From the very beginning of a backyard project, the use of space in a yard must be top priority.

Many companies provide design services, which can greatly enhance a homeowner's backyard environment. Once a design has been agreed upon, the materials and brands selected for the project can vary widely. The homeowner's wishes and the expertise of the contractor should combine to deliver the longest lasting benefit for the budget allowed.

Today's most common pools are the lagoon pool and the sports/play pool. Traditionally, the lagoon pool will include a stone-like interior, rolled-bond beam where landscaping meets near the edge of the pool and less decking. In most cases, a waterfall is an added benefit of the lagoon pool.

The sports/play pool has a depth of 3 to 5 feet that allows people to stand easily in the pool to play water volleyball and basketball. The pool interiors can be coated with many different interior coatings, including plaster, stone, pebble, fiberglass, ceramic and tile. As a sports-court pool surface, stone may be rough on the feet and fiberglass a bit slippery.

Cleaning the pool generally comes down to two different systems. In-floor systems allow for a pop-up head to move dirt at the bottom of the pool toward the filtration system, while a skimmer takes the debris collected at the top of the pool.

A pool cleaner is used most efficiently by adding a dedicated line to a pool, allowing the skimmer to work at 100 percent. These systems move along the bottom of the pool collecting dirt or debris, and then delivering them to the filter system.

The most common filters include stone, diatomaceous earth and cartridge systems. Your pool builder can advise you on the correct filter for your pool.

Water-line tile greatly enhances the look of your pool and it is advised for use in most pools, including stone interior pools. Special sealers can be applied to water-line tile to reduce the rate of calcium buildup.

Materials used around the pool for the deck can include concrete, colored concrete, natural stone and tile, conventional Kooldeck, acrylic modified cement, stamped concretes, rubberized surfaces and aggregate surfaces. Each of these surfaces has a different benefit, depending on the customers' desires and tastes.

Waterfalls are a desirable and soothing addition to your pool environment. Surface select boulders are known as character boulders. These are selected from natural settings and may contain lichen, moss and natural earth-tone colors. Pit-run boulders are generally those produced as an after-effect of mining and come in many different colors.

Artificial rock waterfalls can be created with al of the natural color and beauty of the real thing. In cases where access to a job site is a problem, artificial boulders can easily be placed on site or fabricated on site.

Fiber optic lighting can finish off any pool project with subtle lighting effects on the pool perimeter and in the pool interior, waterfalls, and landscaping and decks.

Spas are usually shotcreted with the construction of a new pool. These spas are usually finished on the interior with a similar product used in the pool. The longest lasting spa interior is thought be to an all-tile spa.

A shotcrete spa can be added to the pool as a remodel item; however, cost can sometimes be prohibitive. Where cost is a factor, many forms of acrylic spas can be purchased and installed inground as well as aboveground.

Beehive fireplaces and barbeques with seat benching add another favorite zone to the backyard environment. Many of these structures are placed on island pads reachable from the main pool area and become part of the overall design package.

The use of elevations, both ste-ups and step-downs, adds architectural flair to the design. Always consider your homeowners association's rules when stepping up the elevations that you wish to build beehives on. The styles and finishes of fireplaces will vary depending on what suits your taste and architecture. Barbeque grills can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, not including the masonry buildout. Ask yourself how much you will use the grill to find one suitable for your needs. Both the beehive and the barbeque can be made pre-fab or built with full masonry construction.

Landscaping the backyard environment is like putting a beautiful picture in a frame. The correct landscaping should include a color palette that is pleasing to the customer. The placement of ground cover, shrubs and trees is essential in finishing your project. Make sure the landscaper can give you an idea of how your plant life looks once it matures. Too much can be as bad as too little. Be sure to use pool friendly plants and trees around your pool area.

Placement of boulders in the landscape area will often tie in the waterfall to the rest of the yard and complete the picture.

Low voltage landscape lighting offers a beautiful nighttime effect. Use lighting as an accent-you don't have to light up every tree and shrub.

There are many different ways to approach a project and many different materials to use. The key is to start with a good design, pick licensed qualified contractors, as about warranties and take your time. Doing a project once the right way can save a lot of aggravation and money down the road.