small pools for backyards
As a Senior Writer at Apartment Therapy, Nancy splits her time among looking at beautiful pictures, writing about design, and photographing stylish apartments in and around NYC. It’s not a bad gig.
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Is there anyone who would say no to a pool in their own backyard? Imagine stepping outside in the warm months and seeing that glimmering blue water staring back at you, just beckoning you to come for a dip. If a backyard pool is your dream, but you don’t want to spend a ton of money and time on installing and maintaining it, you might want to consider a small pool. That’s right – it’s totally possible to incorporate a pool into your design (and not just a portable pool), no matter how short on square footage you may be. And our round-up of small pool ideas is the perfect jumping off point. See what we did there?
Swimming Pool Design Ideas For Small Backyards
While the sizes and dimensions of pools vary, anything that’s about 10 feet by 10 feet or smaller is typically considered a small pool. In terms of depth, three feet is standard for soaking and floating, and four to five feet and above is the best depth for lap pools. From there, it’s up to you.
Elongated rectangles can give a pool a modern edge or a mediterranean vibe, while circular pools offer a more boho or even a rustic feel. Design elements like tiling and even concrete stamping can add to the aesthetic you’re aiming for, many of which you’ll see here. Once you’ve nailed down your pool’s design, be sure to incorporate things like potted plants, pool floats, and patio furniture that add to the vibe.
So if you’re considering upping the cool factor of your outdoor space, get inspired by these small pool ideas that make a big splash.
What Is The Best Small Pool Design For A Small Yard?
An endless pool is a great solution for small pool ideas, since it allows you to swim laps without having a large pool. This above-ground model rests on a solid concrete slab, and is surrounded by attractive cedar shake siding for a zen-like vibe.
There’s simply no better than a stock tank when you need a small pool solution. This one is doctored up with a wooden deck that’s perfectly fitted to the circular design. A zen-like faux bamboo wall provides the perfect touch of privacy.
This tiny stock tank from The Shack Attack is just large enough to soak in. But when it comes to small pool ideas, you go with whatever works if you have extremely limited space. Soak in style with a painted exterior and chic stencils.
Small Pools To Fit Your Santa Clarita Backyard
This tiny plunge pool by Plunge Plus is just big enough to cool you off in the hot summer months, regardless of the size of your backyard. This rectangular model is set against an expansive patio, with plenty of room for entertaining. Short on space? Reduce the size of the surrounding patio for a diminutive dip.
Don’t forget to incorporate a comfortable place to lounge in your list of small pool ideas. Even if your pool is tiny, you can still sit by it in style. We’re obsessed with the outdoor couch and pergola setup adjacent to this petite pool.
Everything from the lounge chair cushions to the swan pool float makes this pint-size swimming pool look like it’s straight out of a dollhouse. We love that there’s still plenty of room for sunbathing and sipping coffee.
A Chic Swimming Pool Alternative For Small Backyards
A circular pool is one of our favorite small pool ideas. The shape immediately makes you think of a relaxing hot tub, and it facilitates conversation among friends, since everyone is facing each other. This teeny round pool in a yard designed by DCLA is perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day without taking up too much space.
This Portland home’s pool setup looks like it’s straight out of Palm Springs, the capital of mid-century modern. The mini greenhouse and vibrantly-colored accents bring major saturation to the oftentimes gray, rainy days of the Pacific Northwest.
If you’re short on space or just want to minimize your pool’s impact on your backyard, we love the idea of converting a shed into a pool house. A mini pool house, like the one outside of this California home, is the perfect complement to a small pool, and one of our favorite small pool ideas. Think of it as a permanent cabana—it’s just big enough to fit a sofa and a set of side chairs.
Ways To Make A Small Pool Work In Your Backyard
Stepping outside the door of this cozy Houston home and into the backyard instantly introduces a spa-like vibe. That’s because of the pool. Its utilitarian silhouette and cement contrasts with the river rock walkways and natural wood patio furniture. The result is a calm and cool place to have a little fun in the sun.
This stunning pool from The Joshua Tree House, owned by Sara and Rich Combs, shows that size has nothing to do with the relaxing benefits that come with a pool—and the ability to enjoy the view from your backyard. A circular pool takes up little space, is low maintenance, and makes it easy to channel some chill vibes after a long day.
Backyard pools are often categorized into two extremes: large in-ground pools or plastic cylinders sitting on your lawn. But this stock tank-style from Colleen Sherman proves above-ground pools can look super chic and cool in your backyard. The bistro lights, patio umbrella, and pretty pavers are a must-add to your list of small pool ideas.
Custom Pool For Small Backyard With Beach Entry
This stunning pool by Clayton & Little, shot by Jake Holt, is a dreamy ode to mid-century modern design. The matching turquoise chairs and table reflect the water and boldly stand out against the backyard’s mix of wood walls, cement, and greenery.
One of the best rules to follow when decorating and designing a small space is to build vertically. And you can do the same with a pool. While you may not have the space to spread out a large rectangle across your yard, why not create two pools stacked atop each other like the one at this cool San Francisco home? Patterned tile makes the setup look like a fancy resort pool.Worried about the lack of space in your backyard? Contrary to a common misconception, you can install a high-quality pool in a backyard of virtually any size. Let’s take a closer look at creative pool ideas for a small backyard.
Installing a swimming pool in your backyard isn’t just a great way to improve your everyday life. It’s a significant contribution to your health and entertainment options. But what if your backyard is tiny? That’s where creativity comes in.
Small Pools — Mirror Lake Designs
Creativity is the driving force behind pool design. Even if you have a small backyard, it has enough space for a pool. Don’t give up on your dream to enjoy a poolside evening with a glass of wine or to watch your kids (or grandkids) splash around all weekend long. All you have to do is get creative. Let’s jump in and explore ways to make it happen.
Even if you have a small backyard, it still makes sense to explore backyard pool options. One creative pool idea for your small backyard is the spool, a backyard pool that combines the features of a swimming pool with those of a spa or hot tub.
Spools are becoming increasingly popular for homes with limited backyard space. They are also ideal alternatives for those who want the benefits of a water feature without a full-size pool. This creative pool solution also can include features a spa would normally have, such as heaters and jacuzzi jets.
Awesome Narrow Pools For The Tightest Spaces
As a hybrid, spools lend themselves to creative interpretation, and a quick web search will show the variety of small backyard pools available on the market. Unique and trendy, spools also allow your creativity to shine through, making them an excellent option for people who want to put their stamp on their outdoor space.
When you look at your backyard and don’t see enough space, it’s probably because you are thinking about a standard pool shape. Your pool doesn’t have to be oval, kidney-shaped, or square. It can be anything you like.
Irregularly shaped backyards aren’t a rarity. Neither are irregularly-shaped pools. If you take advantage of the available space without looking back at the shape, you can install a highly efficient pool.
Best Pool Designs
The key to irregularly-shaped pools is proper installation and maintenance. Beyond that, they serve exactly the same purpose as perfect rectangles, squares, and ovals do.
Who said that pools need to be as close to a square or an oval as possible? If your backyard is small, you can consider a long and narrow pool.
These pools are actually even more fun than perfect squares or kidney shapes. They allow you to swim a longer distance, which is wonderful for your exercise needs.
Refreshing Cocktail Pools For Small Outdoor Spaces
Many homeowners make the mistake of trying to tuck the pool away into a corner of the backyard. They believe that such zoning makes their small backyard look bigger.
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