Decorating your backyard pool with various water features adds a level of luxury to your private oasis.
Popular features these days are things like waterfalls and deck jets, but what can add just as much eye-catching elegance and artistic flair is the addition of pool statues.
What Are Pool Statues?
Pool statues are an easy way to turn your pool from drab to fab!
Ok, seriously though, the addition of statuary around your pool, or even just in your backyard will up the level of sophistication in your outdoor decor.
When you think of statuary, famous ones like Venus de Milo, Michelangelo’s David, or The Statue of Liberty may come to mind. This is certainly a way you can go with pool statuary, adding a grandiose centerpiece that will surely be talked about by your guests.
But you can also install statues that feature a water element. These are referred to as spitters, and act more like pool fountains that can provide an extra layer of tranquility to the environment. They usually keep in line with the aquatic theme, and many are designed as fish, frogs, dolphins and mermaids.
The Pros & Cons
Before adding a statue (or two, or three) to your pool, you should be aware of the benefits as well as any drawbacks they come with.
Pros
The main advantage of adding pool statuary is an aesthetic one. They up the level of class around the pool and give it some artistic punch. Depending on their placement, they can even add a symmetrical element.
Secondly, most pool statues are not too expensive. Yes, there are some that will be a few hundred dollars (and others can even get into four and five figures), but for the most part, they are within budget and won’t break the bank.
There are more benefits if the statue is a fountain or spitter model that empties into the pool, with the first being that it will keep the pool water cool. If the temperature of pool water gets too warm, it causes chlorine to become ineffective as a sanitizer.
Cool pool water is also healthier for people to swim in, as you’ll get less chance of muscle cramping or spasms in it.
The fountain element of spitter statues also keeps your water circulated, and provides a natural noise barrier to the outside world so you can relax while in the pool.
Cons
The downsides to pool statues are cost and labor related.
If it’s a basic statue, and not too large, it will be pretty easy to just place it wherever you want it.
But if you have a spitter statue, you’re going to have to run a water line to it. These usually require their own separate pump, and depending how intricate the set up is, you may need to install a new pipeline for routing water.
For life-size statues, everything will be more expensive compared to smaller models. Additionally, spitters can accumulate scale from calcium deposits, so you’ll need to pay them extra attention while cleaning the pool.
A Cost Breakdown
Statues will vary in price depending on materials, size, and quality of work.
You can find plenty of good quality pool statuary between $50 and $100. At the $500 price point you’ll find larger statues, and mainly spitters. Anything in the 4 and 5 figure range will be the best quality money can buy.
A statue’s materials will also affect pricing, with fiberglass resin and brass being cheaper than bronze or copper statues. Some high-end statues will still use reliable (and expensive) stone.
Installation costs will depend on how many statues you have, how they’re set up, and if they need a water line. Of course, this is all situational, but the more involved the statuary is, the more labor costs will be.
Also, you have to take into account the cost of running a spitter. This is dependent on how often it’s operational, but it can definitely increase your monthly utility bill.
Pool Statue Ideas (And 5 Examples)
There’s plenty of different ways you can add statues around your pool and garden area. Some of the most popular are:
- Raised Statues
- Raised Spitters
- Single Statue / Multiple Spitters
- Zen Statue
- Waterline Spitter
Let’s look at some real examples:
Example #1: Raised Statues
Statues on raised platforms add dramatic visuals to the pool. In this particular case, they’ve paired them with equally dramatic rushing water, and Roman pillars.
These lions were most likely part of the design of the pool, so their installation cost would have been factored into the final price.
If you were to add something like this to your pool, you’d likely be paying a few thousand dollars per statue, as securely installing them doesn’t come cheap.
Example #2: Raised Spitters
In the same vein but with a spitter twist, these lion statues are also raised but have a water line run into them to provide a fountain that drops into the pool.
These statues most likely had the water line run under the pool deck when it was being installed. This makes it easy to position the platform, and then place the statue on top of it.
Spaced for symmetry, they’re also practical – cooling the pool water and helping circulate the pool’s chemicals at the same time.
Example #3: Single Statue Multiple Spitters
You can also go with a single statue that has multiple spitters on it like this bronze dolphin sculpture.
With a statue like this, you get 5 streams in 1, and if you’re tight on space, or just want to localize the streams, this is a great option to go with.
As with any spitter statue, the pool water will benefit from cooler water temperatures, and increased circulation.
Example #4: Zen Statue
For the new age crowd, you can add in a lovely Buddha with multiple spouts for a tranquil backyard pool.
The creation of this zen garden probably cost about the same amount as the statue itself! Pumping water to the dual sconces is where you will need to be a bit savvy, but for the most part this is a look that is easily recreatable.
Example #5: Waterline Spitter
Seahorse spitter statues are popular as well. Some of them will rest near the edge of the pool deck, but this one is a little bit more creative, as it’s been fitted directly into one of the pool’s corner joints.
The only drawback to this statue is that it’s crafted from copper, and sitting very close to the surface of the pool. The introduction of copper in pool water can stain the pool walls, and turn both the water and your hair green! So you’ll have to definitely be extra vigilant balancing your pool if you go this route.
Ready to Jump In?
Adding pool statues can transform your backyard from the same old thing, to something dynamic and memorable.
With a wide variety of statuary to choose from, it’s easy to add them to your pool no matter what budget you are working with.
