Freeform design · 30 × 15 ft

Classic Kidney pool

The kidney shape has been a backyard staple for decades because it works: the pinched middle separates a shallow end for kids from a deeper end, and it tucks neatly around a patio.

Design my pool Size & estimate

At a glance

$53k – $67k

Size30 × 15 ft (adjustable)
Water surfaceabout 318 sq ft
Volumeapprox. 10,944 gal
Example monthly~$611/mo
Default finishClassic blue
Default deck & copingBroom-finish concrete · Bullnose
Shown withColor LED lighting

*Planning estimates from our 3D designer for the pool itself (design, permits, excavation, steel, plumbing, gunite, plaster, coping and a narrow deck), including a safety margin. Spas, water features and bigger decks are extra. Example monthly payment is an illustration only (8.99% APR, 15 years), not a loan offer. A licensed builder confirms your price in writing after a site visit.

Plan view at the default 30 × 15 ft. Resize it in the designer to fit your lot.

Best for

Budget-conscious families and traditional homes.

Options like spas, water features and outdoor kitchens are priced on your free consultation, where a licensed partner builder confirms everything in writing.

Try the Classic Kidney in my yard

Who it suits

Is the Classic Kidney right for you?

A good fit for young families who want a real pool without overthinking it. The shallow lobe becomes the spot for kids and floaties, the deeper lobe is where adults swim or sit on the steps, and the pinch between them gives everyone a sense of their own space.

It reads as classic and friendly next to traditional, craftsman and older ranch homes, and it pairs naturally with a plain broom-finish concrete deck. If you remember a pool like this from a grandparent's backyard, that nostalgia is part of the appeal.

How much yard it needs

The default kidney is 30 by 15 ft. Allow about 4 ft of concrete around it and the 5 ft back-line setback and you get 15 + 8 + 5, roughly 28 ft of depth to plan around, with about 40 ft across the yard. The inside curve can wrap a patio or a tree, which sometimes lets it sit closer to the house than a rectangle would. Your builder confirms the fit and any slope work on site.

Spa, shelf and seating options

The inward curve is the natural spot for an attached spa or a small set of entry steps, since it faces the house. A sun shelf can go in the shallow lobe if the lot allows a slightly larger pool. Simple corner steps keep costs and the classic look intact.

Looking after it

Smooth white plaster and a basic concrete deck are about as easy as pools get. The pinched waist is the one place leaves settle, so give it a quick brush during weekly care. Concrete decks can be resealed every few years to stay fresh, and an older kidney is a common candidate for a pool remodel if you already have one.

What the build involves

Kidney pools are straightforward gunite builds with no special structures. The pinch is laid out with paint on the ground, so walk the outline with your builder before digging and nudge it around trees, patios or the side yard gate. If you have mature roots nearby, ask how the dig will protect them and whether a root barrier makes sense.

Classic Kidney FAQ

Classic Kidney questions.

Didn't find yours? Send us a message or email [email protected]. A real person answers.

How deep can the deep end of a kidney pool go?

Many are built with a shallow lobe around 3.5 ft and a deeper lobe up to about 6 to 8 ft. A diving board needs a diving-rated depth and design, which your builder must confirm.