Expert Tips for Designing a Small-Space Swimming Pool
Even with a compact yard, it's still possible to create a stunning pool area that's fun for all the family. Here's how
Swimming pools are a quintessential feature of the perfect Australian backyard, and with improved pool technologies, our beautiful weather and an ever-evolving hunger for amazing integrated designs, the pool industry has never been busier. However, with plot sizes consistently becoming smaller, there is one question I am often asked: “Can I fit a pool into my small yard?”
Quite simply, my answer is nearly always, yes. The success of a great pool design is not measured in size, it comes back to the core fundamentals of good design, form and function. If a pool looks good and it works, then the size really doesn’t matter. Yes, smaller pools will restrict some functional elements of a pool (like doing laps, perhaps) so you may need to re-evaluate your expectations, but when it comes to kids, they will create fun in whatever amount of water you give them. For adults, a comfortable bench seat in a small pool, sited in the sunny corner of a stylish courtyard where you can enjoy a relaxing glass of beer or bubbles is a great way to enjoy a weekend of summer entertaining.
When designing a small space with a pool there are many things that need to be considered from an aesthetic, functional and compliance point of view. Before you even think of the ‘pretty’, critical elements need to be considered, such as engineering and building-code compliance requirements. With any pool project, there are many technical elements you may not be aware of, including boundary restrictions, pool fence compliance, neighbouring property protection works, town planning (if the site is under 500 square metres) along with access for excavation. And these issues are often amplified in a small space.
Here are my top tips for successfully designing a stunning pool in a small space.
Here are my top tips for successfully designing a stunning pool in a small space.
1. Engage a professional
My first tip is to consider engaging a professional designer. Small spaces are more challenging than large spaces, as every square centimetre counts. Mistakes are magnified, as are successful outcomes, which all start with a great design. If you are going to have a go at designing yourself, the remaining tips will help get you started.
Step inside this home
My first tip is to consider engaging a professional designer. Small spaces are more challenging than large spaces, as every square centimetre counts. Mistakes are magnified, as are successful outcomes, which all start with a great design. If you are going to have a go at designing yourself, the remaining tips will help get you started.
Step inside this home
2. Fibreglass or concrete?
Fundamentally, there are two types of pools on the market: prefabricated, ‘off the shelf’ fibreglass products and in situ built concrete options. Both have varied pros and cons. Fibreglass options are often cheaper, quicker to install and the spas seats are more comfortable, but as they are ‘off the shelf’, often the pool fencing/compliance requirements are ignored, which is highly illegal and comes with potentially disastrous ramifications.
Fundamentally, there are two types of pools on the market: prefabricated, ‘off the shelf’ fibreglass products and in situ built concrete options. Both have varied pros and cons. Fibreglass options are often cheaper, quicker to install and the spas seats are more comfortable, but as they are ‘off the shelf’, often the pool fencing/compliance requirements are ignored, which is highly illegal and comes with potentially disastrous ramifications.
Although often cheaper, quicker and easier, fibreglass pools don’t allow for as much freedom in design, and structural surrounding features such as retaining walls become more difficult. You will also need to ensure you can crane or transport the product to the position within the site. They are great value for money but they do have more limitations than concrete pools, which offer complete freedom in shape and size, and are better suited to tricky sites, close-to-boundary builds and the incorporation of surrounding structural features to add interest. Your end aesthetic expectations, budget and site limitations may force you to choose one or the other, but personally I love the freedom of design, the rigidity and the limitless structural possibilities of a concrete pool over the fibreglass products, especially in a small space.
3. Consider proportions
Be aware and sympathetic to proportions (or balance of scale). By this, I mean make sure the pool fits the space and has a sense of belonging – don’t let it dominate the area. The same works in reverse, in a large space, make sure the pool is large enough to sit well within the site and not get lost.
Be aware and sympathetic to proportions (or balance of scale). By this, I mean make sure the pool fits the space and has a sense of belonging – don’t let it dominate the area. The same works in reverse, in a large space, make sure the pool is large enough to sit well within the site and not get lost.
