A small pool, plunge pool or spool gives you a place to cool off, soak and gather without giving up your whole yard. In Tucson, they are a smart fit for the smaller lots in newer subdivisions in places like Marana, Vail and Sahuarita. With good design, heating and a few built-in features, a compact pool can be used more days of the year than a big one.
Not every backyard has room for a 40-foot pool, and not every family wants one. Here is how to think about small pool options in Southern Arizona, from what each type is to how we design them for tight spaces.
What counts as a small pool, plunge pool or spool?
These terms overlap, and builders use them a little differently. Here is how we think about them.
| Type | What it is | Best for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small pool | A scaled-down version of a regular pool, often with a shallow end and a slightly deeper area | Families who still want room to splash and play | Needs more room than a plunge pool; can include a small tanning ledge |
| Plunge pool | A compact pool, often square or rectangular, mostly at standing depth | Cooling off, soaking, floating, water exercise | Not for laps; great with built-in benches |
| Spool (spa + pool) | A small pool built with spa jets and a heater so it can run warm or cool | Year-round use in a small space | Heater and jets add cost, but less water to heat |
| Lap-style pool | Long and narrow | Exercise swimmers with a side yard or long, skinny lot | Width is tight, so steps and ledges need careful planning |
You might also hear “cocktail pool,” which is another name for a small, shallow pool built mainly for lounging.
Why small pools fit newer Tucson, Marana and Vail lots
Many newer subdivisions around Tucson are built on smaller lots. A typical backyard might be short from the house to the back wall, with a patio cover taking up some of that space. Once you account for setbacks from walls and the house, room for pool equipment, and a walkway, the area left for water can be tight.
That is where a compact pool shines.
- It leaves room for living. You keep space for a patio, grill area, turf or desert landscaping.
- It is easier to shade. A small pool next to a patio cover or ramada can get afternoon shade, which matters in a Tucson summer.
- It uses less water and chemicals. Less water means less to treat, and less surface area for evaporation.
- It heats faster. A smaller body of water is much easier to keep warm in winter.
We build in many of these communities. If you live in Marana or Gladden Farms, see our Marana pool ideas post. We also have pages for Vail and Sahuarita.
Design tricks that make a small pool feel bigger
A small pool can feel cramped or it can feel like a private resort. The difference is in the details.
Use a raised wall
A raised wall along one side of the pool adds height, gives you a place to put tile or stone, and draws the eye. It also creates a spot for water features. A raised wall can even help screen a neighbor’s window.
Add a sheer descent or scuppers
Moving water adds sound and makes a small space feel lively. A sheer descent creates a smooth sheet of water off a raised wall. Scuppers are spouts that pour water into the pool. Both work well in tight yards. Our pool water features guide explains each option.
Build in benches and ledges
In a plunge pool, built-in seating is the main event. A bench along one or two walls gives everyone a place to sit. A small ledge or step-in shelf lets kids play and adults lounge.
Choose a darker or deeper-toned finish
Darker interior finishes can make water look deeper and more reflective. We use StoneScapes Mini Pebble finishes, which come in a range of colors. Compare options in pebble vs plaster vs quartz.
Light it well
LED pool lights make a small pool the focus of the yard at night. With a Pentair automation system, you can control lights, pump and heat from your phone.
Plan heating for year-round use
A spool or small pool with a heater becomes a backyard hot tub on cool winter nights and a cool dip in summer. For heater types, see our guide to pool heating in Tucson.
Setbacks, HOAs and pool barrier rules
Small does not mean exempt. Before you fall in love with a layout, think about these.
- Setbacks. Cities and towns set how close a pool can be to property lines, walls and the house. On a small lot, setbacks can decide the pool’s size and shape.
- Easements and utilities. Buried lines and easements can limit where you dig. We check these during our site visit.
- HOA approval. Many Tucson-area subdivisions have an HOA with architectural review. Look up your HOA’s architectural guidelines early and plan for approval before permits.
- Pool barriers. Arizona has pool barrier rules, and local rules can add to them. A small pool usually needs a compliant barrier just like a big one. Read our Arizona pool barrier and fence rules guide.
