HOMEOWNERS GETTING IN THE SWIM.

• Position: Brief Article

As an affordable antidote to a high-stress lifestyle, more and more families are buying swimming pools as a way to treat themselves to quality time with each other while soaking away stress, according to the National Pool and Spa Institute. As a result of advances in pool-building technology, swimming pools are less expensive and more attractive than ever. Designers say the hot trend is fantasy.

Created with mosaic the or painted or even printed on vinyl in an aboveground pool, murals have become popular. You can swim in ancient Rome or on a Polynesian island when the view is re-created on the wall surrounding the pool. Designs can be done in the inside the pool as well, even adding a bit of whimsy such as a scuba diver or feisty crab on the floor of the deep end to amuse swimmers.

Fiberoptic lighting systems can outline the curvy edge...