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6 Small Pool Ideas on a Budget
Looking for small pool ideas on a budget tends to catch everyone by surprise. If you’re like a lot of people you might have already decided that a new pool, or extensive work on an existing one, are outside of your reach. But you might be surprised to find out that you’re just a few steps away from the pool of your dreams. Read on to discover how to make your dreams of the perfect pool into a reality.
Why You Need a Budget
The first step to your perfect pool is a budget. This is where a lot of people wind up talking themselves out of a new pool. People begin with an assumption that things are prohibitively expensive without ever looking at the exact numbers. But you might be surprised by how low the total cost of a swimming pool can be. It’s often a matter of combining cost-cutting measures and working out exactly what you can afford with a reliable monthly payment calculator.
It’s best to start laying things out with the total you’re comfortable spending on a monthly basis. This can feel like a constraint. But the number can also be seen as permission to start adding things into your pool budget that you might feel are indulgences. Keep in mind that the whole point of a pool is enjoyment. It’s an investment that’s meant to be enjoyed over the course of a lifetime. You’re allowed to have fun. And you’re allowed to add pool features that’ll make ownership a more enjoyable experience.
However, there’s one option among all of the others that can help bring down your budget. And that’s the overall size of your pool. When you’re putting together a budget you might begin to notice that a lot of the costs aren’t a solid fixed fee. Instead, the cost tends to vary by size.
Benefits of Small Pools
A smaller pool, less than 12 feet, is almost always more affordable than a larger one. But it’s important to understand why that’s the case if you’re going to get the full bang from your buck when budgeting pool expenses. You should also keep all of these points in mind when thinking about options for a small pool. Not all pools are the same. And different small pool options will often favor one or two of these points more than the others.
Less maintenance
Think about what goes into pool maintenance. The cost to maintain a pool will change depending on various design elements. For example, saltwater pools incur a larger setup fee but are typically much cheaper to maintain than chlorine. And solar heating options will save money over 100% electric solutions. But most of these factors are also influenced by the size of your pool. If you’re dealing with half the total volume of water then it typically cuts heating costs in half. And this principle extends to most areas of pool maintenance.
Pool funds can go into other elements of your backyard
A pool is the most important part of an outdoor space. But you’ll typically want other features such as a deck, trellis, fire pit, etc. And the money and space saved by going for a smaller pool can be funneled into these other options.
Can be easily fit into more environments
There’s no doubt that a huge pool is great. However, it limits where you can actually build it. But a smaller pool can fit into a much wider range of environments. For example, you might have an area that’s filled with natural beauty and an amazing view. But installing a large pool there would disrupt the tranquil beauty you’re trying to celebrate. You could integrate a smaller pool into that space while a larger pool would disrupt it.
The most eco-friendly option
One of the most enjoyable parts of pool ownership is the opportunity to really enjoy the outdoors. Swimming on a perfect summer day really highlights just how beautiful the world can be. And it makes most people want to protect and preserve that natural splendor. It turns out that you’re doing so just by owning a small pool. They use less energy and resources and so they’re usually eco friendly by their very nature.
Problem-solving brings in creative workarounds
It’s often tempting to just go for the default option when considering construction projects. But doing so tends to end up with results that can be enjoyable but lack any individual flair. There’s no doubt that designing around size constraints can be difficult. But it also ensures that you’re really putting a lot of yourself into the idea. The end result isn’t just “a” pool. It’s “your” pool – a design that speaks to what you value in a pool.
Choosing a Basic Pool Type
It’s always wise to lay down the foundation for an idea before moving too far into it. And with pools that can be taken in a very literal direction.
The options can generally be divided into three main categories.
Concrete
Concrete is the most popular option for inground pools. If someone asks for a default pool design then chances are it’ll be concrete. Concrete is generally a great choice for smaller pools. One big reason is that concrete is quite literally poured into place. You can shape concrete to match any of the creative options you come up with to conserve space. The main downside is that a concrete pool is also more subject to damage than other construction materials.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass brings a lot to the table. It’s non-porous, which provides natural resistance against algae. This instantly saves money on maintenance costs. And fiberglass, unlike concrete, doesn’t influence a pool’s pH level. This too makes pool maintenance easier and less costly. However, it has two significant disadvantages for people looking to build a smaller pool on a budget. The first is price. Fiberglass is more expensive than either concrete or vinyl. Secondly, the shape of fiberglass is set during the manufacturing process. This makes vinyl a poor fit for the kind of custom designs that often go along with smaller pools.
