What colour will my swimming pool´s water be?

This is a common question for any person who is in the process of choosing the colour of their mosaic.

The colour of the water is not going to be determined solely by the colour of the glass mosaic chosen; there are other factors that have an influence, such as the water’s depth, the amount of light at the place where the pool is located, the surroundings, if it is an indoor or an outdoor pool and the type of lighting used.

Factors that affect pool water colour beyond the tile

The more volume of water there is and the deeper it is, the bluer the swimming pool will tend to look. Sunlight is also a crucial factor: the more light there is, the clearer the water will look. Meanwhile, less light will darken the water. If the pool is surrounded by plants, it will look greener and darker, and if the surrounding landscape is desert like, the water will look clearer.

1. Pool depth The deeper the pool, the more intense the water colour. In pools shallower than 50 cm, water appears almost transparent regardless of the mosaic tile chosen. From around 1.2–1.5 m depth the full chromatic effect takes hold. Pools deeper than 1.8 m create a natural colour gradient, lighter at the surface, deeper and more saturated towards the bottom, giving the pool a sense of visual depth that goes well beyond the tile itself.

2. Surrounding landscape and vegetation Nearby vegetation adds green tones to the water´s appearance, particularly with lighter mosaic colours like white or beige, where the reflective base amplifies the surrounding environment. In projects with Mediterranean gardens or dense green planting, tiles in slightly green or natural tones can counterbalance this effect and produce a cleaner, more controlled result. This is one of the reasons the so-called Bali effect works so well: the green tile and the lush surroundings reinforce each other.

3. Sunlight and time of day Pool water colour shifts throughout the day. In the early morning, with low, warm light, the water takes on golden undertones. At midday, with intense overhead light, the tile colour shows at its most vivid. In the late afternoon, the water absorbs the warm tones of the setting sun. For pools with LED underwater lighting, the night-time colour effect can be designed entirely independently from the tile choice.

What colour will your pool water be according to the mosaic tile?

Taking into account the factors mentioned above, we are going to provide you with a series of guidelines so that your choice of mosaic is a success.

Mosaics in Shades of White

White mosaics, such as Carrara, Perla, Diamond and 2545-a will yield light, sky-blue water tones.

Mosaics in Shades of Beige and Rose-Coloured Mosaics

Perfect for obtaining green shades of water ranging from light to dark depending on the colour of the mosaic.

The style references we would be talking about would be, for example: Marfil, Arena, Nacar, 2514-B, 2576-B, 2596-B, 2597-B or 2523-B.

Mosaics in Shades of Grey

If the mosaic´s colour is grey –such as Inox, Cuarzo, Stone, 2660-A and 2522-B– the water will tend to have greyish-green colours mixed into it.

Light Blue-Green Mosaics (2508-a, 2518-b and 2529-b)

Our blue-green colours with style references such as Azur, Sky, 2521-b, 2508-a, 2518-b and 2529-b tend to yield a light, turquoise blue colour.

Blue Mosaics

All our blue style references such as Ocean, Zafiro, Blue Lagoon, 2505-a and 2503-d yield a water colour that ranges from light blue (for lighter mosaic shades) to intense blue (for darker mosaic shades).

Mosaics in Shades of Iridescent Black and Dark Green

References like Ebano, 2502, Capricorn and Lava yield a natural water style and colour that is similar to that of a high-mountain river or lake.

To visualize how the water in your pool will look based on the chosen mosaic, we invite you to use our swimming pool water color simulator. With this tool, you can design your own mosaic combination and obtain a realistic representation of the final outcome.

Frequently asked questions about pool water colour

Will the water colour change over time?

The base colour created by your glass mosaic tile is permanent. Vitreous mosaic does not fade, discolour or react to chlorine, salt or UV exposure over time. If your pool water changes colour unexpectedly, turning green, brown or cloudy, this is almost always a water chemistry or maintenance issue, not a sign that the tile has changed. Algae growth, calcium buildup and chemical imbalance are the usual culprits.

Can I combine two tile colours in the same pool?

Absolutely, and it´s one of the most effective design techniques available. Using a lighter tile in the shallow end and a deeper tone at the bottom creates a natural colour gradient that mimics the look of open water. A contrasting colour along the waterline tile or on the steps is also widely used to frame the pool visually. Ezarri´s Custom Mix service allows you to design personalised blends from catalogue references for a fully bespoke result.

Why does my pool look different at different times of day or year?

Sunlight changes angle and intensity throughout the day and across the seasons. In summer, with strong overhead light, your tile colour reaches its most vivid expression. In winter or on overcast days, the same colour appears warmer and softer. At sunset the water takes on golden and rose tones. This is entirely normal, it´s a property of how light and water interact, not a sign of any problem with the tile.

Is there a tool to preview the water colour before choosing a tile?

Yes. Ezarri´s water colour simulator shows you in real time how any catalogue reference will affect the appearance of your pool water, with adjustable depth settings. It´s the most accurate tool available for making this decision with confidence before committing to a specification.

Does the grout colour affect the water appearance?

Slightly, particularly with smaller mosaic formats like 25 mm where the grout-to-tile ratio is higher. Very dark grout on a light tile can subtly darken the overall tone of the surface. The general recommendation is to choose a grout shade that coordinates with the tile. Ezarri´s JointPoint system offers epoxy grout in a wide range of tones to ensure full chromatic consistency across the finished surface.