Pool Designs for Small Backyards: 21 Smart Ideas

You don't need a huge garden to have a pool. Some of the most beautiful pools I've seen sit in tiny city backyards: a sleek plunge pool tucked against a fence, a raised pool with a built-in bench, or a natural swimming pond softened by reeds and water lilies. In a small space the pool becomes the centrepiece of the garden, so every decision about shape, finish and planting matters even more.

In this guide I'll explain which types of pool fit a small backyard, what to check before you start, share 21 pool designs for small backyards, and cover the costs, safety rules and design mistakes to avoid.

Which Type of Pool Fits a Small Backyard?

According to Bob Vila, plunge pools are "Typically 5½ to 7 feet deep", and small ones can be as little as about 6 feet across.

Before You Start: What to Check

• Measure the whole backyard, not just the pool area. Allow space for paving or decking around the pool, equipment, a path and somewhere to sit.
• Check access. Diggers, cranes for fibreglass shells and concrete trucks all need a route in. In a terraced or walled garden this can decide the type of pool you choose.
• Check the rules. In the US, pools almost always need a permit, and local zoning often sets minimum distances from boundaries and the house. In the UK, check with your local planning authority and building control before you dig.
• Look for services. Underground pipes, drains and cables can limit where you dig.
• Follow the sun. Place the pool where it gets the most sun, away from deciduous trees that shed leaves into the water.
• Think about privacy from neighbouring windows; a fence, screen or pergola may be part of the design.

21 Pool Designs for Small Backyards

Pool shapes and types

1. A rectangular plunge pool. Clean, simple and space-efficient, a rectangular plunge pool fits neatly against a fence or wall and leaves room for loungers and planting.

2. A cocktail pool with built-in benches. Shallow and sociable, with seating around the edges, it's more about lounging with a drink than swimming.

3. A lap pool along the boundary. In a long, narrow garden, a lap pool along one side gives you room to swim and still leaves the rest of the garden usable.

4. An L-shaped pool. An L shape can wrap around a corner of the house or a patio, with a shallow end for lounging and a deeper section for a dip.

5. A round or circular pool. Softer than a rectangle, a round pool suits cottage gardens and sits well within curved planting beds.

6. A shipping container pool. Delivered largely ready-made, container pools can be set into the ground or raised, with glass windows in the side for a striking modern look.

7. A raised or semi-inground pool. On a sloping site, partly raising the pool reduces digging and creates a wide wall that doubles as seating.

8. A spool for year-round use. A small, heated pool with spa jets works as a pool in summer and a hot tub in winter, a smart choice for cooler climates.

9. A natural swimming pond. Chemical-free and full of life, a natural pool uses plants and gravel to clean the water. In the natural pond featured by Gardens Illustrated, the planted regeneration zone takes up half of the pond's surface area, so in a small backyard expect a smaller swimming zone.

Design tricks that make a small pool feel bigger

10. A dark pool finish. Charcoal, deep green or dark grey interiors make a small pool look deeper and more like a natural pond, and they reflect the sky and planting beautifully.

11. A tanning ledge or sun shelf. A shallow ledge at one end gives you somewhere to sit or lie in a few inches of water, adding function without adding size.

12. A built-in bench. An underwater bench along one side turns a plunge pool into a place to sit and chat.

13. A water feature. A sheer descent, a spout from a wall or a simple bubbler adds sound and movement, and the noise helps mask traffic in a city garden.

14. A pool that meets the patio. Using the same stone around the pool and across the patio makes the whole backyard feel like one larger space.

15. A glass or perimeter edge. Where the site allows, a glass panel or a flush edge makes the water feel like part of the view.

16. A combined pool and hot tub. A small spa at one end, spilling into the pool, gives you two experiences in one compact footprint.

Surroundings and landscaping

17. Timber decking around the pool. Warm and comfortable underfoot, decking softens a small pool and can hide equipment underneath. On a raised deck, the right deck railing ideas keep it safe and stylish.

18. Lush, low-mess planting. Ornamental grasses, olive trees, lavender, rosemary and phormium give a resort feel without dropping lots of leaves into the water. Planting in pots, such as big terracotta urns, keeps roots well away from the pool shell.

19. A beautiful boundary. In a small backyard the fence is always on show, so make it part of the design with slatted timber, rendered walls or climbers. Even a few cheap garden fence ideas can transform the backdrop to your pool.

20. An outdoor dining spot. A small table beside the pool turns it into an outdoor room. A colourful tiled outdoor dining table feels like a holiday terrace.

21. Lighting for evenings. Underwater lights, uplit trees and low path lights make a small pool magical after dark and extend the hours you use it.

How Much Does a Small Pool Cost?

Costs vary enormously by country, region, site access and finish, so treat these as a starting point and get several local quotes.

These figures are from Bob Vila, which puts the national average for a plunge pool at around $20,000. Remember to budget for the extras too: fencing, paving or decking, landscaping, lighting, heating, a cover and ongoing running costs. A smaller pool usually costs less to heat, clean and maintain than a large one.

Pool Safety in a Small Backyard

Small pools are still deep enough to be dangerous, especially for young children, so safety needs to be designed in from the start.

• Fence it. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission's Safety Barrier Guidelines recommend that "The top of a pool barrier should be at least 48 inches above grade", and note that some local rules require 60 inches.
• Use self-closing, self-latching gates. The CPSC advises that gates "should open outward, away from the pool, and should be self-closing and have a self-latching device."
• Check your local rules. Requirements differ between states, countries and councils. In the UK there isn't the same blanket fencing rule for private pools, but following these principles is still wise, especially with children or visitors.
• Add a safety cover for when the pool isn't in use.
• Use non-slip surfaces around the edge.
• Never leave children unsupervised near water, even in a shallow plunge pool.

Planting Around a Small Pool

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best pool for a small backyard?

A plunge pool is usually the best choice for a very small backyard, because it's compact but deep enough to cool off in. Cocktail pools, spools and lap pools also work well, depending on how you want to use the pool and the shape of your garden.

How small can a pool be?

Plunge pools can be as small as about 6 feet across, while many are 10 to 12 feet, typically 5½ to 7 feet deep. Swim spas fit into an even smaller footprint and let you swim against a current.

How much does a small pool cost?

In the US, a plunge pool typically costs between $10,000 and $50,000, with a national average of around $20,000. Fencing, landscaping, heating and running costs are extra.

Can you put a pool in a small backyard with no access?

Sometimes. Where diggers can't reach, options include hand-dug pools, modular or panel systems, above-ground or semi-inground pools, and cranes lifting a shell over the house. Ask several installers to visit.

Do you need planning permission for a pool?

It depends on where you live. In the US, permits are almost always required. In the UK, check with your local planning authority and building control before you start.

What is a cocktail pool?

A cocktail pool is a small, shallow pool designed for relaxing and socialising rather than swimming, usually with built-in benches or ledges.

A Small Pool, Big on Style

A small backyard can hold a pool that feels like a private resort, as long as it's planned carefully. Choose the right type for your space and how you'll use it, design in safety from day one, and use finishes, planting and lighting to make the whole garden feel bigger.

For more outdoor ideas, explore the flowers and garden section, and if you'd like help designing your outdoor space, you can book a one-hour online interior design consultation with me.