From Tiki Pool to Tropical Oasis: Our Journey with a New Above-Ground In-Ground Pool

Hey there, Semperfidiy.com readers! I’m taking a little detour from our usual SemperFi DIY projects to share something exciting that’s happening in our backyard right now. Since 2018, I’ve had a Walmart Intex pool sunk in the ground, and it’s been the heart of my outdoor space—a little slice of paradise I called my tiki pool. But after 7 years of memories (and a lot of wear and tear), time took its toll, and we knew it was time for an upgrade. So, my husband Jason (the Semper in SemperFi DIY) and I bit the bullet, visited Aloha Pools and Spas in Tallahassee, and are now the proud owners of a new 15' above-ground in-ground pool! We’re thrilled to take you along on this journey as we transform our backyard into a tropical oasis. Let’s look back at the history of my tiki pool with some nostalgic photos and share what’s next for this exciting project!

The Tiki Pool Era: A Backyard Gem Since 2018

Back in 2018, I was a single woman looking to add some fun to my backyard, so I took on a big project all by myself: installing a Walmart Intex pool, which I sunk into the ground for a more permanent feel. It was a budget-friendly way to bring the joy of a pool to my 1,056-square-foot home, and it quickly became the centerpiece of my outdoor space during my single life. I wrapped it with temporary bamboo fencing to give it a bit of privacy and a tropical vibe. It wasn’t perfect, but I was proud of what I’d accomplished on my own, and I loved splashing around under the shade of my trees, hosting friends and family for summer fun.

Here’s a look at that early setup:

Fast forward to 2021, and the bamboo was fraying—honestly, the whole setup was a hot mess by then! I’d done my best to maintain it on my own, but time and the elements had taken their toll. That’s when Jason came into my life, and viola—he was making pools great again! He saw the potential in my little tiki pool and jumped in to help. We started by wrapping it with corrugated roofing tin, securing it around the pool’s exterior to protect it as best as possible. It was never perfect—corrugated tin isn’t exactly the most polished look—but it gave the pool a new lease on life while we planned the next step.

Here’s how it looked with the corrugated tin:

Fast forward to 2021, and the bamboo was fraying—honestly, the whole setup was a hot mess by then! I’d done my best to maintain it on my own, but time and the elements had taken their toll. That’s when Jason came into my life, and viola—he was making pools great again! He saw the potential in my little tiki pool and jumped in to help. We wrapped the lower part with corrugated roofing tin, securing it around the pool’s exterior to protect it as best as possible. It was never perfect—corrugated tin isn’t exactly the most polished look—but it gave the pool a new lease on life, especially with the wooden top still in place from the earlier upgrade. For about 7 years, that tiki pool was my pride and joy, hosting countless memories under the Florida sun—first as a solo project, and later as a shared adventure with Jason.

Here’s a photo of the pool with the corrugated tin, showing the wooden top from the earlier upgrade:

And let’s flip back to some older photos to show how far we’ve come—those early days of floating in the pool were the start of so many great times.

But as the years went by, time took its toll. The wood started to weather, the corrugated tin couldn’t hold up forever, and the pool itself showed signs of wear—leaks, fading, and a liner that had seen better days. We patched it up as best we could, but by 2025, we decided it was time to say goodbye to our beloved tiki pool and start fresh.

Here’s a final look at the tiki pool before we took it down:

A New Chapter: Visiting Aloha Pools and Spas

After much discussion (and a little bit of mourning for our old pool), Jason and I decided it was time to invest in something new. We wanted a pool that would last longer, look even better, and still fit our above-ground in-ground setup. So, we headed to Aloha Pools and Spas in Tallahassee to explore our options. The staff was incredibly helpful, walking us through the pros and cons of different sizes, materials, and features. After some back-and-forth (and a lot of excitement), we settled on a 15' above-ground pool that we’ll sink into the ground, just like our old one. It’s the perfect size for our backyard, giving us enough space to swim and float while leaving room for seating and landscaping around it.

We’re still in the early stages of this project, but we’re already dreaming about how this new pool will transform our backyard into a true tropical oasis. The new pool is sturdier than our old Intex, with a more durable liner and a sleek design that’ll look amazing once we add our personal touches. The pool will but up perfectly to our new deck and compliment all of our recent improvements.

What’s Next: The Installation and Transformation

The next step is the installation process, which we’ll be documenting every step of the way. Here’s a quick preview of what’s to come:

• Remove the old pool: We’ve already started dismantling the old tiki pool, taking down the surround and draining the water. It’s bittersweet to see it go, but we’re excited for what’s next.

• Prepare the ground: We’ll need to level the area and ensure the ground is ready for the new pool, which might involve some digging and filling to get it just right.

• Install the new pool: Once the ground is prepped, we’ll set up the new 15' pool, sinking it into the ground for that in-ground look we love.

• Add the finishing touches: This is where the fun begins! We’ll build a new surround (likely with wood or composite decking), add tropical landscaping, and incorporate features like a pergola, string lights, and maybe even a small tiki bar to bring back that tiki vibe in a fresh way.

We’ll be sharing photos and updates as we go, so you can follow along on this journey with us. I’m especially excited to see how the new pool will tie into our outdoor space—we’re aiming for a tropical oasis that feels like a mini-vacation every time we step outside.

Why We’re Sharing This Journey

You might be wondering why we’re deviating from our usual SemperFiDIY focus to share this pool project. For us, this isn’t just about a new pool—it’s about creating a space where we can continue making memories with our family and friends, just like we did with the tiki pool. Our backyard has always been a place of joy, relaxation, and togetherness, and we want to keep that magic alive with a fresh, updated look. Plus, we know a lot of you love outdoor projects as much as we do, and we hope this journey inspires you to tackle your own backyard transformation—whether it’s a pool, a patio, or a simple garden update.

We also want to show that you don’t need a huge budget or a massive space to create something amazing. Our 1,056-square-foot home has taught us to make the most of every inch, and this pool project is no exception. We’ll be doing as much of the work ourselves as we can (with Jason leading the charge, of course!), and we’ll share all the tips, tricks, and lessons learned along the way.

Join Us on This Tropical Adventure!

We’re so excited to have you along for this ride as we turn our backyard into a tropical oasis with our new 15' pool! What do you think of our tiki pool memories? Do you have any ideas for our new setup—maybe a favorite tropical plant or a fun pool accessory? I’d love to hear your thoughts - tag us on social media with your own outdoor projects using #SemperfiDIY! Stay tuned for the next update—we’ll be back soon with more progress on this exciting project.

Until next time,

Semperfidiy.com