If your pool is due for a remodel, it's worth thinking beyond just patching what's worn. A remodel is a chance to rethink the whole look of your pool, and a few clear trends are shaping what homeowners are choosing right now. Most of it comes down to two decisions: plaster finish and tile.
Pebble Tec and Textured Finishes
One of the biggest shifts in pool remodeling right now is a move away from smooth, standard plaster toward pebble aggregate finishes. Pebble Tec and similar products embed small stones into the plaster surface, giving the pool floor real texture instead of a flat, uniform look.
The appeal isn't just aesthetic. Pebble finishes tend to hold up longer than traditional plaster, resisting wear and staining better over time. For homeowners already remodeling, it's become a popular upgrade since it improves both the look and the durability of the pool in one step. The result is a more natural, almost lagoon-like appearance that's hard to get with standard plaster.
Plaster Color Trends
Plain white plaster used to be the default. That's changed. Here's what's trending now.
Darker Tones
Deep blue, gray, and black plaster are increasingly popular. Dark plaster makes the water itself look richer and more reflective, closer to a natural pond or lake than a typical backyard pool. In the right light, the effect is dramatic.
Lighter, Classic Tones
White and light blue plaster still give that clean, resort-style look many homeowners want, and they tend to make smaller pools feel more open.
Mid-Tone Blues
A safe, versatile middle ground, offering some depth without committing to a dramatic dark finish.
There's no universally right choice. It depends on the size of your pool, how much sun it gets, and the overall style of your backyard.
Tile Choices That Define the Look
If plaster sets the base, tile is where a remodel really gets its personality. A few options homeowners are gravitating toward:
- Glass Tile Along the waterline, glass tile adds shine and color depth that catches light differently throughout the day. It's a popular choice for pools that want a more modern, polished feel.
- Natural Stone Tile Brings a more organic, high-end look, and pairs especially well with pebble finishes for a cohesive, textured design.
- Mosaic Accents Showing up as small design details, like a border pattern or an accent panel, rather than covering the full waterline.
Combinations That Are in High Demand
The trend we're seeing the most interest in isn't one single choice, it's how plaster and tile are paired together. A few combinations that come up often:
Dark Pebble Finish + Glass Mosaic Waterline
A dramatic, modern look with texture and shine working together.
Lighter Plaster + Natural Stone Accents
A softer, more organic combination that still feels upscale.
Mid-Tone Blue Plaster + Classic Ceramic Tile
A reliable, timeless option for homeowners who want an updated pool without a dramatic style shift.
Choosing What's Right for Your Pool
The best combination depends on your outdoor space, how much sun and shade the pool gets, your home's overall style, and how you actually use the pool day to day. A finish that looks great in photos isn't always the right practical choice for every yard.
The most reliable way to figure out what fits is seeing plaster and tile samples in person, ideally against your actual pool. Colors read very differently under direct LA sun than they do on a showroom shelf or a website photo.
GK Swimming Pools handles pool remodels throughout the San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita area, and we can walk you through plaster and tile options directly so you can see how they'll actually look before committing.