By William Gunzburg, Owner of Kingfish Pools Inc. | Metairie, Louisiana
If a pool could talk, it would probably ask for three things: a little shade, fewer leaves, and a personality upgrade. That’s where tanning ledges, water features, and slides come in. These aren’t just flashy add-ons—they’re the secret sauce that turns a basic hole in the ground into a place the whole neighborhood “just happened” to walk past during BBQ hour.
Let’s start with the tanning ledge.
The Lounge Lizard’s Favorite Spot
Tanning ledges—also called baja shelves, sun shelves, or “that shallow part where my toddler sits with a juice box”—are shallow, flat areas built into the pool, typically just deep enough to soak your ankles or thighs. They’re the pool’s version of a beach vacation without the sand in unfortunate places.
Most people think tanning ledges are just for laying out in the sun, but they also make great zones for kids, pets, or those of us who want to pretend we’re in the water without committing to full submersion. Want to plop a lounge chair right in the water? This is where that happens. Want to install a bubbler so the water gently fizzes under your feet while you hold a cold drink and contemplate absolutely nothing? That too.
But here’s the thing: depth matters. Go too shallow and it becomes a hot plate. Go too deep and it’s a kiddie pool. Like a good gumbo, it’s all about balance.
Water Features: The Pool’s Voice
Water features are how your pool clears its throat and announces, “Yes, I’m fabulous.”
Cascades, waterfalls, sheer descents, bubblers, and even the occasional rock grotto—all of these give your pool motion, sound, and mood. And each one says something different.
- A bubbler whispers: “Relax.”
- A cascade says: “I’m a little extra, but tastefully so.”
- A waterfall over fake rocks screams: “This backyard was designed by a child who grew up on ‘The Flintstones,’ and I respect it.”
Besides the flair, water features serve practical functions. They help circulate the water, add oxygen, and can assist with temperature regulation. Not to mention they’re mesmerizing to watch, which is a bonus if you’re trying to distract guests from your attempt at overcooked burgers.
Slides: Where Grown-Ups Revert to Children
Now to the part that brings out everyone’s inner 8-year-old—the pool slide. No matter how old someone gets, put a slide next to a pool and you’ll hear giggles followed by splash sounds and possibly a mildly dramatic belly flop.
Slides come in a few flavors:
- The standard arched slide, tucked neatly into a corner.
- Spiral slides, for those who think their pool should feel like a waterpark but on a Tuesday.
- Integrated rock slides that blend into a waterfall, which are perfect for people who want their backyard to resemble a tiny rainforest (minus the snakes).
Slides do require some planning. You need the right water depth, the right angles, and—very important—the right footing. Wet concrete plus an excited kid in socks equals a viral video nobody wants to star in. Safety isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a checklist.
Bringing It All Together
When you combine these elements—tanning ledges, water features, slides—you’re not just designing a pool. You’re creating a vibe. The pool becomes a backdrop for weekends, birthdays, unwinding after work, and the occasional dramatic cannonball competition. And like any good setup, it requires planning behind the scenes.
Plumbing needs to account for added jets, pumps must be sized to handle more movement, and electrical needs to meet code (and common sense). Skimp on the prep work, and the only thing flowing smoothly will be your frustration.
Also, let’s not forget: more bells and whistles can mean more upkeep. That gorgeous wall of water won’t look so zen if it’s choked with leaves. And tanning ledges need a scrub here and there—especially when your golden retriever thinks it’s his new spa zone.
Why It All Matters
In south Louisiana, where the summers are sticky and the backyard is the MVP of any home, having a pool that’s not just functional but enjoyable makes a big difference. And while concrete, rebar, and plumbing are the skeleton of a pool, it’s the extras that give it a soul.
Whether it’s the sound of water trickling over stone, the laughter from the slide, or the quiet contentment of sipping coffee with your feet in the ledge on a Sunday morning—these features turn a pool from a utility into an experience.
And let’s be honest. If the pool’s going to take up half the yard and a chunk of the budget, it may as well bring the personality of a well-traveled cousin with great taste in patio furniture.
So, for those thinking about upgrading, adding, or starting fresh—just know the options are more than just aesthetics. They’re invitations. To slow down. To play more. To enjoy this very strange, very hot, very charming part of the world we live in.
And if anyone asks why there’s suddenly a slide next to your outdoor kitchen? Just tell them it’s for the kids.
Even if those kids are 47.
