Geometric design · 34 × 16 ft

Roman pool

A rectangle with rounded Roman ends and a sun shelf for lounge chairs. Symmetrical and formal, it pairs well with Mediterranean and Tuscan-style stucco homes.

Design my pool Size & estimate

At a glance

$69k – $88k

Size34 × 16 ft (adjustable)
Water surfaceabout 488 sq ft
Volumeapprox. 16,783 gal
Example monthly~$798/mo
Default finishPebble green
Default deck & copingTravertine pavers · Flagstone
Shown withSun shelf / tanning ledge, Color LED lighting

*Planning estimates from our 3D designer for the pool itself (design, permits, excavation, steel, plumbing, gunite, plaster, coping and a narrow deck), including a safety margin. Spas, water features and bigger decks are extra. Example monthly payment is an illustration only (8.99% APR, 15 years), not a loan offer. A licensed builder confirms your price in writing after a site visit.

Plan view at the default 34 × 16 ft, sun shelf shown in light blue. Resize it in the designer to fit your lot.

Best for

Mediterranean and traditional homes, centered on a view or a patio door.

Options like spas, water features and outdoor kitchens are priced on your free consultation, where a licensed partner builder confirms everything in writing.

Try the Roman in my yard

Who it suits

Is the Roman right for you?

Homeowners who like order and balance usually gravitate here. The rounded ends and centered layout look best lined up on a patio door, a pergola or a garden wall, so the pool feels like part of the house plan rather than something dropped into the lawn.

Mediterranean, Tuscan and Spanish revival homes with terra cotta roofs and stucco are a natural match. It also suits couples and families who spend more time lounging on the sun shelf with a book than doing laps.

How much yard it needs

This one measures 34 by 16 ft by default. Using about 4 ft of decking on each long side and the designer's 5 ft line to the rear fence, the rough total is 29 ft of depth. Across the yard, 34 ft plus the two side setbacks means about 44 ft. Since symmetry is the point, check that the pool can center on a door or window without crowding a side yard. A builder verifies all of it on the visit.

Spa, shelf and seating options

The sun shelf usually runs across one rounded end, about 9 to 12 inches deep, so chairs and an umbrella sleeve can sit right in the water. A spa looks best centered on the opposite end or on the long side facing the house to keep the balance. Roman steps that follow the curve of an end are a traditional, comfortable entry.

Looking after it

Pebble finishes are tough and hide minor stains well, though they feel slightly textured underfoot. Flagstone coping is natural stone, so seal it periodically and wipe up sunscreen and leaf stains. The shallow shelf warms fast and can grow algae if circulation is weak there, so ask the builder about a return jet aimed at it.

What the build involves

The rounded ends are traced from a fixed center point, which keeps both sides matched, and the sun shelf is formed as its own step in the shell. Because the look depends on symmetry, ask the builder to stake the centerline off your door or window before the dig so the pool lines up with the house, not just the fence.

Roman FAQ

Roman questions.

Didn't find yours? Send us a message or email [email protected]. A real person answers.

Can the sun shelf be on both rounded ends?

It can, though two shelves shorten the swimmable middle. Most owners pick one end and keep the other for steps or a spa.

What deck goes best with a Roman pool?

Travertine pavers are the classic pairing and stay cooler on bare feet. Concrete or stamped concrete are budget-friendly options you can try in the designer.