Share this story, choose your platform!
Big ideas for smaller spaces
Not every garden has room for a long swimming pool. And not every family wants one. Plenty of people simply want a place to cool off on hot days, soak with a glass of something cold, or enjoy a bracing dip in the morning.
That’s where the cube pool comes in. It’s a compact pool with a square or near square footprint, usually deeper than it is wide. Think of it as a generous soaking pool rather than somewhere to swim lengths. Its neat, geometric shape suits modern gardens, courtyards and roof terraces.
In this guide we’ll explain what these compact pools are, how they’re typically made and installed, and who they suit best. We’ll be honest about the pros and cons, and share some alternatives worth considering if you’re weighing up your options.
What a cube pool actually is
The name describes the shape more than a specific product. It’s a small, boxy pool with straight sides and crisp corners.
A compact footprint
Most are just a few metres along each side. They’re designed to fit where a traditional pool never could, such as a small town garden, a patio corner or a terrace beside the house.
Deeper than you might expect
Many are deep enough to stand in comfortably, with water up to chest or shoulder height. That makes them great for cooling off, water exercise and relaxing, though not for swimming lengths.
Built in seating
A bench along one or more sides is common. It turns the pool into a sociable spot where two or three people can sit and chat in the water.
Various construction methods
Some are built on site in concrete or block. Others arrive as ready made units in materials such as steel or composite, then get set into the ground, partly sunk or placed on a prepared base. The approach depends on the product, the site and the look you want.
Why compact square pools are so popular
These little pools have become a real design trend, and the cube pool look now appears in garden shows, magazines and social feeds. Here’s why so many homeowners are drawn to them.
They fit where other pools can’t
A small footprint opens up options for gardens that could never take a full size pool. Courtyards, side returns and terraces can all become a place for water.
They look sharp and modern
Straight lines and crisp edges suit contemporary architecture. A compact pool framed with clean paving and simple planting can look wonderfully stylish.
Less water to heat and treat
A smaller volume of water is generally quicker to warm and simpler to keep balanced. That can make a compact pool feel more manageable day to day.
A great spot for relaxing
For many families, a garden pool is really about unwinding. A deep, compact pool with seating is perfect for that. It’s somewhere to sit, chat and cool down rather than train.
Cold water dips
Some people use a compact pool unheated for bracing cold dips. If that appeals, our guide to cold water therapy covers the basics. Always start gently and take advice if you have any health concerns.
That crisp outline sits at the heart of modern swimming pool design too.
Things to think about before choosing a cube pool
Compact pools have plenty going for them, but they’re not the right fit for everyone. It’s worth thinking through these points first.
You won’t swim lengths
This is the big one. With only a few metres of water, there’s no room for proper swimming. If exercise is important, you may want a longer pool or a swim spa with a current to swim against.
Depth and safety
A small, deep pool can be a hazard for young children, as there may be no shallow end. Fencing, gates, a strong cover and supervision all matter. Local rules vary, so check with your council if you’re unsure.
Ground and access
Digging a deep hole in a small space can be tricky, especially in town gardens with limited access. Ready made units also need a clear route for delivery or a crane lift.
Planning and building control
Many garden pools fall under permitted development, but not all. Raised units, rooftop installations and projects in conservation areas may need extra checks. Always speak to your local council early, and take structural advice for any roof or raised setting.
Equipment still needs a home
Even a small pool needs a pump, filter and usually heating. That equipment has to live somewhere nearby, ideally out of sight and within easy reach for servicing. In a small garden, finding that space can take a little creative thinking, such as a compact housing behind planting or under a bench.
Heating and covers
A compact pool still loses heat, especially outdoors in the UK. A good cover makes a real difference to warmth, cleanliness and safety.
Where a cube pool works best
These pools tend to shine in a few particular settings.
Small town gardens
When space is precious, a compact square pool can become the centrepiece of the garden. Surround it with a small terrace and some planting, and the whole space feels special.
Courtyards and side spaces
Tucked into a courtyard or beside the kitchen, a small pool becomes something you see and enjoy every day, even when you’re not in it.
Terraces and decks
Set into a timber or stone deck, a compact pool can feel like part of an outdoor room. Loungers and a table alongside complete the picture.
Alongside a larger pool
Some gardens use a small deep pool as a separate soaking or cold dip area beside a main pool. It adds variety and a real sense of luxury. It also gives different members of the family different ways to enjoy the water.
Holiday style retreats
Some owners want their garden to feel like a boutique hotel. A compact, deep pool surrounded by loungers, soft lighting and lush planting can create exactly that mood. It’s somewhere to switch off at the end of a long day, just a few steps from the back door.
