Swimming Pool Sun Shelves: Uses, Benefits, and Design Ideas

A sun shelf (also called a tanning ledge or Baja bench) is a shallow platform built inside your pool where you can lounge in just 6 to 9 inches of water. It sounds simple, but it tends to become the most-used feature in the entire pool. Sun shelves reach their full potential in a custom concrete (gunite or shotcrete) pool, where shape, size, and finish can all be tailored to your space. Here is what you need to know before adding one to yours.

You may be surprised at all the ways this versatile, customizable option is used and how it enhances the pool experience!

What You Can Do on a Sun Shelf

Sun shelves are more functional than most people expect. Here are the four main ways pool owners use them.

Tanning and Relaxing

Place a chaise lounge on the shelf and recline in a few inches of water. You stay cool without getting fully submerged. Many shelves can accommodate a patio umbrella sleeve for shade when the sun is intense.

Socializing

The shelf sits at the pool's edge, making it easy to talk with people in the water and people on the deck at the same time. If your pool includes a spa, positioning the shelf nearby lets guests move between the two effortlessly.

A Safe Spot for Kids

The shallow depth makes it a natural play area for young children. Parents can sit right there with them, staying dry or staying cool, without leaving arm's reach.

Easy Entry for Everyone

Not everyone wants to jump into deep water. A sun shelf gives hesitant swimmers, seniors, guests with mobility challenges, and even your dog a comfortable place to ease in at their own pace.

Designing Your Sun Shelf

The right sun shelf depends on how you plan to use it and how your pool is laid out. Here is what to think through.

Location

Most sun shelves go in the shallow end, but there is no single right answer. Common placements include:

• Adjacent to entry steps

• Next to an attached spa, with spillover water flowing across the shelf

• Near a poolside seating area or outdoor kitchen

• Away from high-traffic features like slides or jump rocks if you want a quieter retreat

Your builder can also extend the shelf outside the pool's main footprint to create a dedicated niche without sacrificing interior swim space.

Dimensions

Size your shelf around how many people will use it at once.

• One chaise lounge: at least 7 feet long

• Two chaise lounges: at least 7 feet wide

• Tight on space? A wider first entry step can double as a compact sun shelf.

If you swim laps, keep the shelf off both ends of the pool so it does not interrupt your turns.

Shape

Match the shelf shape to your pool's style. Straight lines and right angles work well on geometric pools. Soft curves suit freeform or kidney-shaped pools. An experienced builder can also propose creative hybrid shapes that complement unusual designs.

Configuration

A sun shelf can stand alone or be built into your entry step formation. On pools with an attached spa or rock waterfall, the shelf is often integrated into the overall layout rather than treated as a separate feature.

Depth

Six to nine inches is standard. Nine inches is the most common.

• Want to lay directly on the shelf without furniture? Go with 6 inches.

• Planning to use chaise lounges? Six to nine inches works for most models.

Use chaise lounges specifically made for sun shelves. They are weighted to stay put and built to withstand chemically treated water. Quality brands include Ledge and Kai Shelf Lounge.

Sun Shelf Finishes and Add-Ons

Because a sun shelf sits in shallow water, it is one of the most visible parts of your pool. That makes finish choices worth thinking through.

Standard finish: Match the shelf to the pool interior using marcite plaster, ColorQuartz, or pebble. Keep in mind that shallow water will make the shelf appear lighter, sometimes a noticeably different shade, than the rest of the pool.

Upgraded finishes: Cover the shelf entirely in pool tile for a contemporary look, or use flagstone, travertine, or quartz for a rustic or tropical feel. Seal natural stone to protect it from pool chemicals.

Popular add-ons:

• Umbrella sleeve for shade

• Bubbler fountains (one to three is typical)

• Color-changing LED lighting for nighttime use and safety

• Pool mosaics or accent tile along the shelf border

• Accent boulders on a lagoon-style pool

Maintenance and Cost

Cleaning: Standard automatic pool cleaners typically cannot reach a sun shelf. Two options that work well:

• An in-floor cleaning head built into the shelf surface

• A SmartFlow JetSystem head that jets debris off the shelf and into the main pool for the cleaner to pick up

Bubblers also help by circulating water across the shelf.

Cost: Sun shelf pricing depends on size, finish upgrades, and your location. A basic shelf costs less when designed as an expanded first step. Upgrades like tile finishes, lighted bubblers, and mosaics increase the price. Talk to your builder about what fits your budget.

Ready to Add a Sun Shelf to Your Pool?

Whether you are starting a new build or planning a remodel, a sun shelf is one of the most requested features for a reason. Use the ideas above to figure out what makes sense for your space, then talk to a pool builder about making it happen.

Browse sun shelf and tanning ledge photos to see what is possible, or get in touch with Blue Haven to start planning your pool.