How to Choose the Right Pool Features: Waterfalls, Tanning Ledges & Outdoor Kitchens

Start With How Your Family Will Use the Pool

It’s a good idea to picture how you want to use your backyard before choosing the features. Ask yourself questions like:

• Will kids be using the pool every day in the summer?
• Do you wanna host parties or family gatherings?
• Do you want a quiet space to relax?
• Is this more about entertaining guests or everyday family use?

A family with younger children might want wide tanning ledges and shallow play areas. But a homeowner who loves hosting guests and throwing parties might want larger decks. They might even include more seating areas or even an outdoor kitchen. In short, try to focus on what makes sense for your lifestyle.

Why Tanning Ledges Are One of the Most Popular Features

A tanning ledge, sometimes called a sun shelf or Baja shelf, is a shallow platform built into the pool, usually only a few inches deep. They’re great for lounging chairs in the water. It’s also a shallow area for kids to play. Some people like that it’s not too deep, so they can use it to cool off in summer. For others, they like the idea of sitting and relaxing with a drink or book.

They’ve become one of the most requested features because they’re universally useful. Kids treat them like a play area. Adults use them as a place to relax in the water. So if you plan to host parties or invite family and friends over, tanning ledges will get plenty of use.

Outdoor Kitchens Add to the Backyard Experience

One of the most popular pool upgrades in Northwest Arkansas is an outdoor kitchen. This turns the pool space into a full entertainment area. No more running back and forth into the house. Everything you need to throw a party and cook some great food is right there by the pool. Outdoor kitchen features might include:

• Built-in grills
• Counter space for serving food
• Refrigeration
• Covered seating areas
• Bar-style seating

So if you’re looking to host cookouts, outdoor birthday parties, or just casual weekend gatherings, an outdoor kitchen really extends what your backyard can do. Pools naturally bring people together, so an outdoor kitchen just makes sense.

Consider Deck Space and Flow

Features should ideally fit the layout of your backyard and pool. For example, waterfalls tend to work best when positioned opposite a seating area so they can be seen and heard. Tanning ledges are usually placed near the main entry area of the pool because it’s the “shallow” side. And outdoor kitchens work best when there’s a clear path between the house, pool, and patio. A thoughtful means that every feature feels intentional and connected.

Good design usually doesn’t mean throwing in more features to meet every need. It still has to be designed to work together. It still needs to flow well without overwhelming your pool. That’s why working with an experienced pool builder, such as Waterclear Pools, can help reduce decision fatigue and simply make things make more sense.

Work With a Builder Who Helps You Prioritize

Choosing pool features should feel like a collaborative task, not an overwhelming one. At Waterclear Pools, we work closely with homeowners across Northwest Arkansas to design custom backyards that reflect how families actually live and gather.

Our approach focuses on:

• Clear communication throughout the project
• Custom quotes delivered in about 72 hours
• Focused scheduling so projects aren’t dragged out
• Most pools are completed in six weeks or less
• A Pool School program so you feel confident managing your new pool

With experience building thousands of pools to high luxury standards, our team understands how to combine design and practicality in a way that lasts.

Let us help you design your ideal backyard

If you’re thinking about building a custom pool in Northwest Arkansas, the first step is starting the conversation.

Use the quote request form on this page to request your custom proposal. You’ll receive clear pricing and design guidance in about 72 hours with no pressure and no drama.

Let’s create a backyard that fits your family, your lifestyle, and the way you want to spend your summers.