Inground Pool Sizes: Everything You Need to Know

Enhance your home by providing a water feature that creates a pleasing view from inside the house. Installing a permanent in-ground pool is a popular option, it can also add value and aesthetic beauty to your home.

An in-ground swimming pool can be your house extension providing entertainment, lounging, and exercise. A perfect place for refreshment and relaxation by just moving in your backyard. 

A perfect day in your backyard pool includes an unlimited dip on the water, once in a while sunbathing or just relax and feel the swimming pool ambiance. That why converting a backyard into an in-ground swimming pool becoming a trend in most homeowners.

Some think building a swimming pool is a simple thing, others assess every detail in pool construction.

Investing in a swimming pool is largely a matter of personal preferences. One of the important factors is the size and shape of the pool suitable for the construction area where the pool will be place and your budget. There are dominant standard sizes and shape you may consider, the popular rectangular pool is about twice as long of the one side as on its other side with a typical dimensions ranging 10 by 20 to 20 by 40 feet. You can also deviate from the norm with a more complex design in choosing the size of your in-ground swimming pool. Let us cite some guidelines that can help you decide on the best pool size for you.

Swimming Pool Common Sizes and Shapes

Let us start with the standard sizes and shapes of an in-ground swimming pool. Homeowners often think that their future pool as a rectangular swimming pool, as this is the standard shape of the most in-ground pool.

Dimensions

A rectangular-shaped pool has the length-to-width ratio of 2 is to 1. The typical swimming pool dimensions are 10×20, 16×32, 18×36 and 20×40. Round, square and other shapes computed its dimension by its diameter with wall length being equal to the width above. 

The depth of the pool depends on the usage of the pool. A rectangular pool regularly has the shallowest depth of 3 feet and a deep end of 6 feet. Square and round pools have a uniform depth that is compact but deep enough to be a plunge pool.

Shapes

Rectangular pools are the most common shape of a pool. It is widely the choice of most of the pool owners because it is efficient and fits in most backyards. 

Square or Round pool is the best alternative if you have a big space for your swimming pool. 

The L-Shaped pool is a rectangular pool with a second shorter length that is mostly a shallow part for kids as a play area. The main or longer part is good for lap swimming.

A lap pool is a long and narrow rectangular pool for lap swimming and pool exercises.       

Oval pool is a variation of a rectangular pool with rounded edges for a softer look.

The kidney pool is a slight bend oval pool.

The freeform pool is a style of swimming pool with a lot of curves that reminiscent of a natural body of water.

These are the most common shapes of an in-ground swimming pool. There are many other shapes you can pick or even customized your own pool shape however you like. Deciding on the pool shape is based on the available space you have in your backyard.

The pool must be fit in your backyard but still have some space for other activities for your family to enjoy.  The bigger the space the bigger the pool you can construct but there are also compact pool shapes for smaller backyards. 

What is the Best Inground Pool Size for You?

Begin to envision your new in-ground pool will look in your backyard. The picture in your imagination may be changing every time you think of some factors to be considered. From a luxurious type of pool turn into a regular rectangular shaped pool then changed again into a new size in your mind. Before figuring out the right choice, check these few considerations and guidelines to keep in mind.  

Swimming pool base on pool activity. If you need a swimming pool for your health and wellness, an elongated type of in-ground pool is suitable for you. A rectangular or lap pool is perfect if you are swimming for exercise and can facilitate other swimming workouts. A deeper and wider pool is needed if you are into diving to prevent accidents and diving into the pool wall and flooring. Just be cautious about local laws involving installing residential diving board for safety reasons. 

You don’t need a large swimming pool if you normally dip in a while to cool off or just laying around the pool. A bigger size of the pool for extra space if you are planning to spend a lot of time swimming and enjoy moving in the water.

A rounded or freeform pool with aesthetic appeal may give you the luxury vibes you want. Curved corners of freeform pools may look natural and blend into your backyard scenery. Enjoy swim spa with water jets and allow you to swim in place in a smaller pool. Appreciating a great view with indulging ambiance of the water of your in-ground swimming pool. Creating a perfect backyard stay-cation.

Frequent user of the swimming pool. Prepare to have a shallow part of the pool if you have kids ready to splash around on your swimming pool. An average depth of the swimming pool is perfect to enjoy the area if most adults would use the pool. 

From the who will be using the pool to how many is your next factor to consider. A smaller pool will serve a couple getting ready to build a family. The larger the family, the bigger the pool is needed where everyone can fully enjoy the swimming pool experience. The ideal family pool allows accommodating people of different ages. Also, consider the friends who will join in any pool party and events to be catered by your backyard. 

Cost and Time. Two of the main factors to consider in choosing the size of the swimming pool, budget for pool construction and the time to maintain the swimming pool. The budget can decide how the pool size can be. It is also the force that dictates the quality and size of the swimming pool. If you are rooting for your dream luxurious in-ground swimming pool, prepare for a hundred of thousands of investments.

Maintenance is the major task of the swimming pool’s post-construction. The bigger the pool requires more time for maintenance and the need for chemicals in pool cleaning. This is not a big thing if you enjoy cleaning the pool and maintaining the pool water clean.

Pool Composition. There are limitations in pool size in some of the pool materials like fiberglass and other pool kits. Literally, a fiberglass pool is advisable if you want a smaller size of pool with so many benefits it can give to pool owners. If you are digging for a larger pool size, you may consider concrete and vinyl liner pools for a more customizable pool size.

Related Questions

What is the average size of an in-ground swimming pool?

The average in-ground swimming pool size is 14 feet by 28 feet in dimension and 6.5 feet in depth. Now the rise of in-ground swimming pools also raises more pool sizes based on pool shape.  A rectangular in-ground pool range from 10 feet by 20 feet by 40 feet at the larger end of the scale. A lap pool has an average dimension of 8 feet by 45 feet with at least 3 ½ feet depth.

How much space does a pool take up?

As a general rule, the pool and pool surroundings should occupy an area of approximately 25 percent of the total available area of your backyard. For a small to the medium-sized backyard of 150 sq. meters, you may build a 20 to 28 sq. meters small pool with a small pool surrounds.

Can you put a pool in a small backyard?

The small-sized pool is ideal for a small backyard. There are several pool shapes you can consider in constructing your small pool. There are also a lot of reasons to choose to build a smaller pool, not just the lack of having space. Having a small pool doesn’t limit the coolness of your pool. Small pool for small yards can be as aesthetically beautiful and practical as a larger pool, you just need a bit of creativity and some cash. There is a lot of creative pool designs to look for to maximize the limited space available. 

With the development of in-ground swimming pool designs and forms, choosing the pool size can be an easy task. With the help of the above factors and pointers, you may now start to figure out the pool size and design running in your mind. Improve your home and make your backyard an additional luxury investment by turning it into an in-ground swimming pool surrounded by space you and your family surely enjoy. Finally, deciding on the pool shape and size is largely a matter of personal preference.

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