A Swim Spa Is The Perfect Pool For Narrow Yards
A long, narrow yard is divided into different living and activity areas with this layout. The pool steps are the width of the pool, which is practical and creates a visual rhythm that complements the rest of the geometry of the yard.
This yard feels more like a balcony with the small square pool as the focal point. Bench seating beside the pool gives it the feeling of furniturecant you hear the pillows calling your name?
This small pool in a short, wide yard gives the homeowners room for a separate seating area. Different flooring create distinct areas for different purposes .
Lighting makes this pool a dramatic feature in this small yard. Half walls create a sense of privacy without making a small space feel boxed in.
This 16-foot Hydropool swimspa is installed like an inground pool, but it can be enjoyed year-round. Swimspas are designed specifically to fit in any size yard.
Backyard Pool Landscaping Prices
Landscaping costs$3,000 to $5,000 on average for a new installation or around $4 to $12 per square foot to add plants, trees, and shrubs around your new pool. Three of the more common styles of landscaping design for built-in pools are tropical, modern, and desert. Here are average prices if you are starting with a bare-bones yard, or you want to add features to the backyard to complement the pool area:
- Sod installation costs$0.90 $1.80 per square foot and will help regrow your grass.
- Installing a yard drainage system costs $3,400.
- Re-sloping your lawn costs $1,850 on average.
- Cutting down a tree costs $825 on average.
The Fiji Plunge And The Palladium Plunge
We also specialize in plunge pools, including the Fiji Plunge and the Palladium Plunge . These are typically smaller in overall depth and size than a standard pool. But that doesnt mean they have to limited on inspirational ideas. These compact inground pools are bursting with style and features.
We have assembled some small inground pool ideas to delight and inspire you. Your small inground pool can easily become a delightful outdoor living space with just the right touch.
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How Much Does It Cost To Maintain An Inground Pool
Depending on the size of your pool and type of pool, your monthly inground pool maintenance costs could be between $50 and $300. Common elements included in maintenance packages from pool companies include the following:
- Pool cleaning service
- Testing the water and balancing levels
- Inspecting water heater equipment
- Inspecting and replacing water filter when needed
Opt For A Raised Pool
In this small backyard, a small pool fits seamlessly into the raised decking, adding a small plunge pool 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.
When deciding on pool deck ideas make sure you think practically as well as considering the overall look. You want to pick an option that’s safe, suitable for the climate of your home, and is durable.
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How Big Does A Yard Have To Be For A Pool
When a homeowner dreams of owning a swimming pool in their backyard, probably no one imagines a compact water container that has just enough space to wade in. An ideal inground pool is often pictured as large and extending beyond the views of a lawn, fence, and the surrounding grounds.
Despite desiring a vast pool, homeowners must have the proper space to work the design in. Attempting to fit a large pool in a small backyard would prove as futile as a large sofa in the middle of a hallway!
You cannot create a crowded property, eliminate room for furniture, landscaping, grass and other nature, or make the pool dangerous with a deck thats too narrow. This is why pool contractors suggest that extra space must be left for nature elements . Without this your property is destined to lose its value, not mentioning a lack of space for play if you have children or pets.
Natural features also help with filtering noise, softening the backyards appearance, and cooling the air.
Make sure to allocate paved areas as routes for foot traffic. In addition, it is recommended to leave ample space for outdoor furniture like umbrellas, sun loungers, table and chairs, and sofas as these accessories prove necessary in terms of relaxation and entertainment.
Children should have plenty of room to play sports and roam freely in the backyard. However, its important to leave some space to install a fence for safety and supervision.
How Small Can A Backyard Pool Be
The smallest pools are around 10 x 10 or 8 x 8 if you want to push it. Technically speaking, its entirely up to you. If you really want, you could dig out a backyard bathtub and throw a pool party.
That said, it depends on what you want to get out of the pool. If you just want to relax, you could make a pool the size of a hot tub. If you want to swim laps, youll need something longer.
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What Actually Is An Inground Pool
An inground pool is constructed through the excavation of the ground to the required depth and shape. It is simply installed below ground level, with the water placed in the ground and thus, it is even with the backyards surface. Consequently, more often than not the pool complements the design of a house and its surrounding landscaping.
Hiring A Below Ground Pool Installer
When looking to hire a professional pool contractor, create a list of the top 3 to 5 companies and schedule an on-site consultation with each. Compare the bids, services, features, and warranty from each company before making your final decision. Things to look for are:
- A/A+ rated members with the Better Business Bureau.
