This Homeowner Turned An Old Run-Down Pool Into A Tranquil Escape: 'LOVE THIS'

With around 8% of U.S. homes having a swimming pool, these yard additions are fairly common. But swimming pools are pretty high maintenance. From weekly cleanings to regular chemical treatments, they can be more hassle than they're worth. This means many of us might leave our pools empty, exposing them to the elements and making them unsightly. But if you have an old, empty pool in your home, you don't need to pay thousands to have it filled in or updated. A creative YouTuber, Lily Brook, showed us how to turn an old pool into a tranquil escape. 

Brook put a lot of work into transforming her old pool. She removed the lining, leveled it out with soil, and added a fence and stairs. On top of this, she built raised beds in her sunken garden, added a wall, and laid turf. All that hard work paid off, and the result was incredible. The sunken garden is a peaceful, private area for hanging out and getting away from the hectic everyday, and many people online are gushing over its beauty and are inspired to create one themselves. However, not everyone is convinced of its practicality. A few commenters asked for more information regarding drainage and snow issues, and another asked one very important question: how much did this transformation actually cost?

Brook suggests that turning a swimming pool into a sunken garden is a cheaper option than filling it in, and she may be right. Filling in a swimming pool to turn it into a garden will set you back anything between $2,500 to $12,000. The cost of turning one into a sunken garden does add up. For example, you will need a dump truck to add the soil into the pool, and this can cost around $450 per day. Then, if you are adding a wall, there is the cost of bricks, with a pallet being around $250 to $800. On top of that, you have to pay for fences, steps, soil, plants, lawn, materials for your raised planters, and your plants. 

Alongside the realistic cost, it is essential that you are aware of the amount of work this will take, too. Brook and her husband are very skilled DIYers and did most of it themselves. So, if you have the skills and are ready for some hard work, this project may be perfect for you. 

If you do decide to turn your pool into a sunken garden, planning is really important. Think about the layout, how you want to use your sunken garden, and what fast-growing shade plants will thrive in the sheltered space. You also need to keep drainage in mind. Water will naturally gather at the lowest point of your yard, and if that is your sunken garden, you may accidentally revert it back to being a swimming pool! If your climate is overly wet or snowy, will you be able to create a sunken garden that will manage those conditions? Make sure your drainage is adequate and seek professional advice for insight.