Owning a small home can be a rewarding experience, especially if you live on your own or are blessed with a small family.
However, this does not mean that you can’t transform your home into a luxurious and modern space, as even some of the most expensive houses in the world are not defined by their size.
In fact, many fancy homes use the space they have to its full potential, which allows them to create stunning and picturesque rooms. These days, the height of domestic luxury is your own outdoor swimming pool, which remains a dream for homeowners across the world.
Not only can a swimming pool transform your home into a relaxing paradise, but it can also provide some much-needed respite during the summer, especially if you live in a country that is prone to sweltering heat.
But how can your small home accommodate such a large feature?
It’s no secret that swimming pools take up a large amount of space, which is why they are often relegated to large houses and grand mansions.
However, this does not mean that they are limited to large plots of land, as there are countless home designers who have found a way to build a pool for their small homes.
So to give you some inspiration, we have rounded up some of the most amazing small homes with pools. Just take a look and see which one catches your eye…
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Garden Pools
If you are working with a limited amount of outdoor space, then you have the option to remove the land and transform your garden into an aquatic paradise, complete with a swimming pool, sun deck and working waterfall.
And while this does mean sacrificing your back garden, you can still decorate the edges around your pool with various trees and plants, giving the finished product a tropical and natural feel.
What you end up with is the perfect space where you can relax after a long and tiring day, whether that involves resting in the shade or dipping your toes into the azure water.
Just because you have limited space, doesn’t mean you can’t use it in the best ways possible.
The Longer The Better
Sometimes even small homes can be blessed with large amounts of space in the garden, which is always a good thing when it comes to planning the layout of your swimming pool.
So if you want to build a pool that will leave room for your children to play on the lawn, why not focus on length rather than size?
As you can see from the above image, a long pool is a great way to use the space in your garden without eliminating it completely. It will also provide the perfect place to do some laps and keep in shape.
What we particularly enjoy about the pool we have chosen is its simple design. Sometimes swimming pools don’t have to be aquatic works of art, after all, you are going to spend your time swimming in the pool and not admiring it.
Bring The Pool Indoors
While indoor swimming pools are not uncommon, they remain a rare sight in the United States. However, if you want to utilize the space inside your small home, then you could transform a room or corridor into a swimming pool that can be accessed from all corners of the house.
As you can see from the example we have chosen, this designer has opened the space and placed a pool in the middle of the home, which is then crossable via the stepping stones and minimal sun deck. Thanks to this clever design, the residents of this house can access the pool from both sides and use it to their heart’s content.
Now we understand that notion may seem somewhat outlandish, but when it comes to utilizing your limited space, you have to think outside the box.
Keep It Square
In a similar vein to the other pools we have discussed, this design works to utilize a limited garden space by creating a pool that does not adhere to the traditional shape.
Of course, pools now come in countless shapes and sizes, although the traditional rectangle still remains a popular choice among modern homeowners.
However, this does not mean that your garden will be able to withstand such a large and encompassing shape, which is why we recommend going with something smaller, like a circle or square.
Although this pool may not be of use to trained swimmers, it can provide some much-needed respite from the heat, giving you a lush and welcoming space where you can hang your legs in the water and enjoy a good book in the light of the summer sun.
Now if that doesn’t sound like paradise, then we don’t know what does.
Blue Lagoon
Sticking with the theme of irregular shapes, why not use the space you have to create a beautiful lagoon where you and your loved ones can relax during the hot summer months.
Whereas most pools use angular shapes, this design instead works with the natural layout of the terrain to create an azure oasis, which you can then decorate with tropical plants and other aesthetic pieces.
Similar to our last example, this pool will have limited use when it comes to actual swimming, although it will be much deeper and more capable of hosting large numbers.
However, this particular design does come with the downside of only being one depth, which could prove troublesome for weak swimmers.
We personally love the idea of a lagoon in the garden, especially one that is hidden by palm trees and hanging vines. So if you want a pool solely for cocktail parties and fun, this is one design that you should consider.
Elevation Is Key
While it may seem obvious to dig your swimming pool into the ground, it is also possible to build your pool on top of your garden by placing it inside a glass tank.
Not only does this help to create a unique and modern space, but it also provides more depth and space to the finished structure.
If you look at the image above, you can see that the designer has raised the pool out of the ground and encased it behind glass, before working around the feature to create a beautiful lounge area where you can towel off after a delicious swim.
