How to Optimize Your Yard Space After a Pool Removal

If you have recently removed your swimming pool or you are considering removing it in the future, you may be trying to determine the best way to use the yard space you reclaim from the project. While some people have a swimming pool removed with a specific goal in mind for their yard, others remove their pool because it is too old or they are not comfortable with the risks.

Whatever you choose to do with your yard post-removal, you will want to ensure you make the best use of the area so you can maximize your family’s enjoyment of the great outdoors. Here are some tips for making the most effective use of the space you’ve regained by removing your pool.

Plant a Lawn

When a swimming pool occupies a significant portion of your yard, you may be surprised by just how much bigger the yard looks once the pool has been removed. Covering the area with grass can open up the space even further and make it appear larger than it is. This can create a generous space for children or pets to run around and play.

Creating a lawn is also a good interim choice if you are not yet sure how you would like to use the space that you have regained after a pool removal, especially because grass forms the base of many popular uses for yards, such as playgrounds and outdoor living areas. If you have removed the pool with the intention of improving the home’s resale prospects, a beautiful lawn is an excellent choice because it allows potential buyers to envision whatever use they would like for the space.

Create a Fire Pit

If you intend to entertain in your yard frequently, a fire pit is a great way to enjoy the space where your pool was installed throughout the year. Fire pits are not only visually stunning, but they can also provide you with some warmth so you can enjoy chilly winter evenings outdoors with family or guests, allowing you to use the space more often than you might have when it was occupied by a pool.

A fire pit is a great focal point for an entertainment area, and you can make it in any number of sizes. Build a smaller fire pit if you would like your yard to appear larger, or make a bigger fire pit if you intend to have frequent large gatherings so everyone will have a spot to sit around it.

Grow a Garden

One of the top uses for yard space that was previously occupied by a pool is a garden, with many homeowners choosing to plant either a flower or vegetable garden after a pool removal. This project can be as simple or complicated as you like. The main thing to keep in mind, no matter what type of garden you intend to plant, is the potential for the soil to be contaminated with pool chemicals such as chlorine. If you have any doubts, you can send a sample to a soil laboratory for testing. The best course of action, however, is to remove contaminated soil and replace it with topsoil prior to planting.

To optimize the space, consider using the square foot gardening approach. This allows you to create easy-to-manage gardens in raised beds that produce more and need less soil and water than traditional gardens. Another way to make the most of your space is with vertical gardening. Try planting vegetables that will climb at the base of a trellis so they can grow upward rather than taking up more horizontal space in the garden bed. Some vegetables that will grow on a trellis include cucumbers, pole beans, squash and peas.

Build a Patio

Installing a patio in your backyard is a perfect way to create a new living area that can be enjoyed by family as well as guests. Some people choose to keep their patio uncovered so they can enjoy lounging in the sun, while others opt to install a patio cover to protect the space from the elements and increase its utility. Patio heaters can help you to enjoy the space even when the temperatures drop.

Placing a long table and chairs on the patio can turn it into a dining space, or you can fill it up with outdoor furniture and potted plants for a cozy space to sit and read and enjoy your natural surroundings. Choose patio furniture that doubles as storage, such as a patio table with a hinged top that you can use to store cushions and other items when not in use, to maximize your yard space.

Play Area for Children

One very practical and cost-effective way of using reclaimed yard space after a pool removal is as a play area for kids. There are many compact play structures with swings, slides and sandboxes that kids can get just as much enjoyment out of as a pool (if not more), when you consider the fact that it can be used in far cooler temperatures than a pool.

You can plant real grass or lay artificial turf beneath the play area, and you can also add small structures like playhouses to get the most out of your space. You may even choose to make the play area slightly smaller than the pool so there is still plenty of space left in the surrounding area for the children to play sports or run around with the family dog.

Reach Out to the Pool Removal Specialists at Dirt Connections

Once you have decided that your swimming pool is no longer serving you, pool removal contractors can help you achieve the backyard of your dreams. At Dirt Connections, swimming pool removals are one of our specialties. We can remove your pool safely and efficiently and grade your yard to perfection so you can use the space however you please. Contact us today to learn more about our Northern Virginia pool removal services.