Backyard... Reimagined

In coastal communities like Wilmington, outdoor living isn’t just a trend, it’s a lifestyle. With mild winters, warm summers, and plenty of sunshine, your backyard has the potential to become the most enjoyed “room” of your home.

Today, one of the most sought-after upgrades isn’t just a patio or kitchen... it’s a modern, resort-style pool environment designed for both beauty and wellness.

At Vie Construction, we design and build custom outdoor additions that transform ordinary backyards into elevated, cohesive living spaces. While we partner with specialized pool companies for the technical pool installation itself, our construction team handles everything that brings the full vision together... from structural preparation and hardscaping to integrated features like saunas, spas, pergolas, and outdoor living areas.

Because your home shouldn’t stop at the back door…

Why Modern Pools Are Worth the Investment

Backyard pools have evolved far beyond a simple rectangle of water. Today’s modern pools are architectural centerpieces: designed to complement your home, maximize relaxation, and increase property value.

In coastal North Carolina, outdoor amenities are a major selling point. A thoughtfully designed "pool scape" can:

• Increase property value

• Create a private resort-style experience

• Expand your usable living space

• Enhance curb appeal

• Provide year-round wellness benefits

• Elevate everyday living

When paired with features like spas and wooden saunas, your backyard becomes more than a place to cool off, it becomes a personal retreat.

Most Popular Types of Custom Pools

If you’re planning a pool installation, choosing the right style is the first step. Here are the most popular modern pool designs homeowners are requesting right now:

1. Geometric Pools

Clean lines, sharp angles, and minimalist design define geometric pools. These work especially well with modern or contemporary homes and pair beautifully with linear fire features, large-format pavers, and sleek landscaping.

2. Infinity Edge Pools

Also known as vanishing-edge pools, these create the illusion that water flows endlessly into the horizon. While often associated with oceanfront properties, they can also overlook wooded lots or custom landscape elevations for dramatic effect.

3. Plunge Pools

Perfect for smaller backyards, plunge pools focus on relaxation rather than swimming laps. They’re compact, efficient, and often combined with integrated spa features for a dual-purpose design.

4. Freeform Pools

Designed with natural curves, freeform pools create a softer, resort-inspired aesthetic. They blend seamlessly with tropical landscaping, stone features, and coastal-style homes.

5. Lap Pools

Long and narrow, lap pools are ideal for homeowners focused on fitness. They offer a streamlined look and work well in tight side-yard spaces.

While a licensed pool company installs the shell and mechanical systems, a professional construction company ensures the surrounding environment: decking, retaining walls, drainage, outdoor structures, lighting, and finishing details.

Spas & Integrated Hot Tubs: Elevated Relaxation

Modern backyards increasingly include built-in spas that integrate directly into the pool design or sit adjacent as a standalone feature.

Popular spa features include:

• Raised spillover spas

• Hydrotherapy jets

• LED lighting systems

• Tiled accent finishes

• Automated heating controls

A spa extends usability into cooler months and adds therapeutic value for muscle recovery and stress relief.

From a construction standpoint, integrating a spa requires structural planning, electrical coordination, and careful material transitions. These are all areas where experienced builders play a critical role.

Wooden Saunas: The Wellness Upgrade

One of the fastest-growing outdoor trends is the addition of wooden saunas. These bring a spa-level wellness experience home.

*Wooden saunas, especially cedar, naturally resist moisture and insects, making them ideal for coastal climates.

Homeowners are choosing:

• Traditional Finnish-style saunas

• Barrel saunas with panoramic windows

• Custom-built cedar sauna rooms

• Infrared sauna installations

Installing a sauna isn’t just about placing a prebuilt unit in the yard... it often requires:

• Concrete pads or structural foundations

• Electrical integration

• Weatherproofing

• Proper ventilation planning

• Privacy walls or enclosures

At Vie, we ensure your sauna integrates seamlessly into the overall design rather than feeling like an afterthought.

Pergolas, Shade Structures & Poolside Architecture

Modern pool spaces aren’t complete without structure. Architectural elements define zones and provide relief from the sun.

Popular additions include:

• Custom wood pergolas

• Covered lounge areas

• Poolside cabanas

• Outdoor living rooms

• Shade sails and aluminum structures

These features require structural expertise, permitting knowledge, and material selection suited to Wilmington’s coastal weather conditions. This is where working with a seasoned construction team becomes essential.

Hardscaping, Decking & Built-In Features

The area around your pool matters just as much as the pool itself...

Trending materials and additions include:

• Natural stone decking

• Large-format concrete pavers

• Slip-resistant porcelain tile

• Built-in seating walls

• Fire pits and linear fire features

• Outdoor showers

• Privacy walls with integrated lighting

Proper grading, drainage, and foundation work protect your investment long-term. Poor installation can lead to shifting, cracking, or water damage... which is why construction oversight is critical.

Why Construction Companies Matter in Pool Projects

It’s important to understand the distinction:

A pool company specializes in engineering and installing the pool shell, plumbing, filtration, and mechanical systems....A construction company ensures everything around it is structurally sound, cohesive, and built to code.

At Vie Construction, we:

• Prepare and reinforce the site

• Coordinate with pool contractors

• Manage permits and inspections

• Install hardscape and decking

• Build shade structures and outdoor rooms

• Integrate spas and saunas

• Handle electrical and lighting coordination

• Ensure drainage and grading are done correctly

Without a construction team overseeing the full project, you risk ending up with a disconnected backyard (beautiful pieces that don’t quite work together).

We make sure your pool area feels intentional, seamless, and like a true extension of your home.

Your Backyard, Reimagined

Modern pools are more than a luxury... they’re a lifestyle upgrade. When combined with spas, wooden saunas, architectural shade structures, and expert construction, your backyard becomes a private retreat designed around how you live.

Whether you envision a sleek geometric pool, a wellness-inspired spa and sauna combination, or a fully integrated outdoor living space, Vie Construction is ready to help you build something exceptional right here in Wilmington.

Let’s create a backyard that goes beyond beautiful & feels like home.