Best Pool Designs for Small Backyards in Ontario

One of the first things homeowners with smaller lots say to us is, "I don't think we have enough room for a pool." More often than not, they do. It just requires more careful planning than a pool on a large rural property.

Many of the pools we install in London go into backyards that people assumed were too small. The reality is that fiberglass pool manufacturers make models specifically designed for compact spaces, and a well-planned layout can make a 35-foot wide lot feel surprisingly open.

This article covers what you need to know about putting a pool in a smaller backyard in Ontario, from setback rules to pool models to patio strategies.

What counts as a "small" backyard?

There is no official definition, but for pool planning purposes, we consider a backyard "small" when the usable space (after setbacks) is roughly 25 feet wide or less and 35 feet deep or less.

In practical terms, that means the pool, patio, equipment pad, and any remaining green space all need to fit within an area about the size of a two-car garage, give or take.

A "medium" backyard gives you 30 to 40 feet of usable width and 40 to 50 feet of depth. That opens up more pool sizes and patio options. A "large" backyard, the kind you typically see on rural or estate properties, has 50 feet or more in both directions. At that point, almost any pool model will fit.

Most newer subdivisions in London, Komoka, and surrounding areas fall into the small-to-medium range. Older neighbourhoods like Byron, Old South, and Lambeth tend to have larger lots, but even those can feel tight once you factor in setbacks, existing landscaping, and outbuildings like sheds or detached garages.

How big are typical lots in London, Ontario?

Lot sizes in London vary quite a bit depending on the neighbourhood and when it was built.

Neighbourhood Type	Typical Lot Width	Typical Lot Depth
Newer subdivisions (post-2000)	35 – 45 ft	100 – 120 ft
Mid-century neighbourhoods	45 – 60 ft	120 – 140 ft
Older established areas	50 – 70 ft	130 – 170 ft
Rural / estate lots	80 ft +	150 ft +

The 35 to 50-foot wide lot is by far the most common type we see for pool projects in the London area. The lot depth is usually generous enough that the backyard length is not the constraint. It is the width that presents the challenge.

A house on a 40-foot wide lot might have 8 to 10 feet of yard on each side of the house. Once you subtract the setbacks, the usable width for a pool is around 25 to 30 feet. That is enough for a pool and a modest patio, but not a lot of room for error in the layout.

What are the setback requirements in London?

Setbacks are the minimum distances a pool must be from property lines, buildings, and other structures. The City of London has specific requirements that affect how much of your backyard is actually available for a pool project.

General setback guidelines for swimming pools in London, Ontario:

• Side property line: 1.5 metres (approximately 5 feet) minimum from the pool wall to the property line
• Rear property line: 1.5 metres (approximately 5 feet) minimum
• House or other buildings: Varies, but typically 1.5 to 3 metres depending on the situation
• Equipment pad: 1.2 metres (approximately 4 feet) from the property line, and many municipalities have noise-related requirements that push equipment further from neighbours
• Fencing: A fence at least 1.2 metres (4 feet) high is required around the pool area, with a self-closing, self-latching gate

These are general guidelines. Your specific property may have different requirements depending on your zoning designation, easements, or proximity to utilities. Always confirm with the City of London building department before finalizing your pool plan. The communities we serve in Komoka, Strathroy, Dorchester, and St. Thomas each have their own bylaw requirements as well.

A good pool installer will handle the permit process and know the specific rules for your municipality. But it helps to understand the basics so you can start thinking about what might fit before you even call for a quote.

How much usable space do you actually have?

Here is how to do a rough calculation of your usable pool area:

1. Measure the total width of your backyard (fence to fence, or property line to property line)
2. Subtract the setback from each side (typically 5 feet per side = 10 feet total)
3. Subtract space for the equipment pad (usually 4 to 6 feet on one side)
4. The remaining width is available for pool + patio

For example, on a 40-foot wide lot:

• Total width: 40 feet
• Side setbacks: 5 + 5 = 10 feet
• Equipment pad: 5 feet
• Usable width: 25 feet

With 25 feet of usable width, you could fit a 10 or 12-foot wide pool with 6 to 8 feet of patio on one side and a narrow walkway on the other. That is a workable layout, but it requires thoughtful planning.

