A tanning ledge can transform a backyard pool from a place used mainly for swimming into a comfortable space for reading, enjoying a cold drink, spending time with family, or simply cooling off on a warm afternoon.
Unlike a traditional pool deck, a tanning ledge allows furniture to sit directly in shallow water. This creates a different kind of lounge experience, combining the comfort of a chair with the cooling effect of the pool.
The most inviting tanning ledges are not necessarily the largest or most expensive. They usually work because the seating, layout, shade, colors, and accessories have been selected around how the space will actually be used.
Here are several practical ways to create a more relaxing lounge area around your tanning ledge.
1. Start With the Size and Water Depth of the Ledge
Before choosing chairs or accessories, measure the usable dimensions of the tanning ledge.
Check its length, width, water depth, entry points, steps, and nearby pool features. These measurements determine how much furniture the space can comfortably accommodate without making it feel crowded.
A compact sun shelf may work best with one or two smaller chairs, while a wider ledge may have enough room for two loungers and a coordinating side table.
The water depth is especially important because in-water furniture should be selected according to the depth recommended for the specific product. A chair may physically fit the ledge but still be unsuitable if the water is deeper than its intended range.
Measure the water from the surface of the ledge to the normal waterline rather than relying only on the overall depth of the pool.
It is also important to leave enough open space for people to enter the pool, use the steps, and move safely around the furniture.
2. Choose Chairs Specifically Designed for In-Water Use
Regular patio chairs and outdoor loungers are not automatically suitable for placement inside a swimming pool.
Furniture used on a tanning ledge needs to handle regular exposure to water, sunlight, moisture, and pool conditions. Its shape, materials, weight distribution, and stability should all be appropriate for shallow-water use.
Purpose-built in-pool lounge chairs are designed primarily for tanning ledges, sun shelves, Baja shelves, and other shallow-water pool areas.
They allow users to sit or recline directly in the water rather than remaining completely dry on the surrounding deck.
Many in-pool lounge chairs can also be placed poolside on a dry deck or patio when desired. However, their main advantage is that they are made to create a comfortable seating area inside the shallow section of the pool.
When comparing different chairs, consider:
- The recommended water-depth range
- The overall chair length and width
- The seating or reclining angle
- The amount of back and leg support
- The method used to keep the chair stable
- Whether assembly is required
- How easily the chair can be moved
- Whether it can also be used on a dry pool deck
The best choice is not always the largest chair. It is the chair that fits the available ledge, the water depth, and the way you prefer to relax.
3. Match the Seating Style to How You Use the Pool
Different seating positions support different activities.
A more upright chair may be useful for conversation, supervising children, enjoying a drink, or spending shorter periods in the water.
A more reclined lounge chair may be better suited to sunbathing, reading, resting, or spending longer periods on the tanning ledge.
Before choosing a style, consider who will use the space most often.
A couple creating a quiet relaxation area may prefer two reclined loungers. A family may benefit from a more upright design that allows adults to remain engaged with activity in the pool.
When chairs may occasionally be moved from the tanning ledge to the dry poolside area, consider how comfortable and stable they will be in both locations.
4. Avoid Filling Every Inch of the Tanning Ledge
It can be tempting to place as much furniture as possible on the ledge, especially when preparing the pool for guests. However, open space is an important part of a comfortable layout.
Chairs should not block pool steps, entry points, or create narrow paths that are difficult to navigate.
Leaving space around each seat also helps the tanning ledge feel calmer and less visually crowded.
For two chairs, position them so the people using them can talk comfortably without the chairs touching. A small side table may be placed between them or slightly to one side, depending on the shape and size of the ledge.
In a narrow pool, positioning the chairs in the same direction can create a clean and orderly appearance. On a wider ledge, slightly angling the chairs toward each other can make the setup feel more social.
A balanced layout should feel intentional while still allowing the water and surrounding pool design to remain visible.
5. Add a Compact Table Within Easy Reach
A relaxing pool lounge area becomes more practical when there is a convenient place for drinks, sunglasses, sunscreen, or a book.
Instead of using a large patio table, choose a compact table that matches the scale of the tanning ledge and does not interfere with movement.
The table should be close enough to reach from the chair without requiring the user to stand up or stretch across the water.
A matching table can also visually connect two chairs and make the setup feel like a complete shallow-water lounge area rather than separate pieces of furniture placed in the pool.
AquaCurve focuses on lounge chairs designed for shallow-water pool areas, along with matching poolside tables that can help complete a tanning-ledge setup.
Depending on the specific table and pool layout, a small table may be used on or near the ledge, or placed on the surrounding deck beside the chairs.
Keep the tabletop relatively uncluttered. A drink, a book, and one practical accessory are usually enough. Too many items can quickly make a small space feel busy.
6. Create Shade Without Closing Off the Area
Sun exposure is part of the appeal of a tanning ledge, but having some control over shade can make the space more comfortable throughout the day.
