If you’re a homeowner with a small backyard, you may have ideas for an aquatic retreat — but be hesitant to take the plunge. This could be a matter of feeling limited in your creative vision or a feeling that a pool will overtake your outdoor space and offer up little space for additional use.
At Blue Impressions, we want homeowners with small backyards to have a clear understanding of the options that are available. From the right style of pool to the features you incorporate, the right approach can maximize use of your space and leave you with a more functional backyard.
Consider a Plunge-Style Pool
As the name suggests, plunge-style pools are designed primarily for the purpose of cooling off on hot summer days. But they also provide space for families to splash around in the water, and room for low-impact exercises. (Bonus: Install jets in the plunge pool for added resistance.)
While plunge-style pools provide many of the same benefits as traditional backyard pools, they do so at a fraction of the size (and cost). Much smaller than the rectangular pools we’re used to, plunge pools can fit easily in conjunction with a patio or deck, or even within the side pocket of a small backyard.
Source: Latham
Design in the Vertical Direction
Water features are a popular addition to backyard pools — and traditionally ones that take up real estate in an outdoor space. This could come in the form of a spillover spa that sits beside the pool, or arching fountains built into the patio that soar above and pour over into the pool.
When space is at a premium in your backyard, designing water features in the vertical direction can be a helpful workaround. For instance, you could add a shelf along one side of the pool that includes multiple fountains — and pair it with fire features for an even more dramatic effect.
Source: Unilock
Alternatively — if you still want to include a spa with your backyard pool — opt for a design where the spa is directly integrated with the pool design. That way, you’ll save the extra space between the features.
Source: Latham
Turn Entry Steps Into a Tanning Ledge
Aside from letting homeowners safely enter and exit their pool, steps can also serve another purpose — with the right design, that is. When the first step of a pool has a shelf-like layout, it becomes a space where homeowners and their guests can bask in the sun while in the water.
While having this option is especially convenient on those hot summer afternoons, it also allows you to save space around the pool that would otherwise be dedicated to lounge chairs and other outdoor furniture. And if you combine this dual-purpose feature with additional seating built into the pool, you’ll have ample space for conversation and relaxation without taking up much space.
Source: Latham
Ready to install a swimming pool in your Northeast Ohio backyard? No matter the size or layout of your outdoor space, Blue Impressions can find the perfect pool fit for your needs — and integrate it seamlessly into a more comprehensive landscape design. Arrange your free estimate today.
