Pool Deck Size: Standard Dimensions Guide

A pool can be a great way to get the most out of your backyard in warm weather, and the pool deck is an important part of the aesthetics and safety that go along with a pool. Pool decks come in as many sizes as pools do, but some guidelines will help you determine the ideal size for your pool deck. We break down some key factors to consider when selecting the right pool deck size for your home.

What Is the Standard Pool Deck Size?

While pool deck sizes vary from house to house, some standard measurements do apply. Walkways around pools should be at least three feet wide, and there should be a minimum of 30 inches between any furniture and the edge of the pool. Many pool decks are 600 to 1,000 square feet in total, but much smaller and much larger pool decks are both common.

Features like diving boards and hot tubs also require extra room on a pool deck, ranging from 8-by-6 feet to 10-by-10 feet. Whether you use concrete, wood, engineered material, or pavers for your pool deck, ensuring it’s the right size will make your pool use safer and more enjoyable. 

Pool Deck Size by Feature

The size of your pool deck will largely depend on what features you have in and around your pool. Certain features require extra space, so you’ll need to account for them when planning your pool deck. 

Walkway

Any walkway or pathway around a pool should be at least 36 inches, or three feet, wide. This allows enough room for people to safely navigate around the pool and may be a code requirement in some areas. 

Diving Board

If your pool has a diving board, the standard deck area around the diving board is at least eight feet long by six feet wide. Diving boards are generally installed directly into the pool deck, so it’s important that there’s enough room to support this feature. 

Seating/Dining Area

Seating and dining areas can be almost any size, but to comfortably accommodate pool loungers for two to four people or a dining set for four people, allocate at least ten feet by ten feet. Most pool loungers need a space at least seven feet long, but it’s best to build in a little extra space.

Outdoor Shower

An outdoor shower will add at least 25 square feet to your pool deck, with average dimensions of five feet by five feet. Depending on whether your outdoor shower is just for quick rinses before and after jumping in the pool or a fully functional shower, you may need additional space for privacy walls. 

Hot Tub

A standard-sized freestanding hot tub will require a pool deck that’s around ten feet by ten feet. This allows for safe and easy access into and out of the hot tub and enough space to move between the pool and the hot tub.

How to Measure the Right Pool Deck Size

To measure the right size pool deck, start from the outer edge of your pool and measure out 36 inches all around for a walkway. For safety reasons, this will be the minimum size your pool deck can be. In most cases, though, you’ll want something larger than a basic walkway.

Extend the pool deck out from there, measuring space to allocate for features like seating areas (add a minimum of 100 square feet for seating for two people) or a diving board (you’ll need an 8-by-6-foot area around the board). The exact configuration of the pool deck will depend on the size and shape of your pool and your backyard’s available space. 

Factors That Influence Pool Deck Size

When budgeting for the cost of a pool deck in your total cost to build a pool, knowing how big it needs to be and what can affect the size will help you get a more accurate idea of the project scope. Here are a few things that influence pool deck size. 

Backyard Size

A larger backyard will be able to accommodate a bigger pool deck with more features than a smaller yard. Pool decks are generally proportional to the size of the pool, but a large backyard allows you more options for customization and additional pool deck space. 

Pool Size

The size of the pool itself will also affect the size of the pool deck. A large pool that will be used by multiple people needs a larger deck than a small plunge pool or lap pool. The pool deck size will also depend on how much of the yard the pool occupies and how much additional space can be allocated for the deck.

Pool Features

The complexity of your pool and its included features will contribute to the proper sizing of the pool deck. A pool with a diving board, hot tub, water slide, or other features will require additional deck space for safety.

Building Codes

In many areas, local building codes may dictate pool deck requirements, including size, material, fencing, and more. Before installing your pool and pool deck, check with your contractor or local building authority to see if there are any codes regarding pool decks that you need to comply with.

What to Do if You Have the Wrong Size Pool Deck

If your pool deck feels too small and you want to add space to better suit your needs, a local deck builder or patio installer who builds decks for pools can help you redesign your pool deck area. If you’re installing a new pool, deciding how big your pool deck needs to be from the beginning of the process can help shorten how long it takes to build a pool and get you enjoying your new pool—and pool deck—sooner.