Your surface colour sets your water tone. Lighter finishes give bright, pale aqua water, mid tones give a classic blue-green, and darker finishes give deep blue or an almost lagoon look. The water takes its colour from the surface beneath it, plus the depth, the sky and what is around the pool.
So choosing a colour is a bigger decision than picking paint for a wall. Here’s how light and dark finishes behave, what affects the result in a Sydney backyard and how to choose without regrets. For the finishes themselves, see pebble and quartz.
How surface colour becomes water colour
Water on its own looks clear, but it absorbs light as it gets deeper and it picks up the colour of the surface below. A pale surface reflects more light back, so the water looks light and bright. A dark surface absorbs more, so the water looks deeper and richer. Shallow areas look lighter than the deep end, and a sunny day looks different to an overcast one.
Light finishes
White, cream and pale grey finishes give light aqua water that looks fresh and bright. They suit pools you want to feel open and clean, and they show the water clearly.
- Look: bright, pale aqua, tropical feel
- Heat: reflect more sun, so the water tends to run a little cooler
- Shows: debris and stains more easily, which makes dirt easier to spot but also easier to notice
- Glare: can be harsh in full sun
Mid tones
Soft blues, greens, tans and sandy shades give the classic pool look: a blue-green tone that looks natural in most backyards. They’re forgiving, they hide minor marks and they sit comfortably with most houses and gardens. If you’re unsure, a mid tone is the low-risk choice.
Dark finishes
Charcoal, navy and dark blue-grey finishes give deep blue, sometimes almost black water that looks dramatic and reflects the sky and the trees.
- Look: deep, rich and modern
- Heat: absorb more sun, so the water tends to run a little warmer, which many people like in cooler months
- Shows: pale scale, chalky deposits and dust more clearly on the surface
- Reflections: can look stunning, but dark pools can also hide hazards on the floor, so keep the water clear
Heat and colour: darker surfaces warm water faster and lighter ones reflect more sun. The effect is real but modest, so choose for the look first.
How your surroundings affect the choice
The house and paving
A pool is part of the whole backyard. A warm sandstone or travertine surround usually sits well with sandy and mid blue tones. Crisp white render and dark window frames can suit a darker, more contemporary pool. Look at the colour of your coping and paving too. It’s worth thinking about coping at the same time as the finish.
Gardens and trees
Green gardens and big trees reflect in the water, and a surface that echoes them looks natural. Leaf litter also matters. Under heavy tree cover, a very pale surface shows tannin staining and leaves, and a darker or mixed tone hides them.
Sun, shade and the sky
A pool in full western sun looks different to one in shade most of the day. Shade makes colours look deeper and cooler. Full sun makes them look lighter and brighter.
Coast or inland
Pools near the coast often suit lighter, sandy or sea-toned colours, while many inland and hills backyards suit richer blues and greens. That’s a matter of taste, not a rule.
Choosing without regrets
- Ask for wet samples. A dry sample looks nothing like the finish under water. Wet it down.
- Look in daylight. Check the sample outside, in your yard, at different times of day.
- Hold it against your surroundings. Check it next to your coping, paving and house colours.
- Think about the whole pool. Colour looks different in the deep end, the shallow end and on the steps.
- Take your time. It’s a long-term choice. Get it right, not quick.
If you’re still choosing between finishes as well as colours, our pebble vs quartz guide helps with the first decision. Once you’ve chosen, a proper resurface locks the colour in for years.
