Our Backyard Reno (Pool and Deck) Phase Two!

Well, a lot has happened since I last updated you on our backyard situation.

Just to recap, in Phase One we prepped the backyard and installed a 15 x 30 aboveground pool.

Here’s a quick tour of the Phase Two results:

We extended our existing deck (you can see the two different tones of wood) and put up a new 12 x 12 gazebo (Home Depot):

Built a deck all the way around the pool (yes, basically we were trying to fake the look of an in-ground pool without the price):

Picked up some new chairs and a storage box at Canadian Tire for pool toys and towels (until the pool house is built):

Put steps in, which came with arms to attach to the deck to keep the whole unit in place (upgrading to larger, wedding-cake-tiered style steps may happen in the future):

Used two black gates to make a nice open double entrance (an idea copied from some neighbours, who were kind enough to let us come over and check out their gate – thanks, Lana and Jeremy!)

Used a framed lattice idea to close in underneath the deck:

And my favourite addition…the hot tub!

Turned the existing railing in front of the hot tub into a gate which swings open and closed:

Started thinking about little details: check out this plant stand, snatched up by my mom at Value Village for $9.99. She gave it a coat of spray paint and voila, a place to keep sunscreen and bug spray.

She also picked up the wicker table at another Value Village location ($12.99) and did the same.

So far, this corner is my favourite spot for lounging, with a view of the countryside:

Phase Three:

Future location of pool house (I know, you were wondering about the odd-looking railing, but thought it would be rude to ask, right?) That will give us a place for visitors to change, as well as storage for pool and hot tub chemicals and large pool items like lounges.

Next steps:

• Consider some sort of screen or apparatus to hide the ugly pump and heater
• Pick up some cushions and more accessories to add shots of colour to the monochrome brown thing I have going on (right now I’m liking the red accents)
• Wall decor – a clock or thermometer? Or just something decorative?
• Plants – it’s so late in the season that I might give up on that angle for now…but next Spring we’ll seriously need some shots of natural life across the deck.

And that’s it…and that’s where you’ll find me for the rest of the summer! Sure, I may be planning lessons and prepping classroom materials, but at least it will be poolside!