Winter Poolside Entertaining Ideas for Wesley Chapel Homeowners
Outdoor pools in Wesley Chapel see use throughout the whole year. Yet justifying a midday dip in winter isn’t as easy when there’s less sunlight, cooler temperatures, and busier schedules during the holidays.
It’s not uncommon for temperatures to dip into the 40s or 50s at night in December through February, but the combination of low humidity and crisp air makes it an arguably excellent time to enjoy your outdoor space.
With a few upgrades and smart design choices from your local pool builder, Wesley Chapel homeowners can transform their summer oasis into a winter wonderland.
Install Heating Technology in Your Pool
If you want to spend hours entertaining outdoors in winter, you’ll need to integrate some methods of active heating to keep people warm. This is especially true during the winter when getting out of the swimming pool can feel especially chilly and a heated pool becomes a necessity.
Electric heat pumps are a good choice because they’re energy efficient. They can maintain a consistently warm water temperature throughout milder winter days. Gas heaters might be a better option if you want more “on-demand” heating, since they can raise the temperature faster.
When working with a local pool builder, Wesley Chapel homeowners can chat with them about their heating needs and how they intend to use their pool in the winter, which helps guide the heating technology they’ll get the most mileage out of.
Fire Features Around the Backyard
You’ll also need something to deal with the crisp winter air, and nothing feels like a warm welcome more than an integrated fire feature.
Automated fire bowls are beautiful and give the winter pool space a dramatic, resort-style flair. You can still feel the heat if you’re lounging nearby, but they aren’t necessarily there for sitting around and toasting marshmallows.
That privilege goes to sunken fire pits. You might install these around the pool deck or even directly into the pool shelf. This is where the water level goes down completely, so guests can stay dry. Place a few chairs around the area, and this quickly becomes the place to be during an outdoor winter cocktail party.
Lighting the Mood Both in and Out of the Pool
Winter in Wesley Chapel means holiday gatherings, and no suburban holiday party is complete without the right lighting. Your pool lighting plays a major part in setting the mood, so don’t forget about it.
Modern LED pool lighting lets you change the color of your pool water instantly. Holiday colors are obvious wins here; go for deep reds and emerald greens for a quick but effective vibe shift.
Cooler blues and whites are also fantastic for the holidays, especially if you’re celebrating New Year’s. You can cycle between these colors slowly to keep the energy high. You might even want to uplight the landscaping to create depth and shadows.
Outdoor Kitchens for Elevated Entertaining
The kitchen is an easy place to host a feast for friends and family. Outdoor kitchens are becoming increasingly popular, especially for families interested in entertaining in multiple areas of their house. If you are already working with a local pool builder, it helps to share your backyard ideas early so you can plan room for an outdoor kitchen and entertainment area that pairs perfectly with your pool. Installing an outdoor kitchen is a perfect choice if you want to keep your backyard entertaining and comfortable in the winter months.
Even if you don’t have a full-blown kitchen for a four-course meal, moving some of the food and beverages to a central location outside is essential for winter parties. At the bare minimum, this looks like a drink station where guests can help themselves (you can offer warm beverages, like tea or coffee, to sip by the fire).
Grilling outside is still a fantastic option in winter, and giving yourself ample counter space to prep while you cook means you won’t have to go inside and miss out on all the holiday fun!
Family-Friendly Festivities
Wesley Chapel and family fun go hand-in-hand, as does this time of year. You’ll want to make sure there’s something for every age at your winter get-togethers.
Provided you haven’t packed away the pool toys, now’s the time to break them out. You’ve invested the time and money into heating your pool, so why not throw the same kinds of parties you would in July?
It gets dark earlier, but with the right lighting, you and your family can enjoy a safe night swim. Make it even more fun by buying a few LED dive toys and tossing them in the pool. This improves the visibility even further and makes the water look magical.
The Post-Swim Setup
You can light up the paths and warm the water all you want. But the cool Wesley Chapel nights mean your guests need a way to get cozy the minute they leave the water. To keep everyone (including yourself) happy, you’ll need to actively design a means for people to transition from the pool to the patio space.
Consider installing a towel warmer near the pool. This should be the “dry zone,” an area where people dry off that stays dry. Giving everyone access to hot towels makes exiting the pool feel luxurious, rather than a miserable moment where they can’t keep their teeth from chattering.
This zone can also transition into the beverage area, where warm drinks and seating are available. Nothing feels better than a cup of hot cocoa or a nice glass of wine after a mid-winter dip, and building a logical space for that makes the holiday gathering feel special and intentional.
Automate Everything
Hosting isn’t always easy, especially in winter. Modern pool automation allows you to control the most crucial aspects of your guests’ comfort, like the fire features, pool heater, and lighting, directly from your smartphone.
This not only makes it fast and easy to address issues like chilly water, but also frees you to focus on other things happening during the party, which hopefully includes just enjoying yourself.
Get Your Pool Ready This Winter with Tampa Bay Pools
Whether you’re looking to update your favorite entertainment spot before winter or have some ideas for an exciting new build, the team at Tampa Bay Pools is here to make your dream backyard swimming space come true! Contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.