Quick Answer
The pool upgrades that consistently earn their keep are a spa, a tanning ledge, quality decking, phone-based automation, and LED lighting, all used constantly and all adding real resale appeal. Water features, fire features, and a vanishing edge look great but should be spent on with intent, since a standalone fire pit or a flatter budget can do a similar job for less.
- Worth the money: a spa (the single most used upgrade for most families), a tanning ledge or sun shelf (inexpensive relative to its impact), quality decking like travertine or premium pavers, phone-based automation, and LED lighting.
- Spend with intent: water features like sheer descents or waterfalls, fire features (a standalone fire pit can do the job for less), and a vanishing edge, which only makes sense on the right lot with a view.
- Easy to skip: oversized depth that most families rarely use, and trendy add-ons that go unused after year one.
- The best pool is designed around how the family will actually use it, not the longest feature list.
Is a pool spa worth the extra cost?
Yes. It is the single most used upgrade for most families, with year-round use and strong resale appeal.
Is a vanishing edge worth it?
Only on the right lot with a view. It is expensive and does not make sense on every site.
Where Your Pool Budget Earns Its Keep
Once you start designing a pool, the feature list grows fast, and so does the price. Some upgrades are worth every dollar in enjoyment and resale; others are nice but skippable. Here is our honest take for East Tennessee homeowners.
Worth the Money
- A spa. The single most used upgrade for most families. Year round use, relaxation, and strong resale appeal. Adds meaningful cost but earns it.
- A tanning ledge (sun shelf). Inexpensive relative to its impact. Loved by kids, loungers, and anyone who wants to sit in a few inches of water. Almost everyone is glad they added one.
- Quality decking. Travertine or premium pavers around the pool do more for the look and feel than almost any in pool feature. This is not the place to cut.
- Automation. Controlling the pool from your phone, heat, lights, features, is a quality of life upgrade you use daily.
- LED lighting. Affordable, transforms the pool at night, and makes the whole backyard usable after dark.
Nice, but Spend With Intent
- Water features (sheer descents, waterfalls). Beautiful and add ambiance. Worth it if the look matters to you; skippable if budget is tight.
- Fire features (fire bowls, pits). Great for extending the season and the wow factor, but a standalone fire pit can do the job for less.
- Vanishing edge. Stunning on the right lot with a view. Expensive and only makes sense when the site supports it.
Easy to Skip
- Oversized depth (most families rarely use a deep end the way they think they will)
- Trendy add ons you will not use after year one
Build the Features That Fit Your Life
The best pool is the one designed around how your family will actually use it, not the longest feature list. We will tell you honestly which upgrades are worth it for your goals and budget. See the pool cost guide, get an estimate, or request a free phone consultation.
Christopher Morales
Co-founder of Morales Outdoor Living. 16+ years designing and building pools, patios, decks, and complete outdoor living spaces across East Tennessee. TN License #77919.
Meet the team
