Lifestyle

Fun Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Salt Water Pool

Published

5 years ago

October 1, 2020

Many people have found themselves spending much more time than usual at home this year, which for pool owners, probably means more time in the pool, but fewer pool parties with friends. If you’ve already run through all your favorite ways to have fun in the pool, you may be searching for some inspiration to jazz up pool time for you and your family. Here are some fun ways you can get the most out of your salt water pool this summer.

Underwater Photos

Though underwater photos might seem like something that requires specialized equipment and a fancy technique, it’s actually possible to take really great underwater photos yourself without spending too much money. You can buy an inexpensive disposable waterproof camera for less than $15 and snap fun and silly photos of your family from the water. Or you can invest in a waterproof case for your smartphone and take pool photos that way. Whatever method you choose, you’ll have more fun than you expected setting up different shots and seeing the results.

Pool Floaties

Pool floats are not only for safety but also for fun and joy. They’ll provide a colorful and cute look to any pool and will blow away your ‘boring’ lookalike swimming days. You can find inflatables with customized designs according to each of your family member’s tastes and preferences. Imagine your swimming pool full of different shapes and sizes of floats such as hummocks, lounges, balls, tiny cup holders and many others. They can be typically of any design you think of, even with lights inside and out. Get creative and have some unique pool floaties to feel safe and joyful while swimming.

Add Lights

Though “fun in the sun” is often associated with the swimming pool, playing in the water doesn’t have to be exclusively done during the day time. Adding fun lights in or around the pool can bring a whole new element to your swimming experience. Depending on the ambiance you’re looking for, there are a lot of options for lighting up your pool at night. If you like firelight, you can use tiki torches or gas-fed fire bowls to add literal and figurative warmth to the outdoor space. If you want more of a party atmosphere, color-changing LEDs or light-up floating pool lights can add a fun vibe to the evening. Some lighting systems even allow you to play music through wireless speakers, which adds another fun element to your pool time. Adding lights is a great way to increase the time you can spend poolside this year.

Water Sports

For family pool time, there’s nothing like a little healthy competition from water sports. From familiar favorites like volleyball, poolside basketball, and even water polo, to new favorites like water pong, floating ring toss, or diving games, there’s almost no limit to the games and sports that can be played in the pool. You can buy inexpensive equipment designed specifically for use in the pool, or encourage family members to make up games of their own. Regardless of what you play, water sports will add hours of fun to your family’s summer.

Heat it Up

If you live in an area where the weather isn’t sunny and warm year-round, you might be frustrated by the short timeframe each year where it’s warm enough to use the pool. One way you can extend the time you can spend in the pool is with a pool heater. Pool heaters can warm up water on cooler days and nights, and also extend the time in which you can use the pool to earlier in the spring and later in the fall. Pool heaters are really worth the investment if you find yourself disappointed by short swimming seasons every year.

Make Cleaning Fun

Anyone who has owned a pool knows it’s not all about the fun. Pools take a lot of work to properly clean and maintain, especially chlorine pools. Since pool maintenance isn’t a negotiable aspect of pool ownership, you can try making it more fun. For example, the Jet Net remote control pool skimmer makes pool cleaning fun by attaching the skimmer net to a remote controlled boat, allowing you to race around the pool while keeping it clean.

Add Variety to Your Workout

Though a backyard pool most often brings fun to mind, you can also use it for practical purposes, such as getting in your daily workout. Working out in the pool is great for a variety of reasons. You can burn more calories in less time in the water than with traditional workouts. Exercising in the pool can also mean a complete workout that includes cardio, strength, and resistance training. Training in the water is also lower impact and puts less stress on your joints. Using your salt water pool for exercise will give you a chance to shake up your workout routine while spending even more time in the pool.

Whether you’re a longtime pool owner or just starting to think about putting in a salt water pool of your own, there’s almost no limit to the ways you can have fun with your family in the water. Whether you decide to add a heater to extend your yearly swim season, or spruce up the pool area with lights to party the night away in your pool, finding new ways to spend more time in the water is a surefire way to get the most use out of your swimming pool investment.

Thinking of putting in a new saltwater pool or converting your existing pool to saltwater? The experts at Discount Salt Pool are your saltwater pool system experts. Discount Salt Pool is America’s largest specialty provider of saltwater swimming pool equipment. Since 1997, DSP has helped hundreds of thousands of people convert their pools to salt. We offer expert advice based on decades of experience, friendly and knowledgeable customer support, and manufacturer-direct pricing on the best salt pool systems available. Order online, visit our Texas headquarters, or call us now for personalized help and recommendations on your saltwater pool needs.

