The pool gets finished in November, the paving cures, and on the first properly hot Saturday everyone piles outside. That is usually the moment the problem shows up: two sun lounges, a side table and an esky have swallowed the whole deck, and reaching the steps means shuffling sideways past someone's ankles. Choosing pool furniture is only half the job. The other half is knowing how much deck space each piece needs before it lands on your paving.
This guide covers real footprints, the walkways you should never furnish over, and the pool fence clearance that quietly rules out a lot of layouts. It is written for Australian backyards, from a plunge pool on a Sydney terrace to a lap pool in Perth. If you want to browse while you plan, our Sun Lounges & Bean Bags range is where most poolside layouts start.
Measure the deck first, shortlist second
Most poolside crowding starts with a purchase made before anyone reached for a tape measure. Sketch the deck and mark four things: the water's edge, the fence line and gate swing, the door you come out of, and the path to the pool steps. Everything you buy lives in what is left over.
Then measure the usable depth — the distance from the water's edge back to the fence, wall or garden bed. That single number decides more than any other. Under 2 metres and you are in narrow-deck territory, where lounges have to sit end to end. Between 2 and 3 metres you can run them parallel to the water with a walkway behind. Over 3 metres and you can plan a second zone with shade.
How much deck space each piece of pool furniture needs
Sun lounges are longer than most people picture. A standard adult sun lounge sits somewhere around 190 to 200cm long and 65 to 75cm wide, and that is only the frame. You also need clearance at the head end for the backrest to recline and room at the foot end so nobody has to step over it.
The table below shows the planning allowance we use: the footprint plus the breathing room around it. That is the number that matters when you draw a layout on paper.
| Piece | Typical footprint | Deck space to allow | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single sun lounge | 2.0m x 0.7m | 2.4m x 1.2m | Backrest travel at the head end |
| Two lounges with a side table between | 2.0m x 1.9m | 2.4m x 2.4m | Needs a walkway behind, not beside |
| Daybed | 2.0m x 1.5m | 2.4m x 2.2m | Rarely fits a deck under 3m deep |
| Side table (50 x 50cm) | 0.5m x 0.5m | Tucks inside the lounge allowance | Tipping on uneven pavers |
| Market umbrella, 2.7m canopy | Base roughly 0.5m x 0.5m | 2.7m clear overhead circle | Canopy overhanging the water |
The Poseidon Sunlounge ($599) is the standard-format lounge most decks get planned around, and it is the shape the numbers above assume. If you are buying a pair, decide early whether they sit side by side or end to end, because that choice sets the walkway for the entire deck.
Walkways, wet feet and the clearance everyone forgets
The most common layout mistake is furnishing right up to the water's edge. Leave at least 900mm of clear walkway between the water and the foot of any lounge, and 1.2 metres if that is the main route around the pool. Wet tiles plus a narrow gap is how someone ends up in the water sideways.
Behind the lounges, allow 600 to 700mm so people can walk past a reclined backrest without a detour. Between two lounges sitting side by side, 500 to 600mm is plenty for a table, a towel and a pair of sunglasses. The Shelby 50x50 Outdoor Side Table ($212) is sized for exactly that gap, and it sits low enough to reach from a reclined lounge.
Pool fencing changes your layout more than you expect
In Australia, pool barriers are built to AS1926 and enforced through state legislation and local councils. The part that matters for furniture is the non-climbable zone. It is a clear area on the outside of the barrier, commonly described as 900mm measured from the top of the fence. Anything a small child could use to climb has to stay out of it.
In practice that rules out pushing a sun lounge, daybed, side table, planter box or esky against the pool fence. It also affects umbrella bases and storage boxes placed near the barrier. Plan the fence clearance before the furniture, not after, because a layout that fails an inspection has to be moved anyway.
Requirements and inspection cycles vary between states and between councils, so confirm the details with your local council or a registered pool safety inspector before you commit. Salt water, chlorine and constant splash also narrow what will survive out there. Once the layout is settled, our guide to poolside furniture that copes with chlorine and salt water covers which materials actually last.
Three layouts that work on Australian pool decks
Narrow deck, under 2 metres. Run lounges end to end along the long side, parallel to the water, with the walkway on the water side. Skip the daybed and skip anything with arms that stick out. A single side table between the two lounges is all the extra furniture the space will take.
Standard deck, 2 to 3 metres. This is where a pair of lounges side by side works, with a 900mm walkway at the foot and a shared table between. The Tampa Sunlounge ($699) suits this layout, and buying two in the same colour keeps a narrow run looking deliberate rather than accidental.
Wide deck or a dedicated lounging zone. Over 3 metres deep, you can pull the seating back from the water and create a shaded pocket. A daybed such as the Surabaya Daybed ($2,065) anchors it, with lounges closer to the water and a clear route between the zones.
Pool furniture layout — frequently asked questions
How much space do you need between two sun lounges?
Allow 500 to 600mm between two sun lounges sitting side by side. That is enough for a 50cm side table with a little clearance, and enough for someone to swing their legs off without knocking the neighbouring lounge.
How far should pool furniture be from the pool edge?
Keep at least 900mm of clear deck between the water's edge and the nearest piece of furniture, and 1.2 metres where it is the main walking route. The gap is about wet feet and safe passage, and it is the first thing to protect when the deck gets tight.
Can I put a sun lounge against the pool fence?
No — pool barriers have a non-climbable zone on the outside that must stay clear of furniture. The zone is commonly described as 900mm measured from the top of the fence, but the exact requirement depends on your state and council, so check locally before you finalise a layout.
How many sun lounges fit around an average backyard pool?
Most Australian backyard pools comfortably take two to four sun lounges. A single long side of a typical 8 metre pool holds two lounges side by side with walkways intact. A second run along an adjacent side takes it to four, if the deck is deep enough.
Do I need to allow extra space for an umbrella?
Yes, and it is overhead space rather than floor space that catches people out. A 2.7m canopy needs a clear circle of that diameter with nothing under it, and the canopy should not sit over the water where the base cannot be safely weighted.
Shop the range
Once you know your deck depth and your walkways, choosing the furniture is the easy part. Our Sun Lounges & Bean Bags collection covers the lounges and daybeds most poolside layouts are built from, and the Outdoor Side Tables range has the small pieces that fill the gaps between them.
We deliver Australia-wide, with free delivery on orders over $100 and most orders dispatched in 3 to 10 business days. Installation is available on request if you would rather not assemble anything in the sun.
