Diy Tanning Ledge for above Ground Pool

September 7, 2025

Integra pool covers seamlessly integrate into your surrounding landscape and vistas. With an attractive range of seven beautiful colors to match your style, we deliver a cover that will seamlessly blend in with your pool and personal outdoor oasis. A rectangular edition that allows it to accompany straight wall swimming pools. The Jewel offers a variety of comfortable, contoured seating in a linear design. The reclined lounge and three bucket seats are arranged to offer relaxing, full-body water jets.

combining pool features for maximum luxury and value

Extending your pool’s usability into the evening hours requires thoughtful lighting design and the warm ambiance that only fire features can provide. The combination of water and fire creates dramatic visual interest while providing practical illumination for safety and extended entertaining. Modern spa technology includes powerful jet systems for hydrotherapy, LED lighting for ambiance and advanced control systems that let you adjust temperature, jets and lighting from your smartphone. Whether you choose integrated or standalone, today’s spas transform your backyard into a personal wellness sanctuary that rivals any luxury resort. Your backyard can be an extension of your home, giving you additional room to relax and entertain.

By definition, these ledges are perfect for lounging and tanning (with properly applied sunscreen, of course!). Shallower-depth ledges—about 3 to 6 inches—are designed for you to lie on directly—so your body is submerged a few inches in the cool water. At LowCo Pools, we believe that your backyard should be a personal oasis, a place where you can unwind, relax, and create lasting memories. Our Spas and Tanning Ledges are designed to transform your pool area into a luxurious retreat that caters to both relaxation and style. At adjustable depth therapy pools with bolted panel design , we specialize in creating extraordinary backyard retreats that combine these luxury features seamlessly into your dream design. Our expert team will work with you to select the perfect combination of features that match your lifestyle, budget and vision.

A design featuring one curved side to match the esthetic of many freeform pools.
Tanning ledges are more than just a pool trend—they’re a lifestyle upgrade.
You might even consider adding lights to your pool ledge with the bubblers lit up in different colors.
Because the water is shallow, tanning ledges create a safe play area for young kids and even dogs.
Your swimming pool design can create an ideal space in your backyard oasis that’s functional and tailored to your tastes and lifestyle.

By working with a professional pool designer, you can ensure the tanning ledge is integrated in a way that maximizes its benefits without compromising the rest of the pool. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. Homeowners build pools primarily for the comfort and convenience they deliver. With a backyard resort, you can enjoy the rewards of that decision year after year.

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Obviously if you are looking to fit more chairs, you’ll need to go larger.Again, with a custom pool, you are only limited by your imagination (and budget, which we’ll talk about next). Would you like to make the experience around your backyard pool the most enjoyable one possible for your family? When you’re ready to design a new concrete (gunite or shotcrete) swimming pool, don’t forget about great options that deliver added comfort and convenience. Rock waterfalls remain the most popular choice, offering natural beauty that complements virtually any landscape design.

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You can incorporate built-in umbrella holders for shade, add bubbler jets for a spa-like experience or install colored LED lighting for dramatic nighttime effects. Some homeowners opt for raised tanning ledges that double as water features, creating gentle waterfalls that cascade into the main pool area. The landscape surrounding your pool is just as important as the pool itself, creating the foundation for your entire backyard oasis.

Tanning ledges enhance your pool’s look while serving a practical purpose. They can be seamlessly integrated into modern, freeform, or resort-style pools. Tanning ledges let you lounge in the water while enjoying the warmth of the sun.

Elevating Backyard Experiences: Integrating Tanning Ledges, Water Features & Slides Into Pool Designs

Tanning ledges are more than just a trendy pool feature—they’re a practical and stylish addition that can elevate your backyard’s design. From lounging in the sun to creating a safe space for kids and pets, tanning ledges offer a variety of benefits that make them a smart investment for many homeowners. Fire bowls positioned around your pool perimeter offer warmth and ambiance without requiring permanent installation.

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A 2-foot center-mounted silk flow sheer descent creates a smooth, elegant waterfall effect.
Whether you’re designing a pool for relaxation, family fun, or entertaining guests, a tanning ledge offers something for everyone.
Tanning ledges let you lounge in the water while enjoying the warmth of the sun.
Strategic plant selection plays a crucial role in successful pool landscaping.

Use your tanning ledge as a space for sunbathing, sipping on summertime cocktails, or splashing in the shallows with your little ones. From playtime with the kids to naptime in the sun, a tanning ledge offers something for every member of your family to enjoy. With over 60 years of experience, Latham Pool Products can customize the perfect tanning ledge to fit your needs and preferences. Of course, you can also make your pool larger and then still have plenty of swim space and plenty of lounge space. You are not limited by size.We generally recommend a longer pool when incorporating a tanning ledge since they do consume standing space. Whether you’re looking for a romantic spot for two or a larger spa for entertaining, we can design and install the perfect solution to meet your needs and complement your pool’s aesthetics. LED lighting technology has revolutionized pool illumination, offering energy-efficient options that can dramatically change your pool’s appearance with the touch of a button. Colored LED systems allow you to match lighting to holidays, parties or simply your mood, while white light options provide clean, bright illumination for evening swimming and safety. Weeping walls, a type of pool waterfall, are weepers where the water actually comes in between the rocks and into the pool. Weeping walls are made by having a row of moss rock boulders two to three rocks high, forming a wall around part of your pool. Weeping walls not only look nice but add a beautiful babbling brook sound to your backyard oasis. Whether you’re designing a pool for relaxation, family fun, or entertaining guests, a tanning ledge offers something for everyone. Features like shaded tanning ledges, in-pool dining tables, and depth configuration options like sports pools will boost your comfort and convenience levels to new heights. Ledges built a bit deeper under water—about 12 to 18 inches—provide an ideal spot to set out chaise lounge chairs right in the pool. When you get hot and want to take a dip or to splash some H20 on yourself to cool off, the water is always just a few inches away.

Tanning Ledges to Add a Relaxing Touch

These features can range from subtle single-tier cascades to dramatic multi-level installations that incorporate caves, grottos and hidden seating areas. The key to successful waterfall design lies in creating something that appears naturally integrated with your existing landscape rather than artificially imposed upon it. Hardscaping elements such as natural stone pathways, decorative retaining walls and integrated planters create structure and flow throughout your pool area. These features define separate zones for lounging, dining and entertaining while providing practical benefits like improved drainage and erosion control. Privacy screening through strategic plant placement or decorative fencing ensures your backyard oasis remains a secluded retreat.

Website by Jennifer Nelson Designs.

Here’s how our experts in swimming pool design can help you incorporate luxurious features like tanning ledges, waterfalls, and swim-up bars into your dream pool. A tanning ledge is a shallow platform—typically 6 to 12 inches deep—built directly into the pool. It’s designed to hold water just high enough to keep you cool while lounging, without fully submerging your body. Tanning ledges are often large enough for in-pool lounge chairs, small tables, and even umbrellas, making them a versatile addition to any custom swimming pool design. A tanning ledge (also called a tanning shelf, baja shelf, or sun shelf) is a very shallow shelf in the pool that is usually at least 5 feet wide and 9 inches deep. Tanning ledges can cause premature aging and increase the risk of skin cancer, which is why many people choose to stay out of tanning beds and avoid using other types of artificial UV light sources. Strategic plant selection plays a crucial role in successful pool landscaping. Choose plants that complement your pool’s style while minimizing maintenance concerns like excessive leaf drop or root invasion.