4. Position, position, position
Ensure you site the pool close to a boundary or boundaries with a sunny afternoon aspect to keep the central remaining space clear and open. Be careful, as there are some important engineering considerations required when digging near a boundary, so you may require property protection works to protect the neighbouring assets. As a general rule, if you can keep the pool 1000mm off the boundary, you can mostly avoid these issues.
Ensure you site the pool close to a boundary or boundaries with a sunny afternoon aspect to keep the central remaining space clear and open. Be careful, as there are some important engineering considerations required when digging near a boundary, so you may require property protection works to protect the neighbouring assets. As a general rule, if you can keep the pool 1000mm off the boundary, you can mostly avoid these issues.
5. Think differently about pool fences
Especially when it comes to pool fences that will further detract from the functionality of the remaining open spaces both inside the pool zone and out. Small spaces can open up the exciting option for the pool to be built out of the ground by 1200mm, so you use the pool wall as the pool barrier. All you may need is a pool-compliant gate at the base of a the steps that lead you up to the pool level and the right boundary fences, and your safety elements are covered. This option does have its positives but also raises other compliance issues such as overlooking and balustrade requirements so you need to careful.
A pool barrier needs to be 1200mm high, so if it is the pool, it may hide the view of the water from the internal vistas. A smart design option around this is to build the pool 900mm out of the ground with the addition of a 300mm deep (minimum 500mm wide) sunken mote/gutter of either non-climbable planting or feature pebbles to ensure you comply with the 1200mm vertical compliance requirements. This is a great option as you will also see more water from the surrounding landscape. Please check your local state pool compliance laws as they do differ slightly across the country.
Especially when it comes to pool fences that will further detract from the functionality of the remaining open spaces both inside the pool zone and out. Small spaces can open up the exciting option for the pool to be built out of the ground by 1200mm, so you use the pool wall as the pool barrier. All you may need is a pool-compliant gate at the base of a the steps that lead you up to the pool level and the right boundary fences, and your safety elements are covered. This option does have its positives but also raises other compliance issues such as overlooking and balustrade requirements so you need to careful.
A pool barrier needs to be 1200mm high, so if it is the pool, it may hide the view of the water from the internal vistas. A smart design option around this is to build the pool 900mm out of the ground with the addition of a 300mm deep (minimum 500mm wide) sunken mote/gutter of either non-climbable planting or feature pebbles to ensure you comply with the 1200mm vertical compliance requirements. This is a great option as you will also see more water from the surrounding landscape. Please check your local state pool compliance laws as they do differ slightly across the country.
6. Don’t over-design it
With a small space the key is to keep things simple, but you can still add some tasteful yet exciting elements, such as a feature facade backdrop, a small and subtle water spout/wall, or if you are out of the ground, and if budgets allow, an acrylic window can be a great design feature if the design style suits.
With a small space the key is to keep things simple, but you can still add some tasteful yet exciting elements, such as a feature facade backdrop, a small and subtle water spout/wall, or if you are out of the ground, and if budgets allow, an acrylic window can be a great design feature if the design style suits.
As you can see, there is much to consider, but when designed well, with stylish integrated surrounds, pools can really enhance a family’s lifestyle, creating lifelong memories no matter what their shape or size, and contrary to some opinions, I believe beautiful pool spaces can be a great investment when it comes to property value returns. The possibilities are almost endless, so do your research, create a wish list, engage the right professionals and enjoy the experience form start to splash!
TELL US
Do you have a small space pool? How did you make it work? Tell us in the comments section below.
MORE
10 Reasons Aussies Rule at Pools
Dive Deep: 11 Reasons to Buy a Plunge Pool
Bubbles Anyone? Outdoor Spas and Hot Tubs Done the Aussie Way
TELL US
Do you have a small space pool? How did you make it work? Tell us in the comments section below.
MORE
10 Reasons Aussies Rule at Pools
Dive Deep: 11 Reasons to Buy a Plunge Pool
Bubbles Anyone? Outdoor Spas and Hot Tubs Done the Aussie Way