#springlakenj

[clccustompools]

This one corner of the backyard had always been a mystery—overgrown, damp, and completely off-limits for anyone other than the neighborhood squirrels. The homeowners, a family who had lived in Spring Lake for decades, kept calling it “the lost zone,” and it had us thinking about how a pool could actually revive a space that nobody wanted to touch.

1. The Project or Problem

When we first stepped into this backyard, it felt like a hidden pocket of nature that had forgotten it belonged to a house. The grass was patchy, the soil was soft and spongy from too much shade, and a gnarled old tree leaned slightly into the property line. The family’s golden retriever had adopted the soggy corner as his personal mud pit, leaving paw prints across the cracked stone patio.

They wanted a pool. But honestly, we could see why they hesitated: there wasn’t an obvious spot for a rectangular lap pool, and the uneven ground made any installation feel intimidating. They imagined a pool might solve everything—make the yard fun again, host summer parties, and finally give the kids a reason to leave their screens—but we needed to figure out how to work with the space, not just plaster it over with concrete and chlorine.

Early on, we brainstormed awkward sketches: a tiny pool tucked under the tree, a floating spa in the middle, or even just a shallow wading pool to satisfy the dog (half-joke). But the family was dreaming bigger—they wanted a feature that felt intentional, connected to the home, and actually usable.

2. The Discovery

That’s when we remembered one of the pages on our site: Expert Pool Builder in Spring Lake, NJ. We went back through it with the family, and it was a lightbulb moment. The page lays out real-life examples of tricky yards, tips for working with uneven soil, and ways to design pools that complement the house instead of fighting the landscape.

It also talks about common mistakes homeowners make—like putting in a “perfectly square” pool in a yard that’s anything but square, or over-designing with fountains and waterfalls that end up unused. We showed the family a few layouts and photos from past projects, and suddenly they were talking not just about a pool, but about how it could transform the yard into something magical.

3. What It Made Us Think

This project really reframed our thinking about what homeowners think they need versus what actually works. The instinct was to cram a pool wherever it would technically fit, but we realized the “lost corner” could become the highlight of the backyard. The slope could become a natural spot for a cascading spa wall, the tree could provide shade for a lounging nook, and the dog could have his own little splash area without turning the main pool into a mud pit.

It also made us reflect on how often we see homeowners overcomplicate things. A pool isn’t just a rectangle of water; it’s about flow, accessibility, and interaction with the yard. The family started thinking less about filling every inch and more about creating moments: a morning coffee spot overlooking the water, a sun-drenched lounge for the kids, a subtle fence that kept privacy without blocking the view.

Most importantly, it reminded us that design is often about negotiation. Between shade and sun, hardscape and softscape, usability and whimsy—sometimes the best solution is a mix of all of it, not just a single “perfect” idea.

4. Small Wins, Lessons, or Plans

Once we settled on a concept, small wins started stacking up. We decided on a freeform pool with a gentle curve following the natural slope. Slate coping edges would echo the natural stone scattered across the property, tying in the old patio fragments. The spa would sit under the tree, integrated into a raised stone platform that felt almost sculptural. And yes, we carved out a shallow splash area where the dog could run around safely.

We even started imagining little design flourishes: string lights stretching above the lounge area, low-growing hydrangeas along the fence for privacy, and a soft path of stepping stones connecting the main pool to the backyard gate. It wasn’t perfect—some corners still needed leveling, and the tree roots were a challenge—but the process itself became part of the design.

One thing we noticed was how much energy just visualizing the space helped. The family would walk around the yard with chalk lines marking edges, sitting areas, and water features. The kids would point out where they wanted splashes, and even the dog seemed to approve, sniffing every spot with enthusiastic curiosity. These little exercises gave everyone a sense of ownership over the project, and they revealed solutions we hadn’t considered on paper.

5. Wrap-Up / Reflection

By the time we left that first day, the lost corner no longer felt lost. It had a purpose, a plan, and a personality. This project reminded us that even challenging spaces have potential, and sometimes the best designs come from working with the quirks of a yard instead of against them.

