# Small backyard pool on a Seattle craftsman lot

A compact rectangle with a wood deck, hydrangeas and a firepit, tucked behind a bungalow on a city lot. Drawn for a 1920s craftsman bungalow with tapered porch columns, shingle siding, a low gable roof and a brick chimney, with a small city lot with Douglas fir and a Japanese maple, ferns, hydrangeas and a tall cedar fence.

A design idea for Seattle, WA. Pacific Northwest, small infill lot, Craftsman. Updated 2026-10-04.

## The numbers

- Size: 24 × 12 ft (3.5 to 5 ft deep)
- Water surface: 290 sq ft
- Water: about 9,200 gal
- Coping: 72 linear ft
- Deck: 960 sq ft

## The design, spelled out

The floor is 3.5 ft deep at the steps and stays level for about 7 ft, slopes over about 8 ft, then runs level at 5 ft for the last 9 ft.

### Shape: Rectangle

A rectangle with square corners. It is the simplest to build, covers neatly and fits a modern or formal house.

### Size: 24 × 12 ft

A pool about 12 ft wide and 24 ft long. Big enough for a few people to cool off and play, small enough for a tight lot. That is about 290 sq ft of water and about 9,200 gallons.

### Steps: Corner steps

Steps tucked into a corner. Keeps the water free for swimming and saves space in a small pool. The steps lead into water 3.5 ft deep.

### Pool finish: Pebble

An exposed pebble aggregate finish, in the Pebble Tec style. Durable and textured, which hides small marks, but rougher on bare feet. Cool, wet weather means more leaves and less sun, so a darker finish helps warm the water.

### Finish color: Light grey finish, soft turquoise water

A light grey interior. Gives soft turquoise water that suits most houses.

### Waterline tile: Grey stone

Grey stone-look porcelain at the waterline. A quiet, natural band that goes with concrete and wood. It runs about 72 linear ft around this pool.

### Coping: Concrete

Smooth, cantilevered poured concrete. A clean, modern edge that sits flush with a concrete or paver deck. It runs about 72 linear ft around this pool.

### Deck: Wood-look deck

Warm brown composite wood-look boards. Soft on bare feet and warm to look at. Darker boards can run hot in full sun, so check the color. The deck is about 960 sq ft here. A textured surface and good drainage keep this deck safe through a wet week.

### Planting: Keep what's there

The planting already in the yard. Keeps mature trees and shade in place and saves disruption. Keep needles and leaves away from the skimmer by planting away from the water's edge.

### Add to the yard: Fire pit

Fire pit: A round fire pit with seating. Extends the evening. Local burn rules and clearance from the house and plants apply.

### Furniture: Loungers

Loungers: A pair of chaise loungers. The first thing people want on a pool deck.

## Why it suits this house

The yard: a small city lot with Douglas fir and a Japanese maple, ferns, hydrangeas and a tall cedar fence. A small infill lot asks for a compact pool and a deck that does double duty. Neighbors are close, setbacks bite into the usable area and the house often fills the lot. A narrow rectangle with a corner step and a shared deck for dining and lounging uses the space best.

The house is a 1920s craftsman bungalow with tapered porch columns, shingle siding, a low gable roof and a brick chimney. A Craftsman house wants natural materials, warm wood and a pool that tucks into the yard. Wood-look decking, stone coping and planting that reaches the water soften a compact pool so it looks as if it belongs with the porch and beams.

## Will it fit your yard?

Plan on a clear area of about 42 by 30 ft for the pool, 4 ft of deck around the water and 5 ft to the fence line. The deck as drawn here is about 43 by 31 ft.

## Pacific Northwest: what the climate asks of this pool

In the Pacific Northwest, a pool is for the dry months and the warm tub in the wet ones, so heat and a cover are the design.

- Rain and cool nights mean a heater, a solar cover or a heat pump is part of the plan, not an upgrade for later.
- Shade from tall evergreens is a trade-off: it keeps the deck cool and fills the pool with needles, so keep the water away from the drip line when you can.
- Wet weather is hard on slick surfaces. A textured deck and a covered area for the hot tub or seating extend the season.
- Small city lots are common, so a compact pool with a narrow deck and a fire feature can fit better than a classic rectangle.

## What this will cost

No price is printed for this design. Ask a local builder for a quote. What moves the price:

- Size. This pool has about 290 sq ft of water surface and about 9,200 gallons. More surface means more excavation, steel, finish and equipment.
- Deck. About 960 sq ft of paving is a large line item on its own. Ask for the deck priced separately so you can compare materials.
- The yard additions (fire pit), which are often permitted and priced separately.

## Questions to ask a builder

- What heating and cover system do you recommend here, and how will water drain off the deck in a wet week?
- What clearance does the fire pit need from the house and the plants, and does the town allow it?
- How hot does this composite get in the sun, and what is the warranty on the color?
- What is in the quote and what is left out, such as the deck, fence, electrical, permits and landscaping?
- Who pulls the permit, and how long does approval usually take in this town?
- What does the first year of ownership look like for chemicals, cleaning and the cover?

Start with this design in the free visualizer: https://rendersplash.com/pool-visualizer?idea=small-backyard-pool-seattle-craftsman