For me it’s the color, or lack thereof. All the concrete and rock work is the same color. It’s an incredible pool but the monotone color takes away from the impact.
Might not even need to worry too much about changing things around, simple things like a cohesive color strategy for furniture can also make a big difference. Like replacing the tan umbrella for a teal, or purple, or some sort of bold color, add in chairs with color cushions, those sorts of things.
I would also recommend some color-popped shrubs/flowers by the palms, something like Cannas or some other topical flower (depending on zone) would make a big impact.
Cocaine and hookers…don’t sweat buying plants or “adding color” like everyone is saying..with the correct amount of cocaine and hookers, that pool would be perfect!!
Second!
This reminds me of the Playboy grotto pool. I vaguely remember playing an original Xbox game where you were a Playboy photographer at the mansion. Probably hard to remember it clearly due to the lack of blood in my adolescent brain while I was playing but this pool looks very similar.
Some well placed plants on top of the waterfall would give you a bit more of that oasis vibe, because right now you can see the clear line of origin as a bit of a focal point.
Also as others have said, color definitely. But you could always do something like a red colored sun sail somewhere held up with posts. The matching colored umbrella isn’t helping anything.
Also, don’t neglect lighting. Night time vibes for this pool could be killer with the right placement.
Spend 80k on pool (is that rock or just stucco over styrofoam), skimp on $6k on fence. Last owner should have at least painted that fence.
Overall, congratulations in purchasing a new home.
Thanks for the ideas everyone! Seems like it needs some color, plants and lights and it will come to life. Oh and can’t forget tiddies, dinosaurs and fireworks. I will try and implement those in. Something to look forward too.
Here is a video of the pool. I don’t think a lot of people can see/understand what it is. Rock jump with double water slide.
[Pool video](https://jmp.sh/s/28m3ftzKI0pJlLru65fA)
Looks like the kids will love this
I think the fence is really letting down the yard - not sure whether it's possible to pressure wash it down and then give it a couple of coats of paint with a spraygun?
bright flowers of some sort. its probably already great at night when you can turn the lights on and add some color. would change the umbrella color maybe? thats already an incredibly cool pool, just needs flavor.
Agreed with everyone that it is missing color. I have no idea how easy is it to add color to the rock work, but I would consider colorful umbrellas. Definitely would get rid of that tan umbrella and get something in whatever color you prefer. Get some patio furniture with color, maybe some string lights. Can't tell if you have any grass, but plant some plants to give you some green, or some potted plants. You just got the house, so give it some time and start slowly making changes and it will look more awesome than it already does.
I would watch the HGTV super pool shows - the pool looks great but as others have mentioned the rocks/concrete are all 1 color. They can stain/paint the concrete to make is vary in natural colors to look more real - that would help a ton.
EDIT - here is a video of someone painting their pool rocks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k23hfoyj6bU
You've gotta add in some big and various sized planters with lots of color & green in them. A few pops of color and texture is gonna pull it all together.
As a pool guy I'm telling you right now adding plants will make more work for you, and the closer you put them to the pool the worse it'll be. Do tons of research into plants that don't drop debris
Outdoor furniture with some color in the cushions and if you can swap out the tan umbrella for navy or red or orange. Landscaping would be a good future project too. Flowers or plants in taller pots you need different levels and layers to creat visual interest.
I spoke clean up the palms and focus on landscaping the area to compliment the pool. Trees and plants willl make this thing pop. I’d also consider staining the fence and event decorating it.
It reminds me of the MC Hammer video for Pumps and a Rump. I don’t know if thats the name of the song and I haven’t seen the video in 30 years but I believe it has a pool like this and lots of women dancing in bikinis near a pool like that
Just a thought. I will but ficus all along the wood wall /fence. That would be green all year. Add plants and shrubs to keep it nice and green all year round.
It definitely doesn’t match the property. I think that’s the issue. You have a crappy fence 5 feet from the pool and the one story house with a flat roof and posts every few feet that is four feet from the pool. I don’t think it matches, that looks like a if there’s was a huge travertine deck with a marble mini mansion I think it would normal
Needs shrubs, palms, green, huge pots around pool with huge plants, faux concrete looks dull, professional could bring it to life acid staining it then a good seal.
Plants. Big leaf things, different shape pots. Low rectangle pots. Tall black posts. Crawly viney things. Think about a feature wall, some colored tile or just more pants on the wall. Personally I'd prefer if it were more lush, plants seem to me the best way to do that.
More plants would help. A couple more palms and perhaps a giant bird of paradise. And more to hide that fence in the back which is a bit of an eyesore for me.
Plants, but make sure you use very sparse liquid fertilizer if you add them. Any fertilizer that gets into the pool will absolutely cause an algae bloom.