For homeowners planning a pool—or any outdoor living upgrade—the lesson is simple: don’t just think about the pool itself. Think about the life around it, the corners you usually ignore, and how every element—shade, slope, sun, trees, pets—can tell a story. When you treat the yard as a collaborator rather than a blank canvas, you end up with something that feels natural, usable, and a little bit magical.

#BackyardGoals #SpringLakeNJ #OutdoorVibes #PoolDesign #GardenPlanning #HomeByDesign #NeighborhoodNotes #NaturalSpaces #HardscapingInspo #DesignDetails

[baurlawns]

There’s a quiet little corner of Spring Lake where the lawns roll into sandy breezes—and one backyard there had us rethinking how simple changes can transform a whole space.

1. The Project or Problem

It started with a call from a Spring Lake homeowner who had what she described as “a perfectly fine but perfectly dull yard.” Her words, not ours—but once we saw it, we understood exactly what she meant. The grass was patchy in spots, the shrubs were mismatched from a few quick nursery trips, and the patio stones sat like a checkerboard with no flow. She said every time she looked out the back windows, the yard felt like it was just waiting for someone to bring it to life.

Her biggest frustration was that she loved entertaining—family barbecues, small get-togethers with neighbors—but the space never felt welcoming. It had no focal point, no sense of place. Guests would sit awkwardly around a metal patio set while kids darted through the lawn trying to avoid the bare dirt patches. Even the family dog seemed to prefer the neighbor’s fence line over the center of the yard.

The homeowner joked, “It feels like a room we never decorated—just four walls and no soul.” And that was our starting point: how do you take a yard that’s not broken, but uninspired, and give it character without overwhelming it?

2. The Discovery

While talking it through, we kept coming back to what makes Spring Lake yards unique. The sea air, the sandy soil, the breezy afternoons—they’re not just quirks, they’re opportunities. We remembered a page we’d recently written that touched on how different outdoor spaces in Spring Lake need tailored landscaping ideas, not just cookie-cutter fixes. We broke that down here if you’re curious: https://baurlawns.com/spring-lake-nj/.

That page became a little anchor in our planning. It reminded us that the best landscapes in this town aren’t about building something grand; they’re about harmonizing with what’s already here. From plantings that thrive in sandy soil to layouts that invite sea breezes rather than block them, it offered the right framework. Suddenly, the “uninspired yard” wasn’t a burden—it was a canvas with its own coastal personality waiting to shine.

3. What It Made Us Think

he more we walked the property, the more we realized that the homeowner’s instinct was right: it didn’t need a complete overhaul. What it needed was definition. Too many homeowners, we’ve noticed, assume that upgrading a backyard means adding more—bigger patios, taller fences, brighter flowers. But here, the real challenge was restraint.

For example, the patio didn’t have to be ripped up. What it needed was framing—soft plant beds that blurred the hard edges and gave it a sense of belonging to the yard instead of floating in it. The bare lawn spots didn’t demand an expensive sod replacement; they were perfect candidates for groundcovers that thrive in coastal conditions and need less fuss than a manicured lawn.

It made us think about how often homeowners underestimate the power of “in-betweens”—those connecting spaces between patio and lawn, garden and fence, house and yard. Those are the places where character sneaks in: a curve in a pathway, a cluster of grasses catching the afternoon light, a quiet nook with just enough shade for a chair.

This project reframed our own priorities too. Instead of asking, “What can we add to impress?” we found ourselves asking, “What can we reveal that’s already here?” That shift kept the design authentic to Spring Lake’s vibe—and more importantly, to the homeowner’s lifestyle.

4. Small Wins, Lessons, or Plans

The design tweaks we landed on weren’t dramatic, but they felt right. Around the patio, we added a crescent-shaped bed filled with native grasses and flowering perennials that would sway in the sea breeze. Picture purple coneflowers and golden black-eyed Susans nodding in the wind, softening the sharp corners of stone.

We sketched a meandering pathway using slate pavers, not in a straight line but in a gentle curve, guiding the eye (and the feet) toward a shady nook under the property’s only mature tree. The homeowner loved the idea of setting a wooden bench there—a retreat spot, not just a throughway.

