Small Pool Ideas — 9 Ways to Make a Splash, Even in the Smallest of Spaces

Ready to take a dip in the pool? The summer heat can be quite the treat, if you have a pool to retreat to. Now, if you are hoping to add this facility into your home this season, it's important to find the right one, especially if you've got limited space to work with. If you want to have a pool in a small backyard, you'll need one that will ultimately elevate your outdoor living space with class and style — without it taking up too much surface area.

Whether you're looking to take a dip in a plunge pool or opting for a raised one, use these small pool ideas as the perfect springboard for fresh ways on designing the most joyful exteriors. No matter the size of your backyard, a small-to-medium-size pool can very much accommodate you and your guests.

It's time to get ready to put on your favorite swimming attire and be inspired. We've created a list of our top pool ideas for small backyards, and put together some tips on how you can seamlessly style them with different landscapes.

1. Take a dip into a plunge pool

Amongst the many pool types, a plunge pool is the easiest one to add to a small backyard. These are essentially used for lounging and cooling off, and are not big enough to swim long laps in. Plunge pools are a great as they can also be enjoyed all year round and If installed appropriately, the pool can be converted into a hot tub.

Karen Larson, co-Founder and designer at Soake Pools tells us: 'Plunge pools have a smaller footprint, are less expensive to install, and much easier to maintain. Plunge pools take up less space, use about 80% less water than a typical large inground pool, and require less energy than a standard size swimming pool, as well as fewer chemicals. As a bonus, they can be used year-round!'.

2. Embrace nature with a natural pool

A great, whimsical addition to a backyard is a water feature, and if you want to maintain the untouched organic quality of this space, consider a natural pool. These look like water bodies built by nature but are equipped with water filters that will need to be cleaned regularly. Some of these may be in non-standard shapes and sizes and can add oodles of interest to the outdoors.

So, why are natural pools a great choice for a small backyard? Well, Rafi Friedman, a pool expert and the president of Coastal Luxury Outdoors, tell us: 'Natural pools are a good choice for small yards in part because they double as attractive landscaping. The plants that help to filter your pool's water can also serve as part of your garden, plus you don't need to invest nearly as much square footage in a proper pool deck or space for filtration equipment'.

3. Blend the pool into the landscape

Allowing the surrounding nature to wrap around the body of water is quite a popular pool landscape idea. It gives the feeling of swimming in the wilderness, and being one with nature.

'The client wanted to preserve elements of the existing yard – notably the mature trees lining the property, which provide seclusion and natural character,' says Michael Amantea, founder of Amantea Architects. 'The 380 square-meter rear yard features a swimming pool and hot tub with a modernized material palette.'

4. Go for a long and narrow pool

If you have been blessed with a backyard, it actually couldn't be easier to add a pool. It's important to think that swimming pools, especially in a smaller space, needn't be tucked away, out of sight – they should be a key feature of the garden, working with the surrounding hardscaping and landscaping.

See how in this pool deck, the long and narrow waterbody sits so seamlessly with the very architectural design, echoing the shapes and style of the house.

'The house opens up through the swimming pool in an unexpected manner, and establishes a relationship with the sea,' says Martin Gomez, founder of Martin Gomez Arquitectos. 'There is a house-beach connection, where the property is separated almost by 100 meters from the outdoors.'

5. Make it moody with dark tiles in the pool

Ditch the traditional blue and opt for dramatic dark tiles. This is ideal for smaller pools as much like in small rooms, using a dark color can expand the space and make it look bigger and deeper. And isn't there just something so glamorous about a black pool? It looks wonderful contrasted with the pale sandstone patio of this indoor outdoor Australia home designed by CplusC architects.

'A small gunite in the ground pool will generally add a minimum of $40,000 to your budget,' says Janice. 'Even if the pool is small, and uses less resources than a large pool, you will still need the full set of equipment, plumbing, and electrical scopes of work. You will be required to have pool safety fencing and most likely some masonry work near the pool.'

6. Go for a minimalist industrial style 

Surrounded by concrete walls and stone slabs, this small urban garden has a very pared-back industrial feel and a simple rectangular pool fits perfectly in with the minimalist style.

