Trying to choose the best pool filter or make complex decisions about building a custom outdoor kitchen probably aren't things you dream about doing on your weekends. But we've tried to make these things easier and a lot more fun here at Choice Pool and Spa.

What It's Like to Work With Us

For our Raleigh neighbors who've never visited, the shop helps homeowners who crave a better yard. We help people with all kinds of projects, from small patio designs to stunning in-ground pool installations to swim spas and outdoor kitchens. Whatever you're envisioning for your unique property, it all starts here in our full-service shop.

All the best backyard projects have a few things in common. One factor is whether there's a vision that's carried through to every detail. Is there someone at the helm, steering the ship toward that vision? Is the vision clearly defined? Does the contractor have the skills and the experience to bring that vision alive?

Around here, we believe that every project must begin with a vision. That's why it's important to be able to serve our customers with all their backyard needs.

• We're not just a pool shop
• We're not just a spa installer
• We don't just offer design services
• We don't just sell outdoor appliances for outdoor kitchens
• We don't just do decks

We start with your vision. We'll take that vision you've created and turn it into a blueprint for your backyard paradise. No compromises will be made in order to help you achieve your dream. If something doesn't seem feasible at first, our team is good at thinking outside the box. And if there isn't a workaround to be found, we'll collaborate with you to find a better solution.

From Inspiration to Design to Installation and Beyond, It All Starts Here

This is about offering a one-stop shopping experience for homeowners looking for unique and creative ways to transform their back yards. We love complex projects! Here are a few of our favorites:

• A deluxe outdoor entertainment area for dinner guests and parties
• A fitness-inspired swim spa enclosed in a custom deck with built-in seating
• A family spa installed under an attached pergola with custom planters
• An eat-in outdoor kitchen with custom cabinets and a stone circular bar
• An in-ground pool that spans the entire length of a large back yard, capped by a custom trellis and wooden lounge area for entertaining
• A backyard party spot, complete with custom wood slab countertops and a home kegerator
• A North Carolina-themed outdoor living space with entertainment options including a seafood party station with removable oyster bin (ask us!)
• An outdoor hardwood kitchen featuring rich wood walls and a hardwood roof
• A deluxe outdoor kitchen with a water treatment system, bar, water heater, and tons of storage
• Live-edge custom wood slab countertops and sound system with subwoofers on a brand new custom wood deck plus LED lights

A One-Stop Shop for Backyard Dreams

In the spirit of holistic design and all-inclusive service, it's our firm belief that every aspect of your backyard project should fall under the umbrella of just one provider. We aim to be that company and encourage our neighbors in the Raleigh and Triangle areas to stop by. Live in Chapel Hill/Durham, Apex, or Wake Forest? You're our neighbor too. Stop by and let's start making your backyard dreams come true!

For busy families, passionate cooks, and frequent hosts, the outdoor kitchen is the center of life when the weather is great. And with North Carolina's temperate climate, local homeowners stand to get the most out of a custom outdoor kitchen.

We've created this handy mini-guide that includes all the basics on what you need to know about designing a custom outdoor kitchen. It was created with homeowners like you in mind, who want to make their backyard space the best it can be. Use it whether you're planning a new back yard, renovating your current outdoor kitchen, or just looking for some inspiration for a future project.

Step One: Consider How You Will Use It

For some homeowners, the outdoor kitchen is all about entertaining. Make sure you'll have everything at your fingertips when it comes time to fire up the grill. As outdoor kitchens become increasingly elaborate, it's important to know you won't be crisscrossing the space with guests and other cooks.

It's also good to consider that, as host, you'll probably be cooking and socializing simultaneously. Is your range or barbeque situated so you're looking at guests or will your back be turned while you tend to those grilled wings?

Also, you'll need to consider safety when you design the layout. If there are going to be children running around, think about where the main pathways of traffic will be. Make sure kitchen elements that pose safety hazards are placed well away from those routes. That would include the barbeque and/or firepit, of course!

Step Two: Fit the Design to Match Your Space

Having a huge yard means you're starting out with a big blank slate, which can be overwhelming. Try and define nooks and areas of your yard, all of which you may not want to be taken up by your outdoor kitchen.

On the flipside, those with just a small patio space to work with shouldn't give up on the notion of having an outdoor kitchen. Just as it is with interior spaces, there's always a way to make things work!

No matter what size yard you have, you'll need to pay careful attention to lighting. Lighting is key once the sun goes down because it sets the mood and keeps you from having to run around with flashlights. This is truly a case where design and functionality are equally important. You don't want any harsh, default overhead lighting to wreck the ambiance you've worked so hard to achieve with your design goals.