Depending on the pool layout, shade may come from a cantilever umbrella, pergola, nearby tree, covered patio, or adjustable shade structure.
Before adding an umbrella or permanent feature, observe the direction of the sun at different times of day. A space that is shaded in the morning may receive strong direct sunlight during the afternoon.
Flexible shade allows the tanning ledge to support different activities. The area can remain open for sunbathing and then become shaded for reading, conversation, or supervising children later in the day.
Shade structures should complement the pool rather than dominate it. Neutral fabrics and simple shapes often blend naturally with water, stone, landscaping, and other backyard features.
7. Use a Calm and Coordinated Color Palette
Color has a strong effect on how restful a pool area feels.
White, gray, teak-inspired finishes, soft blue, and other muted tones often work well around pools because they coordinate with water, decking, stone, and surrounding landscaping.
Consider the colors of the pool interior, coping, deck, house exterior, and nearby furniture before choosing the chairs.
For example:
- White or light gray chairs can create a clean, resort-inspired appearance.
- Teak-inspired finishes can add warmth beside stone or wood features.
- Blue seating can create a visual connection with the pool water.
- Neutral chairs can be paired with colorful towels and smaller accessories.
Using two or three coordinated colors will generally create a more relaxing result than combining several competing shades.
8. Connect the Tanning Ledge With the Rest of the Backyard
The shallow-water lounge area should feel connected to the rest of the outdoor space rather than appearing as a separate display.
Repeat a few colors or materials that already appear around the backyard.
If the pool deck uses warm stone, chairs or accessories with warm neutral tones may help create a consistent appearance. If the patio has clean modern lines, pool seating with a similarly simple shape may work well.
Landscaping can also soften the transition between the pool and the rest of the yard. Low-maintenance plants, ornamental grasses, planters, and small trees can make the area feel more private and established.
Avoid placing plants where leaves, flowers, or soil will frequently fall into the water.
Lighting is another way to connect the spaces. Soft pathway lighting, underwater pool lights, and gentle patio illumination can extend the usefulness of the lounge area into the evening without creating harsh glare.
9. Plan the Area Around Real Activities
A visually attractive pool setup should also work for everyday life.
Think about who will use the tanning ledge most often and how they will spend time there.
A couple who enjoys reading may prioritize reclined chairs, shade, and a small table. A family may prefer upright seating that allows adults to remain engaged with children in the pool. Frequent hosts may want a layout that makes conversation easier.
Useful additions might include:
- A compact table for drinks and sunscreen
- Towels within easy reach
- An umbrella or adjustable shade
- Outdoor-safe evening lighting
- A dry place for phones and personal belongings
- Storage near the pool for frequently used accessories
Designing around real habits prevents the tanning ledge from becoming a space that looks impressive but is rarely used.
10. Keep the Setup Easy to Maintain
Relaxation quickly disappears when an outdoor space requires constant cleaning and rearranging.
Choose chairs and accessories intended for regular exposure to water, sunlight, moisture, and outdoor conditions. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding water depth, placement, cleaning, and maintenance.
Periodically check the chairs and tables for debris, waterline buildup, movement, or loose components. The surface of the tanning ledge should also remain clean so the furniture sits evenly and securely.
During pool servicing or chemical treatment, follow the pool professional’s or furniture manufacturer’s recommendations about whether the chairs should be removed and when they can safely be placed back in the water.
When the chairs are being used on a dry pool deck instead of inside the pool, make sure the surface is level and that the furniture does not block walkways.
A simple layout with a few well-chosen pieces is usually easier to maintain than an area filled with unnecessary accessories.
Create a Tanning Ledge You Will Actually Use
A relaxing tanning ledge is created through thoughtful choices rather than excessive decoration.
Start by measuring the space and confirming the water depth. Choose lounge chairs specifically designed for shallow-water use, leave enough room for safe movement, and add a compact table for everyday convenience.
Although in-pool lounge chairs may also be used on a dry pool deck, their main purpose is to bring comfortable seating directly into the shallow-water portion of the pool.
Shade, coordinated colors, landscaping, and soft lighting can then help the tanning ledge feel connected to the rest of the backyard.
Most importantly, plan the area around the way you genuinely want to spend time by the pool. When comfort, proportions, and practicality work together, even a small sun shelf can become one of the most enjoyable parts of the backyard.
Robert Thompson, a proud alum of the University of Oregon with a degree in Landscape Architecture, has been a leading figure in outdoor space enhancement for over 17 years. He started his career with a landscape design firm, gaining invaluable experience creating functional and attractive outdoor living areas. Robert joined our website in 2018, where he quickly became known for his innovative yet practical advice on outdoor renovations. He has been the chief editor of our deck and patio section ever since then, helping readers transform their outdoor spaces into personal retreats. When not drafting designs or writing, Robert is an avid kayaker, often drawing inspiration from nature for his creative projects.
