The Dramatic Pool Design Real Estate Agents Advise Against
Pools are a feature that can add to the value of a home, especially when it is an in-ground pool and the home is located in a warm climate. The quality and condition of a home pool also impact how much of an asset it is. This means it is better to exclude a pool with undesirable features or more problems than benefits. One of these features is the presence of metal handrailings.
The dramatic pool design that some real estate agents advise against is having handrailings because they've simply gone out of style. While they were appreciated as a support tool for helping people go in or out of the pool, maintaining clean aesthetics is more important now. "They can really date a pool's look and remind people of staying at a hotel in the '70s when going to a pool was a really big deal," explains real estate agent Cara Ameer (via Apartment Therapy). Here's more on this feature and other outdated pool designs to avoid.
Metal handrailings
When choosing pool features and designing your outdoor space, consider safety, comfort, and overall aesthetic appeal. The primary purpose of metal handrailings in the pool is to provide support and safety, but they don't always achieve that. They can become slippery when wet, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries, especially for children and older adults. They can also become hot to the touch in the sun, which makes them uncomfortable and difficult to hold on to when needed.
In terms of aesthetics, metal handrailings may not always match the aesthetics of the pool or the surrounding landscape and may detract from the overall look and feel of the space. Pools without railings look clean and modern instead of feeling like an outdated public pool. Metal handrails can also corrode, which spoils the look. If you must have handrailings for your pool, consider alternative materials to metal that won't corrode and blend seamlessly with your property's design and landscape. Some of these are PVC, stainless steel, and aluminum with protective finishings.
Other pool designs to avoid
Potential buyers need to be able to see themselves in a home through listing photos, videos, or at an open house. Whether it's paint colors or pool features, a house needs to have a broad appeal so that whoever sees it can feel like it can be theirs. In addition to outdated or highly personalized features, any complicated home features that can cause confusion or hesitation can potentially hurt a sale.
Some other dramatic pool designs that real estate agents advise against are any features that are difficult to maneuver. Pool fountain settings may feel elegant and light shows may seem fun, but potential buyers might be put off by figuring out how everything works and focusing instead on the problems such features could bring. "The more fancy water features there are, the more risk that something could go wrong," says Ameer to Apartment Therapy. You can't go wrong when designing a home pool by keeping things simple and easy to maintain.