Vinyl
Vinyl’s low cost makes it an appealing option when you’re working on a pool budget. On top of that its non-porous material lowers your maintenance costs. The vinyl will resist a lot of contaminants on its own without needing any extra help. With that said, it has a big downside too. Vinyl’s initial cost is low but it needs to be replaced every 5 to 9 years. So you’re essentially saving a lot at the start only to wind up paying more long term.
Some Beautiful Pool Ideas
You’ve now seen what small pools can do and what types of material you can build them with. With that taken care of, it’s time to examine how great small pools can look. Many of the latest pool design trends emphasize features that work great in smaller pools. And you’re sure to get some fantastic inspiration from the following pool ideas.
Work with your space
You shouldn’t see space limitations as a barrier any more than an artist would feel constrained by a canvas that’s smaller than his model. It’s more important to let the space you have to work with act as a guide. For example, consider a situation where you only have a narrow area of land to work with. You could go with a beautiful pool that moved over the length, rather than the width, of your yard. These are often referred to as lap pools, but it doesn’t mean it is an exercise based pool, it just alludes to the overall design style. You could even incorporate elements of your house into the design. Likewise, the beauty of your pool can act as a decorative feature when seen from your back windows. This can be further enhanced by choosing tiles that accentuate the colors in your yard.
Plunge into a plunge pool design
Another method of working with limited space is to build downward rather than over the width or length of your property. The plunge pool design works with a smaller size over those two metrics while providing a deeper depth than standard pools. As the name suggests, it’s a pool you can really plunge into. And the design also works extremely well with fountains and other water features. This can create a similar effect to a beautiful waterfall pouring into a deep pond. You can enhance the concept of depth even further by using dark tiles to create an illusion of space.
Minimalism is in
Appreciation for minimalist design has been growing at a steady pace over the years. And that’s good news for anyone interested in smaller pool designs. When you go with a minimalist aesthetic you can ditch a lot of the accessories that demand space. A small pool surrounded by walls or even stone slabs can create a strikingly beautiful view. This design can also be easily melded into a lot of pre-existing structures on your land.
You can take the minimalist aesthetic even further by utilizing every bit of free space that you can spare. If you only have a small area in your yard, why not use all of it? Standard fences can be converted into walls. And the barrier between pool and house can often be safely reduced further than you might assume.
Utilize your options for a variety of different shapes
The earlier discussion of pool types bought up an important point about concrete. Concrete is quite literally poured into a design. That means you’re not limited to the traditional pool shapes that you’re probably most familiar with. Natural ponds don’t have the rectangular design that we see in pools. And if you want a softer, more naturalistic feel you can aim for something that speaks to the more circular shapes you can find in natural bodies of water. And, of course, these circular shapes might offer more efficient use of your resources.
Going off the rails
This idea is largely dependent on the footing around your pool. If you have a naturally slip-resistant surface, or you create one during the pool construction, you might think about going without the standard pool handrails. This won’t save a tremendous amount of money. Nor does it save you a tremendous amount of space. But part of the fun of budgeting a project is stacking these little efficiency ideas. You can also extend this to general optimizing when looking at the area as a whole. Would any other features on your land let you go without standard pool ideas? For example, could you utilize high levels of sunlight to help heat your pool?
Taking the inside outside
Finally, think about repurposing utilitarian options from your backyard. For example, you might have lawn chairs in your yard. You could reclaim that space for your pool by using in-pool chairs. This would let you continue to comfortably relax outdoors. But you’d have the added benefit of doing it in your very own pool. You can even find small side tables that might replace existing, larger, deck furniture.
You should now have a general idea of how to save money by aiming for smaller pool designs. But small pool ideas on a budget aren’t something to just think about from time to time. You need to make a solid plan of action.
Landmark Aquatic is pleased to announce that three of its aquatic facility projects received 2026 PHTA Awards of Excellence from the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), one of the pool and spa industry’s premier design competitions.
- Doris Roznovak Aquatic Center, Taylor, TX — Merit Award, Commercial Aquatic Facilities
- Danville High School Natatorium Danville, IN — Merit Award, Commercial Aquatic Facilities
- Astra Tower Apartments, Salt Lake City, UT — Silver Award, Elevated Pool and Spa Structures
PHTA is the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry. Its annual International Awards of Excellence is one of the industry’s largest and most respected design competitions, recognizing the most creative and innovative pools, spas, hot tubs, and water features built each year. Hundreds of entries are submitted annually by professionals across the U.S. and around the world.
“PHTA is proud to recognize our members for their craftsmanship, inspired design, and dedication to elevating the industry,” said Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President and CEO of PHTA.