Step Three: Set Your Appliance Goals

This is really about setting a budget but it's also about styling your new custom outdoor kitchen. Planning the appliances from the get-go allows you to control your budget and it also allows you to visualize your project early on.

Step Four: Consider the Landscape

The most impressive custom jobs are those that were designed with the existing landscape in mind. Do you have steps? Is there a retaining wall? What's the focal point of your space? How well will the architectural elements of your new outdoor kitchen mesh with the look of your home? Will there be a water feature? Will the eating area look out over a pleasing view or will you be going for a more intimate setting that's enclosed with hardscaping or landscaping? Lots to consider here.

We realize an outdoor kitchen project comes with a lot of decisions to make. If Choice Pools & Spas can help guide in any way, we're here to help. We want you to love your new custom outdoor kitchen as much as we love designing them!

If the term Après-Ski means anything to you, then you’re a prime candidate for a hot tub addition to your home. Taken straight out of the pages of the world’s top ski resorts, it’s the ultimate cold-weather luxury.

But you don’t have to live in the Andermatt ski village of Switzerland to experience the unique feeling of a good hot soak under the winter sky. You can have it all, without paying for airfare, with your own hot tub installation.

There are plenty of other reasons why winter hot-tubbing is a great idea. Here are some of the benefits of a hot soak under winter skies when the temperatures dip down for the long cold months ahead.

#1 – It’s a Year-Round Spa Experience

Your own hot tub that’s enjoyed in the brisk winter months is a spa-like treat you can enjoy year-round. The forested settings of Europe’s famous resorts, built in the classical style of a more opulent era of travel, offer inspiration for some of the most beautiful residential installations.

Like their European resort-based counterparts, today’s residential installments offer access to a relaxing soak any time of year. That’s important when you live in colder regions of the country!

#2 – Gets You Outdoors More Often

As you’re painfully aware, there are fewer opportunities for enjoy the great outdoors for a good portion of the year around here. A winter hot tub extends your chances of getting out and breathing some good fresh air or even getting some sunshine on your skin for at least a few moments.

Indoor air quality in wintertime can become quickly degraded when the windows don’t get opened for six months on end. Think of all those cleaning products, pet hair, cooking odors, and more, all sealed up inside the house with you! Stepping out into the fresh air is good for your lungs and good for your soul.

#3 – Gives You a New Way to Entertain

The guy with the biggest and best grill in the neighborhood wins in the summertime as the best back yard to hang out in. But now that it’s wintertime, the cards have changed. Your hot tub is a totally new and fun way to have a party any time of the year.

Not Sure About The Cold? Then Try This

After all this, if you’re still not sure you can picture yourself stepping out into sub-zero weather, braving the harsh elements to step into your hot tub, there’s an alternative. Consider a hot tub enclosure for the winter months. You can still enjoy the frost-covered treetops and picturesque winter coating of snow on the ground but in the comfort of a sheltered enclosure.

There are several ways to design your winter hot tub experience:

1. A standalone hot tub enclosure that’s just steps from your home
2. A roof on your existing deck that shelters your tub from wind and other elements of nature
3. A hot tub enclosure that’s attached to an exterior wall of your home

Need more ideas for your outdoor hot tub experience? We can help you “spa it up” with a consultation followed by a custom design that suits not only your unique property but your spa goals as well!

October is here and that can only mean one thing for Choice Pool & Spa… we’re going to the NC State Fair!!! We are excited to announce that Choice is at the NC State Fair this year from October 11th – October 21st!

Come check out Choice Pool & Spa’s largest display of hot tubs, swim spas, outdoor kitchens, grills, fire pits and outdoor furniture. Sample great food grilled to perfection on grills like The Big Green Egg, Bull, Green Mountain Grills, Blaze Grills and Heston. View a huge selection of custom outdoor kitchens from Bull with different shapes, colors, sizes and features. Pick the one that is right for you! Take a look at Four Winds and Coast Spas hot tubs and swim spa models and ask questions about all their amazing options. Feel how comfortable our outdoor furniture from Ashley is and visualize how it can fit in your backyard. Meet our design consultants and have all of your questions answered.Best of all, everything is on sale for this huge event! Up to 40% off retail prices!

Visit us under the BIG tent south of the Dorton Arena close to Hillsborough St. This is our last huge event of the year and your last chance to save BIG! Nothing Could Be Finer than the NC State Fair and nothing could be better than making your backyard a Choice backyard!