For the lawn, instead of forcing perfection, we leaned into resilience. We mixed in clover and hardy groundcovers that could stand up to both kids and the dog, offering a green carpet that didn’t demand constant care. It was honest, functional, and surprisingly charming.

And then came the small details that made the whole design sing: string lights stretching between fence posts to make evening gatherings feel cozy, a cluster of potted herbs near the grill so the homeowner could snip basil and rosemary mid-cook, and a few Adirondack chairs angled to catch the sunset glow.

These weren’t massive, budget-breaking changes. They were small wins that made the space feel lived-in, personal, and true to its setting. It reminded us—and the homeowner—that landscaping doesn’t always mean reinventing. Sometimes, it means listening carefully to the yard’s quiet suggestions.

5. Wrap-Up / Reflection

By the time we wrapped, the yard wasn’t flashy—but it was inviting. You could step outside and instantly feel that it belonged to Spring Lake, with its breezy grasses, sandy textures, and easy flow. The homeowner told us, “It finally feels like us out here.” That was the best part.

The lesson we carried away was simple: not every yard is waiting for a grand redesign. Some just need a few thoughtful strokes of personality. For homeowners around Spring Lake, that might mean respecting the coast, leaning into what grows easily, or letting a pathway curve instead of forcing it straight.

If you’re planning something similar, start by asking yourself: what’s already working here, and how can I honor it? Sometimes the most beautiful landscapes don’t shout—they hum quietly, in harmony with their place.

HASHTAGS

#BackyardGoals #SpringLakeNJ #OutdoorVibes #GardenPlanning #NeighborhoodNotes #DesignDetails #NaturalSpaces #CoastalLiving #HomeByDesign #LandscapingInspo

[forsalebydianerivera]

This home in Spring Lake is Amazing 🔥 @realestate_listings_daily Spring Lake, NJ $6,900,000 A splendid combination of classical beauty and sophisticated elegance in this custom Spring Lake home. Only the finest materials and finishes were selected to create this magnificent home. Eight bedrooms, eight full baths and one half bath on four luxurious levels. A Chefs kitchen features a full suite of Viking SS appliances, marble counters, and large island. In the mahogany bar room find a temperature controlled wine room and a built in humidor. The master suite w/ two walk in closets, fireplace, and luxurious bath. A second floor patio overlooks the in ground pool surrounded by white marble, a cabana with bar, laundry and an outdoor shower. A smart house system, elevator, home theater, and gym are just a few of the many amenities in this very special home! This beautiful home is Listed by @dianeturton.realtors . . . . . #springlakenj #newjersey #luxuryrealestate #luxuryhomes #realestate #realtor #estate #realestateexperts #realestatenews #realestatelife #realestateagent #realestatemarketing #realestateinvestor #realestatebroker #iloverealestate #realestatesales #realestateforsale #realestatetips #decor #design #interiordecor #designinspiration #interiorinspo #interior #interiors #interiordecorating #interiordesign #homedesign #homesoftherich (at Spring Lake, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/CA1eT-VjPju/?igshid=8sb7qwni17ii

[drfloundus]

We’re almost there. #springlakenj #beachtown #beachlife #almostspring #coffeeoreowithchocolatesprinkles #dayoffvibes #icecream https://www.instagram.com/p/B9mpKvlnCdL/?igshid=vkjx1jb4bulu

[valerieh22]

Last days on the shore #wind #ocean #jerseyshore #fall #springlakenj #naturevideos #videosofinstagram #inthewind (at Spring Lake, New Jersey) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3TNklMDwMP/?igshid=yktxbcy9xl5s

[4eyedvisions]

You can’t stop the wave,

but you can learn to surf

[swiftieoverfifty]

There would be no #rainbows without sunshine ☀️ and rain 🌧 #rain #sun #springlakenj #summertime #beach #therealjerseyshore @js.hn (at Spring Lake, New Jersey)

[jvcaine]

Beach season is here 👙#jerseyshore #springlakenj #jvcainefoodblog (at Spring Lake, New Jersey)