Mastering pool design: how to control the color of a swimming pool?

For pool professionnals, the color of the pool has become increasingly important: it's a key factor in overall pool design!

Paragraphes
Ckeditor

The color of a pool can have a huge impact on its appeal. It’s a key factor in overall pool design and can transform the visual effect. Today, homeowners and businesses are free to choose their ideal shade. After all, for many a pool is not just a pool – it’s part of a lifestyle choice. The pool must accentuate its surroundings and provide an attractive focal point. With aesthetic qualities and ambiance now priorities for customers, the color of the pool has become increasingly important.

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In this article, we’ll be discussing the factors that decide overall pool color: weather, architecture, pool liners and artificial coloration.

Color is in the eye of the beholder

  • Seasons in the sun?

Although water is transparent, the weather can cause it to take on different sheens and colorings. Just the intensity of the sun can dramatically alter a pool’s whole appearance. For instance, have you ever noticed how pools seem to glow electric blue when bathed in brilliant rays? And how that dazzle fades and the water becomes clearer when clouds pass overhead? For this reason, it’s important to think about the positioning of the pool as well as the local climate. A pool that’s in direct sun will reflect the color more intensely.

  • Pool design and surroundings

Take two identical pools. Plant lush, green foliage around one and lay pale paving around the other. The appearance of the water will vary distinctly between the two. The pool with the plants will have a greenish-tint – reflecting the vegetation – while the other pool will be a classic, traditional blue. Thinking of red-toned or honey-colored paving? This will create a natural aquamarine.

Read also: Creating a pool-side paradise: discover the best poolside plants!

The size and depth of your pool will also play its part. The bigger and deeper your pool, the richer the water color.

Three ways to control pool color:

1/ The liner or coating

While the weather and pool design can both influence the color of the water, it’s the pool liner or coating that will have by far the biggest effect. This decides the overall color that you see. You should therefore think carefully before deciding on a shade. Different colors can produce very different results. Do you want something traditional? Or a little more exotic?

  • Blue

You can’t go wrong with a swimming pool in classic standard blue. Timeless and inviting, a blue liner works in all weathers and with all surroundings: from decking and stone paving, to lawns, borders and shrubs.

There are lots of shades available, from cerulean to cyan. Each one gives a subtly different effect. For example, in a grey-tinted pool, the water will be a dull, natural blue in overcast conditions. However, this can transform to electric blue when the sun decides to come out! Pale blue or white will enhance the natural translucency of the water and produce a crystalline effect. In full sun, the pool will appear almost luminous – hence the popularity of white pools in hotter, sunnier regions. Bear in mind that the darker the liner or pool coating, the deeper the pool will look.

  • Green-blue: turquoise or azure

For a pool that feels more like a tropical lagoon, opt for sandy colors such as beige or cream. These will reflect the light to give a gorgeous turquoise hue.

  • Black

An unusual choice, but certainly not unheard of. With a black liner, the water loses its transparency and becomes reflective like a mirror. Think dark and mysterious for a dramatic, contemporary look.

  • Natural

Want the water to look natural, limpid and translucent? Go for a green-tinted liner or coating. Meanwhile, dark grey or anthracite will give the impression of natural dark green water – the kind of tone you’d find in a river, pond or lake.

2/ Lighting

There’s no going back once you’ve chosen your pool coating or liner. However, it is possible to alter the water color using artificial methods. By installing colored lighting with long-lasting LED bulbs, you can change the water color to anything you want. It’s an option that’s becoming increasingly popular in spas and health resorts. Known as ‘chromotherapy’, this kind of lighting has become a popular wellbeing treatment. The theory? That different colors can have beneficial effects on the mind, body and soul.

3/ Water dyes

Looking for a cheap and easy way to change water color temporarily? Check out water dyes – a fast and cost-effective solution. Sold online and by specialist retailers, water dyes are inexpensive and change water color for up to several days.

Materials, position, features – building a pool calls for scores of important decisions. While pool color might not seem a priority, it’s a crucial visual factor. Will your pool shout ‘unappealing’ or ‘come and dive right in’? To make your pool a masterpiece, it pays to think through all the options.


© Photo credit: Freepik

Paragraphes
Ckeditor

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