Any ideas
Would be appreciated. Grass looks terrible right now.

The glasses in area is a sunroom

Well not sure what a cocktail pool is but if it is small why not just build a gazebo over it then at lease most of the tree stuff will not make it in there . We have tons of trees around our pool we just cover it when we are not using it I looked up cocktail pool and eally just a smaller pool with a spa feature . I think I would just do a big hottub with a nice gazebo and be done . As fior the rest of the yard I need to see more as it realtes to the house . I do not like grass so I have none.We did our backyard with flower beds on the perimeter and gravel for where the crappy grass was before . I use some huge pots filled with seasonal plants sitting on the gravel I love it I have small hill type area that I planted a ton of thyme and other plants and a pond that area really just takes care of itself other than I do water it. Every 3 yrs I trim all the woody stuff from the thyme and it grows back all nice and lush again. I find with huge trees grass really never looks good .I think in your yard just make the patio huge and put a hot tub in one space of the new patio

Do you know that a cocktail pool install starts around $50,000.00? Then there is the landscaping, the maintenance, tools you will need to clean it everyday, regardless of trees.

All cocktail pools are good for is having cocktails. (Not that I am against the concept)...

How about a koi pond? There are kits you can buy to DYI.

You've got the fencing.

Your husband is saying he doesn't want a pool and coming up with reasons why. Expense alone did it for me! You can get an automatic pool cover- my SIL lives in the woods and that works well for her, but of course you are looking at a rubber cover instead of pretty water when its not in use.

Don't cut down trees! You have a lovely shaded yard and the planet needs more trees.

As said, an automatic pool cover. We install a lot on our projects. Keeps the pool clean, reduces chem consumption, retains heat. Available in multiple colors.

I love water features and a small pool is a nice choice. You don't have to cut down all your trees, but keeping them trimmed is good for them and will allow a bit more sun into the yard. I have trees for privacy in my small suburban yard, and yes, the leaves get into the pool, but it's not a whole lot of work to get them out with a net.

As for your grass, the reason it doesn't look great is because it's too shady. Trimming the trees will also help the grass. Your dog using the yard to do his business is another possible reason that your grass isn't looking great. You might consider replacing it with flower beds, gravel, or artificial turf, which has improved greatly in the past few years. My daughter has the entire backyard in artificial turf, and it looks and performs great. No worries about lack of sun, kids playing on the grass, etc.

The first thing that comes to my mind is to edge the gravel along the house. Its simple to do and a nice, crisp line will look a lot better.

As for the grass, I live in zone 5 and my grass grows under full shade by my maples. It could be you don’t have the right grass for shade.

I also agree with Hallett that it sounds like your husband is using the trees as a scapegoat for not wanting a pool. I mean, you could have an amazing, professionally designed yard for what a pool would cost.

I also think a pool needs sun to really enjoy the pool. I think you need to come back with some answers or we are all spitting in the wind.The grass issue is twofold first grass does not grow well when you have huge trees around it and dog pee is deadly for grass . We have a dog run for our dogs it saves the landscaping .

Why do you want a small pool? Is it for water workouts or a place to cool off? Have you explored the possibility of something above ground, but really nice, surrounded by wood decking and steps, sort of in the spirit of a japanese onsen tub (but much bigger than this).

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonisweet/2020/09/29/how-to-create-an-onsen-bath-at-home-according-to-an-expert-from-a-1300-year-old-japanese-spa-town/?sh=3623a4b17cd9d

“Cocktail ” pools or, more commonly called ”Spools” ( spa/pool ) in my area, are very common . I have a full size pool but some of my neighbors have ”Spools”, they’re very attractive to look at & cool off in assuming you don’t want to do laps. i don’t believe maintenance would be a big issue, especially if you would trim your trees as Diana suggested.

We live in the south. So it is very hot. We want a spot to cool off for me and pup. I would like to have my yard look neater. The ground ivy makes it hard because it takes over. Our grass usually looks a lot better. I am dreaming big but attached some pool ideas I love. Not sure where to start

Love these

What is your budget?

Is a pool for you and your pup a good idea? What are the requirements for you to enjoy the pool, what are the requirements for the pup to enjoy the pool? How do you keep the dog out when you are not outside with the dog - safety fence or safety cover that the dog cannot penetrate is a good idea. Dog can tear vinyl liners. Dogs need to be able to safely get in and out, so some space will be eaten by a gradual incline or deep stairs.