“These awards reflect what it takes to design, build, operate, and maintain a truly successful aquatic facility,” said J. Ryan Casserly, Chief Executive Officer of Landmark Aquatic. “That level of commitment shows up in the work of everyone on our team, and we’re proud to keep investing in serving our customers and the communities who enjoy these facilities.”
About Landmark
Landmark Aquatic is a nationwide provider of commercial aquatic facility design, construction, and maintenance services, with more than six decades of industry experience. Landmark supports clients across most of the U.S. through construction-led solutions and its AquatiCare maintenance program — delivering excellence “for the life of your pool” and building long-term partnerships through exceptional service and forward-thinking solutions. Learn more at www.landmarkaquatic.com
NORRISTOWN, Pennsylvania – Women in the Industry (WITI), an initiative of the Northeast Spa & Pool Association (NESPA), is proud to host its 3rd Annual WITI Walk on Sunday, October 11, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at scenic Norristown Farm Park in Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Participants may also join virtually from anywhere in the country, allowing supporters nationwide to walk, run, or donate in support of a shared mission: ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn the life-saving skill of swimming.
The walk benefits Every Child a Swimmer (ECAS), a national nonprofit dedicated to preventing childhood drowning by providing swim lesson scholarships to children from low-income families, promoting water safety education, and advancing legislation that expands access to drowning prevention resources. Drowning remains the leading cause of death for children ages one to four, making access to swimming lessons and water safety education more important than ever.
The partnership between NESPA, WITI, and Every Child a Swimmer reflects the pool industry’s unwavering commitment to safety. While WITI exists to empower, mentor, and elevate women throughout the industry, its members also recognize the important role they play in protecting families and promoting the safe enjoyment of water. Together, these organizations help educate communities, expand access to swim lessons, and work toward a future where every child has the opportunity to learn to swim.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with Every Child a Swimmer,” said WITI leadership. “As women in the pool industry, we understand that our work extends beyond building and maintaining pools, it includes educating communities, promoting water safety, and helping save lives. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.”
Leading Every Child a Swimmer is Executive Director Casey McGovern, whose commitment to drowning prevention is deeply personal.
After losing her 19-month-old daughter, Edna Mae (“Em”), to drowning in 2009, McGovern dedicated her life to ensuring other families never experience the same tragedy. Today, her leadership has helped grow Every Child a Swimmer into a national network of more than 430 participating swim school locations across 46 states, providing nearly $1 million annually in swim lesson scholarships for children in need.
“Our mission is simple,” said McGovern. “Every child deserves the opportunity to learn this life-saving skill, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. Through partnerships like WITI, we’re expanding access to swim lessons, measuring outcomes, and helping ensure more children gain the skills they need to stay safe around water.”
Participants of all ages and abilities are encouraged to register, walk, run, sponsor the event, or donate. Those unable to attend in Pennsylvania can participate virtually from anywhere in the country by walking in their own communities while supporting the cause online.
Register Today
https://nespa.users.membersuite.com/events/683a8c52-0078-ce39-202f-0b49bfa98b74/details
Event Information:
2026 WITI Walk
Sunday, October 11, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Norristown Farm Park
2500 Upper Farm Road
Norristown, PA 19403
Virtual participation is available nationwide.
Every registration, sponsorship, and donation helps provide life-saving swim lessons to children who otherwise could not afford them. Thanks to generous matching support, every dollar donated will be quadrupled, significantly increasing the impact for children and families.
About Women in the Industry (WITI)
Women in the Industry (WITI), an initiative of the Northeast Spa & Pool Association (NESPA), is dedicated to empowering, connecting, mentoring, and supporting women throughout the pool, spa, and outdoor living industry. Through education, networking, philanthropy, and leadership opportunities, WITI fosters professional growth while giving back to communities through charitable initiatives such as the annual WITI Walk.
About the Northeast Spa & Pool Association (NESPA)
The Northeast Spa & Pool Association (NESPA) is a regional trade association serving the pool, spa, and outdoor living industry throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. For more than 65 years, NESPA has supported its members through education, advocacy, professional development, networking, and consumer outreach while promoting the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and industry excellence.
About Every Child a Swimmer
Every Child a Swimmer is a national nonprofit dedicated to reducing childhood drowning by providing swim lesson scholarships to children from low-income families, promoting water safety education, and advocating for legislation that expands access to drowning prevention initiatives. The organization believes every child deserves the opportunity to learn the life-saving skill of swimming.
Media Contact
Phone: 609.689.9111
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.nespapool.org
Drone delivery may be the future of getting everyday purchases to your doorstep, but apparently Amazon still has a few kinks to work out — particularly when swimming pools are involved.