Maintaining your hot tub can seem like an overwhelming task. However, when dividing all of the things that need attention into daily, weekly and periodic tasks, the regular maintenance does not seem as daunting. To ensure optimum performance and longevity of your spa, regular maintenance is essential and must not be overlooked. This list will help keep you on track when maintaining your hot tub.

The most important step when maintaining your hot tub is to make sure the water quality stays at the correct levels. If you are monitoring the water quality on a daily basis, then there isn’t much work involved other than checking these levels with a color-coded test strip. The two things that you will be checking are the PH and sanitizer levels. If you dip the testing strip into the water and notice that the levels are not where they should be, you will then need to pour in the correct chemicals to get the water quality back to the proper level. Keeping the water quality at the correct levels will help prevent mineral buildup and corrosion of your hot tub, as well as help to avoid skin irritation.

“Shocking” your hot tub with sanitizer on a weekly basis is good practice for proper hot tub maintenance. This task is especially important when there have been a lot of bathers using the spa. Doing this will ensure the water in your hot tub stays clean and clear. Another weekly maintenance task is to clean your hot tub. Wiping down the spa cover and taking it off for a few hours per week to allow it to air out will help to extend the life of the cover. When removing the spa cover it is also a good idea to check for any debris in the hot tub and the water level. If the water level gets below the skimmer it could damage the pump.

These final steps are ones in which you should plan on doing at least a couple times per year. It is a good idea to treat your spa with a descaling agent a few times throughout the year to prevent mineral buildup. If you know that you live in an area high calcium or mineral content, this periodic task is especially important. Another area of the hot tub to check throughout the year is the main filter. Plan on removing and cleaning your hot tub’s filter at least a couple of times per year. Lastly, it is good to get in the habit of draining your hot tub once or twice per year. This will ensure good water quality, as well as give you the opportunity to inspect all of the components of your hot tub.

Maintaining your hot tub is easy when looking at the maintenance steps as daily, weekly or periodic. It really is not very time consuming. The important thing is to give your hot tub the proper attention so that your family and friends can enjoy it for years to come.

Interested in owning a hot tub? Call us and schedule your complimentary consultation TODAY at (919) 562- 6611 OR visit us at 10016 Capital Blvd. Wake Forest, NC 27587.

My husband has always loved cooking and grilling out. I will be the first to admit that he has always been the one who handles all of the cooking for our family. A few years ago, we moved into a new home here in Raleigh. After moving I realized that we didn’t have much of a budget to spend towards upgrading our backyard. A fully functioning outdoor kitchen had always been a dream of his, however, it would have to wait. I could tell he was a little bummed by the fact that we had a brand-new house but he would still have to cook on our old grill my parents bought us as a wedding gift. I told him that we would eventually look at installing an outdoor kitchen, but needed to wait until we had more money saved up. He agreed.

Another year of grilling on the old grill went by until the day finally came. After attempting to start the grill for dinner, I could hear him clicking the starter over and over again, my husband came inside to inform me that we weren’t going to be grilling for dinner that night. As we finished preparing the meal in the kitchen, he mentioned that he wanted to start looking at getting a new grill. He didn’t know that I was thinking more than just a grill, it was time to get a new outdoor kitchen!

Some friends of ours had recently purchased a spa from Choice Pool and Spa and told us about the pleasant experience they had. They mentioned how the entire team was very helpful and how they also installed outdoor kitchens. I immediately made a note in my phone so I wouldn’t forget – Choice Pool and Spa.

As my husband started searching for a new grill, I began meeting with the professionals at Choice to start designing a new outdoor kitchen. His 40^th birthday was coming up and I wanted to make sure it would be one he wouldn’t forget. After weeks of stalling and telling him that I didn’t like any of the grills he had picked out, I finally had everything ready for the big surprise.

On the night of is his birthday, after he had finished opening all of his gifts, I handed him a manila folder with a bow on top. He began to chuckle realizing why I had been so picky about all of the grills he kept showing me. What he didn’t realize was that in the folder wasn’t a picture of a new grill but a rendering of our backyard with a new outdoor kitchen. As he opened the folder I could tell he was shocked. He immediately asked how in the world did I design an outdoor kitchen. I told him how I had met with Choice Pool and Spa and that we had an upcoming appointment to finalize the design. The installation process began the following week and we were on our way to having a backyard worth showing off!

