Is a lack of space keeping you from having the pool you've always dreamed of? Being able to swim and relax in the water in your own yard is a true luxury, and contrary to what you might think, you don't have to give up on that luxury if your yard resembles a postage stamp. A type of pool known as a lap pool takes up very little space.

What is a lap pool?

A lap pool is a pool that's just large enough for you to properly swim laps inside of it. Lap pools look like narrow, miniature versions of full size pools. Most are about 45 feet long and 8 feet wide, though you can choose larger dimensions if your yard can accommodate it. You can also have a smaller lap pool made; 45 feet is just the minimum length most people are comfortable swimming laps in. You can either purchase a pre-made lap pool and have it installed in-ground by a pool company, or you can hire a custom pool company to construct a lap pool from scratch.

How much will a lap pool cost?

Costs are highly variable based on region, the pool materials you choose, and the size of the pool. In general, you can expect to pay about $50 per square foot for any in-ground pool. So for a lap pool that measures 45 by 8 feet, your cost would be somewhere in the neighborhood of $18,000. While this sounds like a lot, it's a lot less than you'd pay for a full-size in-ground pool, which can easily run up to $50,000. There are also some pre-made lap pools that may cost you a bit less overall. If you have basic construction skills and are willing to do a lot of the work yourself, you can save on costs that way, too. Keep in mind that lap pools are also cheaper to operate than full-size pools. You need fewer chemicals and a lot less water!

How do you use a lap pool?

Lap pools are not just for swimming laps! While you can certainly go swim laps in your yard for exercise, you can also stand around in the pool to cool off with some friends, toss a ball back and forth from one end of the pool to the other, or sit on the edge of the pool with a drink in your hard. You just won't have as much space for these activities as you would with a full-size pool.

What are the downfalls of a lap pool?

It can take some time to get used to swimming in such a narrow pool. However, most swimmers feel comfortable after a few sessions. During leisure time, you may want to limit the number of people in the pool -- especially if kids are getting rowdy. With the walls of the pool so close to one another, it's easy for someone to bang themselves on the concrete.