With only a small space in the backyard, the design options are limited, yet it offers enough room to explore small backyard pool ideas.
An average swimming pool is 600 square feet, so anything that requires less space is brilliant if the area is a problem.
With area as a constraint, one should not try to force a full-size design into a space that can’t fit it; this would make the space look smaller and messier. Instead, the smart move is to finalize the purpose of the pool.
Given below are 13 small backyard pool ideas with different investment budgets, design tips, and mistakes to avoid.
Quick Answer
The cost of installing a pool generally varies depending on its type. An in-ground pool costs $10,000 to $70,000, while an above-ground pool costs $500 to $7,500. For budget-friendly options that can fit in small spaces, stock tank, plunge, and lap pools are the best choice.
What is a Small Backyard Pool? Features and Dimensions
Although most in-ground pools have an area of about 10 X 16 feet or 10 X 20 feet, there’s a good amount of space in a small backyard pool to include a private waterbody within an area of 600 square feet.
To avoid selecting a pool of the wrong size, always allow 15 square feet of water for one person when building the pool. This helps in building the right size of pool according to your requirements for your backyard instead of making it too big or too small.
Apart from the area, there is one more feature of a pool which is important for better usability: the depth. Experts recommend going for at least 4–5 feet of depth; 3 feet is also good if it is only used for relaxing.
YourHomify Tip:
To make sure there are no loose ends in your planning, make sure to stand in the actual footprint of your pool, marked out by the garden hose, for a few days before finalizing a design. It is the cheapest way to analyze walking space and other factors before making a permanent change to your property.
13 Small Backyard Pool Ideas That Fit Every Budget Range
Some of the most popular options for a small backyard pool ideas on a budget include pools like semi-permanent above-ground options like inflatable or DIY kit pools, while plunge pools or lap pools remain the best choices for in-ground designs.
Take a look at the 16 ideas for pools in a small backyard with their estimated price and standout features so you can make a budget-friendly choice.
1. Stock Tank Pool
Stock tanks are the most popular small backyard pool ideas on a budget due to their chic look. Made from galvanized steel, these pools have been used for a long time to provide water to livestock. One can also use materials like bamboo cladding for a more structured appearance. This type of pool is also easy and cheap to install, with the average cost, including a pump, being around $500 to $1,500. You can also set this up without an actual contractor using DIY project kits.
- Ideal use: Renting, DIY cooling
- Usual Size: 6 to 8 feet in diameter
- Expected Cost: $500 – $1500
- Unique feature: Can pair with bamboo cladding
2. Semi-In-Ground Stock Tank Pool
This is one of the best ideas for pools in a small backyard, when it comes to semi-in-ground options. Because this is halfway in the ground, it has a cleaner look than the stock tank pool, but it will require more effort for digging than the tank pool, as only the rim is above the ground. But it is cheaper than an in-ground pool.
- Best for: A more permanent look at a comparatively lower cost
- Usual size: 6 to 8 feet in diameter (same as that in a tank pool)
- Expected cost: $1000 to $3000 (without digging)
- Standout feature: Reads as a built-in pool at a DIY price
3. Inflatable or Soft-Side Pool
Inflatable pools need no heavy equipment for their setup and hence are one of the easiest to build and cheapest pool ideas for a small backyard. There are different costs for these depending on durability and size with the small ones costing only $100 and the larger family kits being for $1,150 for larger family kits.
- Best for: Seasonal use, easy installation
- Usual size: Depends on the size of the kit purchased
- Expected cost: $100 for small kits and $1150 for larger family kits
- Standout feature: No tools needed
4. Frame or Panel Above-Ground Pool
Frame or panel options are a semi-permanent setup with steel or resin walls. These are available on the market for around $1,500 to $6,000 or more, depending on size and installation. It takes 1-3 days to set it up with minimal tools. Pair it with a wood-clad perimeter or small deck for better functionality. In fact, a planned patio decking idea near and around the base can do wonders for the pool’s efficiency and looks.
- Ideal use: Semi-permanent look or for a premium look on a small budget
- Typical size: 12–24 ft
- Expected cost: $1500 to $7500 for installation
- Unique feature: It attains a more premium look through wood cladding
YourHomify Insight
Always check with local authorities for a permit check because usually even small pools require the same permit checks as a full in-ground pool after it crosses a certain depth – about more than 18 to 24 inches.