Lifestyle

The Breakroom Reset: Small Changes That Improve the Workday

Published

1 week ago

February 11, 2026

Michelle Langton

The office breakroom is a space that’s often neglected and can sometimes feel more like an afterthought than a key feature of the workplace. This is unfortunate, especially since employees typically visit the breakroom to rest and recuperate before finishing their shift. Considering its intended function, the breakroom should be viewed as one of the most important spaces in the entire office.

Having a welcoming and rejuvenating breakroom can promote social interaction, enhance workplace culture, and reduce stress. Employees who feel restored after visiting the breakroom are more likely to feel happy at work and be more productive the rest of the day. If your workplace breakroom leaves a lot to be desired, here are some small changes you can make to totally reset it.

Small Breakroom Changes That Improve the Workday

Unless your breakroom is in shambles and needs major reconstruction, you don’t have to spend a fortune on it to make it more inviting. In many cases, small and simple changes can make a big impact on the overall vibe of any space.

Whether you’re working with a limited budget or limited space, there are still plenty of things you can do to reset your boring breakroom. Here are some small breakroom changes that can improve the workday and give you maximum bang for your buck.

Convenient Hydration Options

Employees need to stay hydrated to keep their health and energy levels high. Unfortunately, many employees are chronically dehydrated because they don’t have access to tasty beverages at work. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to install a soda machine in the breakroom. Giving workers unlimited access to sugary drinks could backfire in the long run by contributing to illnesses and increased sick days.

Instead of offering sugary beverages (that can actually contribute to dehydration in the long run), make it easier for your employees to stay hydrated with pure water. Providing a filtered office drinking water system is one of the best ways to encourage optimal hydration. Most employees will appreciate the clean, tasty alternative to standard office tap water.

Comfy Seating

When was the last time you took a look at the seating arrangements in your breakroom? If it’s been a while, take a walk over there and give it a good look. Is there sufficient space for multiple employees to sit at the same time? Are the seats comfortable and rearrangeable so employees can interact with others or achieve greater privacy as desired? If not, you might benefit from a breakroom seating reset.

Seating arrangements in breakrooms should be both comfortable and flexible. You might want to bring in some modular furniture because it’s easy to move and rearrange as needed. For maximum versatility, seating arrangements should include a mix of traditional breakroom chairs and tables, lounge chairs, and even bean bags. Making the space as open as possible will also help it look more roomy and inviting.

Nutritious Snack Options

Most employers don’t provide full meals for their employees. It’s perfectly reasonable to expect workers to make their own lunch or dinner arrangements. However, if you want to support your employees’ energy levels, keep healthy snacks in your breakroom. Nutritious snacks can enhance employee performance throughout the day, so workers find it easier to get more done.

Instead of investing in chips, candy bars, and other sugary sweets, opt for snack options that won’t cause sugar spikes and inevitable crashes. Some great options include trail mixes, protein bars, fresh fruit, popcorn, and veggie trays. Instant oatmeal cups can also be a convenient source of energy for those who don’t have time to grab breakfast before heading to work. You might want to send out an employee survey to see what types of healthy snacks your workers prefer.

Optimal Lighting

Did you know that poor lighting can negatively impact your employees’ psychological and emotional well-being? Improving workplace lighting (including in the breakroom) can make a huge difference in worker morale and energy levels. Warm white light may be a great choice for the breakroom because it creates a soothing, calm atmosphere. Cool white light might be a better fit for conference rooms and cubicle areas because it enhances focus and energy.

Of course, natural light is arguably the best option for the office whenever it’s available. If your breakroom has windows, try to keep the shades open during working hours. That way, employees can experience the mood- and health-boosting benefits of natural light exposure.

Entertainment Options

Some office managers and CEOs mistakenly think that a breakroom should be boring to serve its purpose well. However, the terms “boring” and “relaxing” are not synonymous. Employees may find a boring breakroom to be surprisingly non-restorative. On the flip side, a room equipped for entertainment can be very relaxing and rejuvenating.

To make your breakroom a more enjoyable place to spend time, you might want to install a corner television. That way, workers can watch their favorite sitcom while they relax. You might also keep a few card or board games stocked in a cupboard for employees who prefer to interact in fun ways during their lunch breaks.

Reset Your Breakroom Today

Your employee breakroom can reveal a lot about your overall workplace environment. If it’s not lit well, or if it’s boring and unwelcoming, workers are more likely to feel underappreciated and discontented. The good news is that you don’t have to sink a lot of money or effort into resetting your breakroom and getting a fresh start. Use these simple tips to revamp your breakroom and make it a place where workers can go to feel truly cared for and relaxed.