It seems that everyone today is all about downsizing. Small houses, small dogs, small cars. It seems if it comes in a micro size, it fits in better with the modern world. But what about swimming pools? What is the smallest in-ground pool you can get? In this article we’ll go over some of the basics of small in-ground swimming pools, their advantages, disadvantages and other things to think about if you’re lacking for space.
The usual reason for a smaller sized swimming pool is lack of space. This is a real concern in many urban areas, but just because you live in a city doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to enjoy your own private in-ground swimming pool. Because in-ground swimming pools are typically custom designed and constructed, the size of your small pool really depends on what you plan on using it for and the space within which you have to work.
Types of Small Pools
If all you’re looking for is a pool to jump in, cool off and lounge around, a small plunge pool can easily meet all your needs – and they don’t need to be very big at all. But even if you’re looking to spend your time swimming laps, you don’t necessarily need an Olympic size pool. You can easily install a long and narrow pool that allows you to swim lengths. You could go even smaller with an endless pool which creates a current to swim against that keeps your body in one place while you practice your stroke.
Small Pool Advantages
There are many advantages to having a smaller pool beyond the typical limitations of backyard space. Smaller swimming pools will cost less to install, require less maintenance and will be cheaper to operate due to fewer chemicals and electricity being used. You can still include most accessories that are found in larger pools such as lighting rigs, water features, and saltwater systems.
That’s not to say there aren’t advantages to having a larger pool. Of course, your swimming space will be limited in a smaller pool which means things could get quite crowded if you have a lot of guests over. And sometimes it’s harder to have a deep pool if the surface area is quite small. You’ll probably want a shallow end as well which will limit how far down your deep end can actually go.
Determining the shape of your small pool will depend on the type of space you have for installation. Kidney shaped pools and other with curves will reduce the amount of swimming area you have but may work better for oddly shaped spaces. Rectangular pools will give you more swimming space but might make less efficient use of the available yard space.