A few months have passed and we are so pleased with how our new outdoor kitchen turned out. My husband still talks about how surprised he was when opened that folder to see the design for our outdoor kitchen from Choice Pool and Spa. We have been grilling out nonstop and loving it! To step out into our backyard and sit around the bar with family and friends while my husband grills dinner makes me feel like I’m the one who got the gift.

We love helping our customers create the perfect backyard. Call us and schedule your complimentary consultation TODAY at (919) 562-6611 OR visit us at 10016 Capital Blvd. Wake Forest, NC 27587

What is a Swim Spa?

As swim spas continue to grow in popularity, this question is asked more and more - what is a swim spa? The technical answer is a rectangular spa that allows you to swim against a continuous current of water. However, a better way to answer this question is by looking more in depth at the benefits of a swim spa.

Fitness

Building muscular strength, endurance and keeping your heart rate up while avoiding high impact stress on your body, makes swimming one of the healthiest ways to exercise. According to the American Heart Association, just 30-60 minutes of physical activity 3-4 days per week can help reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. As a regular physical activity, swimming can also help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol. Swim spas are regularly used by top level athletes to stay in shape, so you know it is going to be a great workout.

Convenience

Imagine being able to swim laps without having to leave your home to go to a local neighborhood pool or fitness club. Swim spas allow you to never worry about sharing a lane or avoid kids crossing in front of you while swimming. The continuous flow of water also gives the swimmer the ability to concentrate on the workout instead of having to turn around at the walls. Swim Spas provide a great work out while using the least amount of space, all within the comfort of your home or backyard. Using your swim spa all year long instead of a few short months provides the benefits of a pool and spa in one.

Relaxation

Swim Spas facilitate the perfect environment for relaxation. Of course, you can hop into the swim spa as you would a traditional hot tub with family and friends. However, having the ability to exercise and then sit into a seat of superior current massage jets after a workout is what makes owning a swim spa so unique.

Call us and schedule your complimentary consultation TODAY at (919) 562- 6611 OR visit us at 10016 Capital Blvd. Wake Forest, NC 27587.

Increase Your Home Value with an Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor dining areas of some kind are fairly common, considering most homeowners with any type of backyard patio usually have a table and chairs to enjoy their morning coffee or an outdoor family dinner. But what about an outdoor kitchen? This particular home addition project is not necessarily an inexpensive one but can add tremendous value to your home, while also providing a space to make lasting memories. As the housing market continues to explode in and around Raleigh, now is a great time to start thinking about investing in your home. Below are a few reasons why outdoor kitchens make a great investment, one in which you will enjoy for years to come.

Increases Resale Value

Outdoor kitchens are becoming a popular and trending addition to outdoor spaces that can help increase your home’s value. If your home is in a price range where potential buyers expect luxury perks, such as swimming pools, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces, an outdoor kitchen is a particularly good way to set your home apart from other homes. When compared to other outdoor features, such as building an additional garage or fire pit, outdoor kitchens have a high rate of return on your investment because of their functionality in comparison to other outdoor features.

Today's outdoor kitchens are fully customizable and much more elaborate than ever before. It is not unusual to see gourmet appliances, high quality grills, wood-fire pizza ovens, smokers and tile or granite countertops. Plumbing and electrical lines allow for conveniences such as sinks, lighting, ceiling fans and plenty of outlets for appliances.

If you do not have a large backyard, be sure to consider the size of your outdoor kitchen. Most prospective home buyers appreciate having some open outdoor space that is not used up by permanent structures. No matter the scale of your outdoor kitchen, you can be certain that it will impress potential buyers and ensure they remember your home as they look at different properties.

Makes Cooking Even More Enjoyable

Not only do outdoor kitchens allow the flexibility of not always cooking indoors, they also allow you to be more adventurous in what you prepare. Grills, smokers and outdoor ovens perfect for fun recipes and unique techniques that are not as conducive to indoor cooking. When looking at what grill to incorporate in your outdoor kitchen, we recommend buying the best grill you can get within your budget. Try to get an option that has at least one impressive feature, such as the ability to use either gas or charcoal or a rotisserie, which will help to ensure it appeals to a larger variety of potential buyers. To make your outdoor kitchen even more enjoyable, you can go beyond the basics and add additional features such as a sound system, refrigerator or even a garbage disposal.

One of the best advantages is that an outdoor kitchen keeps cooking grease, odors, smoke, and heat outside, while also adding a level of convenience. Forget about having to haul your grilling tools, utensils and dishes back and forth to the house. With an outdoor sink and storage space it’s all conveniently at your disposal. Also, keeping the heat out of your indoor kitchen is a huge plus during the warm summer months we experience here in Raleigh.

