Features

Beyond the Basic Pool

A beautiful pool is the foundation of a great outdoor space. But what transforms a pool into a complete luxury outdoor living ecosystem is thoughtful integration of features and amenities that enhance function, beauty, and experience.

A water feature that cascades into the pool. A fire bowl that glows at night. Underwater lighting that creates ambiance. Automation that lets you control everything from your phone. These aren’t just add-ons—they’re elements that transform your pool from a place to swim into a resort-like destination where you want to spend time morning and night.

At Mossman Brothers Pools, we design features as integrated elements rather than afterthoughts. Your pool and its features should feel like intentional composition, not a collection of separate elements bolted together.

Water Features

Water features add visual interest, create sound, and enhance the resort-like atmosphere of your pool:

Sheer Descent Waterfalls

A thin sheet of water that descends from above the pool directly into the pool. Sheer descent waterfalls:

Create visual focal points
Provide continuous soothing sound
Work beautifully with negative-edge pools (the waterfall appears to cascade into the vanishing edge)
Can be positioned at any point around the pool perimeter
Are engineered to maintain perfect water sheet consistency

Typical cost: $8,000-$20,000 depending on height and complexity.

Rock or Stone Waterfalls

Water cascades over natural or artificial stone features, creating a more natural appearance. These:

Integrate beautifully with freeform lagoon designs
Provide texture and visual interest
Often combined with landscape stone features
Create natural-looking cascades rather than engineered sheets
Work particularly well in desert landscape contexts

Typical cost: $12,000-$25,000 depending on stone work complexity.

Spillway Features

Engineered water features that create specific cascade or flow patterns. These might include:

Typical cost: $10,000-$30,000 depending on complexity.

Bubblers and Fountains

Smaller water features that create interest without large cascades:

These add visual interest and sound without being primary focal points.

Typical cost: $3,000-$8,000 per feature.

Beach Entry and Splash Features

Freeform pools often include beach entry areas where children can safely splash without deep water. These:

Integrated as part of freeform pool design rather than separate cost.

Selection and Integration

Water features should be selected for:

Jeff Mossman works with clients to select features that feel intentional rather than decorative add-ons.

Fire Features

Fire elements create ambiance, extend outdoor living season, and add luxury to the overall experience:

Fire Bowls

Freestanding fire features that create focal points on the pool deck:

Typical cost: $3,000-$8,000 for quality fire bowl installation.

Built-in Fire Pits

Integrated fireplace or fire pit features:

Typical cost: $8,000-$25,000 depending on materials and complexity.

Fire and Water Integration

Some of the most striking outdoor features combine fire and water:

These require careful engineering to safely combine elements.

Typical cost: $15,000-$40,000 depending on complexity.

Outdoor Kitchens and Entertainment Spaces

While not strictly pool features, outdoor kitchens, grills, and entertaining spaces integrate with pool areas:

Typical cost: $15,000-$100,000+ depending on scale and materials.

Spas and Hot Tubs

Spas provide functional luxury and extend pool usability:

Attached Spas

Spas integrated with the main pool:

Typical cost: $15,000-$40,000 depending on size and jets.

Separate Spas

Standalone spa features:

Typical cost: $12,000-$35,000.

Spa Features

Spas can include:

Multiple jet types (neck jets, back jets, foot jets, hydrotherapy jets)
Seating configurations for different uses
Lighting (above and underwater)
Water features (spillways, bubblers)
Integration with pool design

Quality spa engineering ensures proper circulation, filtration, and maintenance.

Underwater Lighting

Lighting transforms the pool at night and affects how it’s experienced during evening hours:

LED Underwater Lights

Modern underwater lighting uses energy-efficient LEDs:

Typical cost: $3,000-$8,000 for comprehensive pool lighting.

Lighting Effects

LED systems allow various effects:

Professional lighting designers can create specific ambiance for different times and moods.

Landscape Lighting

Beyond pool lighting, surrounding landscape lighting creates ambiance:

Typical cost: $3,000-$10,000 for comprehensive landscape lighting.

Integration

Lighting should be designed as integrated system:

Automation Systems

Modern pools can include sophisticated automation:

Pool Operation Automation

Automated systems can control:

These systems optimize operation, save energy, and maintain chemical balance automatically.

Typical cost: $3,000-$8,000 for comprehensive automation.

