Trends come and go in the world of home design. One year it is infinity edges, the next it is natural ponds. Yet, one shape has remained the gold standard for decades. The rectangle pool is not just a relic of the past; it is the most practical, elegant, and versatile choice for modern homeowners.
If you are considering adding a pool to your Pennsylvania property, you might feel overwhelmed by the options. Freeform shapes look organic. Kidney shapes feel retro. But there is a reason you see rectangular designs at luxury resorts and high-end estates. They work.
Choosing the right shape is about more than just fitting a hole in the ground. It is about how you will use the water, how the pool integrates with your landscape, and how much time you want to spend maintaining it. Let’s dive into why the classic rectangle is making a massive comeback and why it might be the perfect fit for your backyard oasis.
1. Timeless Aesthetics That Match Any Style
A rectangle pool has a distinct advantage over other shapes: it never looks out of place. Whether you own a historic stone farmhouse in Bucks County or a modern new construction in the suburbs, clean lines complement the architecture.
Why Simplicity Wins
Freeform pools can sometimes clash with the rigid lines of a house. Your home is made of squares and rectangles. Windows are rectangular. Doors are rectangular. Extending those lines into the yard creates a seamless visual flow. It makes the pool feel like an extension of the home rather than an afterthought dropped onto the lawn.
The “Reflecting Pool” Effect
There is a certain elegance to a body of water with straight edges. When the water is still, a rectangular pool acts like a mirror. It reflects the sky and your landscaping perfectly. This adds a sense of calm and sophistication that is harder to achieve with irregular shapes.
2. Maximizing Usable Swim Space
You are paying for every square foot of your excavation and liner (or concrete). You want to be able to use it.
Sports and Activity
If you have a family, functionality is key. Try playing a game of pool volleyball in a kidney-shaped pool. It is awkward. One side has more water than the other, and the net never sits quite right.
- Lap Swimming: Fitness enthusiasts love rectangles. You have a clear, straight lane from one end to the other. No bumping into curved walls.
- Pool Games: Games like basketball and volleyball require symmetrical playing fields. A rectangle provides exactly that.
- Floating: Even if your goal is just to float on a raft, a rectangle gives you more open water surface area without “dead zones” in tight curves.
Full-Width Stairs
A popular trend right now is full-width stadium stairs. These are wide steps that span the entire shallow end of the pool. They create a massive lounging area where adults can sit and kids can play safely. This design feature is incredibly difficult to implement effectively in a curved pool but fits perfectly in a rectangle.
3. The Automatic Cover Advantage
This is perhaps the biggest practical benefit for homeowners in the Northeast, specifically Pennsylvania. Our weather changes fast. We get leaves in the fall and snow in the winter.
Safety and Convenience
Automatic pool covers are a game-changer. With the turn of a key or the push of a button, your pool is sealed tight.
- Heat Retention: Keeping the cover on at night traps the heat, saving you money on energy costs according to federal energy reports.
- Cleanliness: It keeps leaves, pollen, and debris out.
- Safety: An auto-cover can support the weight of a person, providing a crucial safety barrier for children and pets.
Why Shape Matters
Automatic covers run on parallel tracks. They are designed for—you guessed it—rectangles.
Can you put a cover on a freeform pool? Yes, but the tracks have to be mounted on top of the deck (which can be a tripping hazard or an eyesore), or you have to build a “pool within a pool” deck structure. With a rectangle pool, the tracks can be hidden underneath the coping (the stone edge of the pool). It is seamless, invisible, and far cheaper to install than a custom cover for a weirdly shaped pool.
4. Hardscaping and Landscaping Integration
As landscaping contractors, we see the difference in installation time and finish quality between pool shapes.
Clean Paver Installation
Installing a patio around a curved pool requires a lot of cutting. Every paver that touches the pool edge must be cut to fit the radius. This takes time, creates waste, and increases labor costs. With a rectangle pool, the pavers line up perfectly with the straight edges. This ensures a cleaner look for your paver installation with fewer small slivers of stone.
Zoning Your Backyard
Rectangular shapes make it easier to create distinct “zones” in your backyard.