When your outdoor lounge furniture or patio dining set is combined with an outdoor kitchen, food preparation becomes a group activity and nobody is stuck inside cooking while everyone else is visiting outdoors. Whether you like to host intimate dinners or lively parties, an outdoor kitchen makes it much more relaxing and enjoyable.

Extends Living and Entertaining Spaces

It seems like we are always trying to make more room for gathering with friends and family. Spilling over into the outdoors is the easiest way to host large groups. An outdoor kitchen extends your living spaceso you have ample room for gathering your friends and family, making wonderful memories in the heart of your backyard. Perfect for birthdays, romantic dinners, family get-togethers and holidays.

Exterior spaces for dining, cooking or entertaining are generally more affordable than adding interior space to your home. When adding an outdoor kitchen, be sure that it complements the existing exterior of your home. If you live in a Mediterranean villa style home, a modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances is probably not the way to go. If you live in a more contemporary home, a rustic kitchen will look out of place.

Use similar materials and colors to those on existing structures to make sure your outdoor kitchen truly looks like an extension of your home. Think of it as bringing the interior of your home to the outdoors. This does not mean that you need to use the same countertops or tile as your indoor kitchen, but it does mean that you need to make sure your colors and textures harmonize with the interior of your home. This will help potential buyers see this outdoor living area as additional square footage.

Whether or not you plan to sell your home now or in the future, adding an outdoor kitchen to your backyard will provide you and your family with the perfect place to prepare family meals, entertain guests and enjoy spending more time outdoors. Call us to schedule an appointment OR visit us at 10016 Capital Blvd. Wake Forest, NC 27587 to begin designing your outdoor kitchen today!

At Choice Pool and Spa, we strive to be your one stop shop for all of your outdoor entertainment needs. From spas and pools to outdoor kitchens and now… the BIG GREEN EGG! We are excited to announce that we now carry the Big Green Egg and have the largest selection in the area! With grilling season in full swing, let’s dive into why the Big Green Egg has become such a phenomenon and what makes cooking on a Big Green Egg so special.

We’ve always heard about the appeal of the Big Green Egg and their loyal following known as “EGGheads.” Ask any grilling enthusiast and they will agree that the Big Green Egg is known for being arguably one of the best grills on the market in terms of versatility and food flavor. Big Green Egg is the world’s largest producer and international distributor of the highest-quality ceramic kamado-style charcoal grill. As Big Green Egg has evolved over the years, significant changes have been made to keep it miles ahead of anything else on the market – state-of-the-art ceramics, a wide range of easily adjusted cooking temperatures, cooking versatility and a permanent porcelain glaze to preserve the signature green color. No matter what your taste in food is, you can probably cook it on an EGG! Once you experience food from a Big Green Egg you won’t want to cook on anything else! Let’s look at all of the elements of the Big Green Egg that makes it so unique.

Porcelain Glazed Ceramic Construction

The advanced ceramic material of the Big Green Egg is great for holding heat and moisture within the grill, making this one of the biggest reasons why the Big Green Egg so special. Holding the moisture within the grill will yield delicious succulent flavors every time you cook. The ceramic construction of the Big Green Egg makes it extremely durable and keeps the surface of the grill relatively cool, even when cooking at full heat. You still want to use extreme caution when grilling but it is nice knowing that your Egg is safer than a metal grill, especially if there are children or pets around.

Temperature Control

Since the ceramic material holds heat so well, you can keep your EGG at the perfect temperature for just about any food or recipe. When starting the charcoal, it is protected from the elements which allows it to start efficiently and get to full heat quickly. Constantly checking to see if the food is done is now unnecessary since the temperature is so regulated. The trick with the EGG is to not open it once it’s cooking, unless you need to apply a baste. The top and bottom vents can be used to adjust and control the temperature, humidity, and the smoke concentrations instead of opening the lid. Having more precise temperature control decreases the chance of burning your food and the amount of charcoal you need to use. This means less money spent on charcoal and more money spent on food that you want to cook! The temperature control abilities of the Big Green Egg makes cooking easy.

Versatile

You can’t beat the versatility of a Big Green Egg! Think of it more as the ultimate outdoor cooking appliance instead of just a grill. Eggs have the ability to smoke, roast, grill and bake. There are other appliances on the market that have multiple capabilities but none do it as well as the Big Green Egg. With seven convenient sizes to choose from, there is a Big Green Egg to fit any lifestyle! Sizes range from Eggs ideal for tailgating or camping to the perfect backyard grill to cook for your friends and family. Once you begin adding some of the “EGGcessories” to your grill, you can cook practically anything! For example, with the addition of the ConvEGGtor, there is added uniform heat distribution which means you can bake breads and desserts!

