Hot home improvement ideas for cool backyard fun this summer

April 9, 12:55 PMHome Design ExaminerJay Johnson

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The trend for 2009 home improvements is to add a pool and all the goodies to your yard.

With Passover and Easter here, we homeowners are starting to think ahead to summer in the yard. A backyard pool is a great focal point for summer entertainment, but it's only one element of a total backyard paradise. I got the scoop for 2009 from casaGURU and the Pool and Hot Tub Council of Canada. For a modest investment, homeowners can choose from a multitude of new accessories that are sure to liven up any backyard "vacation destination." So eat all your Easter eggs, finish up your matzos, and start to plan ahead for the summer.

For evening pool parties, adding underwater lighting to a pool can turn a dark abyss into a radiant paradise. Fibre optic lighting allows pool owners to control more than 100 colors to create unique light shows for any occasion. Alternatively, simple and affordable floating lights are widely available. These battery-operated lights come in many different styles and colors and can be recharged by solar-power or electricity.

To relax tense muscles after a hard day of work, why not add a personal sauna to your backyard landscape? Designed for easy installation and equipped with a variety of entertainment gadgetry, these residential saunas are great additions to any home. Newer models use infrared heating that can reduce maintenance woes and element replacement costs down the road.

For outdoor parties in the spring and those chilly summer nights, a gas-fired patio hearth could come in handy. These contained outdoor fireplaces come in many styles and provide warmth and a focal point for lively gatherings and evening drinks.

Speaking of flames, what backyard paradise is complete without a state-of-the-art barbeque? The latest cooking grills use infrared ceramic elements to cook food in half the time while searing in flavors. And while you're shopping for that new grill, you may want to consider installing an outdoor kitchen in your backyard enabling you to prepare and serve a feast without ever stepping foot indoors.

Information about these and other backyard gadgets is available online at the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada or their U.S. equivalent, The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (check out their consumer sites for important homeowner information, from safety issues to approved vendors in your community).
 

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