A video making the rounds on social media this week shows what should have been a routine Amazon drone delivery going very wrong. Instead of safely depositing the customer’s order on dry ground, the package winds up in the backyard swimming pool.
The incident is funny enough when viewed through the lens of an unexpected pool delivery. But it also highlights a very real challenge Amazon faces as it prepares to dramatically expand its Prime Air drone delivery program across the United States.
And remarkably, this isn’t the first time an Amazon drone has put a customer’s package in the pool.
Amazon Has Already Made This Mistake Before
In July 2025, Arizona resident Daniel Muniz decided to try Prime Air after seeing drone delivery available for his order in Avondale.
The delivery was captured on video.
Amazon’s drone successfully reached the property and released the shoebox-sized package over the designated area. There was just one problem: the downward force generated by the drone’s propellers pushed the package several feet across the yard and directly into Muniz’s swimming pool.
Fortunately, the contents weren’t particularly vulnerable to water. Muniz had ordered vitamins.
The incident was especially notable because Amazon’s delivery system is designed to identify suitable drop locations around a customer’s property. Amazon explains that its mapping technology identifies “delivery zones” free of obstacles and establishes appropriate delivery points within those areas.
The company even specifically acknowledges swimming pools as something the technology needs to recognize.
According to Amazon, a swimming pool can appear to be a flat surface in satellite imagery despite obviously being an unsuitable location for a package delivery. Once the drone reaches the designated location, the aircraft descends to approximately 13 feet above the ground, checks that the area is clear and releases the package.
In the Avondale incident, the package wasn’t intentionally dropped into the water. It initially landed on dry ground before the drone’s prop wash sent it into the pool.
Amazon apologized to the customer at the time, characterizing incidents like it as rare.
A year later, however, another swimming pool has clearly managed to intercept an Amazon delivery.
Pools Aren’t the Only Problem
Swimming pools haven’t been the only unexpected destinations for Amazon’s drones.
In another widely reported incident, an Amazon delivery drone came down in a residential garden after experiencing problems during operation. Other incidents have been considerably more serious than a wet package.
In February 2026, an Amazon Prime Air drone struck the exterior of an apartment complex in Richardson, Texas, before the damaged aircraft fell to the ground.
Amazon’s drone program has also faced scrutiny following collisions involving infrastructure. These episodes underscore the complexity of operating autonomous aircraft at scale in residential environments where drones must contend with buildings, trees, utility infrastructure, changing weather conditions and other obstacles.
Amazon says its latest MK30 drones use a sophisticated perception and “Detect-and-Avoid” system designed to identify obstacles and make navigation decisions autonomously.
That technology is going to become increasingly important because Amazon isn’t backing away from drone delivery.
It’s doing the opposite.
Amazon Plans a Massive Drone Delivery Expansion
Amazon announced this week that it intends to expand Prime Air to nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns by the end of 2026, a dramatic increase from the 11 locations where the service currently operates. New markets are expected to include areas around Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland, Syracuse and Boise.
The company says each Prime Air location can serve communities within roughly a 7.5-mile radius. Its MK30 drones can transport eligible packages weighing up to five pounds, with Amazon targeting delivery times of roughly an hour or less.
Amazon has already completed hundreds of thousands of drone deliveries this year, according to Prime Air Vice President David Carbon.
The long-term ambitions are considerably larger.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has said the company believes drone delivery could eventually reach 30 million customers and handle as many as half a billion packages annually by 2030.
The appeal isn’t difficult to understand.
For small, lightweight purchases, a drone potentially eliminates much of the traditional last-mile delivery process. Instead of waiting for a delivery van to work its way through dozens or hundreds of stops, an individual aircraft can carry an order directly from a nearby fulfillment facility to a customer’s home.
Need sunscreen before heading outside? Batteries for a poolside speaker? A replacement part or bottle of test strips?
Amazon envisions those types of purchases arriving from the sky in less time than it might take someone to drive to a store and back.
The company says more than 60,000 products are already eligible for drone delivery in supported markets, ranging from household necessities to electronics.
That’s a compelling vision of where residential delivery could be headed.
The technology just needs to become consistently boring.
Right now, the occasional drone crash, unexpected landing or package taking a swim makes for an entertaining viral video. As Amazon expands Prime Air from a relatively limited program into hundreds of communities, however, the margin for these mistakes becomes increasingly important.
Delivering a bottle of vitamins into someone’s swimming pool is inconvenient and a little funny.
Doing the same thing with a smartphone probably isn’t.
Judging by the occasional package ending up at the bottom of a swimming pool, there are still a few bugs left to work out first.
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