A kidney shaped pool cover is a flexible pool blanket trimmed to follow your pool's curves, paired with a roller placed where the blanket can wind on and off cleanly. Curved pools are just as easy to cover as rectangular ones once those two things are right. At Aussie UnderCover, we've been designing hidden pool cover systems in Nowra NSW since 2008, and here's how we approach kidney, round and freeform pools.
Key Takeaways
- Kidney, round and freeform pools can be covered neatly. The blanket is trimmed to follow the curves of the pool.
- Roller placement matters more on a curved pool than on a rectangle. The roller should sit along the widest, straightest run of the pool, not in the narrow waist.
- Aussie UnderCover hidden systems keep the roller and blanket in a pit under a lid finished in your tiles, pavers, concrete or decking.
- The best cover is the one you'll use every day, so ease of rolling on and off is as important as the fit.
Why Kidney Shaped and Odd Shaped Pools Still Need a Good Pool Cover
Kidney shaped and freeform pools benefit from a cover just as much as any rectangular pool. Plenty of Australian homes have curved pools, from older family backyards in Sydney and Wollongong to newer freeform designs on the NSW South Coast, and their owners sometimes assume the shape rules out a proper cover. It doesn't.
A well-fitted cover on a kidney pool does the same jobs as on any other pool:
- Keeps leaves, dust and insects out, so there's less skimming and vacuuming
- Slows evaporation, so you top up less often
- Holds warmth in the water, and consistent use can help cut heating costs by up to 70%
- Slows chemical loss, and consistent use can help cut chemical costs by up to 50%
Aussie UnderCover makes manual and remote-controlled semi-automatic hidden roller systems that keep the cover out of sight in the paving or decking, rather than on an above-ground roller beside the pool.
How Pool Covers Are Cut and Fitted to a Kidney Shaped Pool
Pool blankets for kidney shaped and freeform pools are usually supplied as an oversized piece and trimmed to follow the pool's outline. A blanket cut to the curves covers the water far better than a rectangle left untrimmed.
The fitting process is simple:
- Measure accurately. Record the longest overall length and widest points, plus the position of steps, benches and swim-outs.
- Float and trim. The blanket is floated on the water and trimmed around the curved waist, rounded ends, ladders and grab rails.
- Leave a little overlap. The blanket should reach the edge of the water so wind can't get underneath.
Very curvy freeform pools simply take a bit longer to trim. The same solar, foam or non-heating blanket is used. On an Aussie UnderCover system, the trim doesn't change how the blanket is cut, but the roller position decides how the cover tracks on and off the water.
Choosing the Right Pool Cover for Kidney Shaped Pools
For most kidney shaped pools, a flexible pool blanket is the easiest cover to fit and use. Here's how the main cover types compare on a curved pool:
- Flexible pool blanket (solar, foam or non-heating): easy to trim to curves and light to roll, which makes it the most practical choice for most kidney and freeform pools.
- Mesh or solid debris covers: can be made to suit curved pools, but need careful measuring and are fiddlier to put on and take off.
- Rigid or slatted covers: generally suit simple rectangular pools better than tight curves.
For curved pools, getting the blanket fit and roller location right matters more than choosing the most complex cover available. Aussie UnderCover systems work with solar, foam and non-heating blankets, so you can choose the material that suits your climate and whether your pool is heated.
Pool blankets are not safety covers. They can't support the weight of a child, adult or pet and never replace compliant pool fencing.
Roller and System Placement for Kidney, Freeform and L Shaped Pools
On a kidney shaped pool, the roller should sit along the widest, straightest edge so the blanket feeds on and off evenly. On a rectangular pool, the roller simply goes at one end. Curved pools need a bit more thought.
Good positions usually include:
- The wider, bulb end of the kidney
- A straight paved or decked section where the blanket can feed directly onto the water
Avoid placing the roller on the inside of the concave waist. The blanket bunches at the narrow point there and won't roll evenly.
