Striped Pool Tile for Our Custom Coastal Pool

We’re making a big splash for summer! Our backyard pool is finally complete, and it feels like a dream come true. One of the design choices I’m most excited about is the striped pool tile we used around the waterline. It completely changed the feel of the space, giving it that custom coastal look I was going for while still staying true to the European style of our home.

Designing our Custom Pool

When I started designing our pool, I kept seeing the same thing over and over again: 1×1 glass mosaic tiles. You know the look—totally fine, but just not me. I wanted something that felt a little more European, a little coastal, and modern.

So I asked: Can I use any tile I want on the pool border?

Turns out the answer is YES—as long as the tile is freeze-rated (meaning it can handle freeze-thaw cycles—usually porcelain, since it’s denser than ceramic) and water-rated (impervious to water with a super low absorption rate, usually less than 0.5%).

That opened the door to so many more creative possibilities—and that’s how I landed on these striped pool tiles.

Striped Pool Tile

I went with a vertical blue and white striped porcelain tile around the border of the pool, and it’s honestly my favorite part. It adds just enough personality while still keeping that clean, timeless look. The stripes feel playful but classic and its a coastal vibe that ties in well with our European home style.

My exact tiles are from Nptpool.com – colors white and light blue 3×16″porcelain tile but if you’re thinking about ditching the standard mosaics, this is your sign to get creative.

The Finish: Why We Chose Plaster

For the inside of the pool, we chose a plaster pool finish. It’s more affordable than pebble or quartz, super smooth underfoot, and you can customize the color. We went with the Cool Grey plaster from the Spectrum series, and it’s just right. Not too dark, not too bright—just soft and natural, especially next to our patio.

Bluestone Look, Without the Upkeep

Speaking of the patio—we used 12×24 Everblue pavers in a herringbone pattern. These are outdoor porcelain tiles that look just like bluestone but don’t flake, fade, or require sealing. Basically, a low-maintenance win. You can check them out at everbluepavers.com if you’re dreaming up your own pool patio.

We have a lot of real bluestone in the rest of the yard, so these were a perfect match without the extra fuss.

Pool Shape, Size & Why We Kept It Simple

We talked about doing a more organic shape or even building the pool into the landscape. But one thing was non-negotiable: an automatic pool cover. We went with Coverstar Eclipse automatic pool cover. With little ones around, it gives us peace of mind when the pool isn’t in use. And that meant sticking with a rectangular shape. See I’m walking across it right now!

So we went with a 20×46 rectangle—plenty of room for swimming laps, floating, and diving off the diving board! I love how springy it is. That was the number one thing i was looking for when shopping for a diving board.

We hired Paradise Pools for our full pool build out. This included the dig, gunite, plaster finish, tile boarder, diving board, and pool cover installation. They were great to work with and would go with them again.

Pool Maintenance

When you go with a plaster finish, you’ve gotta brush it—a lot. The first few weeks after filling the pool, you should be brushing it twice a day to prevent plaster dust from settling or hardening. It also helps protect your water chemistry.

As for cleaning, I ran a poll on my Instagram and the #1 recommended cordless pool vacuum was the Beatbot. I ordered it, and it’s been awesome so far.

There’s still more to do but I’m so happy about our striped pool tiles and seeing it come together with our entire outdoor design! I’ll share more details soon, but if you’re designing a pool and thinking outside the box with your tile—go for it. Sometimes all it takes is one bold choice to make the whole space come to life.

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