So Many EGGcessories!

Anyone who loves cooking on a grill knows the importance of having great accessories to improve the grilling experience. Knowing this, Big Green Egg has made some awesome “EGGcessories” to meet all of your cooking needs. As mentioned earlier, the ConvEGGtor is a great addition to distribute heat evenly for better cooking on the EGG. The ash sweeper tool and pan is great to have when cleaning out your Egg. You can also get EGGcessories such as the pizza stone which is perfect for making homemade pizzas! Additionally, there are roasting racks, roasting baskets, jalapeno popper holders, fire starters, grill grate grippers and so much more! There are so many opportunities when it comes to a Big Green Egg and it’s EGGcessories, making the experience fun and entertaining!

If you’ve been looking to upgrade your grill or install an outdoor kitchen, the Big Green Egg might be what you’ve been looking for. At Choice Pool and Spa we love grilling and love helping people find the perfect grill! Visit us at 10016 Capital Blvd. Wake Forest, NC 27587 to see the largest selection of Big Green Eggs in the area! Happy grilling!

The days are getting hotter and the nights are getting longer! That means it is time to start planning some pool parties! We love it when we see pictures or hear about parties happening around pools we have built. As summer approaches, we want to share some fun pool party ideas to add a little more fun by the pool!

Hawaiian Luau

A Hawaiian Luau is a very popular pool party theme, since it is fairly easy and affordable. Invite your friends to an evening getaway to the Island State! Ask guests to wear their most colorful Hawaiian print shirts. As guests arrive, welcome them with the traditional ‘Aloha’ greeting while placing leis around their necks. You can either make the leis yourself, a little more expensive, or purchase ready-made leis. Decorate the pool area with bright, tropical colors, bamboo accents and Hawaiian-themed accessories from your local party supply or craft store. Tiki torches and tropical flowers scattered across tables and the surface of the pool provide the finishing touches for a magical evening. Treat your friends and family to grilled pineapple chicken or ham for a delicious meal. To complement the feast, serve rice and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables reminiscent of a garden paradise.

Formal Evening

There are two ways you could go with this one. One is to ask guests to come in a dress or suit to sip wine or champagne beside the pool while the setting sun sparkles across the water. The other is to dress up in these fancy outfits only to jump into the pool fully clothed! It may sound crazy, but friends and family are sure to capture the fun with photos and videos to share for many years. Another idea is to ask all of your guests to come completely dressed in white and deck out the entire pool area with white accessories. Set up candles all over your patio, and if you really want to go all out, place white beach balls in the pool to bring the white theme together. The wedding aisle of your local craft store for white accessories like serving pieces and tableware.

Neon Party

If you don’t want to go formal but like the white idea, a neon party may be the party for you! Put up freestanding black lights around the pool, then ask your guests to wear white clothing to get the full effect. You’ll have a blast playing with white beach balls once the sun goes down! To add even more fun to the party, cover your decorations with glow-in-the-dark paint and be sure to stock up on glow sticks!

Vegas Game Night

Want to throw a party where guests can relax by the pool instead of getting in? Try a Vegas Game Night themed pool party. Instead of grilling out, try mixing up your menu with items like sushi or a nacho bar. Put out tables beside the pool for blackjack or poker games. If you want your guests to really get competitive, invest in a handful of prizes they could win!

Girls Night

Maybe Vegas Game Night is for the guys but what about the ladies? For Girls Night, hire a masseuse or beautician for the evening to give your friends manicures, pedicures, massages or facials. If that’s a bit outside your budget, set up your own spa! Provide nail files, toe separators, nail polish and other pampering essentials for your friends. As for food, chips and dip or mini sandwiches make for great snacks, right before you indulge in cupcakes or fondue for dessert.

Beach Party

If you want a fun and simple pool party, try creating a beach barbecue around the backyard pool. Attire is easy! Relax in flip-flops and swimsuits. Let the kids build sand castles in small plastic pools. If you want to really get creative, have the adults get in on it too with a sand castle competition! Decorate tables with seashells and fishnets. Cover chairs with beach towels and use plastic pails and shovels to serve hors-d'oeuvres and drinks. Float toy sailboats in the pool. Grill hamburgers, hot dogs and corn on the cob and serve classic boardwalk food, like popcorn, snow cones and French fries for you family and friends.