5. Turnkey Pool
Turnkey pools are small and in-ground, and are easy to build on a low budget, making them one of the best ideas for pools in a small backyard. These do not have extra features for design purposes, which reduces the cost and cuts down on the time taken to build it. If you prefer an in-ground swimming experience, this is the best option.
- Best for: A fast, straightforward in-ground build without a long feature list
- Typical size: 4 feet of depth or more (same as a plunge pool)
- Expected cost: Lower side of the cost while building an in-ground pool
- Standout feature: Simpler build
6. Plunge Pool
These pools are small, with at least 5 feet of depth, which allows the water to stay cool even during hot weather. This acts as an added benefit to the homeowners living in very hot places.
- Ideal use: Exercise
- Usual depth: same as a turnkey pool (4 feet or more)
- Expected cost: $10,000 to $40,000
- Unique feature: modest design, built for purpose
7. Cocktail Pool (Spool)
Cocktail waterspots, also known as spools, are small in-ground pools built for lounging and relaxing. It has an easy to heat factor which makes them an ideal option to experience both pool and spa features. Most families with an area constraint tend to build this pool for relaxing as well as spending quality time.
- Ideal use: relaxing
- Usual depth: 3.5 to 4 feet
- Expected Cost: $20000 to $45000
- Unique feature: saves space by acting both as a pool and a spa
8. Narrow or Lap Pool
For a simpler and sleeker backyard with a small pool, you can opt for a lap pool. It especially works great for a long and narrow backyard, and with a few planters added to its side, it will resemble natural river imagery.
- Best for: Daily fitness swimming
- Typical shape: Long, narrow, standard swim depth
- Expected cost: $30000 to $100000
- Standout feature: Makes use of long, narrow yards other shapes can’t
9. Geometric Pool
Geometric pools, such as squares, rectangles, or circles, have a defined shape that complements a home’s architecture and fits perfectly into an unused corner of the house. Rectangular geometric pools in particular are a strong choice for small yards because they make use of space that would otherwise sit empty.
- Best for: Matching a home’s architectural lines
- Typical shape: Square, rectangle, or circle
- Expected cost: In line with plunge or custom concrete pools of the same size
- Standout feature: Tucks neatly into an unused yard corner
10. Freeform Pool
This pool has a more freeform design with shapes like curves and looks good in backyards that are filled mainly with wooded landscapes. Its unique shapes resemble those of a natural water body and can easily fill the awkward and small spaces of a backyard. This helps in utilising spaces that would otherwise be left empty. It’s also pretty simple to soften this pool with backyard landscaping ideas because of its shape.
- Ideal use: backyards with a lot of woods
- Usual shape: curved
- Expected cost: In line with plunge or custom concrete pools of the same size
- Standout feature: Curves create nooks for tanning ledges, benches, or fountains
11. Modern Pool
These kinds of pools generally have a cleaner and more polished look with a variety of new-gen features like LED lighting, vanishing edges (also known as an infinity pool), or an in build feature for fire. Their premium and aesthetic appearance makes them suitable for unusual places as decor, like courtyards.
- Ideal use: courtyards
- Typical shape: Clean-lined, minimalist geometry
- Expected cost: In line with custom concrete pools of the same size
- Standout feature: Built around statement tech like LED lighting and fire features
12. Swim Spa
A swim spa has a dual feature and can be used both as a pool and as a hot tub all year round. It can also be left unheated for a cooler dip, and this is mainly why a swim spa is a versatile pool option if you are working with minimal space.
- Ideal use: Used to combine exercise and relaxation
- Typical depth: Standard spa depth with jet-powered swim resistance
- Expected cost: $23000 to $40000
- Unique feature: It is heatable all year round
13. Small Pool with Beach Entry or Tanning Ledge
A ledge is a built-in area that performs a dual function: one as a water step to carefully enter the pool and second as a lounging spot. A beach entry gradually gives way in the water instead of having distinct steps. Both of these make a small backyard pool look elevated and open, and so they make the pool accessible and safe even for young kids or pets.
