7 On-Trend Pool Tile Ideas

So it’s settled: you’re putting in a pool this year. Whether you’re a homeowner planning a backyard oasis or a commercial team looking for the latest trends in pool tile design, we’re walking you through our top 7 ideas for pools.

Q&A

​​What is the Best Tile for a Pool?

Glass and Ceramic are the best tile materials for pools.

Glass tile is impervious to water and stains, and is suitable for exterior applications where temperatures may reach 122°F during the day and where there may also be a rapid cooling of temperature at night. In addition, glass tile may be used in hot pools, where it retains the strength and durability of ceramic tile and the delicate translucency of glass.

In pool applications, glass tile also has the added benefit of being resistant to chemical attacks.

Pool-safe Ceramic tile is similarly appropriate. Fireclay Tile offers two ceramic product lines: Natural Press and Original Ceramic. All Natural Press Ceramic Tile (including our budget-friendly Essentials collection) passes freeze/thaw tests and is suitable for indoor and outdoor pool applications. Our Original Ceramic Tile product line is no longer recommended for exterior pools anywhere other than Southern California, Florida, and Hawaii. Click here to view our pool-safe colors in our Guide to Fireclay Pool Tile.

Ceramic is resistant to frost and fading, and when installed and maintained correctly it lasts much longer than other pool finishes.
 

What is the Best Color of Tiles for Swimming Pools?

For submerged tile, blue is typically the preferred color for two reasons. Firstly, blue is the color of the ocean, and the color our mind generally defaults to represent water. Water absorbs colors in the red part of the light spectrum leaving behind the appearance of blue. Secondly, impurities turn water a sepia tone, and cool blue tile balances the warmly toned water to appear more clear.

On the waterline or pool deck though, color choice is completely dependent on your creativity and these forthcoming ideas are sure to spark some inspiration.

Is Pool Tile Different From Regular Tile?

Our tile that is appropriate for pools is no different from the tile used for any other application. However, not all of our tile is approved for pools. Brick tile for example is not water-resistant enough for submerged use, and some of our ceramic glazes are acid sensitive.

7 Pool Tile Ideas

1. Bold Color

Whether at home or at a resort, a pool tends to be the center of attention. Bold color will only enhance this effect. Shades of blue pool tiles are obvious choices but other colors are also coming into vogue.

This Moroccan riad-inspired pool dazzles in a bold orange tile that adds to the tropical atmosphere of this enviable backyard.

Bold black pool tile doesn’t just add dramatic aesthetic value to a pool design—it can also make your pool more sustainable. Pools lined in black absorb heat from the sun, naturally warming water 5-10 degrees more than lightly colored pools. This passive heating will provide a more comfortable swim and help reduce energy use if you prefer a warmer pool.

From kitchens to bathrooms to fireplaces, pink tile is having a moment and pools aren’t any exception. Pink plays perfectly with water features, evoking pink sand beaches and pink tropical sunsets. It also gives a pool an undeniable boutique hotel vibe that you may wish to capture at home or, of course, at your boutique hotel.

2. Mosaics

Pools are one of the best applications for mosaic tiles. Whether using a solid color or a blend, the advantages of mosaics are numerous.

First, because of their small size, mosaics are capable of the most intricate blends of color. This could be an abstract blend of blues or greens to mimic the varied tones of the ocean or a realistic graphic scene. Even a single color creates an attractive uniform grid.

Secondly, especially on stairs, spa ledges or the edges of pool decks, mosaic tiles offer added grip underfoot thanks to the increased proportion of grout lines per square foot compared to that of a larger-scale tile.

We offer versatile mosaic sizes and shapes in both glass and ceramic.

3. Waterline Detail

Every pool surface is deserving of fine design, but where it arguably counts most is the waterline. This is the space that is most visible, being unobstructed by water and sitting at eye level when you’re in the pool. Here designers will emphasize a design with an extra flourish of detail.

Specialty-shaped ceramic tile is a wonderful choice for this area. You can maintain a color motif with the interior or deck of your pool but create an eye-catching moment by opting against a standard square or rectangle.

Star and Cross Tile has been a noticeable favorite for waterlines. Available in two sizes, Mini and Large, and over 100 glaze colors, this stellar shape creates a captivating detail to your pool wherever you place it.

4. Elevated Water Features

Like a waterline, an elevated water feature is a great place to add detail to your pool design.

You can switch up the material on an elevated water feature like the pool below which features a fountain clad in glazed thin brick. As mentioned above, brick isn’t suitable for pool interiors but in an area that will never be submerged, it can add a refined detail to your design.

Specialty shapes are also a great choice for these sophisticated accents. The pool below features an elevated water feature clad in Chaine Homme Tile.

5. Contrast

Contrast is huge in pool design right now, notably checkers and stripes. There’s something about the stark breaks in shade that keep the eye coming back for more. Mix in the refraction of light in water and these patterns become even more intriguing.

Contrast can be bold like the greyscale design above, or it can be more subtle like this waterline of alternating shades of green.

You can also add visual interest by using a number of colors in an irregular arrangement like this waterline.

6. Sun Shelves

There are many classic applications for tile in a pool with the common ones being waterlines, stairs and spa ledges. But a contemporary addition we’re loving is the sun shelf. These shallow platforms sitting only a few inches below the water's surface are both a treat to use and perfect real estate for tile design.

No more sitting on a cramped first step, a sun shelf lets you laze about in spacious luxury when you’re working on your tan or don’t feel like going all in. We’ll never complain about a new way to enjoy a pool and a new area to incorporate tile.

We love how this sun shelf blends with the rest of the staircase leading into the pool, both in function and pattern of checkerboard glass tile. Notice how it occupies almost as much space as the adjacent spa, making it an ideal area to either spread out or socialize.

7. Compact Footprints

This tip might not relate specifically to tile but it will definitely determine how much tile you'll need for your project.

Pools come in all shapes and sizes, and for residential homes—and some hotels—an Olympic-sized swimming pool is simply overkill. If your pool doesn’t need to accommodate hundreds of people or serious exercise, a compact plunge pool is an excellent choice.

Even in a commercial setting, a plunge pool–or a series of them throughout the property–will offer guests a more intimate swimming experience compared to one large central pool where everyone will congregate.

In some cases, a small pool is all your building site will allow and ultimately a more conservative footprint will mean a more sustainable design, using less water to fill and less energy to heat and filter.