The Cocktail Pool: Maximizing Luxury in Smaller Sherman Oaks Backyards

Sherman Oaks has long been one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley, offering tree-lined streets, charming homes, and a lifestyle that blends suburban comfort with easy access to everything Los Angeles has to offer. But as any homeowner in the area knows, the lots here are not always generous. Many backyards are compact, leaving residents wondering how they can enjoy the Southern California sun and the resort-style living they crave without having enough space for a traditional full-size pool. The answer, for a growing number of Sherman Oaks homeowners, is the cocktail pool.

Custom plunge pools and cocktail pools have exploded in popularity across Los Angeles, and it is easy to understand why. These smaller, thoughtfully designed water features deliver the experience of luxury pool ownership without demanding an acre of land to do it. If you have been eyeing that modest backyard and wondering whether a pool is even possible, this guide is for you.

What Exactly Is a Cocktail Pool?

A cocktail pool goes by several names. You might hear it called a plunge pool, a sppool (a spa-pool hybrid), or simply a small luxury pool. Whatever the label, the concept is consistent: a compact body of water, typically ranging from about 10 to 20 feet in length and 6 to 10 feet in width, designed not for laps but for lounging, cooling off, socializing, and enjoying the outdoors.

The cocktail pool design philosophy prioritizes experience over square footage. Rather than a sprawling rectangular pool that eats up an entire yard, a cocktail pool becomes a focal point, almost like a piece of outdoor furniture scaled up to something you can actually swim in. In Sherman Oaks, where a backyard might measure 20 by 30 feet or even less, this scale is not just practical; it is transformative. Suddenly, a space that seemed too small for any real amenity becomes an outdoor sanctuary.

These pools are almost always heated, which means they function year-round in the mild Los Angeles climate. Many homeowners add spa jets, turning the cocktail pool into a dual-purpose feature that works as both a refreshing dip on a hot August afternoon and a relaxing soak on a cool January evening.

Why Sherman Oaks Is Perfect for Cocktail Pool Design

The geography and culture of Sherman Oaks make it an ideal setting for custom plunge pools. First, the climate is simply exceptional. With over 280 days of sunshine annually and relatively mild winters by any standard, a heated cocktail pool in Sherman Oaks is a feature you will use far more often than, say, a pool in a colder climate. The return on enjoyment is enormous.

Second, the architectural character of the neighborhood lends itself beautifully to thoughtful outdoor design. Many Sherman Oaks homes feature California ranch-style architecture, mid-century modern influences, or traditional craftsman details, all of which pair naturally with the clean lines and refined materials common in cocktail pool design. A well-designed small backyard luxury pool does not fight the house; it completes it.

Third, property values in Sherman Oaks and across Los Angeles have continued to climb, making any meaningful improvement to your outdoor living space a smart investment. A custom plunge pool, particularly one paired with quality landscaping and outdoor seating, can meaningfully increase a home’s appeal and market value. Buyers in this market actively look for homes with outdoor amenities, and a beautifully executed cocktail pool stands out.

Design Strategies for Small Backyard Luxury Pools

Getting the most out of a limited footprint requires smart design choices from the very beginning. The best cocktail pool design projects in the Los Angeles area start with a conversation about how the homeowner actually wants to use the space, and then every decision flows from that vision.

One of the most effective strategies is to integrate the pool seamlessly into the surrounding landscape rather than treating it as a separate element dropped into the yard. Flush coping that sits level with the surrounding deck, for example, creates a visual continuity that makes the entire space feel larger and more intentional. Using consistent materials across the pool surround and patio, such as matching natural stone or large-format porcelain tile, reinforces that sense of cohesion.

Raised bond beams are another popular feature in small backyard luxury pools. A raised wall on one or two sides of the pool serves multiple purposes: it creates a built-in seating ledge, adds a water feature opportunity through a spillover or sheet waterfall effect, and gives the pool a more architectural presence. In a smaller yard, you want every element to do more than one job, and a raised bond beam delivers on that principle beautifully.

Lighting is often underestimated in cocktail pool design, but it is critical in smaller spaces. The right underwater lighting combined with thoughtful landscape lighting can make a compact backyard feel like an intimate luxury retreat after dark. Many Sherman Oaks homeowners find that their cocktail pool gets just as much use in the evening as during the day, particularly during the warm summer months.

Finally, consider the relationship between the pool and the interior of the home. In many Sherman Oaks properties, the living room or kitchen opens directly to the backyard through sliding or folding glass doors. Aligning the pool with that indoor-outdoor connection, so that it is visible and accessible from inside the home, dramatically expands the perceived living space and creates a sense of flow that feels genuinely luxurious.

Customization Options That Elevate the Experience

One of the great advantages of custom plunge pools over prefabricated options is the sheer range of finishes, features, and technologies available. In Los Angeles, where design standards are high and homeowners have strong aesthetic sensibilities, this flexibility matters enormously.

Interior finishes range from classic white plaster to pebble aggregate, glass tile, and even hand-placed mosaic designs. Glass tile in particular has become a popular choice for cocktail pools in Sherman Oaks because it captures and reflects light beautifully, giving the water a jewel-like quality that photographs exceptionally well and looks even better in person.

Water features such as deck jets, bubblers, and laminar flows add movement and sound to the pool environment, transforming what might otherwise be a quiet yard into a dynamic outdoor experience. In a smaller space, even a single, well-placed deck jet arcing into the pool can shift the entire character of the backyard.

Smart pool technology has also made significant advances in recent years. Automated systems allow homeowners to control temperature, lighting, jets, and water features from a smartphone app, which means your cocktail pool can be warm and ready before you even step outside. For a heated pool used year-round in the Los Angeles climate, this kind of convenience is not a luxury addition; it becomes part of the daily routine.

Navigating Permits and Planning in Los Angeles

Any pool project in Sherman Oaks will require permits through the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. This process can feel daunting, but an experienced pool contractor familiar with local codes will handle most of this on your behalf. It is worth knowing upfront that setback requirements, drainage considerations, and equipment placement rules all apply to even small backyard luxury pools, so working with a contractor who knows the Los Angeles permitting landscape is essential.

The permitting timeline in Los Angeles can range from a few weeks to several months depending on the complexity of the project and current department workload. Building this timeline into your planning ensures that the project moves smoothly and that you are not caught off guard by delays.

Conclusion

The cocktail pool is not a compromise. For Sherman Oaks homeowners with smaller backyards, it is quite possibly the smartest and most satisfying outdoor investment available. Custom plunge pools bring the full experience of luxury pool ownership into compact spaces, delivering year-round enjoyment, elevated aesthetics, and real value to your property. With thoughtful cocktail pool design, the right materials, and a contractor who understands the specific landscape of Los Angeles backyard living, even a modest outdoor space can become the retreat you have always envisioned. If you have been putting off the idea of a pool because your yard felt too small, it may be time to think smaller and dream bigger.

Need Pool Contractors Near You?

Since 1999, Avanti Pools, Inc. has proudly been your locally owned and operated source for premier custom-designed pools and spas, serving Los Angeles and the surrounding areas with unparalleled quality and service. The experts at Avanti Pools, Inc. are A.P.S.I. certified professional pool builders that hold over 60 years of combined experience specializing in swimming pool and spa design and construction, automatic pool and spa covers, solar heating, self-cleaning pools, and much more. Our area of expertise lies in special engineering on difficult sites, so we are capable and fully equipped to handle even the most challenging of projects. Call the expert pool builders at Avanti Pools, Inc. today!