2026 Trends in Pool Renovation: Materials, Design and New Solutions in Europe

The renovation of existing swimming pools is gaining increasing importance across Europe, driven by an ageing pool stock, the search for greater efficiency, and a new generation of materials and technologies.

For many years, much of the swimming pool industry's attention has focused on the construction of new pools. However, the situation is changing.

In Europe's main markets, the renovation, refurbishment and modernisation of existing swimming pools is gaining increasing importance. The ageing of many pool facilities, the need to reduce operating costs, the development of water treatment and automation systems and, increasingly, the desire to aesthetically update older installations are turning renovation into one of the sector's major areas of opportunity for professionals.

In France, for example, renovation already accounts for close to 40% of swimming pool professionals' activity. In fact, Piscine Global has already highlighted since 2024 the renovation of private and public pools as one of the sector's major challenges and opportunities.
Another major European market, Spain, is also reflecting this evolution. According to ASOFAP, in 2025 renovation accounted for around 40% of public and collective swimming pool projects, compared with 18.5% for new construction.

The trend therefore seems clear: the future of the European swimming pool market is not only about building new pools, but also about improving and transforming existing ones.
 

From Repair to Transformation: The New Approach to Pool Renovation

One of the main changes in the market is that pool renovation is no longer understood solely as a necessary response to a water leak, a deteriorated finish or a technical failure.

Today, a renovation can be an opportunity to completely redesign and upgrade a swimming pool.

Owners can use the renovation process to:

• renew the pool finish
• solve waterproofing problems
• upgrade pipework and hydraulic systems
• replace filtration equipment
• install more efficient pumps
• introduce salt chlorination
• automate water management
• improve lighting
• add heating
• replace or upgrade pool covers
• improve safety
• modify steps and access systems
• upgrade the surrounding outdoor area
• or completely transform the appearance of the pool.

This evolution is consistent with what the French market refers to as pool staging: interventions ranging from the replacement of deteriorated elements to technological upgrades, aesthetic redesign and even structural modifications to the pool.

Pool renovation is therefore becoming much more than a simple repair: it is a second life for the swimming pool.
 

Reinforced PVC Membrane Is Gaining Ground

One of the most significant trends in recent years has been the growing importance of reinforced PVC-P membrane.

Its ability to combine waterproofing and finishing, its adaptability to different geometries and its suitability for installation over a wide range of substrates make it a particularly attractive solution for renovating existing swimming pools.

In France, reinforced membrane is becoming increasingly important among renovation solutions. The FPP even offers specific training based on the NF T54-804 standard, dedicated to the installation, maintenance and upkeep of reinforced membranes.

Manufacturers are also significantly increasing their investment in the development of new designs, with smooth, mineral, stone, marble and mosaic finishes, as well as different textures.

The trend is significant: reinforced membrane is no longer perceived solely as a technical solution for addressing waterproofing problems. It has also become a design tool.
 

From Traditional Blue to Natural Colours

The most visible change is probably taking place in aesthetics. Traditional blue continues to have a strong presence, particularly in certain European markets. However, today's pool renovations are progressively moving away from uniform blue finishes in favour of solutions that integrate more naturally with architecture and landscaping.

Contemporary colours make it possible to create pools that blend more naturally with gardens, stone, wood and contemporary architecture. Examples include:

• light grey
• stone grey
• anthracite
• sand
• beige
• off-white
• mineral tones
• greens
   

Textures and patterns reproducing stone, marble, mosaics and other natural materials are also becoming increasingly popular, particularly in reinforced membranes and ceramic finishes.

Mosaic Tiles Remain Important, but Are Evolving

The expansion of reinforced membrane does not mean the disappearance of mosaic tiles or ceramics. In certain renovation projects, particularly in the premium segment, mosaic and ceramic remain highly valued solutions.

What is changing is their aesthetic expression. Traditional small blue mosaics are increasingly sharing the space with:

• larger-format tiles
• mosaics in natural tones
• gradients
• colour combinations
• stone effects
• marble effects
• handcrafted finishes
• customised designs

The trend towards larger formats and nature-inspired patterns continues, as does the use of finishes capable of visually reproducing stone and other natural materials.

Ultimately, the pool finish is no longer merely a functional element. It has become one of the pool's main architectural features.
We will now look at the current situation in some of Europe's main swimming pool markets.
 

We will now look at the current situation in some of Europe's main swimming pool markets.

Spain: Renovation, Aesthetics and Technological Upgrades

Spain has one of Europe's largest swimming pool stocks and offers particularly favourable conditions for renovation.

Its climate, the high number of residential swimming pools and the significant number of installations built over recent decades create a substantial market for refurbishment.

In the public and collective sector, as mentioned above, the trend is clear, with an increase in renovation projects compared with new construction.

The Spanish residential market shows a particularly interesting combination: aesthetic renovation + waterproofing + technological modernisation.

Replacing deteriorated mosaic tiles with reinforced membrane, upgrading hydraulic installations and incorporating salt chlorination, automatic regulation and more efficient equipment are key aspects of this process.
 

France: A Benchmark Market for Pool Renovation

France is probably one of the European markets where renovation has most clearly become a strategic segment within the swimming pool industry.
 

It has one of Europe's largest private swimming pool stocks, and a significant proportion of these installations are now old enough to require renovation work.
 

In 2024, the FPP reported that approximately three out of ten in-ground or semi-in-ground pools had already undergone renovation, with the percentage increasing considerably among pools built before 2000.
 

The French market places particular importance on:

• finish replacement
• reinforced membrane
• filtration modernisation
• automation
• energy efficiency
• pool covers
• aesthetic upgrades

The importance of the segment is also reflected in the French professional market: in 2025, different industry professionals estimated renovation to account for around 40% of their activity, with strong growth in demand.
 

