Should You Get a Cocktail Pool for Your Backyard?
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Need a place to cool down in your small backyard? Consider installing a pool—a cocktail pool to be precise. Much smaller than full-size swimming pools, cocktail pools are designed for a leisurely dip on a hot summer day, ideally with a cocktail in hand! Sure, you might not be able to swim laps in a cocktail pool, but if you're in need of a respite from soaring summer temps, they'll definitely do the trick.
Cocktail pools aren't just ideal for small backyards, such as ones in urban spaces. They're also perfectly suited for larger backyards where they'll take up a smaller footprint and allow you to save space for other backyard features such as a garden, she shed, or lawn for outdoor games. To help you envision the potential of your backyard, here's everything you need to know about cocktail pools.
Cocktail Pool Size and Shape
Cocktail pools are small pools that aren't meant for swimming. They're designed for sitting and soaking, akin to a hot tub (but not as hot!). They're typically under 300 square feet in size and shallower than four feet, according to HomeAdvisor. And they can come in all shapes from circles to rectangles to L-shaped to natural forms that look more like watering holes.
Cocktail Pool Cost
Cocktail pools cost an average of $22,650 to install, according to HomeAdvisor, but this varies greatly depending on the specifics of your pool. For instance, above-ground cocktail pools are typically a few thousand dollars less than in-ground ones. Bonus features like a water heater, jets, and lighting can add to the total—and ultra-luxe cocktail pools may cost just as much as a full-sized backyard pool.
Cocktail Pool Pros and Cons
The biggest benefit of cocktail pools is their compact size, making them easy to add to most outdoor spaces. You could even opt for a micro cocktail pool that only fits one! Because they're smaller than regular pools, cocktail pools are typically cheaper (unless you splurge on a number of upgrades) and easier to maintain than regular pools.
However, the cocktail pool's petite size does have a few downsides. Most notably, swimming isn't really an option, and they do have limited capacity, so you won't be able to throw a traditional pool party with one.
Finally, because they're so small and shallow, it's easy for cocktail pools to heat up in the summer sun, reducing that cooling factor. However, a quick fix is covering your cocktail pool with a patio umbrella. Since the pool is so small, it should be easy to cover!
Cocktail Pools vs. Plunge Pools, Spools, and Stock Tank Pools
Cocktail pools aren't too different from other small pools, such as plunge pools, spools (short for "spa pools"), or stock tank pools.
Plunge pools are similar in size to cocktail pools, but they typically lack in-water seating. As their name suggests, these pools are designed for quick plunges rather than sitting and relaxing.
Spools are a cocktail pool variation, incorporating spa elements into the pool design, such as jets.
Stock tank pools are small DIY pools specifically made from stock tanks, though they're definitely in the cocktail pool family.
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