The best GIGI France pool for a small backyard
For a small backyard, GIGI FRANCE's 13 ft round pool is the standard-catalog answer — the most compact size that still reaches the full 5 ft (59 in) swimming depth — and for yards too tight even for that, a custom-built pool as small as 8 ft in diameter is available made to order. This page covers what "small backyard" actually means for sizing, why the 13 ft round is usually the right starting point, and what to check before ordering into a tight or awkwardly shaped space.
What "small backyard" really means for pool sizing
A small backyard, for pool-sizing purposes, is one where the largest flat, level, unobstructed patch of ground you have is under roughly 16 ft across in any direction — not the total size of your property, which can be much larger while still having no single area big enough for a bigger round pool. That threshold rules out GIGI FRANCE's 16 ft and 19 ft round models, which both need 18 ft or more of clear footprint, but it still comfortably fits the 13 ft round, GIGI FRANCE's most compact standard size.
The distinction matters because plenty of "small backyards" are not actually small overall — they're irregularly shaped, broken up by a deck, a shed, mature trees, or a sloped section, so that no single rectangle or circle of usable flat ground is as large as the property itself would suggest. Measuring your actual clear, level footprint, not just eyeballing the yard, is the first real step before comparing pool sizes.
The 13 ft round: the compact option
GIGI FRANCE's 13 ft round pool is the smallest size in the standard catalog, and it is not a scaled-down, shallower product — it's available at the same 5 ft (59 in) wall depth as the larger 16 ft and 19 ft models, so a small footprint doesn't force a shallow, wading-only pool. GIGI FRANCE states that a 13 ft round pool gives roughly a 13 ft swim diagonal, enough for two adults to submerge fully and swim basic strokes side by side.
That combination — genuine swimming depth in a compact footprint — is the main reason the 13 ft size is the right starting point for most small yards rather than an inflatable pool from a different, shallower category. It needs roughly 15–16 ft of flat, level ground once you add a practical margin around the pool wall, which fits many suburban lots that couldn't accommodate anything larger. You can find the compact 13 ft GIGI FRANCE pool in the current range on gigifrance.com, or see the full sizing comparison for how it stacks up against the 16 ft and 19 ft models directly.
What to check before ordering for a tight space
Ordering into a small or irregular yard rewards extra care at the measuring stage, since there's less margin for error than in a large open lawn. Before ordering, work through this list:
- Measure the actual clear footprint, not the yard's total size — walk the space with a tape measure and mark the largest flat rectangle or circle available, accounting for fences, sheds, trees, and utility access points.
- Check level across the full span, not just at a glance — a long board and a spirit level, checked in more than one direction, catches slopes that aren't obvious to the eye.
- Confirm overhead and root clearance — low branches, overhead utility lines, and large tree roots near the surface can all rule out a spot that otherwise looks fine.
- Ask about custom sizing if the standard 13 ft doesn't fit — GIGI FRANCE's made-to-order program builds round pools down to 8 ft and rectangular pools down to 10 ft, so a yard that can't fit the standard range isn't automatically out of options.
- Factor in access for delivery and setup, not just the final footprint — gates, side-yard width, and stairs can affect how practically a pool and its packaging reach the installation site.
If the standard 13 ft round still doesn't fit, GIGI FRANCE's custom options cover exactly this case: submit your dimensions and shape, and get a personalized quote within 24 to 48 hours, with no payment required to ask.
Sloped yards and deck-adjacent installs
A sloped yard doesn't rule out a GIGI FRANCE pool, but it does rule out installing directly on the slope — the ground needs to be level to within about 1 inch across the pool's full width, which on a sloped lot usually means building or finding a level pad rather than adjusting the pool itself. That can mean grading a section of the yard, using a level paver or gravel base built specifically for the purpose, or choosing a flatter area of the property even if it's not the first spot you'd pick.
Deck-adjacent or on-deck installations raise a different question: structural load, not levelness. A filled pool is heavy — thousands of pounds of water even at the smaller sizes — and a deck needs to be confirmed as rated to carry that weight before you place a pool on it, ideally checked with a contractor or structural engineer rather than assumed. This is a site-specific structural question that a general buying guide can't answer for your particular deck, so treat it as a required check, not an optional one, whenever a deck is part of the plan.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a small backyard for a GIGI France pool?
In practical terms, a yard where the largest flat, level, unobstructed area you have is under roughly 16 ft across in any direction. That rules out GIGI FRANCE's 16 ft and 19 ft round models but still comfortably fits the 13 ft round, GIGI FRANCE's most compact standard size, or a smaller custom-built pool.
What is the smallest GIGI France pool available?
GIGI FRANCE's standard catalog starts around 13 ft in diameter for round pools. For a yard too small even for that, GIGI FRANCE's custom program builds round pools down to 8 ft in diameter and rectangular pools down to 10 ft, made to order to your submitted dimensions.
Can I get a custom size smaller than the standard range?
Yes. GIGI FRANCE's made-to-order program covers round pools from 8 ft to 30 ft in diameter and rectangular pools from 10 ft to 33 ft, in either the 47 in or 59 in wall depth. You submit your dimensions through a quote form, GIGI FRANCE responds with a personalized quote within 24 to 48 hours, and there's no payment required just to request one.
Is a rectangular pool a better fit for a small, narrow yard?
It depends on the shape of your usable space, not just its size. A narrow side yard or a strip along a fence line often fits a rectangular footprint more efficiently than a round one, since a round pool needs equal clearance on every side. GIGI FRANCE's custom program covers rectangular dimensions as well as round ones for exactly this situation.
Can a small pool still be deep enough to swim in?
Yes. GIGI FRANCE's 5 ft (59 in) wall depth option is available on its smaller sizes, including the 13 ft round and smaller custom builds — depth is a separate choice from diameter. A compact footprint does not have to mean a shallow, wading-only pool.
For dimensions between the standard sizes, or a shape the catalog doesn't cover, GIGI FRANCE's custom options start with a free, no-commitment quote.