Italy: Ceramic Tradition and New Solutions

Italy has a different profile from other markets. Its architectural and Mediterranean tradition gives ceramic finishes and mosaics a particularly important role, especially in projects where design and architectural integration are priorities.
 

However, renovation is also evolving towards solutions capable of improving aesthetics, waterproofing and technical performance simultaneously.
 

The European trend towards natural finishes also finds particularly favourable conditions in Italy: stone, marble, mineral tones and compositions designed to integrate the swimming pool into its surrounding landscape.
 

Reinforced membrane is gaining ground, particularly when a project requires a flexible, waterproof solution capable of adapting to complex geometries, although ceramics and mosaics remain strongly positioned in design-led projects.
 

Greece: Landscape Integration and Mediterranean Aesthetics

The Greek market has its own characteristics, shaped by its architecture, climate and the strong presence of swimming pools associated with tourism and hospitality.
 

In this context, renovation is often closely linked to the aesthetic and functional upgrading of hotels, villas and tourist accommodation.
 

White, sand, stone, deep blue and natural tones help preserve the Mediterranean identity, while waterproofing and finishing solutions must respond to demanding conditions of sun exposure and intensive use.
 

In renovation projects targeting the tourism sector, the swimming pool is no longer simply a technical installation. It becomes a central element of the guest experience.
 

United Kingdom: Efficiency, Renovation and Traditional Blue

The United Kingdom presents some interesting particularities. Although the European trend towards natural colours is also present, traditional blue remains highly accepted in the British market. In fact, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and North America are probably among the markets where blue swimming pools remain the most popular option.

However, this trend is also changing in countries such as the United States, where blue is gradually giving way to other colour ranges.

British pool renovation also has a strong focus on:

• energy efficiency
• pool covers
• heating
• reducing operating costs
• automation
• upgrading technical installations

In 2026, a wider range of reinforced membrane products can also be seen, particularly aimed at the British market and renovation projects, demonstrating the growing diversification of available solutions.
 

Germany: Technical Efficiency and Facility Modernisation

In Germany, pool renovation is strongly linked to technical modernisation, energy efficiency and durability.

The existing swimming pool stock includes a significant number of installations that are several decades old. In private pools, renovation often takes place after 20 or 30 years of use, while there is also a growing trend towards upgrading technical equipment and systems.

In the public sector, the need is even more evident: a survey published by VKU in July 2026 indicated that 45% of German public outdoor swimming pools required comprehensive renovation, compared with 38% in 2025.

Here, renovation is closely associated with:

• energy efficiency
• technological modernisation
• durability
• lower operating costs.
   

One Europe, Different Ways of Renovating Swimming Pools

Although there are common trends, Europe is not a homogeneous market.

The conclusion is important for manufacturers and other industry professionals:

• There is no single European pool renovation solution.

Materials and technologies must therefore adapt to each market's architecture, climate, aesthetic culture, age of the existing pool stock and specific requirements.
 

Pool Renovation Is Also Becoming Smarter

Renovating the pool shell has become just one part of the overall transformation. A pool renovated in 2026 will often incorporate technologies that 15 or 20 years ago either did not exist or were far less developed.

Equipment such as variable-speed pumps, automation, remote control, dosing systems, salt electrolysis, automatic pH regulation, LED lighting, efficient heating and automatic covers can transform an ageing swimming pool into a much more efficient and easier-to-manage installation.
 

The 2026 edition of Piscine Global, for example, places the focus on this transformation, identifying pool renovation, resource efficiency and the adaptation of facilities as some of the industry's major themes.

In public facilities, the need is even greater. In 2026, Fluidra and European Aquatics announced a programme aimed at helping modernise European aquatic infrastructure, pointing out that more than 24,000 public facilities in Europe are considered obsolete.
 

Less Demolition, More Renovation

Another trend that is beginning to gain importance is the search for solutions that allow pools to be renovated while minimising demolition and the need for new construction.

The logic is simple: if the pool structure is still suitable, why replace it completely?

New waterproofing, finishing and repair solutions make it possible to intervene on existing installations with less impact and, in many cases, without major structural works.

An interesting example is the emergence of specific technologies for repairing pipes and water lines without structural works, such as internal pipe lining, making it easier to repair leaks.

Pool renovation is therefore also becoming a matter of resource efficiency.

Rehabilitación Piscinas by Poolique Is Born

This new scenario is precisely the context in which Rehabilitación Piscinas by Poolique has been launched, a new platform specialised in the renovation, refurbishment and modernisation of swimming pools.
 

Its objective is twofold.

• On the one hand, to help pool owners understand the options available to transform an existing swimming pool, from finishes and waterproofing to the renovation of technical installations, automation, water treatment and aesthetic upgrades.

• On the other, to connect users with professionals specialised in pool renovation and refurbishment.

   

The platform adopts a different approach from large generalist directories: a limited selection of professionals, with a maximum of four companies per province, highlighting experience, specialisation, quality of work and completed projects.
 

The aim is not to bring together the largest possible number of companies. The main objective is to help users find the best professionals capable of transforming an existing swimming pool.

Renovation Will Be One of the Major Markets in the European Swimming Pool Industry

The ageing of Europe's pool stock, the need to improve efficiency, the evolution of materials and the search for aesthetics that are more closely integrated with architecture and landscaping are creating a particularly favourable environment for pool renovation.

The swimming pool of the future will therefore not always be a new pool. In many cases, it will be an existing pool that has been completely transformed.

• New finishes.
• New technologies.
• New ways of managing water.
• New efficiency systems.
• New outdoor spaces.

And, above all, a new way of understanding renovation:
The pool does not disappear. It evolves.