- Have been in business for longer than five years.
- Offers a clear written warranty.
- Are insured and bonded.
- Rated highly on HomeGuide and Google.
- Have examples and references of pools they have installed.
- Have APSP and CMS certification for maintenance providers.
- Have APSP CBP certification.
Get free estimates on HomeGuide from trusted swimming pool builders near you.
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Additional Costs To Put In A Pool
On top of the cost to put in a pool, other prices include pool covers, building permits, electrician fees, increased insurance, and more.
- Inground pools can cause your home’s value to go up, thus increasing your property taxes.
- A pool increases the chances of someone getting hurt on your property which directly increases the cost of your homeowners insurance.
Take The Plunge With More Depth Or Reflect In Shallow Waters
Weve built swimming pools of all depths, depending on our customers preferences. If you enjoy deeper depths but have a small backyard, consider building a smaller plunge pool that goes straight down without occupying much horizontal space. If youre not bothered by shallow waters, we might suggest installing a reflecting pool with an elongated design, LED lighting, and Zen-like elements for relaxation and reflection. If your design allows it, you could also consider adding a small spa or hot tub occupying a corner of your pools interior. Lush landscaping all around your pool can also give it a more serene look and feel while adding extra privacy.
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Small Pool Ideas: Shape And Design
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 youre aiming for, many of which youll see here. Once youve nailed down your pools design, be sure to incorporate things like potted plants, pool floats, and patio furniture that add to the vibe.
So if youre considering upping the cool factor of your outdoor space, get inspired by these small pool ideas that make a big splash.
What Size Inground Pool Should You Get
When deciding on an inground swimming pool size, it is essential to consider the purposes of which the pool is going to be used.
If someone is planning to lay around sunbathing and simply cool off in the water once in a while, a large pool is completely unnecessary.
However, if one is planning to spend a significant amount of time in the water, it makes far more sense to get a more spacious size. Swimming for exercise proposes two different routes. The first is to design an elongated shape in the form of a lap pool the second is to include a smaller spa pool with water jets that allow for swimming in place.
Regardless of the choice between the two options, the pool should be deep enough so that the swimmer does not injure their hands near the bottom.
In the instance that you want a diving board, the pool will not only be required to be deeper but also wider for the fact that a person cannot dive into the wall by accident. Whats more, due to the hazards of diving boards, the pools minimum size may be dictated by either the insurance policy of the homeowner or by local law.
Also, if the pools main purpose is to serve as a focal point or backdrop for the backyard, a smaller design would be best.
Ultimately, the pool should be built large enough for the activities that a homeowner wants to pursue without wasting money or space on pools that are too large.
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What Is The Best Type Of Inground Swimming Pools
There are three different categories that exist for inground swimming pools. These are vinyl liner, fiberglass, and concrete. Each of them is classified by their specific material of construction with various pros and cons. Depending on the homeowners budget and what they want is what will ultimately dictate the best type to purchase for constructing their inground pool.
Vinyl liners are the most popular in the northeastern region of the world. There are three different varieties of vinyl liners. Of these, the first one includes a steel wall vinyl that is typically created with stainless steel or galvanized panels. The second one includes a liner made of polymer/composites, and the third one includes cement.
Of all the vinyl liners, the most popular include cement and steel wall pools as the greatest advantage to these types is that just about any style or shape can be built with those materials. This is due to the fact that steel and cement are structurally sound and can be easily molded and cut into any look, dimension, or feel.
Unfortunately, steel wall liners are liable to oxidize and eventually corrode. Above all, it is not recommended to use this type of material in the event that you live in an area with a high water table or tone that does possess soil capable of holding water.
Smaller Pools With Great Shapes
If youre looking for a small backyard pool that will fit within a challenging space, Leisure Pools has these options:
The Courtyard Roman: At under 20 in length, this pool can fit in tighter spaces. As its name implies, the Courtyard Roman is the ideal centerpiece for a stunning courtyard setting. It may be small, but its packed with features. Its perfect for a Swim Jet System, with the jets being located between the two sets of steps at the shallow end. At the other end in the curved seating area you can install Spa Jets and even Seat Aeration. This will create that massaging hydrotherapy effect you get in a spa. A table can be fitted into the curved seating area to complete the picture. The main body of the pool is great for playing games or simply relaxing and cooling off on hot Summer days.
