Hey guys!
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So when we bought this house, it was all because of the backyard oasis & setting. We now live on a large ravine lot, attach on to a neighborhood park, and have an amazing pool area complete with a slide!
However, we found that every time people came over to swim, we would have to review the pool rules. We would sit the kiddos on the deck step, go over the rules, and then be consistent in how we “lifeguard” the swimming.
*Lightbulb*
I hopped on to Pinterest and started looking up Pool Rules Signs. There are some really interesting options that came about, but I was hooked on a few wood engraved signs sold on Etsy!
The only thing was that the ones that I liked were roughly $100 plus shipping. So…instead…as usual when I have a DIY project in mind, I showed my handyman husband. He took one look at the Pool Rules sign that I liked and decided that he was up for the challenge of re-creating his own DIY version.
PERFECT!
Then, we could display the rules in a prominent location near the pool for all to see & read. It would serve as a visual reminder… and artwork too!
Do you want to make your own Pool Rules Sign too?– Keep Reading to find out how we did it!
Pool Rules Tutorial:
This tutorial has affiliate links. For more information, please read my full disclosure.
There are a couple of different ways to make the Pool Rules Wood Sign. We made two different versions- both 36″ long x 18″ wide, but both with a CNC machine. If you don’t have access to a CNC machine, you can simply transfer your lettering onto your sign using this tutorial from Amy of the Savvy Sparrow! All you would need is a software program such as Microsoft Word or Canva (for different fonts) and access to a printer!
Materials:
- Wood
- Spray Paint (in colors of your choice)
- Stain (color of your choice)
- Sealant (for outdoor protection)
- Foam Brush (s)
- Sander (We use the Dewalt Orbit Sander)
- Hanging wire & Screws
- Optional: CNC Machine & Software
1. Wood
- Choose a piece of wood that is good for outdoor use such as a hard wood like teak, an exotic wood or Douglas Fir.
- Cut the wood to size- our sign was cut 18 inches wide x 36 inches length
2. Pool Rules
- Decide on the actual pool rules that need to be on the sign.
- Fill in the extra space with some summer sayings such as “Enjoy the Music”
- Have some fun and bring a happy vibe to your pool area!
3. Choose Fonts
- Using the software of your choice, design the pool rules using different fonts. Remember to have fonts going in different directions too.
- If you are going to use a CNC Machine like ours, you will need to use the software that pairs up with the machine.
- Otherwise, you can create the different pool rules using fonts of Microsoft Word or even Canva!
4. Apply the rules to the Wood
- Depending on the method you are using- apply the different Pool Rules to the wood via the CNC machine or manually by hand.
- If you don’t have access to a CNC machine, you can simply transfer your lettering onto your sign using this tutorial from Amy of the Savvy Sparrow!
5. Add Color
- Now that the rules are on the wood board, you can add some color! Here is where the fun begins.
- Tape off different sections of the board and spray them with a spray paint in the color of your choice.
- Repeat with different colors until all of the rules have been finished.
- You might also enjoy just the black lettering- we did a version with this and it looks great!
6. Sanding
- Sand down lightly the top to get rid of any color spray on the wood board.
- We use the Dewalt Orbit Sander.
7. Weatherproof
- Add a few coats of Varathyne to weatherproof your outdoor sign. We use the Sikkens ProLuxe Cetol for added protection.
8. Add a wire to hang & display
9. Voila!
Pool Rules Sign Reveal:
Trust me, if you aren’t handy, this is a simple DIY project that anyone can do with these instructions. It’s THAT easy!
In the end, it should only cost you less than $30 and take about 2 hours of your time (if you choose multiple colors)!
Here is the our final Pool Rules Sign Reveal!
Great addition to the pool area…don’t you think?!?
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So…inspired to make your own DIY Pool Rules Sign? Leave your thoughts below!