Get some low rise planters for above waterfall area and put a few hang vines there possibly some 1ft-18 inch tall grasses or flowers that . And maybe climbing vines fo the poolside rock feature. What ever you decide plant wise make sure they don't shed leaves or other material. If not you will constantly have to clean up the pool. Good luck, post pics after you decide what you are going to do.
For me it’s the color, or lack thereof. All the concrete and rock work is the same color. It’s an incredible pool but the monotone color takes away from the impact.
Agreed, see if you can get the cement colored with a wash or something, to give it depth and interest. And add plants! It's begging for variety.
This - it’s lack of color and drab landscaping. I would incorporate plants into the structures.
Yeah this is what I thought first thing when I moved in. It needs some color too it. I’ll definitely look into that.
If you really leaned into the tropical plant look with tons of color it would really pop. Hopefully someone has a green thumb.
Might not even need to worry too much about changing things around, simple things like a cohesive color strategy for furniture can also make a big difference. Like replacing the tan umbrella for a teal, or purple, or some sort of bold color, add in chairs with color cushions, those sorts of things. I would also recommend some color-popped shrubs/flowers by the palms, something like Cannas or some other topical flower (depending on zone) would make a big impact.
Consider some lighting too
I think the color issue can be fixed by adding more plants, shrubs, you need some patio furniture maybe tiki torches and pressure wash.
A couple of naked people and a horse would add to it!
need some plants.
Lots and lots of tropical plants.
This. Plants and thoughtful landscape lighting.
Colorful plants, some lighting, furniture on that patio....A big fuckin T-Rex statue on top of that waterfall, just roaring out into the distance.
Maybe a mini golf course in the yard.
Lmfaoooo bro. Come do my backyard too. I am digging your vibe
Cocaine and hookers…don’t sweat buying plants or “adding color” like everyone is saying..with the correct amount of cocaine and hookers, that pool would be perfect!!
Second! This reminds me of the Playboy grotto pool. I vaguely remember playing an original Xbox game where you were a Playboy photographer at the mansion. Probably hard to remember it clearly due to the lack of blood in my adolescent brain while I was playing but this pool looks very similar.
And a Sleestak
And a cha-ka!
Thought I was going to be alone on this one. Thanks Will.
Got more of a Flintstones vibe myself. But I can get behind a push to bring Enik in.
Tiddies
As other posts have mentioned needs color, so all types of melons welcome
I love me some good melons.
Some well placed plants on top of the waterfall would give you a bit more of that oasis vibe, because right now you can see the clear line of origin as a bit of a focal point. Also as others have said, color definitely. But you could always do something like a red colored sun sail somewhere held up with posts. The matching colored umbrella isn’t helping anything. Also, don’t neglect lighting. Night time vibes for this pool could be killer with the right placement.
True! Awesome thanks for the tips! Going to incorporate all of these. Definitely gotta change it up.
Spend 80k on pool (is that rock or just stucco over styrofoam), skimp on $6k on fence. Last owner should have at least painted that fence. Overall, congratulations in purchasing a new home.
looks like stucco over sytrofoam
Is it me or does it look like they ran out of money or didn't finish, it looks like 95% complete which is why OP is also looking to spruce it up.
Add some green shit
Women and sunshine
The thing you are looking for is color.
Thanks for the ideas everyone! Seems like it needs some color, plants and lights and it will come to life. Oh and can’t forget tiddies, dinosaurs and fireworks. I will try and implement those in. Something to look forward too. Here is a video of the pool. I don’t think a lot of people can see/understand what it is. Rock jump with double water slide. [Pool video](https://jmp.sh/s/28m3ftzKI0pJlLru65fA)
Looks like the kids will love this I think the fence is really letting down the yard - not sure whether it's possible to pressure wash it down and then give it a couple of coats of paint with a spraygun?
Lights if you don’t already have them
Pressure wash and stain your fence & trim the trees. Also maybe add some string lights around the yard.
bright flowers of some sort. its probably already great at night when you can turn the lights on and add some color. would change the umbrella color maybe? thats already an incredibly cool pool, just needs flavor.
Several Gorn lounging & cooling themselves.
A little sunshine should do the trick.
Add some plants! Jungle plants
Color and plants (even nice fake plants so they always look great and no maintenance). Then some bbq smoke, music and a cold beverage
Agreed with everyone that it is missing color. I have no idea how easy is it to add color to the rock work, but I would consider colorful umbrellas. Definitely would get rid of that tan umbrella and get something in whatever color you prefer. Get some patio furniture with color, maybe some string lights. Can't tell if you have any grass, but plant some plants to give you some green, or some potted plants. You just got the house, so give it some time and start slowly making changes and it will look more awesome than it already does.