Again this may mean sacrificing your garden, but you can still decorate the space around your new pool with pots and planters, where you can grow all manner of plants, flowers and trees.
Just as long as you utilize the space and make it your own, we promise you will see some stellar results.
Mirror Image
If you have a small home and need to utilize the land around it, then you can do this by building a swimming pool around the foundation of your home.
While this works to produce a unique and irregular shape, it will also provide plenty of space for swimming and summertime fun with your family and friends.
As you can see from the design we have chosen, the pool wraps around the back of the house to create a canal-like formation, where you can relax in the clear blue waters or tone your muscles by swimming laps.
For some extra inspiration, we also recommend utilizing symmetry to create a mirror image on both sides of the pool, as this creates a more concise and minimalistic look.
The addition of the palm tree is also genius, although somewhat obstructive, which means you can decide whether or not to keep it.
That Modern Aesthetic
What we particularly like about this design is the use of glass, with one half of the house being completely covered in transparent windows.
This has been done to open the space and make the house seem larger, even though it is still a small home with a limited amount of room.
While the design could have ended up looking garish or ultra-modern, its accompaniment with the simple garden helps to produce a minimalistic finish that highlights the best attributes of the property.
However, one of our favorite things about this small home is the swimming pool, which has been added to one side of the garden.
While this pool may look slim, the designer has used its length to fill the space, creating a beautiful current that can be used for laps and athletic training.
Life On The Edge
The best way to utilize limited space is by building into thin air, something that is a lot easier said than done.
However, this does not mean that it is impossible, as there are now countless swimming pools that overhang great heights, from deep ravines to forgotten trenches.
If you look at the picture above, you will see a swimming pool that has been built on the edge of someone’s property, with the pool itself actually being suspended above a high drop.
While the size of the pool leaves little to the imagination, it can still be used to combat the summer sweats, giving you the ideal place to sip a cocktail and overlook the surrounding scenery.
For the best results, we recommend decorating this swimming pool with lounge chairs and a parasol, as overhanging pools will often be more exposed during the sunlight due to their distinctive design.
Pools Undercover
Not all swimming pools have to be left out in the open for the whole world to see. In fact, some of the best swimming pools use the surrounding space to conceal themselves in plain sight.
Known as hidden pools, these amazing feats of design are usually placed beneath wooden covers, which can then be decorated with chairs and other furniture.
When you are ready to go in the pool, all you have to do is pull back the cover and you have everything you need to enjoy your summer afternoon.
While this technique helps to utilize limited space, it also works to keep your pool clean during the night, while also keeping it at the correct temperature throughout the seasons.
If you are interested in this particular design, then we recommend using the space around your pool for seating and tables, as once the cover has been retracted, your ideal sitting area will be gone until you put it back.
No Pool Is Too Small
When it comes to planning the layout of your swimming pool, it’s important to remember that there is no such thing as a pool that is too small, as any body of water will be enough to refresh you during the summer heatwave.
For example, the swimming pool definitely falls onto the smaller side and yet it has been designed in a careful and meticulous manner that the final result is not only striking but eerily beautiful.
By using wood as the main material around the edge of the pool, the designer has also reduced the chances of slipping while creating a rustic space with an almost bohemian feel.
The addition of the tropical foliage is also stunning, as it complements the laid back surfer vibe to create a miniature paradise that is completely separate from the rest of the world.
Just add some comfy loungers and a few decorations and you have a pool space that will make your friends green with envy.
Let’s Round It Up
As we previously mentioned, irregular pool shapes are one of the most effective ways to utilize your space and leave room for other adornments.
Whether that shape is a complicated splat or a simple square, you can rely on unique shapes to fit into almost any space regardless of the size.
In this instance, the designer has made the pool round and therefore capable of fitting into the limited amount of land, which sits beautifully behind the owner’s stunning home.
Due to the use of white stone, the blue of the water pops against the light background, creating a desert oasis in the middle of the owner’s garden.
The cobblestone additions also help to give the pool a more natural appearance, which is further heightened by the palm trees and tropical foliage.
We particularly like the small fountain that leads into the pool, as this makes for a sleek water feature and will help to keep the water clean.
While this pool may not be built for athletic swimming, it has enough room for small laps and promises to provide a delightful respite from the heat of the sun.
So the next time you are thinking about your dream pool, remember that round shapes are always an option.
Final Thoughts
And there we have it, those were some amazing small homes with stunning pools. We hope that you found this article helpful and that you will use our suggestions when planning the layout of your new pool.