If I had to name the two features that come up most often in first design consultations right now, it’s these two. The tanning ledge – or baja shelf, sun shelf, whatever you want to call it – has been consistently popular for years. The swim-up bar has gotten more traction recently as people push for a genuine resort feel in their own backyard.
They’re both legitimate, genuinely enjoyable features when they’re designed well. They’re also both misunderstood in ways that can lead to disappointment if you don’t go in with clear expectations. Let me walk you through both.
Tanning Ledges: The Feature Almost Everyone Wants
A tanning ledge is a shallow shelf built into the pool itself – typically 6 to 12 inches deep – where you can set a lounge chair and sit partially submerged. The water comes up to about mid-thigh when you’re lying back. You’re in the pool, you’re staying cool, but you’re not swimming. In Texas heat, it’s close to perfect.
The reason this feature has exploded in popularity isn’t just aesthetics. It’s that it genuinely works for multiple people at once. Parents can keep a close eye on young kids playing in the shallow ledge while swimming in the deeper main pool. Someone who doesn’t love swimming can still be part of the pool experience. It’s inclusive design, which is why we recommend it to almost every family we work with.
Design Considerations
Size is the main variable. A generous tanning ledge – 8 to 10 feet wide, 5 feet deep – gives you room for two full loungers side by side. A smaller shelf, 4 to 6 feet wide, accommodates one chair but feels cramped with two. I’ve never had a client say their tanning ledge was too big. I’ve had several say it was too small.
Placement matters too. Ideally the ledge faces north or gets afternoon shade, because in a Texas summer the sun is brutal on that shallow water and it heats up fast. We often design a shade structure or position an umbrella anchor directly on the ledge.
The surface you choose for the ledge is worth thinking about separately from the rest of the pool. A lighter-colored pebble finish reflects heat better than a dark one. Some clients do a contrasting tile treatment on the ledge that looks beautiful and reads as a distinct zone within the overall pool design.
Tip: The ledge is one area where your tile and material choices are highly visible – you’re literally sitting on it. Our post on choosing pool tile and coping materials covers the options in detail and is worth reading before you finalize your design.
Cost
A well-designed tanning ledge adds $4,000–$10,000 to the cost of a custom pool build, depending on size and finish. Larger ledges with premium tile treatments and built-in umbrella sleeves run toward the higher end. It’s one of the better-value luxury features — meaningful daily enjoyment for a relatively modest addition to the overall project cost.
Swim-Up Bars: What They Are and What to Expect
A swim-up bar is exactly what it sounds like — a bar counter at pool level, set into the pool edge or built into an adjacent raised structure, so you can swim up and sit on submerged bar stools. It’s a resort feature that translates well to residential backyards when it’s done correctly.
The key phrase there is “done correctly.” A swim-up bar that’s an afterthought — just a countertop slapped over the pool edge – looks like what it is. A swim-up bar that’s been integrated into the overall pool and outdoor kitchen design from the beginning looks like it couldn’t exist any other way. That design integration has to happen from day one, not as an add-on.
What Goes Into Building One
There are two main approaches. The first is a fully in-pool bar where the counter is set directly at water level, the barstools are submerged (typically made of marine-grade materials or cast from concrete), and swimmers approach from the water side. This is the classic resort-style setup.
The second approach, which I often find works better in residential settings, puts the bar at the pool’s edge — half in the water, half accessible from the pool deck. This allows guests who aren’t swimming to use it alongside those who are, which tends to reflect how people actually entertain in their backyard.
A swim-up bar typically connects directly to an outdoor kitchen setup. The plumbing, the refrigeration, the countertop materials – these all need to be coordinated with the pool design from the start. We have a full post on pool and outdoor kitchen design in DFW that covers how we approach that integration.
Cost
A basic swim-up bar addition runs $12,000–$25,000 depending on construction method and materials. A fully integrated outdoor kitchen and bar setup connected to the pool can run $35,000–$60,000+. The range is wide because the complexity varies significantly — plumbing a simple bar counter is a very different project from building a full outdoor kitchen with refrigeration, a sink, a grill, and a dedicated bar counter that flows into the pool.
Tip: If you’re considering both a tanning ledge and a swim-up bar, design them on opposite ends of the pool. The ledge works best in a calmer zone; the bar is naturally a more social, active area. Separating them by function makes both better.
What These Features Cost in the Context of a Full Build
Both features add real cost to a project, and they’re worth understanding in the context of your total budget. If you’re still getting oriented on what a custom pool costs in DFW overall, our full pricing breakdown is the right starting point before you add feature costs on top.
| Feature | Typical Added Cost |
|---|---|
| Tanning Ledge (standard size) | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| Tanning Ledge (large, premium tile) | $7,000 – $10,000 |
| Basic Swim-Up Bar | $12,000 – $25,000 |
| Full Outdoor Kitchen + Bar Combo | $35,000 – $60,000+ |
One Thing I Always Say About Feature Decisions
The features that get used the most are the ones designed around how your family actually lives – not what looks best in a magazine. I’ve built pools with elaborate swim-up bars that became the centerpiece of every party that house ever hosted. I’ve also seen beautiful bars that went unused because the homeowner didn’t entertain much.
Before you commit to either feature, think about how you genuinely use your outdoor space. If your family is outside constantly and entertaining regularly, both of these are worth every dollar. If your backyard is quieter, a generous tanning ledge on its own might deliver more value.
Take a look at our completed project portfolio to see how we’ve integrated these features into real DFW backyards. And our special features page shows some of the more creative approaches we’ve taken.
Ready to Design Yours?
Call us at (972) 335-2777 or schedule a design consultation online. Bring your inspiration images — and be ready to talk about how your family actually uses the backyard. That’s where the best design decisions start.
