Home ownership continues to be the best investment for most families. And with the current economic downturn, more people are opting for a lower-cost alternative to a big summer vacation or major home renovation.

Instead, they’re putting their hard-earned money—often along with substantial outlays of personal energy and time—into making the most of their homes’ existing outdoor spaces. Whether it’s to keep the kids happily occupied or to provide a beautiful and relaxing retreat for entertaining on any scale, renovating the swimming pool and maintaining the lawn and gardens are smart moves that many homeowners are seriously thinking about this spring.

Maintaining the pool

Basically, there are three parts to a swimming pool or spa: the water, the bowl that holds it…and all the rest, from coping to filters. Maintaining it covers regular cleaning and keeping water quality high, as well as repairs and the upgrades that make the pool experience safer or more comfortable.

If you don’t feel qualified or if it is a burden on your time, a reputable pool service will open your pool or spa and make sure it is filled, clean, chemically balanced and working well. Many services will also keep the pool crystal clear and free of dirt and debris with regular care throughout the season so you have nothing to do but enjoy it.

Repairs include replacing tiles and edging, finding and fixing leaks, and replacing filters, jets and heaters. Renovations cover the gamut from adding a heater or a hot tub/spa to replacing old finishes and coping with new materials that really make a statement.

How it looks and feels

With dozens of ways to change the way your pool looks, from replastering to tiles, the old ’80s-style pool is “out.” For example, A & S brand Ansylbrite quartz and 3M quartz finishes make the plaster interior of the pool shimmer like glitter and easier to maintain, and either brand is available in a variety of custom colors. Tiles of almost every conceivable color, shape and texture can refresh your pool or spa along the water’s edge, down the walls, on the bottom, on the stairs or as part of the seating, decking or plantings. And that tired old concrete coping? Consider EP Henry pavers as an upgrade with far more visual interest.

The newest filtration systems use saltwater instead of chlorine or bromine, and plenty of homeowners are making the switch. It’s kinder and gentler on the environment, on your skin and on your swimming apparel—a softer experience all around. And no, it isn’t at all like gargling with salt or swimming in the ocean, but is barely noticeable.

Speaking of the equipment, the new filters and heaters are much more efficient both in terms of energy use and whether you need an engineering degree to operate them. Some even have automatic controls—push one button or run the entire system from a remote control device.

Lawn and garden care

Spring is the time to clean up from the ravages of winter and prepare for the growing season ahead with such tasks as spring pruning, feeding and debugging trees and shrubs, and giving your lawn a thorough “physical exam” before applying treatments.

Whether your landscape is mature or newly planted, you can ensure it will pay you back for years to come with a regular program of tree, shrub, perennial and lawn care. A program designed to meet your needs will take into consideration how you use your grounds—weekend soccer games, horticultural displays, play dates under the trees with the family pets?—your budget and how much of the work you want to do yourself.

Two enhancements that you’ll quickly wonder how you ever lived without them are landscape lighting and an irrigation system. Low-voltage outdoor lighting—wired, solar or a mix of both—is a great way to beautify your home and landscape while adding useable hours to the day and improving security and safe passage. Tired of dragging around a hose to keep your lawn and garden watered? An irrigation system can be as extensive as your entire property or installed for a specific purpose, like a vegetable garden or even the bunny’s hutch under the trees. Both lighting and irrigation can be automated so you can go away or be busy with other things and know your home’s outdoors will be cared for in your absence.

Whatever you do this spring to make your summer around the house feel like the perfect vacation, be sure your money and efforts pay off big by first consulting the experts at your home service provider. They will help you design a program of repairs, renovation and maintenance to fit your budget and give your home the landscape of your dreams.