The Small Pool Guide

Most people assume a small yard means no pool. That assumption is wrong. Modpools are compact shipping container pools engineered specifically for spaces where traditional pools won't fit, starting at just 96 square feet of water surface.

Smallest small pool for small yard - 12x8 Modpool plunge pool installed partially inground
📏 12'x8' — Our Smallest
Smallest Size Available

What is the Smallest Pool You Can Get for a Small Yard?

Quick Answer

The smallest pool you can get from Modpools is the 12'x8' model, also known as a plunge pool. At just 96 sq ft, it fits in backyards where no traditional pool ever could.

Despite its modest footprint, this small pool delivers a full experience. The 4-foot depth is ideal for cooling down, hydrotherapy, and relaxation. It can be installed inground, above ground, on a deck, or even on a rooftop, making it the most versatile small pool option on the market.

12'x8'Dimensions
4'Water Depth
96 sq ftSurface Area
1 DayInstall Time
20x8 small backyard pool made from a shipping container installed partially inground
Most Popular Size
Recommended Size

What is a Good Size for a Small Backyard Pool?

Quick Answer

The 20'x8' is the most popular small pool for small yards. It offers a comfortable 4'6" to 4'8" depth with enough room for families, swim jets, and year-round use.

For most homeowners with a small yard, the 20'x8' hits the sweet spot. It's long enough for swim jets to actually be effective, deep enough for adults to swim comfortably, and still fits in yards where a conventional pool would be impossible. The 16'x8' is also a strong choice for slightly tighter spaces, offering the same 4-foot depth in a shorter footprint.

20'x8'Most Popular
4'6"–4'8"Depth
16'x8'Runner Up
4'16' Depth
Small backyard pool surrounded by wooden deck at sunset showing value of small pools
💰 Adds Home Value
Value of Small Pools

Is a Small Pool Worth It for a Small Yard?

Quick Answer

Yes. A small pool in a small yard adds significant property value, provides year-round enjoyment, and for rental properties can generate $100-200 per night in additional revenue.

A compact pool from Modpools does everything a large pool does, in a fraction of the space. It enhances your outdoor living area, adds resale value to your home, and in warmer climates becomes the most-used feature of the property. For Airbnb or short-term rental owners, a small pool is one of the highest-ROI upgrades available, with many owners recouping their investment within 12 to 18 months. Modpools can also be customized to function as both a pool and a hot tub, ensuring value in every season.

Small backyard with a compact Modpool pool making the most of limited outdoor space
📐 Starts at 8'x12'
Space Requirements

How Much Space Do You Need for a Small Pool in a Small Yard?

Quick Answer

You need as little as 12 feet by 8 feet of usable outdoor space for a Modpool. Unlike traditional pools, no excavation equipment or months of construction is required.

Space constraints are rarely an issue with Modpools. The compact rectangular form fits into corners, along fence lines, flush with existing decking, or even into hillsides. Because they arrive fully assembled and are installed in a single day with a crane, there's no lengthy construction period eating into your yard. You just need enough room for the pool itself plus safe access around it.

12'x8'Min. Footprint
1 DayNo Long Build
AnyOrientation
Compare Sizes

Small Pool Sizes: Which One Fits Your Yard?

All three of these models are designed specifically for small backyards. No traditional pool comes close to this footprint.

Plunge Pool
12' x 8' — Smallest Available
  • Tightest small yard footprint
  • Patios, rooftops and decks
  • Relaxation and hydrotherapy
Depth: 4 feet
Swim Spa
16' x 8' — Best for Tight Yards
  • Swim jet compatible
  • Smaller backyards
  • Cold plunge or heated
Depth: 4 feet

Not sure which size fits your yard? The builder shows you exactly how each model looks.

Compare Sizes in the Builder →
Built for Small Yards

Why Modpools Are the Best Small Pool for Small Backyards

Traditional pools require large excavations, months of construction, and a yard big enough to fit the equipment room. Modpools were designed from the ground up to solve every one of those problems.

📦
No equipment house required

All mechanical equipment is built into the pool itself, saving critical yard space that traditional pools waste on a separate shed.

🏗️
Installed in one day

No months of excavation tearing up your yard. A Modpool arrives fully built and is craned into place in a single day.

📐
Fits any orientation

Inground, above ground, on a deck, along a fence line, or into a slope. Small yard layouts that rule out every other pool work perfectly for a Modpool.

🌡️
Year-round use

Heated to any temperature, a small Modpool works as a hot tub in winter and a swimming pool in summer, maximizing value in any climate.

Compact small pool for small yard installed in a residential backyard by Modpools
96 sq ft Minimum pool footprint
Common Questions

Small Pool FAQ

Yes. Modpools are built for exactly this situation. The compact rectangular form fits along fence lines, into corners, flush with decking, or even on rooftops.
A shipping container pool like a Modpool is the most practical small pool for a small yard. All equipment is built in, there is no separate equipment house eating up yard space, and installation takes one day. Compared to traditional fiberglass or concrete small pools, a Modpool installs faster, requires less yard disruption, and offers more versatile placement options.
Modpools offers a 12'x8' model as the smallest inground pool option. However, Modpools are not limited to inground installation. The same pool can be installed above ground, partially inground, on a patio, on a rooftop, or into a slope, giving you far more flexibility than a traditional inground pool.
Yes. A well-installed pool consistently adds value to residential properties, particularly in warmer climates and in markets where outdoor living space is valued. For rental property owners, a Modpool can add $100 to $200 per night in additional revenue, with many owners reporting full return on investment within 12 to 18 months.
A Modpool is typically installed in a single day. The pool arrives fully assembled from the factory and is placed by crane. Your local contractor handles offloading, leveling, and hookup. Compare this to traditional small pools which can take 4 to 12 weeks of construction and excavation.
Yes. Modpools are fully heated and can be set to hot tub temperatures in winter. The spa section at one end of the pool maintains a higher heat than the main pool, giving you a true dual-use pool and hot tub in a single compact footprint, year-round.
Find Your Size

See which small pool fits your yard.

Use our online builder to pick your size, see pricing, and get an instant estimate in under 2 minutes.

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