When you think of a Plungie pool, the first thing that comes to mind is probably how fast it goes in. And yes, that’s one of the biggest selling points—factory-made concrete—made in America, right here in Texas—brought to your property, plumbed up, and done in a fraction of the time of a custom build.
But just because the installation takes less time doesn’t mean it has to look prefab. In fact, in places like Fort Worth where style meets practicality on just about every residential block, plenty of customization can still happen after the pool hits the ground.
When it comes to choosing a custom concrete vs Plungie pool, the decision often ultimately comes down to whether the homeowner would rather spend months on a fully customized design, or start with a solid, fast-track foundation that they can still make their own. So today, we’re going to take a quick look at some of the ways you can customize a Plungie pool installation.
Decking Makes the Difference
This is where people’s personalities really start to show. You’ve got many choices here—composite, wood, poured concrete, pavers, even artificial turf if you’re aiming for low-maintenance. In Fort Worth, where our brutal summers can toast bare feet in about 30 seconds, lighter-colored pavers or textured concrete with a cool deck finish are solid plays.
Tip: A wood deck gives off more of a Hill Country lakehouse vibe, while clean concrete edges lean modern. Around these parts, people sometimes mix both—a little stained wood platform for lounging, wrapped by a concrete skirt.
Color Isn’t Just About the Pool Itself
Sure, you pick a finish color for the Plungie shell itself (usually a shade of blue or gray), but think about the surroundings too.
A pool with dark interior finish and sleek gray tile feels upscale and urban—like something you’d see in a downtown Ft Worth rooftop lounge. But pair that same pool with white limestone and desert-friendly plants and you’ve suddenly got Southwestern resort energy.
Coping Styles = Pool Personality
The edge of your pool. You can choose natural stone, precast concrete, or even tile. Go thick and chunky for a more traditional, rustic look, or keep it slim and sleek if your house skews contemporary.
Tip: If your Fort Worth home’s got some Craftsman or ranch-style bones, limestone coping ties in great with existing architecture. Live in a newer neighborhood out near Walsh or Aledo? You might go with a more modern bullnose or poured edge to stay on-brand.
Landscaping Adds Depth
This is where you can turn a pool into a whole experience. You don’t need a full-blown oasis—but a few well-placed trees or privacy hedges? That can be a game-changer. Especially in Fort Worth’s more exposed lots where backyards can often share a line with the next guy’s grill.
You can also go drought-tolerant without making it feel sterile: ornamental grasses, rosemary, Texas sage. Add in a few planters with palms or ferns to soften up the concrete edge and you’ve got a little staycation setup that doesn’t look like everybody else’s.
Lighting = Day & Night Pool
Nothing screams “afterthought” like a great pool you can’t enjoy after sunset. Plungie makes it easy to add underwater lights, and they’re one of the few precast pool companies that actually include pre-engineered lighting options as part of the ordering process. However you can create a more custom look if you take it further:
- Low-voltage path lights
- Uplighting for any trees or architectural features
- Maybe even string lights if you’ve got a pergola or fence line.
In Fort Worth, a lot of summer happens after the sun goes down. (It’s just too hot otherwise!) So lighting isn’t just a nice touch—it’s what turns your backyard into a real hangout zone.
Built-In Benches, Bubblers, and Baja Shelves
This is where you can still get a bit “custom” without messing with the Plungie itself. Surround your pool with built-in features like a baja shelf (aka a tanning ledge), or have your authorized Fort Worth Plungie Pool installation contractor pour a shallow surround where you can drag a lounger into ankle-deep water. It takes a bit more planning and budget, but it’s a smart way to level up the pool and give it a custom look without having to go fully custom.
You can also add deck jets, bubblers, or even a small water wall—just know they won’t come built into the pool shell itself. These kinds of add-ons get worked into the decking or surrounding structures during installation.
Fencing, Screens, and Shade Structures
Every install in Fort Worth is going to have to meet code, especially if you’ve got kids or pets—so fencing isn’t optional. But it is customizable.
Horizontal cedar slats are big right now and look clean without feeling industrial. You can even add climbing vines or use decorative metal panels if you want privacy and aesthetics. Shade sails, pergolas, or even a modern slatted cabana setup are all great ways to beat that Texas sun and give the space a finished feel.
Outdoor Showers, Storage, and Extras
Want to go a step further? Think about function. An outdoor shower isn’t just a cool Instagram move—it’s practical for rinsing off sweat, sunscreen, or pool chemicals before heading inside. Same for storage benches or concealed areas for pool equipment.
Tip: If you’re building on a sloped Fort Worth lot (and there are plenty), you might even be able to tuck storage below the pool deck.
Final Touches: Furniture and Flow
No matter what you build around the pool, it’s the stuff you add after that makes it livable. Look at how traffic flows through the space. For example:
- Is there a path from the back door to the pool without soaking your whole patio?
- Does the grill area make sense next to the hangout zone?
Even little things like towel hooks, built-in drink coolers, and how your furniture’s arranged can either elevate the whole space or make it feel like a slapped-together kit.
In Fort Worth, where homes run the gamut from downtown remodels to sprawling new builds, it’s that attention to detail that separates a “done” yard from a great one.
Bottom Line
Just because a Plungie pool shows up ready to go doesn’t mean the project stops there. What you build around it is what makes it yours. And in a city like Fort Worth, where people are used to mixing smart choices with real style, taking that prefab pool and turning it into something that looks completely custom? That’s about as local as it gets.
