Backyard Hangout

Hangout idea

Custom Pools

Water that gathers people, not just laps.

A hangout pool is a social room with water in the middle. The best ones have a shallow shelf for chairs, a place to sit in the water with a drink, and an edge that faces the kitchen or fire pit — so the conversation never has to shout across the yard.

Design your hangoutAll ideas

Zone breakdown

  1. 01

    Plunge and spa

    A compact vessel (often 8–14 feet) for cooling off and evening soaks. Fits tight yards and pairs well with a patio.

  2. 02

    Family pool with a shelf

    The workhorse: 12–20 feet on the short side, a tanning ledge, and a bench. Kids can play without taking over the deep end.

  3. 03

    Resort edge

    Vanishing edge, spa spillover, or a raised spa that becomes the yard's lantern at night. More architecture than swimming.

What it costs

2026 U.S. residential ballparks, not bids. Site work, permits, and finishes can move a project a full tier.

Entry

$65k–$120k

Smaller fiberglass or vinyl, basic equipment, simple concrete deck. No waterfeatures.

Mid

$120k–$250k

Concrete or larger fiberglass, tanning ledge, upgraded plaster, decent lighting and automation.

Premium

$250k–$600k+

Custom shape, spa, vanishing or raised edge, quality stone decking, landscape lighting as part of the composition.

Design tips

  • Tip 1

    Orient the long edge toward the house and the kitchen. If you cannot see the water from the sink, you will use it less.

  • Tip 2

    A 6–8 inch sun shelf with two loungers does more for 'hangout' than another four feet of deep water.

  • Tip 3

    Budget the fence, cover, and equipment pad on day one. They are not extras; they are how the pool gets used.

  • Tip 4

    If winters are real, a smaller heated pool beats a large unheated one that sits idle from October to May.

Related hangouts