In Water Table and Bar Stools: Top 3 Benefits
The Ultimate Guide to In-Water Tables and Bar Stools
Imagine relaxing in your pool with a cool drink without ever leaving the water. The growing popularity of in water table and bar stools is making this a reality for homeowners everywhere. These custom-designed features are built directly into your swimming pool, typically in shallow areas 30 to 42 inches deep, creating a dedicated space for lounging and socializing while submerged.
Constructed from durable, pool-safe materials like tile or stone, these built-in structures transform a simple backyard pool into a luxurious “staycation” destination. It’s about creating an interactive social hub where refreshments are always within reach. This concept, born in Las Vegas in the 1950s to keep hotel guests entertained, now brings that same resort-style luxury to your home.
As the owner of Creative Edge Pools, I’m David Brabant. With over thirty years in the swimming pool and site development business, my experience includes the custom integration of in water table and bar stools into beautiful, lasting pool designs.
Your Complete Guide to In-Water Table and Bar Stools
This section covers everything you need to know about choosing, installing, and enjoying this incredible pool feature.
Choosing the Right Type and Material
When selecting in water table and bar stools, we focus on built-in, integrated solutions that offer the most seamless and luxurious experience. Unlike temporary options, these features become a permanent part of your pool’s design.
At Creative Edge Pools, we leverage our expertise in custom gunite pools. Gunite, a durable concrete mixture, offers immense design flexibility, making it the ideal choice for crafting bespoke in-pool furniture. We sculpt tables and stools directly into the pool structure, ensuring unparalleled stability and a cohesive, resort-like look.
The surface materials are just as critical for longevity and appearance. We use only high-grade, pool-safe finishes designed to withstand the harsh pool environment:
- Gunite/Shotcrete: The strong, moldable foundation for the furniture.
- Tiles and Stones: We use beautiful, durable tiles or natural stones rated for submersible use on tabletops and stool seats.
- UV-Resistant Finishes: Our finishes resist sun degradation, maintaining their color and integrity.
- Chemical-Resistant Coatings: Materials are chosen to prevent damage from chlorine and other sanitizers.
- Saltwater-Safe Materials: All components are approved for saltwater pools to prevent corrosion.
- Compatibility with Pool Surfaces: Built into the gunite structure, our furniture is inherently compatible with plaster pool surfaces, ensuring a harmonious blend.
Choosing the right materials is a foundational step. With our custom gunite pools, every element is built to last and designed to perfection. Explore our approach to Custom Pools to see how we bring these visions to life.
Installation, Weighting, and Stability
The installation of built-in in water table and bar stools is about permanent, structural integration, not weighting down furniture. This approach, core to our gunite pool construction, offers the best stability and durability.
Here’s how we ensure a robust installation:
- Permanent Construction: Our in-pool tables and stools are sculpted directly from shotcrete, the same material as the pool shell. They are an intrinsic part of the pool’s structure, eliminating any risk of tipping or shifting.
- Structural Integrity: Integrated during the gunite process, the furniture is designed to comfortably support adults (275 lbs or more), providing a solid and secure seating experience.
- Custom Fit: We account for every detail, including slight slopes in the shallow end, to ensure level and comfortable seating without the need for adjustments.
- Safety Considerations: Stability is paramount for safety. Our integrated designs eliminate the risk of furniture being knocked over. We also finish all edges to be smooth and slip-resistant.
- Saltwater Compatibility: Our built-in structures and finishes are inherently saltwater-approved, preventing corrosion and degradation over time.
This professional, permanent construction guarantees superior stability and contributes to the overall longevity and value of your pool. Our comprehensive Hardscape Installation Services ensure every element is built with precision.
Perfecting the Dimensions for Comfort and Safety
Getting the dimensions right for your in water table and bar stools is crucial for comfort and safety. We aim for an experience where you can relax and socialize with ease, submerged to a comfortable level.
Based on industry best practices, here are the recommended dimensions for custom in-pool features:
- Recommended Water Depth: In-pool furniture is ideally situated in shallow areas with a water depth between 30 to 42 inches. This keeps most adults cool with the water at their upper stomach or chest.
- Table Height: The tabletop should be about 6 inches above the pool’s coping. This provides ample knee room and keeps drinks and snacks safe from splashes, replicating a standard bar height (40-42 inches) relative to the water.
- Stool Height: Built-in stools are set at a fixed, optimal height based on the water depth, ensuring the waterline is between your stomach and chest for stability and comfort. This follows similar ergonomic principles to standard bar stools (28-30 inches high), adapted for an aquatic environment.
