re: We decided to install a pool...

Glad I went with salt water. My pool is basically maintenance free. I've added one bag of salt since October. Almost time to add another. No issues with anything around my pool rusting or plants dying.

I wish I had added more holes for umbrellas before the pool deck was poured. I went with two, and really should have gone with a couple more.

We have a nice sized bench at one end of the pool, and love it. Consider something like that for when you want to sit in the pool and have drinks.

Also, some sort of water feature makes the pool nice to look at even when it's too cold to swim. I enjoy sitting on my patio in the winter with the waterfalls in the pool flowing. It's peaceful to listen to and nice to look at.