• Installing new plants is an easy way to enhance your pool.tropical pool image by brelsbil from Fotolia.com
  
  Swimming pools can be a way to get more use out of your yard or add value to your home. Eventually, however, even the best pools will require remodeling, but that's an opportune time to make some changes to the pool or the landscaping around it. Here are some projects you can use to remodel your pool area and take your yard to the next level.
  
  

Going In-Ground

• If an existing above-ground pool is starting to show its age or getting leaks, it may be a good time to consider replacing it with an in-ground pool. In-ground pools are more customizable than prefabricated above-ground models, and they last longer and generally look nicer.
  
  After removing your above-ground pool, consider the other changes you want to make to the area; adding other elements to the design might determine the shape of the new pool. On the other hand, if you're happy with everything but the pool itself, you can have an in-ground model installed while leaving the surrounding space intact.
  
  

Adding a Deck

• Another way to remodel a pool is to add a deck. Paving over more of the yard to add more space for chairs, tables or even a barbecue pit can give your pool area more versatility and provide more recreation options for people when they aren't in the water. Decks can also extend into pathways that lead to and from your home, helping to integrate the pool and the space inside the house.
  
  

Plants

• New plants are a great addition to an existing pool or remodeling project. Over time, your carefully chosen plants may have changed size or shape, or grown out of control to the point of dropping leaves in the pool or attracting birds that litter the deck.
  
  Depending on your climate, consider a tropical theme with ferns, palm trees and succulents that consume little water and grow at a reasonable rate. If you live in a colder climate, you can install a row of coniferous trees to give your pool area shade and privacy throughout the year.
  
  

Poolhouse

• Another versatile remodeling idea for any pool is the addition of a pool house. This can be a simple structure, such as a prefabricated shed, or a more complete design that mimics your nearby main house. In either case, the pool house can be a place for guests to change, as well as an area to store towels, cleaning supplies and patio furniture during the off-season.