Small Natural Swimming Pools: Complete Design & Cost Guide

Small Natural Pools: Big Possibilities

Don't let a modest garden stop you from enjoying chemical-free swimming. Small natural swimming pools deliver all the benefits of larger pools—crystal-clear water, no chemicals, beautiful ecosystems—in a compact footprint. Not sure if your garden is suitable? Try our free garden suitability checker for an instant assessment. For cost expectations, see our complete pricing guide.

What Counts as a Small Natural Pool?

Size Categories

Plunge pools: 8-15m² swimming area

• Quick cooling dips
• Hydrotherapy and relaxation
• Total footprint: 15-25m²

Compact swim pools: 15-25m² swimming area

• Comfortable swimming for 2-3 people
• Gentle exercise
• Total footprint: 30-45m²

Small family pools: 25-35m² swimming area

• Swimming for the whole family
• Exercise swimming possible
• Total footprint: 45-60m²

Can Your Garden Accommodate a Natural Pool?

Minimum Requirements

For the smallest viable natural pool:

• Garden size: From 60m² total
• Pool footprint: 25-30m² minimum
• Swimming zone: 12-15m²
• Regeneration zone: 12-15m²

Space Assessment

Measure your garden and consider:

• Access for construction equipment
• Distance from boundaries (typically 1m minimum)
• Relationship to house and other features
• Underground services and trees
• Drainage and sun exposure

Take our 2-minute garden suitability quiz to get an instant assessment of your garden's potential.

Design Strategies for Small Spaces

1. Integrated Regeneration Zones

For full details on sizing, see our regeneration zone guide. Rather than separating the regeneration zone, integrate it around the swimming area perimeter:

• Plants frame the swimming zone
• No wasted space on dividing walls
• Creates intimate, enclosed feel
• Most space-efficient approach

2. Vertical Planting

Use walls and fences for additional planting:

• Green wall systems
• Climbing plants
• Raised planters at pool edge
• Maximises biological filtration without using floor space

3. Multi-Level Design

Build upwards rather than outwards:

• Raised pool edge as seating
• Elevated regeneration zone
• Tiered planting beds
• Creates visual interest and functional space

4. Dual-Purpose Features

Every element should work double duty—perfect for entertaining guests:

• Pool edge as seating bench
• Regeneration zone as garden feature
• Deck as dining area
• Storage built into structure

Small Pool Shapes

Rectangular

Pros:

• Maximum swimming length
• Clean, contemporary look
• Easy to cover
• Efficient use of narrow gardens

Ideal for: Side gardens, modern homes

Square

Pros:

• Works in square plots
• Equal swimming in all directions
• Symmetrical design options
• Good for corner positions

Ideal for: Courtyard gardens, formal designs

L-Shape

Pros:

• Wraps around corners
• Creates distinct zones
• Interesting visual
• Good for irregular spaces

Ideal for: Awkward plots, houses with extensions

Organic/Curved

Pros:

• Softens small spaces
• Natural appearance
• Follows garden contours
• Creates movement

Ideal for: Cottage gardens, informal spaces

Depth Considerations

Shallow Plunge (1.0-1.2m)

• Sitting and standing depth
• Cooling off and relaxation
• Easiest construction
• Suitable for all ages

Standard (1.2-1.5m)

• Swimming possible
• Good for most users
• Manageable excavation
• Best balance for small pools

Deeper End (1.5-1.8m)

• Proper swimming depth
• Comfortable treading water
• Adds to excavation cost
• Consider safety implications

Cost Guide for Small Natural Pools

Budget Breakdown

Plunge pool (8-15m² swim area): £45,000-£65,000

• Basic excavation and liner
• Essential filtration
• Simple planting scheme
• Basic edging

Compact pool (15-25m² swim area): £60,000-£85,000

• Full excavation
• Quality filtration system
• Comprehensive planting
• Stone or timber edging

Small family pool (25-35m² swim area): £75,000-£100,000

• Larger excavation
• Premium filtration
• Extensive planting
• Quality materials throughout

Cost Per Square Metre

Small pools typically cost more per square metre than larger pools:

• Small pools: £2,000-£3,000/m²
• Medium pools: £1,500-£2,000/m²
• Large pools: £1,200-£1,800/m²

This is because fixed costs (design, equipment, access) are spread over less area.

Maximising Your Small Pool

Heating for Extended Use

Given the investment, maximising use makes sense:

• Air source heat pump: £5,000-£8,000
• Running costs: £300-£500/year
• Extends season by 3-4 months

Exercise Options

Even small pools allow fitness swimming:

• Swim jets/tethers: £1,500-£4,000
• Creates endless pool effect
• Install in plunge pools too

Therapeutic Features

Small pools are perfect for wellness:

• Massage jets
• Air loungers
• Underwater seating
• Warmer temperatures (up to 28°C for small plunge pools)

Planting for Small Pools

Space-Efficient Plants

Choose plants that deliver maximum filtration with minimal spread. Our complete aquatic plants guide has detailed recommendations:

Marginal plants (shallow water):

• Water mint (Mentha aquatica)
• Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga)
• Lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula)

Submerged oxygenators:

• Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)
• Spiked water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)

Floating plants:

• Frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae)
• Water soldiers (Stratiotes aloides)

Compact Water Lilies

Choose miniature varieties for small pools:

• Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Helvola' (yellow, spreads 30-45cm)
• Nymphaea 'Pygmaea Alba' (white, spreads 30-45cm)
• Nymphaea 'Aurora' (colour-changing, spreads 45-60cm)

Construction in Tight Spaces

Tight access requires specialist contractors with compact pool experience—not all builders have the equipment or skills for small gardens.

Access Challenges

Limited access is common with small garden pools:

• Mini-excavators can access 90cm+ gaps
• Some excavation may be manual
• Material transport via conveyor or manually
• Add 10-20% to budget for access issues

Minimising Disruption

• Short construction time: 4-8 weeks
• Contained work area
• Careful neighbour management
• Phased material deliveries

Maintenance of Small Pools

Advantages

Small pools can be easier to maintain:

• Less surface area to skim
• Smaller volume to balance
• Quicker plant care
• Easier to cover

Considerations

• Less buffer for issues (address problems quickly)
• Planting balance more critical
• May need more frequent attention initially

Annual Costs

For a small natural pool (20m² swim area)—see our 10-year cost comparison for detailed analysis:

• Electricity: £100-£200
• Plant maintenance: £100-£200
• Professional service (optional): £200-£400
• Total: £400-£800/year

Case Study: Courtyard Pool

Garden size: 80m² enclosed courtyard Pool specification:

• 18m² swimming zone
• Integrated 12m² regeneration zone
• 1.4m depth
• Limestone edging
• Contemporary planted walls

Result: A stunning focal point that transforms an enclosed space. Crystal-clear water, year-round garden interest, and regular swimming from April to October.

Investment: £78,000 including landscaping

Is a Small Natural Pool Right for You?

Perfect for:

• Townhouse and terrace gardens
• Courtyard spaces
• Side gardens
• Budget-conscious buyers who won't compromise on quality
• Those prioritising quality over quantity

Consider alternatives if:

• You want competitive lap swimming
• You need pool parties for large groups
• You prefer very warm water (easier with larger volume)

Getting Started

The design process for small pools requires extra creativity:

1. Accurate survey: Every centimetre counts 2. 3D visualisation: See the pool in context 3. Consider all angles: How does it look from inside? 4. Plan for construction: Confirm access is viable 5. Long-term vision: How will the garden mature?

Upload a photo of your garden for a free assessment of what's possible in your space.