Are you going to use it enough to balance the cost? Pools are not cheep to install or maintain.

As for the yard, I am not seeing individual dog pee patches as I expect to see from dog urine harming healthy grass.

Since dog pee is nitrogen rich, using a nitrogen rich fertilizer in the dogs bathroom area causes the grass to get burned. Spray with a nitrogen balancing spray where your dog pees about every 2-3 weeks to keep it from getting brown.

I like

https://www.amazon.com/See-Spot-Run-Lawn-Protection/dp/B01LZNW8Z3/ref=pd_bxgy_sccl_1/146-9837054-0844723?pd_rd_w=RbgyQ&content-id=amzn1.sym.26a5c67f-1a30-486b-bb90-b523ad38d5a0&pf_rd_p=26a5c67f-1a30-486b-bb90-b523ad38d5a0&pf_rd_r=G3P31XV9SR8Q688TET6M&pd_rd_wg=R9iId&pd_rd_r=f2dc5489-dad6-4e0e-bbca-ff05d24090ba&pd_rd_i=B01LZNW8Z3&th=1

My budget is not big enough for my dream yard yet. But around 60,000. I have a son that is in construction also

So he can help with build

If we could put a pool in we 100% would. When I was looking into is the costs were 100k plus. Are tpi sure 60k is realistic?

Prices vary region to region. It's a fact. Prices here in the North East are a lot different then say Florida.

Find 3-4 builders in your area and get estimates. Compare the costs to establish a budget.

What specifically are you looking for help with?

It sounds like you and your husband need to agree on if there will be a pool. Once you mnow that, youll get more soecifuc answers

Is your backyard shady all day long? We have a pool that is shaded by many trees in the morning hours, but in full sun in the afternoon. Our pool is, I think, called a "play pool." I can do laps, but it is no more than 4.75 feet deep at its deepest, quite shallow at one end; designed to put a net across the middle to play volleyball. We have pretty hot, dry summers, and I use the pool almost daily in the summer, and can't imagine living here without it. So refreshing. My husband never goes in, though he does use the net to clean out leaves for me when needed. In a hot, southern climate like yours, I think a pool, whatever size, would be a big plus, and I wouldn't worry about the trees...the temperature will still be high enough to enjoy the pool, whether it is in the sun or not. Yes, cost is an issue, but enjoying your beautiful yard and your property has real value also!

While my husband doesn't go in (he grew up with a pool), the grandchildren love it!

Florida used to be quite a bit cheaper than other areas, but that is no longer true. High residential demand and low supply of contractors/trades/labor have driven prices way up.

We paid $100K for a pool & spa that was excavated July 2021 and done while the house was being built, so they had easy access for excavation and utilities.

Many homeowners who decide to add a pool to an existing house are waiting 2 years to get on the pool builder's schedule.

Get some quotes and schedules from a few pool builders in your area.

Elcieg and all, a koi pond is way more work than a pool. We have a professionally build koi pond with a top of the line filtration system and we still have to clean the filters every day.

I agree with justcallmepool. I grew up in an apartment in Brooklyn for the first 9 years of my life, and longed for a house with a pool. When we moved to the suburbs, my parents finally installed one, but I was already 18 and mostly out of the house. Finally after getting married and purchasing our own house, we installed a pool. It's not huge, since our backyard is fairly small and the setbacks in our town are strict, but I LOVE having a pool!!! Like you, my husband has no interest in it, but I use it every day in the summer and consider myself very lucky to have a getaway in my own backyard!!

I totally agree with just call me pool. I don’t need anything fancy. Always wanted my own pool. Money comes and goes. Pools stay 😃

We had a 42,000 gallon pool with a large concrete deck around it that was surrounded by oaks for over twenty years, so I know the trees will mean a lot of extra work for you, but also add a lot of natural beauty. We never covered our pool during swim season for aesthetics and convenience and just accepted that keeping up with the acorns and leaves was an ongoing chore. We did have afternoon sun, which is a must, IMO. We loved having the pool, but finally got tired of all the maintenance - so much sweeping! - and sold the house. If you go ahead and put one in, I would recommend going with a more natural look and keep the pool deck small.