10 Amazing DIY Inground Pool Ideas

Summer comes with its warmth and you would like to cool off in a swimming pool? Even if your budget is limited, this dream can turn into reality by making your own DIY inground pool. Some materials, recycled or not, some ingenuity and DIY talents, and the trick is done!

Here are 10 examples of easy to build DIY inground pools.

Concrete DIY Inground Pool

Building your own DIY inground pool with a kit is quite simple. But when it comes to an underground pool, it’s much more complicated. Once you have chosen the location, the structure, and the covering, the serious things begin… Here are the things to always keep in mind if you want to make your own DIY swimming pool.

If you prefer to buy a complete DIY inground pool kit, the 2 main manufacturers are RoyalSwimmingPools and PoolWareHouse.

Concrete DIY Pool
A Swimming Pool under construction

The necessary prerequisites to make your own DIY inground pool

That’s it: we found the perfect location for our pool in the garden, and we’re ready to start construction. But before getting down to work on the job, it is essential to be in order from an administrative point of view.

A building permit is required if we have decided to build a swimming pool inside our house. Or if our outdoor pool has a large shelter.

As the administrative response can take more or less time, you don’t hesitate to do it long in advance.

Make your DIY inground pool yourself: the skills you need

If it is more than advisable to call on a pool builder, it is because doing your own swimming pool requires a real know-how and many skills… No question of building your own swimming pool if you don’t know how to do it or if you don’t know much:

Earthworks

First, we will have to define the location of our future swimming pool. Once the location has been chosen and traced in the ground, the serious things begin: place to earthworks (hollow in the ground), then it is necessary to flatten and stabilize the bottom of excavation so that it can receive the structure of the swimming pool.

Concrete DIY Pool

Masonry

And yes, if you’re dreaming of a concrete in-ground swimming pool, you need to know the basics: concrete casting, shotcrete technology, or modular reinforced concrete structure? The wooden swimming pool and the inshell swimming pool require less masonry work, but do not leave any room for it either!

Plumbing

Logic: swimming pool means filtration system, installation of a pump, water treatment plant…

Electricity

If we want to illuminate our basin, we also need to have solid electrical skills, since the lights will be constantly immersed…

Pose

Whether you opt for a liner, tile, plaster or other types of coating, you will also need to have the know-how to accurately and meticulously apply our flooring to ensure complete waterproofing.

How long does it take to build your own swimming pool?

Generally speaking, a construction project carried out by pool builders takes on average 4 to 5 weeks. But of course, if you make your own swimming pool, the work will last longer: 2 to 3 months on average.

It is necessary to count about a less minimum, without forgetting the auxiliary installations: the filter box, the swimming pool beach (if necessary), the pool house, the swimming pool shelter,…

The best if we want our swimming pool to be operational at the end of the summer? Begin work in winter (if weather conditions permit). In the event of a downtime, technical problem or a problem on the construction site, we have plenty of room for maneuver so that the pool is ready for the summer! And that way, we will have the spring to realize the layouts around the pool.

Pallet DIY Pool

Above ground pallet DIY pool

Pallet DIY Pool

The heat wave’s dragging on? To take the expenses without ruining itself, a DIY pool in recycled pallets to paddle for less than $100. With a few pallets, a bit of imagination and a little do-it-yourself you can build a swimming pool with pallets.

  • Place the pallets in a circle on a large tarpaulin.
  • Secure the pallets with straps.
  • Place the second tarpaulin inside and line the corners with towels to cushion the corners.
  • Line the contour with bamboo boards to make a flange, cover with a 3rd inner tarp and secure with adhesive.
  • Decorate with bamboo canes, fill with water!
Pallet DIY Pool

In-ground pallet DIY pool

In-ground pallet DIY pool

Buy a basic outdoor pool, which is mainly made of waterproof plastic fabric! A circular shape was chosen here. The interior is also elegant in light blue!

The objective is a raised wooden terrace with a swimming pool inlay! You really need to work carefully and use some creative engineering! From the middle, the square frames have been built that gradually expand outwards!