And look at the positioning too. The positioning of a small pool can make all the difference when square footage is limited. Floating a pool in the center of your garden will only work if you have enough space to be able to comfortably move around the pool, so having a pool closer to the house, as can be seen here, leaves plenty of room on one side for loungers.

‘There are pool finishes for every type of pool and budget, from sleek stainless-steel pool finishes at the top of the scale through to attractive vinyl liners, which are less expensive, and come in an array of colours and designs,’ says Jamie Smith, managing director of London Swimming Pool Company.

7. Opt for a raised pool

If you're wondering how to build a pool, so that it fits seamlessly into the raised decking, then take a look at this project. The small plunge pool fits into the decking while still allowing plenty of space for loungers, day beds, swing chairs, and even a lawn. Instead of tiles this small pool is white-painted plaster, very chic, and mirrors the white cladding of the house too.

'Installing a raised pool above the ground creates a destination and a focal point that a flush install rarely offers,' explains Karen Larson, the co-founder of Soake Pools, a maker of high-quality plunge pools that can also be installed fully above ground. 'Additionally, the above-ground edges provide seating. It is also a great opportunity to add additional personality and decorative elements, as the exposed vertical surfaces can be adorned with materials that fit within the landscape.'

8. Go right up to the edges

When space is tight, don't waste it on a pointless edge around your pool. Make the most of unused corners, and go right up to the edge of the yard's boundaries. Be sure to soften the walls using cool deck planting ideas, such as climbers, so the pool feels less small and boxy, and plants just make for a nicer view than a solid wall when you're in the water. And see how the wall has been painted white to blend with the white interior, or the pool, again, making the boundaries feel less solid and creating the illusion of a larger space.

'Calamintha is an appropriate plant to have near water because its herbaceous scent repels mosquitoes,' explains landscape designer Frederico Azevedo of Unlimited Earth Care.

9. Think about hardscaping 

When considering small pool ideas for a small backyard, the hardscaping and choice of paving or decking around your pool are key, as chances are, whatever your choice, it's going to take up the majority of your space. This gorgeous garden makes a strong case for crazy paving, as it has a lovely natural look to it that works both with the style of the property and the simple, planting of the dry garden.

'Ipe and sapele are the most common tropical hardwood decking materials, but the way they're harvested is controversial for a variety of reasons,' says Joseph Richardson, founder of Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture. 'Some sustainable alternatives are Sassafras and Black Locust,' he suggests.

FAQS

What do I need to consider before installing a pool?

Landscape architect Janice Parker says you should consider the following elements before installing a pool. 'The first thing that you need to consider is where your property lines are, what property line setbacks you have for a pool or spa, and whether the pool equipment must be within the setbacks or can sit on the property line'.

According to Shoreline Pools, you should also:

1. Obtain the right permits - Each town and city has different rules, so be sure to check this before installing anything. You don't want to end up with a hefty fine or break any laws!

2. Check to see if your backyard can have a pool installed into it - Check your backyard to see if it can handle a pool. Consider the shape, side and space.

3. Set a budget to cover costs - Shoreline Pools says on its website that it is key to have a budget in place. 'For example, your pool will require chemical treatment to prevent bacteria growth and be safe for swimming. By preparing in advance, you’re preventing any surprise charges that can arise,' It adds.

4. Plan ahead and pick your ideal pool - This will allow you to find the right contractor and material to give you the best swimming pool experience.

5. Install proper safety measures - Safety comes first! If you want to add a pool into your home, 'find out if your state requires a fence surrounding your pool,' Shoreline Pools adds.

What size should a pool be in a small backyard?

'There is no minimum size for a small swimming pool,' says Janice. 'For a small swimming pool, I would recommend 20-15 feet long by 8-6 feet wide – you want to be able to fully extend an adult body comfortably. There are variations – a pool that will fit 8 people on benches – comfortably, is 8’ x 8’'. This can be versatile and yet fit well into tight spaces.

'Plunge pools that can be heated or chilled can be 5’x 10’. It is all a question of how you want to use the space. If you want to swim, 20 -30’ long will be comfortable,' she adds.

3 products to enhance the area around the pool