Built-in pool seating, sunken seating and poolside surfaces

In-pool loungers, shallow ledges, benches and sunken seating

Built-in seating turns a swimming pool into a social space for guests. We can construct seating and shallow entries inside or beside the pool, or apply the PebbleCrete finish over structures built by your main contractor.

A shallow beach entry or a Baja shelf (a standing or tanning ledge) gives a wide, shallow water zone for lounging or children's play. Such zones were rarely built in the past because people walked on smooth ceramic tile. A textured exposed-aggregate finish makes them practical and attractive: the textured surface feels different underfoot from smooth glazed tile, and the surface on these zones should be chosen with this in mind.

• Dry sunken seating pods set inside the pool footprint where guests step down and sit dry at water level
• Wet sunken seating, underwater benches, curved sofas and in-pool tables for drinks and shade
• Baja shelves, shallow ledges and tanning ledges with sculpted in-water loungers, optional air massage (many air jets across the ledge), fibre-optic lighting or overhead projection, which looks most striking on shallow water
• Replacing rough sandwash or broken tiles on existing hotel benches, steps and pool edges with PebbleCrete
• Building solid steps finished in PebbleCrete to replace an old metal pool ladder

Terraces, walkways, bridges, planters and in-pool bars

Finishing the surrounding deck and garden structures in the same material as the pool creates a clean, unified look that handles wet feet and tropical sun. We also build and finish in-pool (swim-up) bars and poolside bars.

• Pool decks, extended villa terraces, bridges across the water, stepping stones and walkways finished in PebbleCrete with sculpted corners
• Poolside planters, palm pot covers, feature walls and decorative striped or patterned zones in standard or custom colours
• In-pool (swim-up) bars and beach bars built and finished by us, including counters, underwater stools, floors and ceilings finished in PebbleCrete

Draining, pool use and how we organise the work

How we stage the work depends on whether the surfaces sit inside the water or out on the deck. An on-site inspection decides whether the pool must be drained, and the programme is agreed for the individual project. Draining in the wet season or where groundwater is high needs care, and on existing pools or decks hidden problems in the base may only appear once work starts, so work can go in stages.

• Pool stays in use or water is lowered: finishing terraces, walkways, planters, poolside bars and dry seating outside the water while protecting the pool from dust
• Pool must be drained: building or resurfacing submerged benches, Baja shelves, in-pool loungers, underwater tables, swim-up bars, steps and sunken seating inside the pool shell
• Who decides what: we agree seat heights, step depth, edge profiles and colour blends with you or your architect before work starts

What to send for a first discussion

Send us these details so we can review your seating, shallow ledge, bar or terrace project.

• Photos or drawings of the pool, terrace and the areas where you want seating, a Baja shelf, a swim-up bar or new finishes
• The property location and approximate pool and deck dimensions
• What you want changed, and whether your builder is casting the structure or you want us to build and finish it