14 small-space pools for your backyard or deck

You can turn any place into waterfront property with these sweet pools for small spaces. We've rounded up our low-fuss, low-cost, low-commitment picks for lounging adults, playful kids and dogs who want to cool off, too. You can turn your tiny city backyard into a pretty summer oasis, or simply get a sturdy and affordable option to drag out for the kids on hot days. 

Before selecting the pool that suits your needs, make sure to brush up on the Canadian Red Cross's swimming and water safety tips for children for backyard pools and these swimming safety tips too. Then, if you're going for a semi-permanent option, check your local bylaws regarding swimming pool enclosures. After that, it's pool party time. 

Funboy's inflatable pool styles bring the design aesthetic of popular travel destinations around the world to your little space under the sun. Sip your limoncello on ice in this inflatable inspired by the Italian tiles of Positano. 

Italian Tiles Kiddie Pool, $77.24, Revolve

This one's a little designer shell-shaped pool for at-home Ariels. It's 5 feet wide, and has a large air valve for easy inflation and quick deflation. You can even inflate it with a hairdryer (set to cool) or an air mattress pump. This company suggests you drain your pool after each use, which is probably best practice for all small, shallow pools without a pump attached. 

Minnidip Blushing Palms Inflatable Pool, $78, Mini Mono 

Make Canadian cottage country wherever you are with the "Muskoka" inflatable pool by Canadian inflatable pool brand LYKKE. At 5.6 feet in diameter, this pool is intended for two adults and is made with heavyweight luxe touch vinyl for long-lasting durability. 

Muskoka Inflatable Pool, $149, LYKKE 

At 6 by 9 feet, and almost 2 feet deep, this inflatable pool offers great value for the price. It's designed for families but we think adults can make the kitschy-cute under-the-sea design work with or without kids. 

Ocean Theme Inflatable Family Wading Pool, $79.99, Canadian Tire

This is the perfect lounging pool for an adult. It's self-inflating, has shade for reading, and is available in three sizes, up to 9.5 feet long. No need to bend your knees!

WINGOMART Auto Inflation Swimming Pool, starting at $179.99, BestBuy

This appears to be the Cadillac of inflatable lounging pools for a few reasons. It has built-in seats with backrests for up to four adults, drink holders and it's a pretty decent size at 7.5 by 7.5 feet and 30 inches deep. 

Intex Swim Center Family Lounge Pool, $229.90, Amazon

This inflatable, above ground pool is eight feet wide and 2.5 feet deep. It's a little deeper than some on the market, and a filter pump with a chlorinator helps to keep the water clean so you don't need to empty it as often. 

Summer Waves Pool with Filter Pump, $163.99, Amazon

This bouncing house pool with a slide, shower sprays, water cannon and splash zone looks intense — intensely fun! You can actually inflate, deflate and pack it away pretty easily, so it won't become a permanent backyard design feature. It's simply an occasional personal water park the kids will love. 

Picasso Tiles Inflatable Water Slide Bouncing House, $419.95, Little Canadian

This is the mini version of the classic above-ground frame pools found in many a family's backyard. Affordable and only 4 by 4 feet, the "My First Frame Pool" is a small but sturdy little option for the kids to cool off in. 

H20g0! My First Frame Pool, $99.99, Hudson's Bay

Another fairly affordable option is this old-school plastic pool. It's got a tiny slide, a spot for the hose to add a little spray, and it's 4 feet in diameter. The best feature is you don't have to worry about popping a hole in it as much as you might with some of the inflatable options out there.

Econo Slide Pool, $39.99, Canadian Tire

A little baby splash pool — and it's just under thirty dollars. We love that it's super-shallow, making it really easy to take with you to the beach, the park, or wherever you want to provide a little spot for your baby to splash around in this summer. 

bbluv Splash Travel Baby Paddling Pool, $29.98, Well.ca

This super cute, budget-friendly option offers up a little bit of shade for toddlers to splash around in. It's 32 inches in diameter, designed to be shallow, and, if you want to skip the shade, the top part is removable. 

 Little Tikes Crab Shade Pool, $24.99, Babies R Us

This Toronto-based company makes galvanized metal tanks that are a little more permanent than other small-space pools. The oval one would be perfect lounging in with a good book (as seen above). It comes with a bromine dispenser and pool pump — very helpful for keeping things clean. And since this pool doesn't need to be emptied after every use, the brand advises you check the fencing bylaws and pool safety regulations for your local area. They provide the link to Toronto's bylaws and how to drain pools on their FAQs page. 

Oval Stock Tank Pool, $1,675, Salt Shack Pools

An option for pups (or kids) who need to cool down this summer! It's 63 inches wide, just 1 foot deep, has an anti-slip bottom for safety, and it's foldable and fairly portable. You can also use it as a dog bath, but we're sure they'd prefer the pool option. 

Gymax 63'' Foldable Dog Pet Pool, $89.99, Walmart