- Permits. In-ground pools and spas need permits. We handle permits and inspections for our builds. Learn more in our Tucson pool permits guide.
What drives the cost of a small pool?
People are often surprised that a pool half the size does not cost half as much. Here is why.
Costs that stay about the same
- Permits and inspections
- Pool equipment (pump, filter, automation)
- Safety barrier work
- Getting equipment into the yard and hauling dirt away
- Design, layout and project management
Costs that grow with size and features
- Excavation and steel
- Concrete shell and interior finish
- Tile and coping (measured along the edge)
- Decking around the pool
- Water features, fire bowls and lighting
- Heater and spa jets for a spool
Things that can raise the cost of any size pool
- Tight side-yard access
- Hard caliche (see building a pool in caliche)
- Raised walls, stone veneer and premium tile
- Long runs for gas or electrical lines
For more on budgeting, read how much it costs to build a pool in Tucson. If you are thinking about financing, we work with Lyon Financial and Credit Union West. See our financing page.
Is a small pool right for you?
A compact pool is often a great fit if:
- You mostly want to cool off, soak and relax, not swim laps
- You want to keep space for a patio, turf or plants
- You want to use the water in winter, too
- You want lower water, chemical and heating needs
A larger pool may make more sense if you have several kids who love to play games in the water, you host big groups often, or someone in the house swims for exercise.
Not sure? That is what our 3D design and VR walkthrough are for. We measure your yard, design a few layouts in 3D, and let you “stand” in the space in VR. It is much easier to decide between an 8-by-14 plunge pool and a slightly larger pool when you can see both in your own yard. Learn more about 3D and VR pool design and what custom pool design really means.
How we build small pools at Meraki Pools AZ
Small yards often mean tight access and close quarters, so how a pool gets built matters as much as the design. We are family-owned and hands-on, and we own our own excavation and heavy equipment. Our in-house crews handle excavation, steel, masonry, tile and decking. We are licensed under AZ ROC #342505 and #352797.
Our in-house crews also help keep projects moving. One of our clients, Elaine E., wrote in her Google review that “from groundbreaking, we were swimming in under two months!!” Every project is different, so see how long it takes to build a pool in Tucson for what affects timing.
Ready to build one? See how we design and build plunge and cocktail pools in Tucson.
Let’s design a pool that fits your yard
If you have a small yard and big plans, we would love to help. Contact us or call (520) 342-8335 to set up a site visit and 3D design. You can also browse ideas in our pool gallery.
Put this guide to work
Planning your own project? See our Plunge & Cocktail Pools in Tucson, or read about building a pool in Marana or Gladden Farms.
Frequently asked questions
What is a spool?
A spool is a cross between a spa and a pool. It is larger than a hot tub but smaller than a typical pool, and it is usually built with a heater and jets so you can use it warm in winter and cool in summer. It is a good fit for small yards and people who mostly want to soak, not swim laps.
How small can an in-ground pool be?
There is no single minimum size. The real limits are your lot, the required setbacks from property lines and structures, room for the pool equipment, and access for digging. During a site visit we measure all of this and show you what will fit before you commit.
Is a small pool much cheaper than a regular pool?
A small pool usually costs less, but not in direct proportion to its size. Many costs stay the same no matter the size, like permits, equipment, the safety barrier and getting machinery into the yard. Features, finishes and heating also add cost, so a small pool with a lot of upgrades can cost as much as a simple larger one.
Can you swim in a plunge pool?
Plunge pools are made for cooling off, soaking and relaxing, not for laps. You can float, wade and do some water exercise. If swimming laps matters to you, a long, narrow lap-style pool may fit your yard better than a square plunge pool.
Do small pools need a fence in Arizona?
In most cases, yes. Pool barrier rules generally apply to any pool deep enough to be a drowning risk, no matter how small it is. Your city or town and your HOA may also have their own rules, so check before you design.
Can I heat a small pool all year in Tucson?
Yes, and this is one of the biggest advantages of going small. Less water heats faster and costs less to keep warm. Many spools are designed to be used like a spa in winter and a cool dip in summer.