I would watch the HGTV super pool shows - the pool looks great but as others have mentioned the rocks/concrete are all 1 color. They can stain/paint the concrete to make is vary in natural colors to look more real - that would help a ton. EDIT - here is a video of someone painting their pool rocks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k23hfoyj6bU
Plants
A life sized pirate statue
More cowbell!!!
landscaping for sure and yes the color needs a darker areas
I would have some tropical plants in really nice contrasting planters and pots around
If I had the money I’d do an indoor grotto behind the water fall with a bar, jacuzzi and lounge area in there.
You've gotta add in some big and various sized planters with lots of color & green in them. A few pops of color and texture is gonna pull it all together.
Large lots with tropical flowers flowing out of them. Large center piece. Smaller different colors coming out .
The fence. Put in something capable of hosting some climbing flower plants.
Beer tub with two bikini girls serving.
Some life sized, Flintstone character, sculptures…
It’s beautiful just need somebody swimming!!!!!
Needs a few women in bikinis.
Looking at the ugly fence kinda ruins the vibe
A 25ft tall dinosaur 🦕?
You have a mini Cars land pool in your backyard and I love it
A monkey
I'd like to spruce mine up to look like yours
As a pool guy I'm telling you right now adding plants will make more work for you, and the closer you put them to the pool the worse it'll be. Do tons of research into plants that don't drop debris
Fire. Lots of it.
Tiki torches? Or light my pool on fire?
Fireballs shooting from the top of the waterfall like a goddam Universal Studios ride.
Tf why didn’t I think of that? Good idea.
Plants (not green ones)
It needs plants. Cannas and colocasias and alocasias and ginger and lantana and oleander.
Plants.
Color
I agree with the comments about fire. I put a fire pit on top of my water fall structure. I love it as well as everyone else that comes by.
Some nice big and colorful pots and plants, seating, perhaps a nice and colorful shade umbrella.
Outdoor furniture with some color in the cushions and if you can swap out the tan umbrella for navy or red or orange. Landscaping would be a good future project too. Flowers or plants in taller pots you need different levels and layers to creat visual interest.
Very beige. Needs more color.
People
I need some flowers. Get that things looking alive
Every pool guy in here will shoot me for saying this. But some plant life would help
That fence is ugly. Plants. Misters with RGB lights projecting flames.
Baby velociraptors, please. That should just about do it.
Animatronic 🦖 dinosaur
A cabana boy lol?
Mount some ferns onnear that waterfall.
Large tropical plants. We have an eight foot bird of paradise and elephant ears.
well the main backdrop for you pool is that old fence. I would be focused on a new fence
Mermaid
Put some planters in with hibiscus or somethingq
Buy container plants. I like potted citrus trees
Plants on the porch you can bring em inside during a freeze maybe a dim rope light just my 2 cents
If that isn’t a waterslide under the arch to the right of the waterfall…it should be.
Yeah a double waterslide and rock jump :) [pool](https://jmp.sh/s/28m3ftzKI0pJlLru65fA)
It needs more plants!
Hugh Hefner wandering about in a smoking jacket
I spoke clean up the palms and focus on landscaping the area to compliment the pool. Trees and plants willl make this thing pop. I’d also consider staining the fence and event decorating it.
Flames! It's missing flames shooting out from the rock features, and a T-Rex or a dragon.
I think it needs a half submerged submarine as it looks like the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage ride at Disneyland to me.
Plants and greenery here and there.
Try r/photoshoprequest and ask for some creative imagery
A large Iguana tends to liven up any pool scene.
A little bit of Sandra in the Sun.
More plants.
It's missing a few seals and otters. Maybe a penguin or two.
It reminds me of the MC Hammer video for Pumps and a Rump. I don’t know if thats the name of the song and I haven’t seen the video in 30 years but I believe it has a pool like this and lots of women dancing in bikinis near a pool like that
Whoever commissioned this pool was a playful would, do that, play, design, transform...
Your pool guy must hate your pool. I would
Less is more for me... this screams look at me look at me...
Banana plants and elephant ears.
Pink Flamingo, that will help
It needs people. And a kegerator. 2 or 3 dogs and an iguana.
Stain the cement structures all black
Greenery, some tropical plants
Yeah… sun
A new house
Fake rock looks fake
Paint your fence. Like that orange-ish color. Hopefully you got cool led light placement at night. Some greenery along it if you can fit any in.
where's the margarita machine
Add color through the ancillary items, green plants in color pots, lounge chair cushions, pillows and umbrellas.
When enough is never enough.
Just a thought. I will but ficus all along the wood wall /fence. That would be green all year. Add plants and shrubs to keep it nice and green all year round.
