Black bottomed pools can look dramatic but there are the issues that brisheram listed to deal with. Most of our clients opt for lighter colored pool bottoms and walls as a matter of choice. IMO smaller pools are better suited for black bottoms and walls than larger pools. A large pool just turns into a gaping maw in the earth whereas lighter colored large pools look crystalline and clear in comparison.

Safety is the primary concern. A teen I knew drowned in a dark pool.

IMO there is no connection between the color of the pool bottom and drowning since most people wear bright colored swim wear you would always see them. I persoanlly would not like it but since you need a new designer why not see what they say.

Discussed at length Check out this discussion on Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5047875/poll-light-or-dark-bottom-pools

when i was a kid, i was a lifeguard and i cleaned lots of pools. as an architect / builder i have designed lots of pools. the super dark bottom pools were/are very dramatic in a, lagoon sort of way, but difficult to access how dirty they are and always feel more pond like..... i cleaned a darker bottomed pool in san antonio and it was significantly hotter than a lighter colored pool. all that being said, i do not typically care for super light colored pools because of the overall reflectivity that is created by the super light colors.... i would look at using pebble tec https://www.pebbletec.com because of the durability and variation in the colors..... just like house exterior color selections, go a little darker than you think........ carribian blue or tropical breeze..... good luck.

stay inspired !

Thank you everyone. I think they were going for a dramatic look because of the views - I have just not seen one in person. I don’t mind going for it if the design fits the space however I’m just not feeling dramatic lagoon pool for this location. We are using pebble tech sheen I think.

@Brittany Dame, looks like you will have full sun on your pool like we do, so less likely to get a lagoon look. The black bottom would be gorgeous if you have the pool depth to get the deep blue color. Google pictures of Pebble Sheen Ocean Blue. We have the Wet Edge version, Blue Ocean. Here's a picture, taken in the afternoon in the 4-5 ft deep section. It is just shy of the darkest black-bottom option.

Pool color changes throughout the day. Feel free to DM me if you would like additional pictures.

As a long time pool owner i like a light pool because i want to know if anything creepy snuck in overnight. i want to know what i’m swimming with

My friend had one and was doing laps for a long time before she discovered she was swimming with a snake. Just hard to see the critters that ould end up in the pool.

Yikes!

For sure this would be living in your black lagoon

hahahahha

So yes as @pooltime we have full sun for most of the day. Our pool will be 7ft at its depth-3ft shallow-18"sun shelf. After much back and forth we have decided to go with Black Onyx Pebble Sheen, however we are going to add a significant amount of the abalone shell pieces to help lighten it. Our coping will be travertine and I am still looking for a glass mosaic for accent. @pooltime that is beautiful colored water!

We have done a number black plaster finishes. As far a depth perception or algae growth not being seen, I have not had that issue. Increased temps from the dark finish I believe is minimal at best.

The issue with the black finishes or any of the vibrant colors is they tend to have mottling issues. There will be differences in coloring throughout as there are more color pigments in these finishes. A black pool may have some shades of gray in some areas that are noticeable.

Plasters with less coloring added, are more colorfast and consistent throughout.

We use Hydrazzo's Hatteras Gray a lot. French gray's look nice also. Diamond Brite's Cool Blue or Super Blue is a white base with blue specks.

Plaster colors can have different appearances at different times of the day either in full sun or shade and are quite beautiful.

Color choices really depend on the design and look of the pool. In my opinion, any pool with a natural stone waterfall, lots of stone or boulder details look best with a finish other than any white based plaster.

Modern, formal, sleek designs can essentially use any color.

Coloring will change at different depths.

Your pool can be broken up with different material choices such as natural stone or glass tile. They should complement each other. You don't want your pool to look like a display area at a landscape supply or stone yard!

Choose several materials you like and put them outside where your pool will be. Seeing them in natural light gives you a good idea as to what to expect.

Humans wear brightly colored bathing suits, however snakes do not! We went with blue granite colored pebble tec for our new build. Just light enough that I can see any unwanted swimmers.