The Tuscany: The Tuscanys freeform shape can adapt to any theme you may wish to create with your swimming pool area. It fits perfectly in just about any pool site and is particularly adaptable to difficult corner sites where the freeform shapes afford considerable versatility of placement. In addition, the Tuscanys free flowing curves allow you to maneuvre the pool into places that many other more formal shapes wont fit. It comes in two sizes: 286 and 233.
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Cost Of Small Inground Pools
The cost of a small inground swimming pool depends on two main factors:
The size of the pool, and the material used to build it.
As you already know, fiberglass and vinyl are the most affordable. So from there, it comes down to the size of the pool.
A small pool will always be more affordable than a big pool. Thats a given. But what about the pricing range?
Here are cost estimates for each type of pool, ranging from 18-26 foot pools:
- Small concrete inground pools
Squeeze A Lap Pool Into An Urban Yard
If you happen to have a narrow backyard, consider putting in a lap pool. Designed for doing laps but who says you can’t just dunk these pools are long and narrow and dont require much in the way of space. Here, a walled-in courtyard provides a refreshing outdoor escape. Vine-covered walls, fancy garden gates and pretty florals create a secret garden-like appeal in the middle of the city.
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The Yards Are Too Damn Small
Aside from the obvious expense involvedHomeAdvisor estimates the average cost of installing a pool in New York at around $34,000even homeowners who can foot the bill run into the classic New York conundrum: lack of space.
Aside from the generally small size of most yards, even in the outer boroughs, city regulations stipulate that in-ground pools have to be set back a certain distance from the edge of the lot, which also could mean that the pool size you’d end up with might be too small to be worth it.
“The city has very specific safety regulations regarding installation of in-ground pools, and most lots in Brooklyn are not over 25 feet wide, some even less,” says Rogers. “The city specifies that if you’re going to put in a pool, and your lot is 25 feet or over, you have to leave five feet around between the edge of the pool and the lot line.”
For a lot that’s under 25 feet, that rule changes to a requirement for a three foot border. “So if you have a 17-foot yard, you’re not looking at more than a lap pool,” says Rogers.
This $1.35 million spread in Whitestone, Queens, is fully set up for summer entertaining, with a patio and deck chairs surrounding the backyard pool.
Small Inground Pools For Small Backyards
There are several reasons why people stray away from the idea of owning a pool. These reasons include but are not limited to limited space, reluctance to care for a high-maintenance pool, and having the difficult decision of choosing between pool or spa. If you identify yourself as such, perhaps a small pool is right for you! A small pool, otherwise known as a spool, is a pool that is smaller than a typical pool but flexible enough to enjoy similarly and year-round.
Although they are commonly found in confined spaces, they can be built for any! Just like a regular pool, you can customize the sizing of your spool. While so, most are constructed deep enough to match that of a normal-sized one. The best part? Small pools are less expensive in most markets, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds without breaking the bank!
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What Is The Best Pool For A Small Yard
If your yard has less than 1,200 square feet of space, the best pool will be a cocktail pool or an endless pool. If you are working with a bit more space, you will have a few more options. The “best pool” will ultimately depend upon the square footage of the yard and the size of your budget.
If you need a custom-shaped pool that will fit into a small space, concrete pools and vinyl liner pools are typically the best options. Concrete pools are the most expensive pool to install and maintain, but they last a very long time. Vinyl liner pools have the shortest lifespans of all the pool types, but their upfront costs are often the cheapest.
Fiberglass can be a great option, but they are premade. If you can’t find one in the right size and shape for your small backyard, there is little that you can do about it. There might be an exception somewhere on the internet, but the smallest fiberglass pools we are finding are sized at 10′ x 20′, 12′ x 20′, and 12′ x 24′.
Make A Small Pool A Water Feature
Be inspired by this small backyard pool idea and double up your pool as a subtle water feature. ‘The best gardens all start with an internal and external simple focus. This is what creates the ease and the elegance of a design layout. I love adding a water feature in the pool something to draw your attention and make the space inviting and relaxing.’ says Janice Parker.
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Above Ground Pool With Wraparound Wood Decking
The most affordable small background pool option is the above-ground pool.
However, just because its an above-ground pool that doesnt mean it cant still be stylish and trendy, as this stylish above-ground pool shows.
As this above-ground pool offers spacious wraparound wood decking, which not only gives the pool a much more finished and professional look but also adds a lot of functionality to the pool.
As it provides plenty of room for relaxing and sunbathing.