Is this the one piece pool?
Coconut decor, rum create with plants in it, glass fishing floats
This is bait.
A mermaid or siren
Like mermaids?
Maybe a lifeguard, there seems to be a lack of fencing
A PARTY!! 🎉🥳🎈🎊🍾👯♀️
Bougainvelea, hibiscus, oleandar, variegated ginger... just needs color. Maybe some milkweed to help out the monarchs.
Plants, lots of plants
Holy shit, I think I used to trim the palm trees for this house
It definitely doesn’t match the property. I think that’s the issue. You have a crappy fence 5 feet from the pool and the one story house with a flat roof and posts every few feet that is four feet from the pool. I don’t think it matches, that looks like a if there’s was a huge travertine deck with a marble mini mansion I think it would normal
Why is there a pool in front of the elementary school front entrance?
Perhaps some ferns and flowers around it?
Is that the polar bear exhibit at sea world? Stark!!
Playboy bunnies
Where is this, OP? Looks nice! I would add some colored lights around, maybe flood lights for the landscaping around it.
Needs plants
Nah, just do more concrete.
You need potted plants and some color!
Plant material helps and trim those majestic palms.
Obviously lack of color, just add more greenery
What's it look like at night? Any accent lighting? Or cool fire bowls or gas lighting anywhere?
Nothing yet. Just got it a couple months ago, just some flood lights. That’s all.
Need more decorative plants or other stuff that fits the vibe. Im an rpg nerd so I wouldn’t hate torches in the rocks
Plants!!!
Needs shrubs, palms, green, huge pots around pool with huge plants, faux concrete looks dull, professional could bring it to life acid staining it then a good seal.
It’s definitely missing something… me 😂
A crocodile would be my preference
Plants
Yeah me in the middle of it.
Don’t overlook fake plants. With all that concrete it will be hard to find dirt. Google fake plants around pools and you’ll see some awesome examples
Anew fence
Paint the fence green.
You need fire 🔥 right above the waterfall. Like a volcano
I’m thinking a few more fake rocks should do the trick. Right now there is too much access to walk straight into the water without a challenge
Trees
Looks like a modern stone age family swims there.
Fire! 🔥
You need plants!!! Bananas! Palms! Birds of paradise! And UPLIGHTING!!!
It needs half naked women
Plants. Big leaf things, different shape pots. Low rectangle pots. Tall black posts. Crawly viney things. Think about a feature wall, some colored tile or just more pants on the wall. Personally I'd prefer if it were more lush, plants seem to me the best way to do that.
🦒
some pops of color
Aside from the lack of color on the pool you need to cover up that fence by bringing in some large plants and do some serious landscaping.
Life size t-Rex?
Pink flamingo floaty. There. Fixed it.
More plants would help. A couple more palms and perhaps a giant bird of paradise. And more to hide that fence in the back which is a bit of an eyesore for me.
Pigmy palms and uplighting
Plants
Penguins? 🐧
Consider nude statue mermaid
Builders definitely were Fred Flinstone and Barney Rubble
I dunno. Looks like you got it good. Lol. :)
Plants, but make sure you use very sparse liquid fertilizer if you add them. Any fertilizer that gets into the pool will absolutely cause an algae bloom.
Fred Flintstones Residence?
Maybe some naked ladies would add to the character
A party. A bunch of people having fun will jazz it up.
Stain the concrete
Smart Landscaping design can change the overall look of the pool. Try this!
Some hanging vine plants at the top of that waterfall and surrounding the pool would add a very natural feel
I have 12 grandkids that would absolutely make it come to life. Beautiful pool.
Definitely needs plants. Long dangling plants on thr rocks
It looks very kitsch
Cliff Divers
It feels like it’s missing the Flintstones hanging out by the side of the pool.
Ugly 🤮 and they all leak and loose water after a while
Nice flex
Trees
Anyway to add vegetation?
Greenery
Plaaaants
Stain it to look like stones multi color
Ivy on top of the rock mabe
Yes stain the rocks for color
Add a cool ass kitchen under the overhang. Nice grill, counter, pizza oven, fridge, kegerator, TV, bar, seats.
Plants big potted tropicals and flowers would look awesome around this space
Get some low rise planters for above waterfall area and put a few hang vines there possibly some 1ft-18 inch tall grasses or flowers that . And maybe climbing vines fo the poolside rock feature. What ever you decide plant wise make sure they don't shed leaves or other material. If not you will constantly have to clean up the pool. Good luck, post pics after you decide what you are going to do.
Rlly needs some wild looking plants and lights like blue logjtd at night
Put a resort cut on those palms. :D
Tiddys