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Ideas for Small Backyards

Humans have a fascination with water, and for many individuals, swimming is an excellent way to unwind or even an exercise routine. Having a pool at home comes in handy for leisure and workouts. However, if you have limited backyard space to work with, it could be hard to imagine how you can fit a swimming pool. Fortunately, you should not feel deprived of the delights and benefits of having an outdoor pool, with several creative small backyard pool ideas. Working with an experienced pool builder can help you design your pool.

Building a Rock Waterfall

A rock waterfall can effortlessly connect your nearby landscape to the pool. While you can install your simple, stand-alone waterfall on any poolside, integrating it into an elevated area can offer natural aesthetics and functionality.

The sound of a waterfall can muffle less enjoyable background noises, like the hum of running pool equipment, annoying insects and birds, and traffic. When overthinking, the sound of the waterfall can assist you in turning down the inner monologue and relaxing.

Moreover, falling water can oxygenate a swimming pool with water movement to prevent algae growth and reduce hazardous particles. While this will not replace the primary filtration system, it can allow you to reduce the use of chemical treatments and increase the filtration system’s lifespan.

Consider Adding a Cascade

A retaining wall creates an ideal space to incorporate a cascade waterfall. However, you can add the cascade to any pool’s side without the retaining wall.

You can also customize your waterfall’s height.

You should plan for the cascade in advance and preferably add it when building your pool.

Adding a Tanning Ledge

A tanning ledge is perfect for enjoying your pool in the summer. It is a must-have if you want pool furniture, a place for your children to play, or a water feature. You can add one to the side if your pool still needs an in-built tanning ledge.

Incorporating a Sunken Fire Pit

A sunken fire pit is tailored to be beneath ground level. The feature is made from concrete or stone and has a seating space where your loved ones can gather around a fire to watch flames flicker under the stars surrounding it. You and your guest will descend a few steps to enter the fire pit space.

Most people prefer incorporating a fire pit into the backyard near a grill or pool grill. While this option is convenient for warming up, it does not have the homey appeal that comes with a sunken fire pit. Placing your sunken fire pit in the pool’s middle will elevate your luxury and resort-style living style. Here are ways the feature can upgrade your lifestyle and backyard:

  • Creating a flawless ambiance — The design in question sets your pool apart from other backyard sections, making it more relaxing, peaceful, and intimate. You can enjoy your romantic dinner with your partner or catch up with friends and family after a busy, long day.
  • Adding sophisticated style.
  • Enjoying a warm area to dry off after swimming.
  • Improving your mood.
  • Increasing your property’s value — While investing in your backyard pool transformation can be exciting and fun, it is also a brilliant financial decision. It increases your property’s value and offers a significant return on investment (ROI).
  • Providing several focal points.

Lighting Up Your Pool

If you have a pool, you are on a journey to having a luxurious resort in a small backyard. One way to get it right is by lighting the space to become magical at night. Lighting your pool and its surrounding area makes it gorgeous from inside the house. You will enjoy the aesthetics with the proper lighting even when you are not swimming.

Your lightning options and needs depend significantly on whether your pool is above-ground or in-ground. If you want above-ground pool lights, you can choose wall-mounted, magnetic lighting or a kit to install lights through the pool-vented return line. If your in-ground pool has features like tanning shelves, ledges, or stairs, you can add accent lighting alongside the main lighting.

Some of the pool lighting ideas include the following:

  • Pool deck lighting — In-ground lights are ideal for your pool compared to above-ground lights. You do not have to worry about damaging your light, tripping your guests, or getting bumped. A skilled Jacksonville pool builder and designer can drill a few inches of concrete cores out of the decking and install the fixture to light surrounding trees.
  • Moonlighting — Illuminating your pool from above using lights mounted on a roof gable or trees gives the illusion of natural moonlight. If tall trees surround the small pool, consider installing lights in the branches overhead to imitate natural moonlight. It creates fascinating shadows from leaves and branches on your pool.
  • Water features — You can consider a lighting strategy if the pool has water features, like waterfalls. You can light the waterfall from below, allowing the light to dance off the water. The light from your pool’s edge or a surrounding tall tree creates a flood of light. You can aim the light where the water strikes the pool surface to highlight the movement and catch air bubbles.
  • Undercap lights — You should see the impact of the light, not its source. An underlap light will have this effect. The fixture is tailored to be hidden and casts light downward. If your pool has a fire pit with benches, this lighting beneath the fire pit provides safe illumination.

Beach Entry Pool

Also called zero-entry pools, beach entry pools get their names because they resemble beaches. As you walk into a shallow end, the water becomes deeper with each step, giving you the experience of wading into an ocean or lake.

The most significant benefit of a beach entry pool is that it is beautiful and accessible to different individuals, including small children, people living with disabilities, and older adults. Moreover, the pool can have stairs or steps, depending on your preference.

The upper ramp’s end functions as a tanning ledge, permitting you to lounge in the shallow water while drinking your favorite beverage.