In-ground pallet DIY pool

Galvanized Stock Tank DIY Inground Pool

Galvanized Stock Tank DIY Pool
Galvanized Stock Tank DIY Pool

Unlike concrete, which is poured into a formwork or polyester shell, which is delivered in one piece in our garden, a buried steel swimming pool is a kit swimming pool to be buried. With regard to work on the ground, it requires the same as for an in-ground concrete pool: excavated, uncompressed, stable, waterproofed ground.

The steel in-ground pool kit includes – in addition to the traditional filtration system, cladding, rooms, plumbing – rigid steel modular panels. Once assembled together, these panels will form the wall and structure of the buried steel pool. Hence its other name of a modular swimming pool!

The advantages of an inground steel pool

The underground steel swimming pool has many advantages, closely linked to the nature of its steel structure and the modular panels that make it up.

  • An affordable buried pool. Regarding the prices, the steel underground pool is much more affordable than the traditional concrete masonry pool: you can find models of steel underground pool from 4000€. Good news: the inground pool is no longer a luxury!
  • Easy assembly. The modular steel panels can be assembled in a few hours, and the pool can be quickly ready for swimming! Nothing to do with the concrete swimming pool, whose construction is very sensitive to weather and climate.
  • A solid material. Choosing steel for your in-ground pool means choosing an extremely strong and durable material (especially if the steel is stainless or galvanized).
  • Easy maintenance. Unlike wood, steel is very easy to maintain material.
  • The aesthetics of steel. Steel is a pure and design material, increasingly sought after by private individuals who want simple and very aesthetic swimming pools: overflow pools, modern design pools…
  • A very comfortable swim. Once the pool is installed (the panels are available in many sizes), the swimming comfort is similar to that of a concrete DIY inground pool.
  • All possible arrangements. Like any in-ground or above the ground swimming pool, the buried steel swimming pool can easily receive many amenities: a staircase, a bench, a swimming pool beach…

For a smaller budget, let yourself be tempted by an above-ground steel pool. It will have the same robustness as an underground steel pool, but with less refurbishment work.

Repurposed Nyc Water Tower in Above Ground DIY Pool

Repurposed Nyc Water Tower in Above Ground DIY Pool

Wooden Stock Tank Pool

Wooden Stock Tank Pool

I really love this design wooden stock tank pool made by Grace Design associates! Perfect mix between frugal and luxurious for an above ground pool!  it’s really peaceful compared to big swimming pools and cozy enough to feel really at home…

Dumpster Swimming Pool

Dumpster Swimming Pool

Discover how to make a pool without spending a fortune: Dumpster Swimming Pool!

Hay Bales DIY Pool

Hay Bales DIY Pool

How to make a pool with straw bales?

There are several ways to build your own swimming pool at home. Why spend a fortune buying an in-ground or above-ground pool when it is possible to make one with hay bales!

Ideal to cool off during the next heat wave or for your next party! If you don’t have a real pool, you can make one!

Depending on the size of the pool it will take about 50 bales of hay. You also need to add even more if you want a depth of 4 feet for example.

Once you have finished installing the straw bales to make the sides of the pool you can lay them out generously on the floor so that it is more comfortable when you go swimming.

The hardest and most expensive one is likely to find and or buy a pool cover to cover all the hay bales. You may also be able to buy a waterproof fabric at a good price to make your own swimming pool.

In the end, a beautiful large above ground swimming pool makes 100% house with straw bales and a pool cover. Admit that it is still successful for a weekend pool and play water games!

Shipping Container Pool

Shipping Container Pool

Organic Natural Pool

Check our guide: How to Build an Organic Pool

How to Build a Natural Organic Pool

Beer Crates DIY Pool

Beer Crates DIY Pool
Beer Crates DIY Pool

Unless all those beer crates were donated, I’m thinking this pool was expensive…

Updated on 2024-03-18 - Images from Amazon API. Logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. 1001Gardens is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

2 thoughts on “10 Amazing DIY Inground Pool Ideas”

  1. I appreciate what you said about using steel for your pool because it is extremely strong and durable. I would say it’s best to consult with a building contractor in order to see what type of pool is best for your home. My friend wants to install a pool on his property, so I’ll make sure to find a contractor that can offer him a fair estimate upfront.

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