On a 50-foot wide lot, the same calculation gives you 35 feet of usable width. That opens up options for wider pools (up to 14 or 15 feet) with generous patio space on both sides.

What pool sizes work best for small yards?

For small backyards, the most popular fiberglass pool sizes are:

Pool Size	Water Area	Best For
10 x 20 ft	~200 sq ft	Very tight lots, couples, small families
10 x 24 ft	~240 sq ft	Narrow lots with decent depth
12 x 24 ft	~288 sq ft	Most popular small-medium pool, family-friendly
12 x 28 ft	~336 sq ft	Narrow but long yards, room for lap swimming

The 12 x 24 is the sweet spot for most small backyards in London. It is large enough for a family to swim and play, but compact enough to leave room for patio and green space on a 40 to 45-foot wide lot.

A 10 x 20 pool is genuinely small. It is more of a dipping and lounging pool than a swimming pool. But for homeowners who want to cool off, sit on a tanning ledge, and enjoy the backyard without taking up the whole yard, it works very well. Do not underestimate how much enjoyment you can get from a smaller pool.

If your lot is narrow but deep (common in many London subdivisions), consider a narrower pool with more length, like a 10 x 24 or 12 x 28. This gives you a longer swimming lane while keeping the width manageable.

What pool shapes work best on tight lots?

On a small lot, every square foot matters. The pool shape you choose affects how efficiently you use the available space.

Rectangular

Rectangles are the most space-efficient shape for small lots. The straight edges sit cleanly along property lines and fences, with no wasted curved areas. A rectangular pool also pairs well with a simple rectangular patio, creating clean sight lines that make the space feel larger.

For narrow lots, a rectangle is almost always the best choice. The corners are usable swimming space, and the layout is predictable, which makes planning the patio and fencing straightforward.

Geometric with radius corners

A rectangle with softened (radius) corners gives you the space efficiency of a rectangle with a slightly softer look. The rounded corners are subtle but make the pool feel less rigid. This shape takes up essentially the same footprint as a true rectangle.

Freeform

Freeform (curved, organic) shapes can work on small lots, but they tend to waste some space. The curves create irregular gaps between the pool edge and the fence or patio that are too narrow to use but too wide to ignore. On a large lot, this does not matter. On a small lot, you feel it.

If you prefer the look of a freeform pool, make sure your installer does a detailed layout drawing showing exactly how much patio and green space you will have around the curves. You may be surprised at how much usable area the curves consume.

For a deeper look at all pool shapes, see our pool shapes guide.

Which fiberglass models fit small backyards?

Most fiberglass manufacturers offer at least a few models designed specifically for smaller spaces. Here are some size categories to look for when browsing pool models:

Category	Typical Dimensions	Features
Cocktail / plunge pools	8 x 15 to 10 x 18 ft	Built-in seating, shallow depth, social focus
Compact pools	10 x 20 to 12 x 24 ft	Tanning ledge option, full depth end, fits most subdivision lots
Narrow pools	10 x 28 to 12 x 30 ft	Longer for swimming, narrow width for tight side yards

When evaluating models, pay attention to the overall dimensions including the coping overhang. A pool listed as 12 feet wide will need about 13 to 14 feet of excavation width, plus patio on at least one side. The model dimensions on a manufacturer's website are the water dimensions, not the total footprint.

Your installer should be able to recommend specific models from their manufacturer that fit your lot. The best approach is to have them visit your property, take measurements, and show you which models will work before you get attached to one that does not fit.

How do you plan a patio on a small lot?

The patio is just as important as the pool on a small lot. A poorly planned patio can make the whole backyard feel cramped, even if the pool itself is the right size.

Prioritize one main gathering area

On a large lot, you can have patio all around the pool. On a small lot, focus your patio budget on one main area, usually on the side of the pool closest to the house. Make that area wide enough for a table, chairs, and room to move. A 10 to 12-foot wide patio along one long side of the pool is usually enough.

