Freeform and Kidney Shaped Swimming Pool Designs

Donnell Free-Form Swimming Pool in Sonoma

The freeform swimming pool was the first of its kind when it was built in 1948 in Sonoma, California. More than 60 years later, it still wows visitors.

Although not a true kidney-shaped pool, this freeform-style swimming pool was a sensation when it was designed for the Donnell family in 1948. Featured in home and design magazines and books, the pool was designed by noted landscape architect Thomas Church, along with landscape architect Lawrence Halprin.

Interestingly, the swimming pool, patio, and garden were built before the house was erected. The Donnell family chose a favorite spot in Sonoma on top of a hill overlooking San Francisco Bay, where they frequently gathered for picnics and family parties.

While considered freeform, the boomerang shape (or kidney) consists of two shapes set at 45-degree angles. The island-situated sculpture in the middle of the pool was created by Adaline Kent. The house, garden, and swimming pool continues to be a popular attraction on garden and architecture tours.​

Brick-Lined Kidney Shape

An overhead shot reveals without a doubt that this is a kidney-shaped swimming pool. Outlining it with bricks further emphasizes its kidney shape and provides a nice contrast with the concrete walkway. The built-in spa, which is elevated from the pool, is designed in an octagonal shape.

Kidney-Shaped Spa

Continuing the freeform lines of the bigger pool, this kidney-shaped spa is different enough from most hot tubs without going overboard. Too many curves and a too-complicated shape on a small pool or body of water can defeat the purpose of why it's there in the first place.

Kidney Shape With Elevations

This clever design incorporates a kidney-shaped pool onto a sloping piece of land. The kidney form retains its shape, even at different elevations. It doesn't appear that one part of the pool is necessarily deeper than the other. With the positioning of the built-in seating, this pool no doubt takes advantage of the view offered from the hillside vantage point.

The pool appears to have jets, which indicates this pool is used for warmth, relaxation and entertaining. Two separate pathways lead from different parts of the house to the pool.

Kidney-Shaped Pool With Paver Deck

This kidney-shaped pool is surrounded by a paver deck and has a beautiful corner area filled with plants and a small waterfall that goes into the pool for a calming effect. The pool deck has a nice space on the sides, which accommodates some outdoor furniture for lounging and relaxing.

Kidney Shape With Hammock

This unique kidney shape pool offers a rectangular section with seating in a shallow depth area. Perfect for hanging out with friends and family when you just want to chill out, and great for the adults to relax and keep an eye on the kids as they play in the pool.

Kidney-Shaped Pool With Slide

A slide is a perfect addition to this pool, and is placed in the curve of the kidney shape. The free-flowing water running down the slide allows the pool to have a continuous circulation of water. The coping is cleverly accented in a darker color setting it off from the pool deck.

Pool With Basketball Hoop

For those basketball fans, here's a pool with a rock background filled with luscious green plants and the other end of the kidney shape has a basketball hoop. The pool is located indoors and also has a slide for zooming down into the pool. The green-colored bottom of the pool is refreshingly inviting, while the hoop and slide make this a fun-filled family pool.

Kidney Shape With Wood Pool Deck

An overhead view of this kidney-shaped pool reveals a beautiful natural landscape right behind the wrought iron fencing, making it a feeling of getting in touch with nature. The pool deck is done with wooden tiles, which accent the gorgeous aqua blue color of the pool. In continuing with the natural look, the lounge chairs and other furniture are constructed out of wood, too. 

Pool With Connected Spa

The view shows stairs leading down into the kidney-shaped pool for easy access in and out of the pool. Plus it has a connected spa with a waterfall flowing into the swimming pool. The pool deck is curve-shaped going along with the curvature of the pool and the spa. The red brick edging surrounding the pool and spa set it off from the light color of the pool deck. There are some nice areas for lounging in the sun or dining by the pool.