Do You Need A Pool Sun Shelf? The Good, Bad + Relaxing (2025)
If you’re considering adding a pool sun shelf to your backyard swimming pool oasis, you’re definitely not alone. This popular pool feature can transform your entire swimming pool area into the perfect poolside retreat, but homeowners don’t always agree that this design addition is worth the investment.
Decisions about swimming pool features can feel overwhelming with endless options and specific needs to consider. Plus, the budget for pool design upgrades adds even more pressure to get it right the first step!
So, let’s dive deep into the essential details and weigh the good, the bad, and the downright relaxing aspects of adding a sun shelf (also called a tanning ledge or baja shelf) to your pool design.
Now, grab your favorite cool beverage, find a comfortable place to sit, and let’s explore everything you need to know about these popular shallow water features.
Let’s go!
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What is a Pool Sun Shelf?
Picture this perfect scenario: you step onto your pool deck on a glorious summer day, greeted by the glistening water of your swimming pool and the warm sun’s embrace. And there it is – the sun shelf beckoning you to unwind and bask in its inviting waters.
Think of a sun shelf as the pool’s VIP section. This popular pool feature allows family members and guests to lounge or sunbathe partially underwater, providing the perfect, refreshing way to enjoy your swimming pool when you don’t feel like taking a full swim into the deep water.
You might hear this pool feature called by different terms – tanning ledge, baja shelf, or even baja step. This shallow, flat area is typically located at the entrance or on one side of a swimming pool, creating a beautiful transition into the deeper water areas.
Sun shelves are usually built with a shallow area depth ranging from a few inches to about a foot of water, making them the perfect spot for maximum relaxation and comfort. This design feature is also a fantastic place to add umbrellas for shade or create a safe play area where kids can splash around under adult supervision.
Benefits of Adding a Sun Shelf to Your Pool (Plus Some Cons)
Are tanning ledges worth adding to your pool design?
Depending on your family’s specific needs, this popular pool feature could be the perfect addition! Here’s what you can look forward to:
Enhanced Relaxation and Comfort
Baja shelves offer the perfect spot for sipping your favorite summer drink while staying cool in shallow water, making your backyard feel like a luxury resort. Add a couple of in-pool lounge chairs, and you’ll create an essential poolside oasis that becomes your favorite place to unwind and enjoy quality time.
Versatility for All Ages
A tanning ledge is incredibly versatile and can accommodate swimmers of all ages. Not everyone loves to swim laps or be fully submerged in deep water, so a Baja shelf provides the ideal area to relax and take a break from more active swimming.
Who doesn’t desire a beautiful shallow area to stay cool while hosting family gatherings and pool parties with friends?
Safety Features for Children and Swimmers
The shallow area of a sun shelf creates a wonderful, safe place for young children to play and splash around in water.
The gradual entry makes it an easy way for little ones to get in and out of the swimming pool independently, which helps build water confidence. This design also provides essential safety benefits for elderly family members or swimmers who may have specific mobility needs.
Aesthetic Appeal and Pool Design Enhancement
Tanning ledges enhance your swimming pool’s overall style and visual appeal by adding beautiful design interest. Creating different water depth zones will make your pool area more inviting and elevate the luxurious feel of your entire backyard setting.
Typically, a larger swimming pool is needed to accommodate a sun shelf properly, but if you have the space in your pool design, this beautiful addition just might become your favorite spot for relaxation and family time.
What are the Cons of Adding a Sun Shelf?
While sun shelves can offer many benefits, also consider some of these drawbacks:
Budget Considerations
Adding a sun shelf to your pool design can significantly increase the project’s overall cost. Depending on your existing pool and the specific features you desire, constructing a tanning ledge can cost upwards of $5000 (often much more).
Quality in-pool furniture, umbrellas, and other additional features can also add to your budget, so this pool design element can require a substantial investment.
Maintenance Requirements
Tanning ledges require regular maintenance to keep them clean and hygienic. Pool robots often have trouble cleaning this shallow location, so regular upkeep with a manual vacuum may be necessary.
You can also sweep any debris into the deeper part of the pool before your robot runs, but consider if a Baja shelf is worth another chore.
