Small Inground Pools built by Modern Pools in Austin, Texas

Small Pool & Spool Design in Austin

A small inground pool fits the tight lots and courtyards all over Austin. We design compact pools and spools that feel custom, not cramped.

Start Your Design View Our Designs

Why Hire Modern Pools for Your Small Inground Pool

We have built custom pools in Austin since 1999. A small pool is not a smaller job. It still needs smart design to make every foot count. Our in house team handles the pool design and the pool construction under one roof. You see the full plan in 3D before we dig, and your price is fixed from the start.

Tight lots are our home turf. We build small backyard pools and spools on narrow side yards, courtyards, and steep slopes in West Lake Hills and Barton Creek. Our in house engineer designs for limestone and grade, and we can add water features and an outdoor living space so a small yard still feels like a full retreat.

Is a Small Inground Pool Right for Your Lot?

A small inground pool is a great fit when you have a tight yard but still want to swim, cool off, and entertain. Many owners pick a spool, which is a small pool and spa in one shell. With swim jets you can swim in place, and a tanning ledge gives you a spot to relax. It costs less than a full size pool and uses less water, energy, and upkeep.

If you want something even smaller and built mainly to soak and cold plunge, a plunge pool may be the better call. We will look at your lot and your budget and tell you the honest truth about which size fits. Ready for a small inground pool? Call (512) 608-6602 or start your design today.

Reviews

What our Austin pool clients say

25+

Years of five star builds in Austin

“We value their expertise and always feel that our clients are in good hands with them.”

“From design to finished product, Modern Pools was on schedule and on budget with quality and creativity.”

“Great job, on time, reliable, fabulous eye for detail and always answered my calls. I wouldn't use anyone else!”

Featured Projects

Small pools we've built in Austin.

View Full Portfolio

Compact custom pool in a contained Austin backyard

Tarrytown, Austin

Small inground pool beside a modern Austin home

Ridgeview, Austin

Small pool and outdoor living space lit at dusk near Austin

Lakemoore, Lake Travis

Plunge pool beside a glass home among pines and granite boulders; a tram climbs a rocky hillside

Modern two-story home with wood, stucco and steel siding and walls of glass above a stepped patio and green lawn

Geometric pool and steps along a stone path beside a black modern home with a covered dining patio

Concrete infinity pool and raised spa overlooking green treetops and Hill Country in Rollingwood

Infinity pool and round stone-clad spa overlooking the Hill Country, with mosaic tile, ipe deck and an oak overhead

Corner of a white stucco and dark brick modern home with a turquoise plunge pool and tall reeds in the yard

Long geometric lap pool reflecting a covered loggia with stone columns, glowing stone home at dusk

Dark geometric pool with a low spillway and wood deck reflecting bare winter trees in the backyard

Red Adirondack chairs on a grassy bluff above a calm lake, framed by pines and distant mountains

Modern dining room with a live-edge wood table, chrome globe pendants, and floor-to-ceiling glass facing the pool

At a Glance

Small pools, at a glance.

Here is what to expect from a custom small inground pool or spool in Austin.

Compact custom small inground pool in an Austin backyard built by Modern Pools

Capacity & Depth

Fits about 2 to 8 people. Depth runs about 3.5 to 5 ft, deep enough to swim, soak, and play.

Footprint

Small and flexible, often about 10x20 to 12x24 ft. Fits tight yards, courtyards, and side lots.

Lead Time

3 to 6+ weeks for design, permits, and scheduling.

Build Duration

6 to 12 weeks of construction, on a fixed schedule.

Design Options

What goes into a small pool.

We pack real custom features into a compact pool that fits your lot.

Structure

Compact gunite shell

We build small pools in gunite, a strong sprayed concrete. It shapes to any footprint and fits tight or sloped Austin lots.

Combo

Spool pool and spa

A spool puts a small pool and a spa in one shell. You get warm jets on one side and cool water on the other, all in a small space.

Swim

Swim jets in place

Add swim jets and you can swim against a steady current. It turns a small pool into a real workout without the length.

Comfort

Tanning or Baja ledge

A shallow tanning ledge gives you a spot to sit, cool off, and place a lounge chair, even in a compact build.

Engineering

Tight lot and slope work

Our in house engineer designs for narrow access, limestone, and steep Hill Country grade. Your small pool is built to last.

Finish

Finish and tile

Pick your interior finish, waterline tile, and coping. We match the look of your home so the pool feels custom.

Ready to build yours?

Get a Free Online Consultation

Small Inground Pool FAQs

Austin small inground pool questions, answered

Straight answers on cost, design, permits, and building a small inground pool on tough Austin Hill Country lots.

How much does a small inground pool cost in Austin?

Most small inground pools and spools in Austin start in the lower range of pool prices because they use less space and material. Your cost depends on the size, finish, and add ons like swim jets or a spa. We give you a fixed price up front so you know the full cost before we dig.

What is a spool?

A spool is a small pool and a spa built into one shell. It is large enough to cool off and swim with jets, and it has a warm spa section to relax. Spools are popular in Austin for tight yards that still want both.

How small can an inground pool be?

We build small inground pools as compact as about 10 by 20 feet, and spools even smaller. The right size depends on your yard, your budget, and how you want to use it. We design every foot to feel open, not cramped.

Will a small pool fit my small Austin backyard?

In most cases, yes. A small backyard pool or spool fits narrow side yards, courtyards, and tight lots where a full pool will not. Our in house engineer also designs for steep Hill Country slopes and rock.

Can I add a spa or swim jets to a small pool?

Yes. A spool adds a spa to your small pool in the same shell. Swim jets let you swim in place against a current. Together they give a small pool the feel of a much larger one.

Are small inground pools cheaper to maintain?

Yes. A small pool holds less water, so it uses fewer chemicals and less energy than a full size pool. Day to day care means checking the water, running the pump, and a quick clean now and then.

Do you handle permits for a small pool in Austin?

Yes. We pull the permits and schedule the inspections for your small inground pool. Our team manages the city and county paperwork so you do not have to deal with it.

More Pool Types

Explore other ways to build.

Landscapes built by Modern Pools in Austin, Texas

Start Your Design

Ready to build a small inground pool?

Tell us about your lot and your vision. We will show you what is possible, in 3D, before you commit a dollar.

Start Your Design Call (512) 608-6602