5 Critical Tanning Ledge Regrets Pool Owners Face
Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Beth Martin
Picture this: you’re designing your dream backyard oasis, scrolling through Pinterest boards filled with stunning pools featuring sleek tanning ledges. They look absolutely perfect—like something straight out of a luxury resort magazine spread.
Fast forward two years, and you’re wondering why you ever thought that shallow shelf was a good idea.
If you’re considering adding a tanning ledge to your pool design, you’re not alone in your excitement. These shallow water features have become incredibly popular for their Instagram-worthy appeal and promise of relaxing poolside lounging.
But before you commit to this design element, let’s dive into the most common tanning ledge regrets that pool owners wish they’d known about beforehand.
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What Exactly Is a Tanning Ledge?
A tanning ledge (also called a sun shelf, a Baja shelf, or a shallow end ledge) is a flat, shallow area built into your pool that’s typically 6-12 inches deep. The concept is simple: you can place lounge chairs directly in the water or simply lie on the ledge itself to stay cool while soaking up the sun.
These features gained popularity because they offer the best of both worlds—you can relax in the refreshing water without having to fully submerge yourself. They’re especially appealing for families with small children, older adults, or anyone who wants to stay cool while reading or socializing.
But here’s the thing: what looks amazing in pool design magazines doesn’t always translate to real-world functionality. Let’s explore the top regrets pool owners have shared about their tanning ledges.
The Top 5 Tanning Ledge Regrets
1. “It Takes Up Way Too Much Pool Space”
This is hands-down the most common tanning ledge regret among pool owners. What seemed like a brilliant use of space during the design phase quickly becomes a source of frustration when you realize how much swimming area you’ve sacrificed.
Most tanning ledges require a significant footprint—often 8-12 feet in length and 6-10 feet in width. In a standard residential pool, this can eat up 20-30% of your total swimming space. Families quickly discover that their kids have less room to play pool games, swim laps, or simply move around freely.
Sarah from Phoenix shared her experience: “We thought the tanning ledge would be perfect for entertaining, but now I realize we gave up the space where our kids used to play Marco Polo. They’ve outgrown the shallow ledge, but we’re stuck with less deep-end space.”
If you have a smaller pool or an active family that loves swimming activities, carefully consider whether the trade-off is worth it.
2. “The Water Gets Uncomfortably Hot”
Here’s something most pool designers don’t mention: shallow water heats up significantly faster than deeper areas. During summer months, tanning ledges can become uncomfortably warm—sometimes reaching temperatures that are too hot for relaxing.
The 6-12 inches of water on a tanning ledge can heat up to 10-15 degrees warmer than the main pool area. What was supposed to be a refreshing retreat becomes more like sitting in a hot tub you can’t escape from.
This problem is particularly pronounced in warmer climates like Arizona, Texas, and Florida, where pool owners report their tanning ledges becoming unusable during peak summer months. Some have resorted to adding shade structures or umbrellas, which defeats the original “tanning” purpose.
3. “Cleaning and Maintenance Are a Nightmare”
Tanning ledges create unique maintenance challenges that many pool owners don’t anticipate. The shallow water and horizontal surface become magnets for debris, leaves, and algae growth.
Because the water circulation is often less effective in these shallow areas, debris tends to settle and stay put. You’ll find yourself manually cleaning the ledge more frequently than other areas of your pool. The flat surface also makes it easier for algae to establish itself, especially in corners where water circulation is minimal.
Additionally, if you have trees or landscaping nearby, your tanning ledge will collect more leaves and organic matter than deeper pool areas. Many pool owners report spending 2-3 times longer on maintenance specifically because of their tanning ledge.
4. “It’s Not Actually Comfortable for Lounging”
Despite what pool design photos suggest, lying directly on a concrete or tile tanning ledge isn’t particularly comfortable. The hard surface becomes uncomfortable after just a few minutes, and the shallow water doesn’t provide enough buoyancy for true relaxation.
Most pool owners end up purchasing floating lounge chairs or pool floats anyway—which they could have used in the deeper areas of their pool without sacrificing swimming space.
Additionally, the water depth often isn’t quite right for comfortable sitting. It’s too shallow to fully submerge and cool off, but too deep for some people. You end up in an awkward middle ground that doesn’t serve either purpose well.
What makes this even more challenging is that water depth preferences are incredibly personal. Some people love having just their feet and legs in the water, while others want to be submerged up to their chest or shoulders. The fixed 6-12 inch depth of a tanning ledge can’t accommodate these varying comfort preferences, leaving many users unsatisfied with the experience.
To actually make a tanning ledge comfortable, you’ll need to invest in specialized tanning ledge furniture—chairs and loungers specifically designed for shallow water use. These aren’t your typical pool floats; they’re expensive, purpose-built pieces that can easily cost $300-800 each.
Many pool owners are shocked to discover this additional expense after already investing thousands in the ledge construction itself.
5. “Our Kids Outgrew It Faster Than Expected”
Many families choose tanning ledges thinking they’ll provide years of enjoyment for young children. While toddlers and preschoolers do enjoy playing in the shallow water, kids typically outgrow this feature faster than parents anticipate.
By age 6-8, most children prefer deeper water for swimming, diving, and pool games. What seemed like a kid-friendly feature becomes an underutilized space that you’ll wish you could reclaim for a more functional pool area.
Parents often find themselves wishing they’d invested in removable play features or designated a portion of the shallow end for young children instead of permanently reducing their pool’s swimming area.
4 Alternatives to Consider
If you’re drawn to the idea of a tanning ledge but concerned about these common regrets, consider these alternatives:
1. Removable Pool Furniture
High-quality floating lounge chairs, pool platforms, or a well-designed pool furniture layout can provide similar functionality without permanently reducing your pool space.
2. Deeper Shallow End
Instead of a 6-inch ledge, consider a 3-4 foot shallow area that’s more versatile for different ages and activities.
3. Poolside Deck Space
Invest in creating more comfortable lounging areas around your pool rather than in it.
4. Swim-Up Bar or Seating
If you want in-water features, consider built-in seating with deeper water that provides a more comfortable and functional experience.
The Bottom Line
Tanning ledges aren’t inherently bad features, but they’re not right for every pool or family. The key is honestly evaluating how you’ll actually use your pool space and whether the trade-offs align with your lifestyle.
If you have a larger pool, live in a moderate climate, and genuinely plan to use the feature regularly for relaxation, a tanning ledge might work well for you. However, if you have limited pool space, an active family, or live in a very hot climate, you might want to explore other options.
Remember, your pool should enhance your lifestyle for years to come. Take time to consider these common regrets before making permanent design decisions you might wish you could undo.
Whatever you decide, make sure it reflects how you actually live and play, not just how it looks in design magazines!
Cheers!