Alternatives worth considering
Here’s where we should be clear. HiLife doesn’t build this type of pool as such. We install one-piece pools and swim spas, with heating, covers, lighting and full aftercare. If you’ve fallen for the idea of a compact, boxy pool, though, there are some lovely ways we can help you get close to that feeling.
A compact one-piece pool
Our range includes smaller pools designed for tighter gardens. They’re factory made, delivered whole and set into the ground, with steps and seating moulded into the shell. You get a smooth, easy to clean finish and a quicker, calmer installation than a site built pool. Our guide to the small garden pool explores the options.
A plunge pool
A plunge pool is similar in spirit. It’s a small pool for cooling off and relaxing rather than swimming. Our guide to the plunge pool explains more.
A swim spa
If you want the compact footprint but also want to exercise, a swim spa can be a brilliant choice. You swim against an adjustable current, then relax in warm water with massage jets. It can be set into the ground or into a deck for a clean, built in look, much like a square pool.
Talk to us about your space
Every garden is different. Talk to us about your space, how you’d like to use the water and the look you’re after. We’ll be honest about which of our pools or swim spas could work, and where a different approach might suit you better.
Swim spas and short one-piece shells both fall under space saving pools, and either can give you more exercise than a small square pool.
Making a small pool feel special
A compact pool can easily become the heart of a garden. The details around it matter just as much as the water itself.
Frame it with the right materials
Clean, pale paving or smooth stone suits the crisp lines of a cube pool beautifully. Timber decking gives a warmer, more relaxed feel. Try to keep the palette simple, with two or three materials at most.
Add comfortable seating
The best compact pools feel like outdoor rooms. A couple of loungers, a small table and some shade turn the area into somewhere you’ll want to spend whole afternoons. The photo at the top of this guide shows how inviting patio seating beside the water can be.
Light it well
Underwater lights make even a small pool glow after dark. Add soft lighting to nearby planting or walls, and the space becomes lovely to look at from the house on winter evenings.
Think about privacy
In town gardens, neighbours can feel close. Tall grasses, pleached trees, trellis or timber screens can create a sheltered, private feel without blocking too much light.
Plan the view from indoors
You’ll see the pool from the house far more often than you’ll use it. Position it where it lines up with a window or glazed doors, and it becomes part of daily life all year round.
Caring for a compact pool
Smaller pools are often simpler to look after, but they still need regular care. Here’s what a typical routine looks like.
- Test the water regularly. Keep sanitiser and pH within the recommended range. A simple test kit or a digital tester makes this quick. A small volume can change quickly, so little and often works best.
- Keep it covered. A cover keeps leaves out, helps hold heat in and adds a layer of safety.
- Clean the surfaces. Brush the walls and floor, and skim the surface when needed.
- Look after the filter. Clean or backwash it as advised for your system.
- Book a yearly service. A professional check keeps pumps, heaters and seals in good order.
A quick word on chemical safety
If you handle pool chemicals yourself, always follow the label. Wear gloves and eye protection, and never mix chemicals. Add chemical to water, never water to chemical. Keep swimmers out until the water is balanced, and store everything safely away from children and pets.
Winter care
In winter, many compact pools are either kept ticking over at a low temperature or closed down properly. Some owners keep them unheated for cold dips. The right approach depends on the pool, the equipment and how you’d like to use it.
Cube pool questions we get asked a lot
Can you swim in one?
Not really. They’re designed for cooling off, relaxing and gentle water exercise. For swimming, a longer pool or a swim spa is a better fit.
How deep are they usually?
Many are deep enough to stand in with water around chest height. Depth varies by design, so it’s worth checking what suits your family.
Are compact pools safe for children?
They can be, with the right precautions. A strong cover, fencing, self closing gates and close supervision are all important, especially where there’s no shallow end.
Can one be heated?
Yes. Most compact pools can be heated, and a good cover helps hold the warmth in. Some owners prefer to keep them cold for bracing dips.
Does HiLife install this type of pool?
We don’t build them as such. We install one-piece pools and swim spas, including compact options that suit smaller gardens. We’re happy to talk through what might work for you.
Do I need planning permission?
It depends on your property, the design and where it’s placed. Always check with your local council, especially for raised, rooftop or conservation area projects.
Is a cube pool right for your garden?
Compact square pools are a stylish answer for smaller spaces and for people who love to soak rather than swim. They look great, fit where larger pools can’t and make a garden feel special. Just be clear about how you want to use the water before you decide.
If you’d like to see what’s possible, explore our full range of pools and swim spas. We’d love to hear about your garden and help you find the right fit.
Call us on 01483 323 676 or email hello@hilifepools.co.uk for a friendly, no-pressure chat, or get in touch online and we’ll come back to you.
