at the beginning of summer when the breeze has a warm feel to it, when a barbecue seems the perfect way to enjoy the evening meal, and a glass (or two) of something chilled is the best way to wind down at the end of the day.

If you want to head outside and your pool and alfresco areas are looking a little tired after winter, here are some simple ways to freshen it up and get ready for the long summer days ahead.

1. New furniture

Like the idea of lazing around the pool all summer? Perhaps it’s time to invest in some new sunlounges – it’s the best way to enjoy the holidays, with a book in one hand (or the latest copy of Home Beautiful) and a cool drink in the other. Keep the furniture neutral in design and colour and use soft furnishings for a touch of colour. Cushions are a great way of adding fun and a new colour palette – think bright florals or charming prints in fresh primaries for a quick update.

2. Pool surround

It might be time to freshen up your pool area. Pools and spas can be punishing on decks. Repeated cycles of baking hot sun and soaking from pool water makes them vulnerable to rot and fading. Just the type of damage HardieDeck™ is designed to resist.

3. Summer annuals

Take a trip to your local garden centre and pick up some potted colour. For a small outlay you can add a cheery touch to any outdoor space either through pots scattered around, or a new coloured border or two. Our pick for hardy annuals? Pansies, the pretty and petite lobelia or perhaps gardenias for that distinctive summer scent.

4. A fire pit

This on-trend garden accessory is a great way to do some informal entertaining. Gather a few friends, a couple of drinks and a packet of marshmallows and you are on your way to a good night. We love James Hardie’s HardieDeck™, for a fire pit surround because it is deemed non-combustible. Both timber and traditional composite decks don’t stand up to bushfires or the risk of fire from barbecues and fire pits.

James Hardie

5. A lighting plan

If you want to extend your summer days into long cool evenings, it’s worth investing in some good quality outdoor lights. Consider lighting pathways for safety and ambience, along with a couple of spotlights for outdoor eating areas and reading nooks. There’s some great stylish options now available for outdoor lighting – especially if you are looking for a Hamptons-style aesthetic.

Lynne Testoni

Lynne Testoni is a writer, editor and content creator in the food and design space. With a background in interior magazines, she has worked on more than 20 titles including Home Beautiful and Better Homes & Gardens. She lives in a Victorian terrace in inner city Sydney that is constantly being renovated and restyled, with the seasons and trends.