Limited Use Considerations
Before investing in a tanning ledge, carefully consider your family’s swimming preferences and intended use. Some people love lounging poolside in shallow water, but you may not want to sacrifice valuable swimming space if your family would rather enjoy swimming and playing in the deep end.
A Baja shelf creates an excellent play area for young kids, but you may want to reconsider adding one to your pool design if this is your main motivation. Children grow up quickly, and the shallow area may not remain their favorite place to play as they get older.
If adult family members don’t also enjoy lounging in this space, your sun shelf may see less use than you initially hoped.
Weather and Climate Concerns
If you live in a region with cold weather, ground freezing can cause specific issues with shallow shelf areas during winter months. Swimming pool owners in warmer climates don’t typically need to be as concerned with this particular matter.
Designing The Perfect Sun Shelf for Your Swimming Pool
Water Depth Of Your Tanning Ledge
The depth of your sun shelf will determine how you and your family can use this area. Most ledges have a 6″—12″ water depth, but some pool designs can accommodate depths up to 18″ depending on your specific needs.
You will find that the depth of your sun shelf is a very personal decision, and different types of swimmers have varying opinions on what depth works best for comfort and functionality. The perfect depth should align with your family’s preferences and how you plan to use your swimming pool area.
Try not to let others make you doubt your decision – this is your backyard oasis!
Here’s an essential tip: visit a few different pools and give their tanning ledges a trial run before deciding on a depth for your swimming pool project.
If your neighbors are pool owners, this provides a great place to start your research, but you can also visit hotel pools or community centers. Understanding how different water depths feel will give you the knowledge to choose the ideal option for your pool.
Most pool furniture is designed for water depths of 0″—9″ or 10″—15″. Anything deeper than this range may make finding the right lounge chairs and accessories more difficult, so keep this in mind during your planning process.
Keep in mind that the depth of your tanning ledge is not the same as the depth of the water. The depth of the water will be about 3″ less than the depth of the ledge. For example, if your tanning ledge is 12″, the water will be about 9″ deep.
Make sure that you and your pool installation team are on the same page when discussing these specific dimensions. Miscommunications can easily happen, and your swimming pool represents too significant an investment to risk costly errors.
Selecting the furniture you want to use on your tanning ledge before you build your pool will ensure no sizing mistakes are made. If the water is too deep for your chosen furniture, you risk your lounge chairs floating—and no one wants that.
Overall Square Footage and Area Planning
Swimming pools represent valuable real estate in your backyard, and every inch matters for both functionality and aesthetics. Your sun shelf should be large enough to comfortably accommodate your intended use, but this can require a delicate balance, especially if your pool area is smaller.
Your sun shelf should be proportionate to the rest of your swimming pool so it doesn’t overcrowd the design or obstruct proper water circulation flow. You’ll want to ensure the ledge doesn’t limit your main swimming area – no one wants to regret not having enough deep water for active swimming and play!
If you envision using your tanning ledge for furniture such as lounge chairs, side tables, or umbrellas, you’ll need a larger area to comfortably accommodate these activities and ensure proper spacing.
A 7′ depth represents the minimum space for most lounge chairs to fit adequately with room for movement. You can design a smaller area if you prefer standard chairs over full lounges, but I don’t recommend less than 6′ or the ledge will feel cramped and uncomfortable.
Material Options for Your Swimming Pool
The material of your swimming pool will affect your sun shelf’s overall design possibilities, as well as the type of furniture and accessories you can safely use. Different types of pool construction offer various pros and cons, and each option presents specific considerations for your tanning ledge:
Concrete Pool Construction
Concrete construction gives you the most control over your design’s shape, size, and custom features, allowing your swimming pool to be built exactly to your specifications. Everything, including tanning ledges and built-in features, can be crafted to meet your specific needs, but this option typically requires a larger budget and will take more time to complete the installation.
Fiberglass Pools
Fiberglass pools are prefabricated shells that offer durability, low-maintenance benefits, and are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. The installation is much faster than concrete pools, and many homeowners prefer the smooth texture compared to concrete surfaces.
Since fiberglass pools come as ready-made shells, your size and shape options are limited depending on what your selected pool contractor offers. This also means that fiberglass sun shelves come in set dimensions, though you can still choose specific water depths that work for your family’s needs.