On the other sides of the pool, a narrow 3 to 4-foot walkway is sufficient for walking and pool maintenance access. You do not need a full patio on every side.

Consider an L-shaped patio

An L-shaped patio wraps around one corner of the pool, giving you a wider area for furniture at one end and a narrow walkway along the sides. This concentrates the usable space where you will actually sit and puts the minimum needed everywhere else.

Think about sight lines from the house

On a small lot, you will see the pool from inside the house most of the year. Position the pool and patio so the view from your main living space (kitchen, family room, back door) looks out over the patio and pool together. This visual connection makes both the indoor and outdoor spaces feel larger.

Where to put equipment

The equipment pad (pump, filter, heater) takes up roughly 4 x 6 feet and needs to be accessible for maintenance. On a small lot, the most common placement is alongside the house or in a back corner of the yard. Keep it as far from neighbours as reasonably possible, since the pump does produce some noise.

How do you maximize the feeling of space?

A small pool area can feel spacious or cramped depending on how it is designed. Here are the strategies that work:

• Keep the patio surface continuous. One large patio area feels bigger than several small disconnected areas. Avoid breaking up the patio with random planting beds or level changes.
• Use a simple colour palette. A single patio material and a single pool colour create a calm, uncluttered look. Multiple materials and colours make a small space feel busy.
• Use low landscaping. Tall privacy hedges eat into usable space. If you want greenery, use low plantings, ornamental grasses, or vertical planters that do not encroach on the patio or pool area.
• Choose a lighter pool colour. Lighter pool finishes (sandy bottom, Caribbean blue) make the water look more open and reflect more light. Darker finishes (midnight blue, graphite) look dramatic but can make a small pool feel smaller.
• Consider a tanning ledge. A tanning ledge in a small pool gives you a shallow relaxation area without needing separate patio furniture. It serves double duty as both a pool feature and a lounging area.
• Skip the diving board. Deep ends with diving boards take up a large portion of the pool's footprint. A pool with a consistent 4 to 5.5-foot depth gives you more usable swimming area in the same overall dimensions.

Can a backyard be too small for a pool?

Yes. There is a point where the lot is too narrow or the backyard is too shallow to make a pool project practical.

As a general rule, if your usable width (after setbacks) is less than about 18 feet, it becomes very difficult to fit a pool and any meaningful patio space. You could technically install a very narrow pool, but the result may not feel like a space you want to spend time in.

Similarly, if the distance from the back of the house to the rear fence (minus setbacks) is less than about 25 feet, you are working with a very tight layout.

That said, we have seen creative solutions work in spaces that seemed impossible on paper. The only way to know for sure is to have an experienced installer visit the property and take proper measurements. What looks impossible from the kitchen window sometimes turns out to be quite workable once someone lays it out properly.

If your lot truly cannot accommodate an in-ground pool, above-ground pools and swim spas are alternatives worth considering. They are outside our scope (we install fiberglass in-ground pools), but they are legitimate options for very tight spaces.

Does a smaller pool cost less?

Yes, but not as much less as you might expect.

A smaller pool means a less expensive shell, less excavation, and less backfill. But many of the project costs are relatively fixed regardless of pool size. You still need a pump, filter, and heater. You still need electrical and plumbing. You still need a permit and fencing. The equipment package for a 10 x 20 pool is nearly the same as for a 14 x 30 pool.

Pool Size	Typical Total Project (CAD)
Small (10 x 20 or smaller)	$65,000 – $100,000
Medium (12 x 24 to 14 x 30)	$80,000 – $120,000
Large (16 x 32 and up)	$95,000 – $135,000

The difference between a small and large pool project is typically $20,000 to $35,000. That is meaningful, but the small pool is not half the price of the large one. The per-square-foot cost of a smaller pool is actually higher.

For a full breakdown of pool costs, see our fiberglass pool cost guide.

Frequently Asked Questions