- Spacing Per Stool: To ensure enough elbow room, we recommend 21-22 inches of space per stool for standard 16-18 inch wide seats, and 24-25 inches for wider stools.
Our precise construction process integrates these dimensions seamlessly, so you don’t have to worry about finding a “sweet spot” on an uneven floor. These thoughtful dimensions are a key part of creating the perfect environment for relaxation and entertainment. To see how these features fit into a larger vision, explore our Modern Backyard Pool Designs.
Customization and Added Features
One of the most exciting aspects of in water table and bar stools is the vast potential for customization. As specialists in custom gunite pools, we can tailor every detail to your aesthetic preferences and functional needs.
Here’s how we customize your in-pool furniture:
- Custom Colors and Finishes: Choose from an extensive palette of tiles, stones, and plaster finishes to match your pool’s interior and surrounding hardscape. Whether you want a modern granite look or a rustic natural stone texture, we can achieve a cohesive design that reflects your style.
- Integrated Features for Convenience: We can integrate a variety of features for ultimate convenience:
- Umbrella Holders: A built-in sleeve allows you to easily add an umbrella for shade, reducing sun exposure and enhancing comfort. We ensure holders fit standard poles and recommend rust-proof materials.
- Built-in Cup Holders: Keep your beverages secure and within easy reach.
- LED Lighting Kits: Integrated LED lighting can transform your pool area into a magical nighttime retreat, improving safety and creating a captivating atmosphere.
As a company offering comprehensive backyard development, we ensure your in-pool furniture is a beautiful, integral part of your entire outdoor living space. This level of customization ensures your investment not only improves your pool experience but also adds significant value and aesthetic appeal to your property. To understand more about tailoring your pool, explore The Cost of Customizing Your Gunite Inground Pool Design and Accessories.
Key Considerations for Your In-Water Table and Bar Stools
While in water table and bar stools lift your pool experience, it’s important to consider some practical aspects, particularly regarding maintenance and the nature of built-in features.
Here are some key considerations:
- Impact on Pool Maintenance and Cleaning:
- Automatic Cleaners: Built-in furniture can create obstacles for automatic pool sweeps and robotic cleaners, which may require manual guidance around these areas.
- Brushing and Algae Prevention: Areas around the base of the furniture require diligent brushing to prevent algae growth, as they may have less water circulation.
- Potential Drawbacks or Challenges:
- Permanence: The greatest strength of built-in furniture is its permanence, but this also means it cannot be relocated. Careful planning during the design phase is crucial.
- Initial Cost: The initial investment for custom built-in features is higher than for portable options. A custom table might range from $2,000 to $3,000, while a full swim-up bar could be $23,000 to $25,000, reflecting the extensive custom work involved.
- Reduced Open Space: Fixed furniture will naturally reduce the open space in your shallow end, a trade-off for a dedicated lounging area.
Despite these points, most homeowners find the benefits of stability, integrated design, and resort-like ambiance far outweigh these minor challenges. We work closely with clients to anticipate these factors, ensuring your in-pool furniture improves your pool experience. Our expertise in Pool Hardscape Ideas helps ensure seamless integration and functionality.
Is In-Pool Furniture the Right Upgrade for Your Backyard?
So, are in water table and bar stools the right fit for your backyard? The decision comes down to your lifestyle and how you envision using your pool. As specialists in custom gunite pools, we’ve seen these integrated features transform backyards and multiply the joy of pool ownership.
For many homeowners, the answer is a resounding yes. These features offer a wealth of benefits that genuinely transform your pool experience:
- Improved Entertainment: Your pool becomes an inviting social hub for friends and family.
- Ultimate Convenience: Say goodbye to dripping across the patio for a refill; everything is within arm’s reach.
- Lifted Aesthetic Appeal: Built-in furniture adds a custom, high-end look that turns your backyard into a private resort.
- Space-Saving Design: Integrating seating within the pool can optimize your outdoor area, creating functional zones without extra poolside furniture.
Choosing built-in in water table and bar stools means opting for unparalleled durability, stability, and a design seamlessly integrated into your custom gunite pool. While portable alternatives exist, they cannot match the permanence and elegance of a feature that is part of the pool’s very structure.
At Creative Edge Pools, we offer a comprehensive backyard development service, designing and installing entire outdoor environments. As experts in custom gunite pools, we can seamlessly integrate permanent seating, outdoor kitchens, landscaping, and masonry into your new pool design for a cohesive and luxurious result.
If you’re dreaming of a personal oasis crafted for comfort, convenience, and beauty, then in-pool tables and bar stools are an upgrade worth considering. They are a statement about living life to the fullest, right in your own backyard.
Ready to design your dream oasis? Explore our gunite pool installation services.