Feature Control

Automation allows remote control of:

Control via:

Energy Efficiency

Automation helps with energy management:

Smart Home Integration

Premium automation integrates with whole-home systems:

Modern automation isn’t a luxury—it’s practical management tool that improves experience and efficiency.

Material Selection for Features

Features should be designed with materials that:

Quality materials include:

Cheap materials fail quickly. Premium features are built with materials that last.

Design Philosophy for Features

The best pool features share common design principles:

Intentionality

Each feature should be chosen for specific reasons—aesthetic, functional, or experiential. Not everything you can add should be added. Restraint creates better composition than overcrowding.

Integration

Features should integrate with the overall pool design, not feel like separate add-ons. A waterfall should relate to the pool style and landscape. Lighting should complement the architectural style.

Proportion

Feature size and scale should match the pool. A small fire bowl can get lost on a large property. An oversized water feature can overwhelm an intimate space.

Function

Features should work for your actual lifestyle. If you won’t use a spa, don’t add one. If you don’t entertain at night, elaborate lighting might not be necessary.

Maintenance

Features require maintenance. Complex water features need attention. Automation systems need monitoring. Consider long-term maintenance when choosing features.

Budget Allocation

Features are important, but the base pool quality is paramount. A beautiful, functional pool with minimal features is better than a poor pool with elaborate features. Allocate your budget to quality base pool first, features second.

Popular Feature Combinations

Clients often combine features for maximum impact:

The Entertaining Space

This creates complete entertainment destination.

The Resort Experience

This creates vacation-like atmosphere.

The Modern Minimalist

This emphasizes the pool design over add-on features.

The Luxury Statement

This creates maximum luxury impact.

Feature Additions After Pool Completion

One advantage of thoughtful initial design: features can be added later if budget constraints require phasing:

Phase 1

Build the base pool with rough plumbing and electrical for future features

Phase 2

Add water features, fire features, or spa once budgets allow

This allows building an excellent base pool now and enhancing with features later, rather than compromising the base pool quality to fit everything in initially.

Rough-in for features during original construction means adding them later is straightforward (plumbing and electrical are already in place).

Let's Design Your Complete Outdoor Experience

Your pool should be beautiful, functional, and integrated with features that enhance your experience. We work with clients to balance aesthetics, function, budget, and maintenance in creating complete outdoor living spaces.

During your design consultation, we’ll discuss features that align with your vision, lifestyle, and budget. Some clients want elaborate feature-rich pools. Others prefer simplicity. Both approaches can be executed beautifully with the right design.

Frequently Asked Questions

What water features work best with different pool styles?

Infinity pools: sheer descent waterfalls that cascade into the vanishing edge. Freeform pools: natural-looking rock waterfalls integrated with landscape. Geometric pools: architectural spillways or minimal features. Wet-edge pools: cascades integrated with the perimeter overflow.

How much do pool features cost?

Water features: $3,000-$30,000 depending on type and complexity. Fire features: $3,000-$25,000. Spas: $12,000-$40,000. Lighting: $3,000-$10,000. Automation: $3,000-$8,000. Costs vary significantly based on scope.

Can I add features after the pool is built?

Yes, particularly if rough plumbing and electrical are installed during original construction. Adding features to an existing pool without rough-in is more expensive and disruptive. Plan ahead if you’re phasing features.

Does a spa need its own separate system?

It depends. Attached spas can share pool circulation or have independent systems. Independent systems offer better temperature control (spa heated, pool not). Shared systems are more economical. We design the system based on your needs.

How much additional water do fire and water features use?

Water features use negligible additional water (water circulates, not lost). Fire features use no water unless specifically designed to. The main water loss remains evaporation and (for wet-edge pools) overflow.

Are automation systems worth the cost?

That depends on your preference. For homeowners who want convenience and energy efficiency, automation is valuable. For others, manual operation is fine. Modern automation isn’t prohibitively expensive ($3,000-$8,000).

What lighting style works best for different pools?

Contemporary pools: single-color LED lighting (typically white or ice blue). Freeform pools: warmer lighting (amber/orange) or color-changing for ambiance. Geometric pools: architectural lighting that emphasizes lines. Feature integration should match overall design aesthetic.

Can you integrate pool features with my home's smart home system?

Yes, modern automation systems integrate with smart home platforms (Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa). This requires compatible automation equipment and setup. Not all systems support smart home integration, so clarify compatibility during planning.