If you’ve spent any time looking at inground pools lately, you’ve probably noticed there are two general directions most pool designs go: clean straight lines or softer curved shapes.
The pools with softer curves usually create a very different backyard feel, especially once landscaping, patios, and water features come into play.
Freeform pool designs have been popular for decades because they tend to feel a little more relaxed and natural in a backyard setting. Some are subtle and modern, while others lean fully into the resort-style look with waterfalls, tanning ledges, and curved patios.
But before choosing a pool shape, it helps to understand what actually makes a pool “freeform,” how much they cost, and how different pool types handle freeform designs.
What is a freeform pool?
A freeform pool is an inground pool with curved or flowing lines instead of sharp corners and perfectly straight edges.
Some freeform pool designs have gentle curves that slightly soften the overall shape. Others have more dramatic bends and rounded edges.
One thing that makes freeform pools stand out is how the entire backyard tends to flow around the shape of the pool. Patios, landscaping, and outdoor living spaces usually feel a little less rigid once curves are introduced into the design.
Are freeform pools more expensive than rectangular pools?
Short answer? Sometimes.
In many cases, freeform pools do cost more than rectangular pools, but the pool shape itself usually isn’t the biggest reason why.
Added costs usually come from the surrounding design and construction details, like:
- curved patios
- custom coping
- additional excavation work
- more detailed landscaping
Those elements can add both labor and material costs to the overall project. That’s especially true with vinyl liner and custom concrete pools, where curved designs usually require more customization during construction.
With fiberglass pools, pricing is usually tied more closely to the overall backyard project than the complexity of the shape itself.
Most fiberglass freeform pool projects cost somewhere between $85,000 and $200,000+ once you factor in the full backyard installation, patio space, landscaping, and added features.
At the end of the day, the biggest cost drivers usually aren’t the curves themselves. It’s everything happening around them.
What backyard works best with a freeform pool?
One of the biggest advantages freeform pool designs is how well they work with different backyard layouts.
In some yards, a curved pool can help soften the space and make the overall design feel less rigid. In others, the shape helps the pool fit more naturally alongside landscaping, patios, or elevation changes.
Freeform pool designs can also create very different overall looks depending on how dramatic the curves are.
Some homeowners prefer gentler curves that keep more open swim space and feel a little cleaner visually. Others are drawn to pools with stronger curve appeal that become more of a focal point in the backyard.
That’s usually where choices like landscaping, water features, lighting, and tanning ledges start playing a bigger role in the overall feel of the space.
What freeform pool designs does river pools offer?
At River Pools, we offer two freeform pool designs: the I Series and the C Series. Both feature softer curves and built-in gathering spaces, but each has a slightly different layout and feel.
The I Series
- Relaxed freeform shape
- Open swim space
- Built-in tanning ledge
- Deep-end seating bench
- Multiple entry points
- Available with integrated spa options
The C Series
- More spacious overall layout
- Large tanning ledge with room for lounge chairs
- Wide open swim area
- Deep-end seating bench
- Available in 35' and 40' models
The two designs approach freeform pool layouts a little differently while still keeping the same curved, flowing style.
How Are Freeform Pools Built?
The installation process for a freeform pool depends heavily on the type of pool you choose.
- Fiberglass: Arrives as a pre-manufactured shell that’s set, leveled, plumbed, and backfilled after excavation. Because the shape is already built into the mold, installation is usually faster and more predictable.
- Vinyl liner: Built on-site using wall panels that follow the pool shape. A custom liner is then installed inside the structure. Curved designs usually require more installation labor than rectangular layouts.
- Concrete: Built entirely on-site and offers the most customization. The curves, depth, and features are all formed during construction, but the process usually takes longer than fiberglass or vinyl.
While all three pool types can be built in curved designs, the construction process and level of customization can look very different from one project to the next.
Final thoughts on freeform pool designs
A lot of homeowners start out thinking they’re just choosing a pool shape. Then somewhere along the way, they realize they’re really deciding how they want the entire backyard to come together.
That’s usually why freeform pools stay on the shortlist.
The curves can make a backyard feel more connected, create better flow between the pool and patio, and open the door for a lot of different design directions — from simple and modern to more detailed and feature-focused.
And while freeform pools have been around for a long time, they’ve definitely evolved. Today’s designs can be subtle, modern, functional, dramatic, or somewhere in between depending on how the space is planned around them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a freeform pool?
A freeform pool is an inground pool with curved or flowing lines instead of sharp corners and straight edges. Some designs use subtle curves for a softer look, while others use more dramatic shapes for a more natural or resort-style feel.
Are freeform pools more expensive than rectangular pools?
Sometimes. In many cases, freeform pools do cost more than rectangular pools, but usually because of the surrounding project details — not just the pool shape itself. Features like curved patios, custom coping, additional excavation work, and more detailed landscaping can all increase labor and material costs.
What backyard styles work best with freeform pool designs?
Freeform pool designs work well in a wide range of backyard styles. Some homeowners prefer gentler curves with a cleaner, more open look, while others lean into stronger curve appeal with landscaping, water features, lighting, and tanning ledges that make the pool more of a focal point.
Do freeform pools take longer to install?
It depends on the pool type. Fiberglass freeform pools are usually faster to install because the shell arrives pre-manufactured. Vinyl liner and concrete pools are built on-site and often require more construction time, especially with highly customized curved designs.
From the Author
Freeform pools can completely change the feel of a backyard, but many homeowners aren’t always sure what separates one freeform design from another or how different pool types handle curved layouts.
I’m Jason Hughes, a partner at River Pools Virginia and a fiberglass pool installer with more than 25 years of hands-on experience. Over the years, I’ve worked with homeowners building everything from simple freeform layouts to more detailed backyard designs with tanning ledges, water features, and custom landscaping.
I wrote this article to help homeowners better understand how freeform pools are designed, what impacts the overall cost, and what to expect from the installation process before starting a backyard project.
From the Manufacturer
At River Pools, we’ve worked with homeowners designing all kinds of backyards, and one thing we’ve learned is that freeform pools can create very different looks depending on how the space is planned around them.
As fiberglass pool manufacturers, we also know that homeowners are often trying to balance aesthetics, functionality, budget, and long-term maintenance when comparing different pool designs and construction types.
If you’re considering a fiberglass freeform pool and want to explore what could work best in your backyard, the next step is connecting with a trusted independent installer in your area. They can help evaluate your space, walk through design options, and help you plan a project that fits your goals, layout, and budget.
Ready to start the conversation?