- The Dining Zone: Easily align a rectangular dining table parallel to the pool.
- The Lounging Zone: Line up chaise lounges in a neat row.
- The Fire Pit Zone: Create a square fire pit area off one corner of the pool.
Straight lines make space planning efficient. You do not end up with awkward wedges of grass that are hard to mow or too small to use.
5. Cost-Effectiveness and Value
Budget is always a factor, so understanding how much an inground pool costs is essential. While a pool is a luxury investment, you still want the best bang for your buck.
Faster Installation
Building a rectangle pool is generally more straightforward for the crew. Setting forms for concrete or measuring for a vinyl liner is simpler when the math involves straight lines. This efficiency can sometimes translate to a faster build time, getting you in the water sooner.
Liner Replacements
If you choose a vinyl liner pool, you will eventually need to replace the liner (usually every 10–15 years). Rectangular liners are standard to manufacture and easier to measure. Complex curves require custom measurements that leave more room for error and can cost more to produce.
Feature Comparison: Rectangle vs. Free-form
To help you decide, here is a quick breakdown of how these two popular styles stack up against each other.
| Feature | Rectangle Pool | Free-form / Kidney Pool |
| Swim Space | Maximized. Great for laps and sports. | Reduced. Better for lounging/wading. |
| Auto-Cover | Easy, hidden track installation. | Difficult, often requires deck-mount tracks. |
| Patio Install | Efficient. Fewer cuts for pavers. | Labor-intensive. Many custom cuts. |
| Aesthetics | Modern, classic, formal. | Naturalistic, lagoon-style. |
| Cost | Generally more cost-effective per sq. ft. | Can be higher due to labor/customization. |
6. Perfect for Pennsylvania Terrains
Pennsylvania has beautiful, rolling terrain, but it also presents challenges. Many backyards in our area have slopes or retaining walls.
Retaining Walls and Slopes
If your yard is sloped, you may need a retaining wall to create a flat area for the pool. Retaining walls are linear. Putting a rectangular pool parallel to a retaining wall maximizes the usable space on the terrace. A curved pool against a straight wall leaves gaps of wasted space that are hard to landscape.
Deep Ends and Diving
Many PA homeowners still want a deep end for diving. To have a safe diving envelope, you need a certain length of slope and depth. A rectangle provides the length needed to achieve a proper deep end without sacrificing the shallow end. In a shorter or curved pool, the transition from shallow to deep can feel steep and abrupt.
7. The Modern Twist: The L-Shape
If you feel a standard rectangle is too boring, consider the L-shape. This is essentially two rectangles joined together. The main “leg” of the L is your swimming and lap lane. The shorter leg is often used as a shallow play area or sun shelf (Baja shelf). This gives you the structural benefits of the rectangle—straight lines for pavers and easier layout—with a bit of architectural interest. It is a fantastic compromise for families who want a dedicated area for small children to splash while the adults swim laps.
8. Resale Value: The Safe Bet
When you sell your home, you want your pool to appeal to the widest range of buyers.
A “lagoon” style pool with artificial rocks is a specific taste. Some buyers love it; others might find it dated.
A rectangle pool is the “little black dress” of backyards. It rarely offends anyone. It looks clean and well-maintained. Future buyers can easily imagine themselves using it, regardless of their personal style. In the real estate market, neutral and classic features tend to hold their value better than highly stylized ones, a trend seen in NAR remodeling impact reports.
Conclusion: Smart Design Endures
Choosing a pool shape is the first big decision in your backyard transformation journey. While it is tempting to get creative with curves, the benefits of a rectangle pool are hard to ignore. From the practicality of automatic covers to the clean elegance that elevates your property value, this classic shape delivers on every front.
At FS Landscaping Contractors, we specialize in designing outdoor living spaces that are both beautiful and functional. We understand the specific needs of Pennsylvania homeowners, from navigating local zoning laws to managing our unique climate.
Whether you are dreaming of a sleek lap pool or a family-friendly backyard resort, starting with the right shape sets the tone for everything else.
Ready to start your project?
Stop dreaming and start swimming. Contact us today for a consultation, and let’s design a pool that fits your life perfectly.