18 Small Pool Ideas for a Refreshing Summer

Having a smaller yard doesn’t mean you have to miss out on having a swimming spot right at home. You’ll find 18 different ways to add a pool, from sleek plunge pools to clever stock tank setups, turning your outdoor area into a great place to cool off.

Wooden Lounge Chairs with Colorful Pillows for Poolside Comfort

To create a comfortable spot by the water, arrange wooden lounge chairs in your small pool area. These chairs, paired with brightly patterned pillows, provide an inviting place to unwind. Their natural wood tones complement the nearby plants.

Tiered Stone Steps with Integrated Grass Patches

Tiered stone steps lead from the patio directly to the pool area. Between the stone pavers, squares of artificial grass break up the surface. It’s a design that uses both hard and soft materials side by side.

Galvanized Stock Tank Pool with Built-In Seating

Galvanized metal forms a stock tank pool for the backyard. A large, flat stone block sits beside it, ready to be a step or seat.

Built-In Wooden Bench with Cushions for Poolside Seating

Beside the pool, a built-in wooden bench is topped with patterned cushions and coordinating throw pillows. A small lantern sits on the bench, waiting for dusk.

Low-Profile Lounge Chairs with Striped Towels for Sunbathing

Dark wicker frames define these low-profile lounge chairs, topped with plush cushions and striped towels on the deck. Subtle pink accents appear on the towels.

Low Stone Ledge with Overflowing Planter

A wide stone planter, filled with cascading greenery, sits on a low ledge beside the pool coping.

White Pergola with Sliding Doors Creates a Shaded Dining Nook

If you need a dedicated dining area in your backyard, install a white pergola structure with sliding doors. These doors offer the flexibility to enclose the outdoor room or open it up to the garden.

Dark Lanterns Line Pool Deck for Evening Ambiance

Line your pool’s edge with dark, geometric lanterns to create a warm glow after dusk. These metal lanterns feature detailed patterns and hold white candle inserts. They provide soft illumination for evening swims or poolside relaxation.

Wooden Pergola with Climbing Vines Creates Natural Shade

Over a pergola’s roof, climbing plants form a natural canopy. With delicate white flowers, the vines soften the structure and blend it into the nearby plants.

Wooden Deck with Integrated Storage for Poolside Essentials

Wood forms a deck that includes built-in cubbies and shelves for poolside items. This surface also supports lounge chairs and plants.

Built-in Spa with Tiled Spillover for Smooth Transition

Next to the main pool, a built-in spa is designed to spill directly into the water. Both the spa’s exterior and the pool’s water line are covered in a mosaic tile pattern.

Rectangular Fire Pit with Stone Surround

When you’re looking to define a gathering area on the patio, a substantial rectangular fire pit sits surrounded by a stone border. It links to the natural stone paving, its fire providing a warm glow next to the cool blue pool.

Tiered Stone Ledge with Overflowing Planter

A low stone ledge sits along the pool, its water spilling directly into the main basin. It’s a layered design that incorporates the pool’s own water.

Pink Roses Create a Living Archway Over the Poolside Patio

Climbing pink roses cascade over an entryway, forming a natural arch with abundant blooms.

String Lights Add Ambiance Above a Poolside Cabana

For an inviting atmosphere during evening gatherings, drape a string of warm globe lights under your pergola or cabana. These cast a soft glow, and a decorative wall hanging, like the fish shown, adds personality.

Wooden Door with Decorative Paneling Adds Rustic Charm

Incorporate a rustic wooden door with a unique paneled design into your outdoor living space. The rich wood grain and detailed paneling capture attention, complementing the nearby plants and poolside setting.

Stone Wall with Cascading Water Features

Stone forms a multi-tiered wall alongside the pool, sending gentle falls down its surface. The steady current brings quiet sounds and draws the eye, making this architectural element a central feature for the backyard.

Blue Scalloped Umbrellas Pair with Light Outdoor Furniture

When the sun is high, bold blue umbrellas provide ample shade for seating by the pool. Their scalloped edges are a decorative detail that harmonizes with the light, neutral shades of the seating pieces, creating a welcoming, relaxed outdoor setting.