Vinyl Liner Swimming Pools
Vinyl liner pools often represent the most budget-friendly upfront option and can be customized to fit your family’s specific requirements. However, they require more careful consideration for furniture and accessory choices.
Vinyl surfaces are susceptible to punctures and may fade over time, which could require periodic liner replacement. Some tanning ledge furniture or accessories might damage the vinyl surface, so it’s essential to verify compatibility before placing any items in your pool area.
Water Features and Pool Accessories
Thoughtfully planning your tanning ledge accessories can elevate your pool design to the next level of relaxation and visual appeal. Popular customization options include special underwater lighting, built-in sleeves for umbrellas, and unique water features like fountains, bubblers, or even small waterfalls.
The more carefully you plan these features during the initial design stage, the better your pool will function and look in the long run. Consider the ideal placement for umbrellas, lounge chairs, and other furniture so your accessories will enhance, not detract from, your new poolside oasis.
Furniture and Accessories for Your Pool Sun Shelf
The right pool furniture is the perfect finishing touch when designing your sun shelf area. Quality lounge chairs and thoughtfully chosen accessories can transform your sun shelf from a nice place to relax into an absolute dream pool experience.
Selecting the furniture you want for your pool tanning ledge during the design phase offers the best results. You don’t want to build your perfect custom swimming pool only to discover that the lounge chairs and accessories you desire don’t fit properly or work with your water depth.
Consider these popular options when shopping for in-pool furniture and accessories:
In-Pool Lounge Chairs
This pool feature isn’t called a sun shelf for nothing! Adding quality in-pool chairs or chaise lounges is practically essential when designing your tanning ledge for maximum comfort and functionality.
If you aren’t entirely sure about investing in dedicated in-pool furniture right away, several outdoor furniture brands also offer versatile options that work both in shallow water and on your pool deck.
Check out a few of my favorites:
My Top Favorite In-Pool Chairs:
Tables and Storage Solutions
Side tables make the perfect companion to in-pool lounge chairs, providing a convenient place for drinks, books, or other essentials. Many companies offer tables designed to match their lounge chair collections. Some even feature built-in coolers so you can enjoy endless hours of lounging without having to leave your comfortable spot.
Sun Shade and Umbrella Options
It’s always a smart idea to plan for shaded areas in your pool design where family members can escape direct sunlight. Whether you want to add built-in umbrella sleeves to your tanning shelf or prefer a shade canopy system, it’s much easier to plan your sun protection before your pool is installed.
If you don’t add umbrella sleeves during the initial construction, you can still stay cool with cantilevered umbrellas, shade sails, or other portable options that don’t require permanent installation. I have had this exact set of sail shades in my yard for years, and they have held up amazingly.
Can You Add A Sun Shelf To An Existing Swimming Pool?
Yes! You don’t have to build a new pool to add a sun shelf, but retrofitting your inground pool will likely not be cheap.
This construction process involves excavating a portion of your pool’s perimeter to create space for the sun shelf. Your pool may also require modifications to the plumbing and filtration systems.
You must also consider the materials needed to match the rest of the pool’s aesthetic. Finding the proper tiling, plastering, or other finishing material to match or complement your current pool may require additional work.
I recommend working with a licensed pool contractor who will ensure that the process goes smoothly. This is definitely not a DIY job!
The Last Word
As we’ve explored throughout this guide, pool sun shelves represent much more than just a trending pool feature – they’re a true game-changer for creating your perfect backyard paradise. From providing a safe shallow area for children to play, to creating the ultimate relaxation zone where adults can unwind in comfort, sun shelves offer something valuable for every family member.
Whether you’re building a new swimming pool or renovating an existing one, a thoughtfully designed sun shelf might just be the perfect addition to transform your backyard and your new favorite place to spend quality time.
There’s no wrong decision when it comes to pool design, and the true essence of creating your ideal poolside oasis lies in designing a space that brings your family joy, relaxation, and countless beautiful memories with loved ones. So, as you envision your perfect pool retreat, remember that the most essential thing is to create a swimming pool area that reflects your unique style and provides endless enjoyment for years to come.
Please reach out if you have any questions or feel like I left any important information out of this guide – no question or comment is too small, and I’m always happy to help! Ready to take the plunge into creating your dream pool?
Cheers!
