Let’s be honest for a second—when you picture a pool cover, your mind probably goes straight to those bubbly blue plastic sheets or a heavy, saggy tarp held down by water bags. It’s effective, sure, but it’s not exactly winning any beauty contests. In Mesa, where our backyards are practically our second living rooms, the way things look matters just as much as how they work. You spend thousands on pavers, landscaping, and maybe a nice pergola, so throwing an eyesore over the centerpiece of your yard feels like a step backward.
But here’s the thing: Pool Covers have grown up. They aren’t just functional necessities anymore; they are genuine design elements that can actually enhance the aesthetic flow of your outdoor space.
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It’s Not Just About Safety (Though That’s Huge)
We all know the primary job of a cover. It keeps the kids and pets safe, and it stops the water from evaporating into the dry Arizona air. But let’s push that to the side for a moment and look at the visuals. A modern pool cover offers a sleek, finished look that makes the pool area feel tidy and intentional, rather than just “closed for the season.”
Think about your living room. When you aren’t using the TV, it’s just a black rectangle, right? But the room still looks good because everything else is coordinated. A pool cover works the same way. It smooths out the surface. Instead of looking at a dark, gaping hole or a water surface collecting dust from the last haboob, you see a clean, flat plane that complements your deck.
When you choose the right material and color, the cover becomes an extension of the hardscape. It creates a sense of calm and order. And in a chaotic world, who doesn’t want a little more order in their backyard?
Matching the Mesa Landscape
Living in Mesa, we deal with a very specific color palette. We have those stunning desert earth tones—terracotta, beige, sand, and sage green. A bright, industrial blue tarp screams “construction zone” against that backdrop. It clashes. It feels out of place.
Manufacturers have finally caught on to this. You can now find custom pool covers in colors that actually make sense for our environment.
- Tan and Beige: These blend seamlessly with travertine or concrete pavers, making the pool area look larger because the visual lines aren’t broken up by a stark color contrast.
- Charcoal and Grey: If you have a more modern, minimal aesthetic with slate or cool-toned decking, grey covers look incredibly sophisticated. They hide dirt well, too, which is a nice bonus.
- Forest Green: While less common now, this can work beautifully if you have a lush, oasis-style yard with a lot of artificial turf or vegetation.
You know what? It’s surprisingly satisfying to look out the window and see a cover that looks like it belongs there. It feels like a design choice, not a compromise.
The “Hidden” Luxury of Automatic Covers
If we are talking about peak aesthetics, we have to talk about automatic covers. This is where technology really shows off. With the turn of a key or the push of a button, the cover glides out on tracks hidden under the coping (that’s the edge of the pool).
When it’s open, the cover is completely invisible. Gone. When it’s closed, it’s a taut, flat surface that looks almost architectural. There are no straps, no anchors, and no water bags cluttering up the deck.
Here is a quick breakdown of how different cover styles impact the look of your yard:
| Cover Type | Visual Impact | Best For… |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Safety Cover | High-end, sleek, minimalist | Modern homes and families who want “invisible” safety. |
| Mesh Safety Cover | Clean, tight, professional | Homeowners who want a tidy look during the cooler months. |
| Solid Vinyl Cover | smooth, solid block of color | Keeping fine dust and sunlight out completely. |
The automatic cover is the gold standard for looks because it integrates with the pool build. It’s like having a convertible car; top down or top up, it’s designed to look good.
A Clean Pool is a Beautiful Pool
We need to talk about what happens under the cover, too. There is an aesthetic value to the water itself. Without a cover, especially here in Arizona, your pool is fighting a losing battle against dust, leaves, and the sun.
Have you ever looked at a pool that hasn’t been covered after a windstorm? It looks like a swamp. It ruins the vibe of the whole backyard. You can’t host a barbecue next to a green or brown lagoon.
Pool covers maintain the aesthetic of the water. When you peel that cover back, the water is crystal clear, blue, and inviting. It sparkles. There is a psychological difference between walking out to a yard with a dirty pool versus one that is pristine, even if you aren’t planning to swim that specific day.
Plus, blocking the UV rays prevents algae growth. Algae isn’t just a maintenance nightmare; it’s ugly. It stains the plaster and makes the water look heavy. By using a cover, you are preserving the beauty of the pool’s interior finish.
The Rhythm of the Backyard
Designers often talk about “negative space”—the empty space around objects that gives your eye a place to rest. A covered pool acts as negative space.
When the pool is open, it’s the focal point. It draws the eye. It demands attention. But sometimes, you want the focus to be elsewhere—maybe on your fire pit, your outdoor kitchen, or the beautiful landscaping you just put in.
By covering the pool with a neutral, taut fabric, you allow the eye to travel across the yard more easily. It quiets the space down. It changes the energy from “activity zone” to “lounge zone.”
Honestly, it creates a multi-purpose environment. When the pool is covered (especially with a strong safety cover), the fear of accidental falls disappears, which changes how you relax in the space. You aren’t visually scanning for danger constantly. The yard feels safer, and strangely, that makes it look more peaceful.
Dealing with the Deck Clutter
One of the biggest complaints about old-school covers was the hardware. Brass anchors sticking up from the concrete are literal toe-stubbers, and they look industrial.
Modern mesh and solid safety covers use systems that are much lower profile. When the cover is off, the anchors screw down flush with the deck. You don’t see them unless you are looking for them. This preserves the clean lines of your patio.
Also, consider the strap work. A professionally installed cover has straps that form geometric lines. It sounds like a small detail, but when those lines are straight and symmetrical, it appeals to our brain’s love of patterns. It looks “right.” A DIY tarp job with bungee cords going every which way looks chaotic and cheapens the property value.
Why Material Choice Matters for Light
Let’s get a little technical, but keep it simple. The texture of the cover interacts with the Arizona sun.
- Mesh covers allow water to drain through, but they have a textured look. They diffuse the sunlight, so they don’t create a harsh glare. They tend to look a bit more “natural” in a garden setting.
- Solid covers are smoother. They can sometimes reflect more light, but they offer that solid block of color we talked about earlier.
If your backyard gets blasted by the afternoon sun (and in Mesa, whose doesn’t?), you might want to avoid extremely dark colors if you plan on walking barefoot near the edge, as they can get hot. However, visually, a dark grey or even black cover can look incredibly striking and modern, anchoring the space.
Making the Right Choice for Your Home
It is easy to get caught up in the specs—weight load, weave count, warranty years. Those are important. But don’t forget that you have to look at this thing every day.
When you are shopping for pool safety fencing or covers, ask to see samples. Take them outside. Put them next to your pavers. See how they look in the shade versus the direct sun. A color that looks great in a showroom might look totally different under the harsh Mesa glare.
Think about your outdoor furniture, too. If you have bright red cushions, maybe a neutral tan cover is best to avoid a clash. If your furniture is neutral, maybe a deep blue or green cover adds a nice pop of color.
Your backyard is your sanctuary. It’s where you drink your coffee in the morning and where you host friends on the weekend. The pool cover is a massive canvas in the middle of that sanctuary. Treat it like a design choice, not just a safety requirement.
If you are ready to upgrade your backyard’s look while ensuring top-tier safety for your family, we can help you find the perfect match for your home’s aesthetic. Give us a call at 480-771-8026 to chat about your options, or simply Request A Free Quote online to get started. Let’s make your pool look as good covered as it does open.
