Small Pools Need Big Ideas

29 July 2022

Do not give up on a pool just because your garden is small. With big style ideas, a small pool can become the most enjoyable spot at home.

Sometimes you see them in modest front gardens. Somewhere between a standard pool and a hot tub in size, they still look like a wonderful way to enjoy summer and cool down. At other times, you find them indoors, at the centre of a conservatory with glass walls and a glass roof. Sometimes they hide in the back garden, with even the trampoline larger than they are…

Whatever its size, a pool is always an asset to a home. If it sits unnoticed in a corner or is rarely used, it may simply not have been given the chance to shine. That is about to change. Let's explore how even a small pool can become the best part of the party.

An Olympic pool or a spool?

First, decide what you want. A small pool may not be ideal for training swims, jumping in with a large group of friends or sunbathing on a giant flamingo. But a concept that has emerged and become popular in recent years offers another option: the spool.

Combining the ideas of a spa and swimming, a spool usually resembles a large hot tub but has powerful jets that create a current you can swim against. The latest stage in the evolution of pools, spools acquired a more luxurious image than semi-Olympic pools from the moment they appeared. Measuring up to 5 m long and 3 m wide, they are smaller than an average pool and larger than an average spa hot tub.If your garden already has a sunbathing area, a dining corner and a small kitchenette, and you still have 15 square metres available, a spool awaits you for water-based exercise and occasional refreshment. Its maintenance costs are, of course, much lower than those of a standard pool.

These pools come in spa and lap types. Spa versions have massage jets so you can lie back and enjoy the massage. Lap versions add current-generating jets, allowing fitness swimming against the flow rather than simply relaxing. In both, you can adjust the temperature to enjoy warm or cool water.

Decorative touches for small pools

Put safety first by choosing porcelain poolside coverings with hygiene certifications and slip-resistant properties, specifically made for very wet areas such as pools. The brand's Setli Seri, Olimpik and Flexi pool tiles are the first options to explore: alongside these features, they offer flexibility and can be cut to fit the pool's dimensions. Kalebodur's Courtyard series, designed specifically for pool surrounds, has a Class C slip-resistance rating and a distinctly Mediterranean terracotta texture.

Once the pool surround is tiled and safe, add some greenery. Plant a large tree, such as a palm or banana tree, beside one part of the pool and let its shadows and reflections fall across the water. Around it, group rocks with trees and plants in decorative pots, stepping down in size. Add a small Zen water feature among them for a peaceful, meditative sound.

Be sure to consider details such as a miniature waterfall, a raised ledge in the water for resting chairs or sun loungers, and pool pillows that let you lean back comfortably during a massage.

Create a changing cabana and place a portable shower and towel warmer beside it.

If you want to switch off from the world and relax completely, surround your small pool with a wall low enough to preserve the view. You could even build seating and a mini kitchen into the wall.