Small Inground Pools

Some people think that small inground pools are useless because of the size difference between these single lane options and your more traditional large rectangle designs.  I completely disagree, because I think that small pool designs are just as functional as their larger counterparts but are much less expensive to install and maintain. A single lane lap pool like the one outside of this beautiful home is a great example of how to install one in a way that blends effortlessly with the architectural style of the home and is actually a really great decorative piece.  The beautiful lagoon blue liner brings out the gorgeous color of the sky and provides a nice contrast against the white stucco exterior.

I have been on the fence about whether or not we should be looking at small inground pools for our backyard or a large traditional style design like this one. I have heard good things and bad things about each sizing category, primarily in respect to inground pool cost to build and cost to maintain.  Some say that if you are going to spend the money to install one in general, that it is worth spending just a bit extra to get a larger one.  However, those larger varieties cost so much more to maintain in terms of pool chemicals, water, and energy (both physical energy to clean as well as electrical bills for filtering etc.). If you are on the fence about whether to look into larger or small backyard pools I would definitely encourage you to research all aspects before settling on your design. 

One of my top reasons for including small inground pools in my landscape designs as opposed to their much larger counterparts is the fact that you can install water features like this in order to make them serve double duty as a fountain.  I love how these homeowners added a simple rectangular salt water pool in a fairly small size but then amped up the style by adding fountains and LED lighting.  For evening entertaining like when this photo was taken, the combination of the water feature and deep blue lights is absolutely stunning and definitely wows guests from the moment they walk outside.  Whether you have a small single lane design like this or larger inground swimming pools, I would definitely encourage you to add in some fun features like this.

Whenever I bring up the prospect of small inground pools to my clients they first balk at the idea because they assume that the small size isn't worth the price or maintenance requirements of having a water feature like that in their yards.  I then explain the benefits of having small swimming pools like this gorgeous oceanside one and they usually change their tune.  I actually prefer smaller pools because the cost and maintenance requirements are minimal compared to your more traditional designs.  Plus, how much of a pool do you actually use? Most of my clients either use a pool to swim laps or to float around in on a hot summer day. You can do all of those things in a single lane design, plus it leaves more room in your yard for gorgeous pool landscaping ideas to make it feel like a resort. 

I think that small inground pools are so charming when they are installed in a quaint courtyard in the middle of the city like this.  Small pool ideas like this create a hidden oasis behind the large walled properties and you would never know the delights that are tucked away behind these huge house.  I particularly like what these homeowners did in terms of the decorative fountains and the "floating" lounge chairs.  Rather than building a normal deck, they created a shallow soaking pad with water just a few inches deep so that you can splash your feet or lay directly in it.  Fiberglass inground pools are so versatile in this respect because the mold can be customized to accommodate any unique feature like this that you wish to include. 

Small inground pools are a great way to jazz up any yard, especially when you don't have a ton of room for a full on lawn or landscaped garden.  Although pools for small yards require just as much maintenance as a large feature (and perhaps more than regular landscaping) the make such a bigger statement than a small patch of lawn.  Especially in a place like Florida where this cool single lane pool is located, a nice water feature is so much more functional than a minuscule garden.  If you are considering one of these smaller pool designs, definitely map out the lay of the land first and determine just how large you can go and what type of shape you will need.