If you are a beach lover, you can decorate your bench entry pool using sand and sun loungers. The decor adds personality to your space and makes it look more realistic. You can also select sand-colored material to give the pool a beachy feel without the hassle of finding natural sand.

There are two types of beach entry pools, namely:

  • Concrete — It is the most popular option because of its flexibility in terms of style and color. It allows you to make it look like a natural beach with stone and sand-colored plaster or sand.
  • Fiberglass — It demands less maintenance and is more durable than concrete. There is also a wide range of colors. However, size can limit you.

Pool Fence Ideas

Investing in a chic pool for your backyard and surrounding it with a cheap fence is a decision you will regret. It zaps the pleasure of enjoying the pool. You have invested a lot in installing the pool. Therefore, installing a fence that elevates the pool is worth the price. 

While the fence should keep you and your loved ones safe, that does not imply it should clash with your pool’s design. There are numerous pool fence ideas to choose from, including the following:

  • Wrought iron pool — This fence exudes timeless charm and elegance. Its intricate design and robust construction provide a look that blends with every pool style. With superb visibility and durable material, this fencing option offers a barrier that allows you to enjoy pool views.
  • Consider a glass pool fence if you want a sophisticated and modern touch. The transparent glass gives a spacious and open feel, offering an unobstructed pool view. Additionally, it blends with the surrounding landscape, making it an ideal option if you value aesthetics and safety.
  • Wooden pool fence — Wood brings natural beauty to the pool area. With several stains and finishes available, you can customize the wooden fence to suit your preferences and style and blend with your backyard’s overall design.

Cocktail Pools

Cocktail swimming pools are considered luxurious swimming pools designed for limited backyard spaces. They are also known as spools.

This creative pool design combines a spa and a swimming pool, offering a sleek look on a smaller scale. Its other features include the following:

  • Intimately-sized.
  • Easy to heat.

For extra privacy and comfort, consider fencing around your backyard area. The fence will also aid you in creating and safeguarding a peaceful and intimate atmosphere.

Custom Pools

You should not limit yourself to just one pool shape design. A custom swimming pool design for small backyards best suits your space. So, whether you want a clean, minimal look or a flowing waterfall design, a professional pool builder will bring it to life.

Narrow Pools

A narrow pool design could suit your space better when working with a limited backyard space. Narrow swimming pools offer a river-like beauty to your backyard, mainly when the designs encompass mini-waterfall features or water plants.

Lap or exercise pools are one of the major types of narrow pool designs, with an excellent shape conducive to swimming laps and keeping fit. They also fit neatly into your backyard, no matter how narrow.

Fiberglass Swimming Pools

Fiberglass pools have increased in popularity over the years because of their low maintenance, durability, and quick installation procedure.

Typical benefits of these pools include the following:

  1. Quick to Install

Unlike conventional concrete pools, which can require many months to construct, fiberglass swimming pools are pre-made and delivered as a single piece, ready for installation in your backyard. Thus, you can save time and reduce the disruption from construction activities.

After fixing the fiberglass shell into the ground, your technician will backfill the pool and then fill it with water to balance the pressure on all sides of the shell. The mandatory backfill and fill procedure leads to a much quicker installation. Typically, the installation process takes about three weeks.

  1. They are Durable

Another significant advantage of fiberglass pools is their lifespan inside and out.

The structure and surface of fiberglass swimming pools are high-quality. A well-manufactured fiberglass pool could last up to 50 years with minimal maintenance to keep it practical and delightful.

  1. The Surface of Fiberglass is Smooth

The gel coat, or non-porous surface, is very smooth but slip-resistant.

You might have had experiences scraping your toes and knees at a public pool. With a fiberglass swimming pool, you should not worry about that.

If you have been in the shallow part of a pool and scraped your foot on a rough surface, the gelcoat surface of a fiberglass pool will prove to be perfect for you.

  1. Reduced Maintenance Costs

Over time, some other inground swimming pools require resurfacing, acid washing, and replacing liners, incurring repair costs. However, fiberglass pools are low maintenance and can save you thousands of dollars over the years compared to other inground pool types.

  1. Compatible With Salt Water Systems

Fiberglass swimming pools are compatible with salt systems. The same surface has qualities that make fiberglass algae-resistant, and its low maintenance also helps its surface hold up to saltwater.

Find a Qualified Pool Builder Near Me

A backyard pool offers the best setting for creating memories with loved ones. Regardless of your dream of a natural outdoor pool with amenities like fire features, water features, and lighting, your options are endless. With the help and guidance of Oak Wells Aquatics, you could design a gathering and swimming place where you and your family can enjoy all seasons. We have built and designed custom pools and luxurious, relaxing spaces for Jacksonville residents for many years. We take pride in our unwavering dedication to using the finest materials and products, integrated with our focus on employing a team of qualified professionals. We can help add life to your backyard with a pool that offers endless recreation hours and highlights your asset’s layout. Please contact us at 904-619-3281 to get a quote and discuss your options.

Call Us Now For A Quote – 904-619-3281