An Aussie UnderCover system sits in a recess beside the pool, under a lid that takes your tiles, pavers, concrete or decking. The lid is designed to fit your 400 mm tile, so it blends into the surround and nothing is left on show. For heavy stone or concrete finishes, our Power Lid lifts up to 200 kg. Unusual pool designs are something we enjoy working with, as our infinity edge pool cover project shows.
For L shaped or very irregular pools, send us photos, a simple sketch and rough measurements, and we'll suggest the most practical roller position.
Planning, Measuring and Installing a Hidden Pool Cover System on a Kidney Shaped Pool
The best time to plan a hidden cover on a kidney shaped pool is during a new build or renovation, but many existing pools can be retrofitted too.
Questions to work through when you plan:
- Pool shape: kidney, round, L shaped or freeform?
- Pool size: overall length and widest points
- Steps and swim-outs: where are they and how big?
- Space beside the pool: is there room to create a pit along the widest straight edge?
- Operation: manual winding handle, or remote-controlled 24V semi-automatic?
Skimmer boxes, returns and plumbing can affect where the pit goes, especially on narrow or sloping coastal sites. The main stages are creating the pit, fitting the mechanism and roller, setting up manual or remote operation, and finishing the lid in tiles, pavers, concrete or decking.
Our DIY kits are delivered Australia wide with detailed instructions, step-by-step photos and layout plans. We install across the Shoalhaven, Illawarra, Southern Highlands and Sydney, and can recommend installers elsewhere. If your pool already has a cavity and lid, our Mechanism Only Kits can go straight in without a full rebuild.
What to Ask Before Buying a Pool Cover and Hidden Roller for a Kidney Shaped Pool
Before you order a cover for a kidney shaped or freeform pool, confirm how it will be measured, trimmed and rolled. These are the questions worth asking:
- Measuring: how will the pool be measured, and do you need to supply photos or a sketch?
- Trimming: who trims the blanket, and how are steps, benches and curved walls allowed for?
- Roller placement: where will the roller go, and will the blanket feed cleanly without catching at the narrow waist?
- Operation: who will use it every day? A remote-controlled system takes the effort out of rolling on a larger pool.
- Blanket choice: does the system suit solar, foam and non-heating blankets if you change later?
- Finish: how will the lid match your existing tiles, pavers or decking?
To see our manual systems, visit our hidden pool covers page, or give us a call on 1300 722 009 for a free, no-obligation quote.
FAQ: Kidney Shaped Pool Covers and Odd Shaped Pool Solutions
Can I retrofit a hidden pool cover system to an existing kidney shaped pool?
Many existing kidney shaped pools can take a hidden system, provided there's room beside the pool to create a pit without disturbing the shell, footings or boundary walls. If a pit and lid already exist, a Mechanism Only Kit may suit. Send us photos and basic measurements and we'll tell you what's practical before any work starts.
Will a pool cover still work if my kidney pool has wide steps and a bench seat?
Yes. Steps, benches and swim-outs are allowed for when the blanket is trimmed, so the cover still floats and covers the main swimming area well. A well-trimmed blanket and a well-placed roller keep the cover easy to use.
How hard is it to use a hidden roller on a kidney shaped pool compared to a straight pool?
Once the roller is lined up with the best straight run of the pool, daily use is much the same as on a rectangular pool. A remote-controlled semi-automatic system takes most of the effort out of rolling the cover, which helps on larger pools.
Can one hidden cover system work on both my main pool and attached spa?
It depends on how the spa connects to the pool. A raised spa usually needs its own cover, while a spa that shares the pool's waterline is a different case. Send us a plan of the pool, spa and surrounds and we'll advise what's practical for your layout.
What maintenance does a kidney shaped pool cover and hidden system need?
Not much. Hose leaves and dirt off the blanket before winding it in, clear the pit and check it drains freely from time to time, and keep an eye on the blanket edges for wear. Our products are backed by a warranty covering manufacturing defects and materials, and you can call Aussie UnderCover on 1300 722 009 for advice at any time.