- Ideal use: families with pets or small kids
- Typical add-ons: a shallow shelf
- Expected cost: It depends on the pool type you choose, as this adds to the base cost
- Unique feature: It acts as an accessibility feature
Realistic Overview Of the Cost Of Small Backyard Pool Ideas
Costs for small backyard pools range from around $500 for a basic stock tank setup to $90,000 or more for a fully custom concrete plunge pool, with the type of water being the single biggest factor in price.
| Pool Type | Typical Size | Expected Cost Range (USD) | Ideal use |
| Stock Tank Pool | 6–8 ft diameter | $500 – $1,500 | Renters, tight budgets, quick DIY cooling |
| Inflatable Pool | Varies | $100 – $1,150 | Seasonal use, fastest setup |
| Above-Ground Frame Pool | 12–24 ft | $1,500 – $7,500 installed | Semi-permanent, budget-conscious families |
| Plunge Pool (in-ground) | ~10×10 to 12×14 ft | $10,000 – $40,000 | Cooling off and light exercise, hot climates |
| Cocktail Pool / Spool | ~10×16 to 12×20 ft | $20000 to $45000 | Relaxation and spending quality time |
| Lap Pool | Narrow, 30–45 ft long | $30000 to $100000 | Daily fitness swimming |
| Custom Concrete Pool (small) | ~10×16 to 12×24 ft | $40,000 – $90,000+ | Fully custom shape and features |
The figures stated here might change based on a number of factors like your location, the material type you choose, the number of features you add on, and site access.
Mistakes Worth Avoiding While Installing a Small Backyard Pool
There are several mistakes you should look out for while installing a pool in your backyard. The most common one is not measuring the size of the pool/backyard properly. Skipping a permit check or not accounting for the maintenance costs while installing a pool are also some of the obvious mistakes people make.
1. Not Accounting For the Space Needed Properly Around a Pool
Many homeowners give all the space to the pool and forget that they themselves have to sit, stand, and walk around it.
Solution: Ensure that there is enough space for a patio around the actual water and not just its footprint. One way to do that is to decrease the pool size by roughly 15 square feet of water per person you expect in the pool at once.
2. Not Overlooking the Permit Check
Usually, even small pools might require a legal permit issued by the local authorities if the pool has considerably more depth than allowed.
Solution: Call your local building department before you build just to be sure, because most of the time even a stock tank pool requires the same fencing and permit requirements as a full in-ground pool once it holds a certain depth of water.
3. Choosing the Wrong Depth for How You’ll Use It
People build too shallow pools for exercise or too short for lounging with kids, and their pool depth never fails to disappoint them.
Solution: Go with at least 4–5 feet of depth if you want to swim or exercise, and 3 feet if the pool is mainly for relaxing and cooling off.
4. Overlooking Ongoing Maintenance Costs
The build price gets all the attention, but the yearly running cost is what you’ll actually feel.
Solution: The average cost for maintenance of a small pool per year comes out to be around $500 to $2000. So always make sure to be mindful of such charges before planning to install a pool.
5. Neglecting the Purpose
Always choose a pool shape and type depending on your lifestyle and area rather than choosing a pool based on what looks good.
Solution: Always decide the purpose of your pool, such as if it is being built for exercise, entertainment, or relaxation, beforehand. Then, based on this, decide the shape and type of your pool. Decide first whether the pool is mainly for exercise, relaxing, or entertaining, and then decide the type.
Summary
You can definitely have a private waterbody even if you don’t have a big area or budget; however, the durability of such small pools depends on how well they are designed, which is only possible if they are designed for purpose and not aesthetics.
Anyone working with limited space has to decide based on a budget and utility instead of aesthetics. Once the pool is settled, our wider home and garden inspiration hub has plenty more to do on finishing the rest of the yard around it.
You must check out our ways to upgrade your outdoor living space if you are planning a wider yard alongside your pool. The pool is easier to place if it has better surroundings and layout.
Can I install a pool even with a small area?
Yes, you only need about 6 X 8 feet to install a standard size of pool, which can easily fit in your backyard.
Is a small backyard pool actually worth the hype?
If your family loves to spend quality time with each other outdoors, a pool would be a great option, but if you are always looking for open spaces to throw parties, then maybe a pool won’t work out for you.
Do you need a legal permit even for a backyard pool?
It is advised to always check with your local authorities before installing a pool for permits because, after a certain depth, even a backyard pool requires a permit. Also, in most areas of the United States, any pool with even a little depth of 18 to 24 inches requires a permit and a safety barrier which is in compliance to the area code.
What is the cost of maintaining a small backyard pool?
Usually, small pools cost $500 to $2000 per year for maintenance, though this might fluctuate based on a variety of other factors.
Can an additional slide be installed in a small pool?
Slides need at least 8 feet of depth for them to be installed and used safely, but because most backyard pools are only about 5 to 8 feet deep, slides aren’t a good choice.
