In-ground swimming pools add value to your home and enjoyment to your life. But the amount of value and enjoyment homeowners can get increases dramatically when their swimming pool design is innovative and visually interesting. Once upon a time, the people were satisfied to have a simple circle or rectangle with a white concrete bottom and cement decking. Nowadays, homeowners’ expectations of what an in-ground swimming pool should be have changed. Here are some of the top swimming pool design trends for 2014, courtesy of the Master Pools Guild:

1. Alternative Finishes- The popularity of alternative finishes has been growing for the last few years, but 2014 is the year that they’re top of the list. Aggregate pebble finishes like Pebble Tec, slate, travertine, and limestone are the most sought-after pool finishes this year, especially for the decking and pool surround. Glass tiles have become more popular as well because they are stronger and more resilient than ceramic tiles and have a broader palette of color, texture, and finish options. Glass tile is usually used to accent the water’s edge, highlight the hot tub area, and add decorative flourish inside the pool.

2. Ledges- Instead of a settling for a uni-level pool, or a pool floor that gently slopes in one direction from shallow to deep water, many pool designers are including ledgesin the pool design. Sometimes called Baja steps, thermal ledges, or lounging ledges, these areas are ideal for inexperienced swimmers and toddlers, but they make great launch spaces for water floats and toy. Ledges are also great for adults who just want to lounge in the water and not splash around too much.

3. LED lights- LED lighting has been around for years, but the past decade has seen the popularity of LEDs soar. Their size, ease of maintenance, longevity, and shockingly low power drain has led to LEDs being used for swimming pool lighting. Instead of simple lighting for night swimming, LED’s are used to create a stunning atmosphere through outdoor lighting displays that often include Laminar jets. Homeowners who entertain often are especially keen to have breathtaking lighting design in their pool area.

If these trends show us anything, it’s that more and more homeowners believe a swimming pool should be the centerpiece of a total backyard environment. Swimming pool designers who meet these expectations will outsell and outperform those who don’t.