Outdoor Paradise: Big Ideas for Small Pools

July 20, 2023
Develop Garden Featured Projects Landscape Architecture Design The SiteGroup

At SITE Group, we’ve completed pool construction for dozens of customers in Xenia, OH and beyond. We’ve seen and created pools of all shapes and sizes, all colors and materials, all decorations and aesthetics. Throughout the years, we’ve had plenty of opportunities to make smaller pool spaces feel much larger with greenery, fire features, retaining walls and even more. Check out this guide to all the ways you can make your small pool feel like your very own outdoor paradise.

Add Fire Features

Fire pits are excellent additions to any pool area, as they can serve as gathering and lounging spaces for daytime or nighttime relaxation. Clients often opt for fire pits or bowls at the edge of their pools, so that a few people can enjoy their warmth from the patio or sit in the water on a sun shelf. While our pits are usually the more traditional choice, our fire bowls utilize hammered copper with a 6” waterfall lip built into them as more of a decorative piece. Our pits and bowls both contain deep blue fire glass to create an ambient, luxurious feel at night. 

Fire features bring warmth, light, and a cozy atmosphere to your pool area, making your space feel more inviting to your guests or loved ones. They can serve as captivating focal points, while also expanding your outdoor entertainment options.

Incorporate a Sun Shelf

A sun shelf is a shallow area within the pool designed for lounging and sunbathing. Introducing a sun shelf into your small pool space invites guests to spend time cooling off in the water, engaging in conversation and enjoying a fire feature. 

Sun shelves can be customized to accommodate various purposes depending on your intentions. For example, they can serve as play spaces for children, or simple lounging areas where you can relax and enjoy a book. Many clients request sun shelves for an innovative pool feature, which can allow guests to enjoy the water without sacrificing the comfort of staying on land.

Grow Some Greenery

Perhaps the quintessential element of pool construction and decoration is adding greenery and foliage. Strategic placement of greenery can work wonders by making a small pool area feel more expansive, creating a sense of privacy and adding depth. Consider using potted plants positioned around the pool deck to give your space an organized feel,  or incorporate low-maintenance greenery or flowering shrubs to add pops of color. The space will not only feel larger, but more aesthetically pleasing and tropical.

Install a Retaining Wall

Like greenery, retaining walls can add a sense of privacy and organization to your space. Walls provide natural benefits such as soil stabilization, but can also add depth to your pool deck and create a seamless transition between different levels or sections within the pool area. Natural stone or textured materials are popular choices for retaining walls, as they help complement the pool’s surroundings and achieve a cohesive aesthetic. These materials are also quite durable against water and foot traffic.

Building Your Outdoor Paradise

With determination and attention to detail, you can transform a small pool space into a visually stunning and expansive outdoor paradise. If you have questions about which elements might be best for your pool, contact us for a consultation.

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