A beautiful pool can completely transform a backyard during the day, but once the sun goes down, the space can quickly disappear into the darkness. The right outdoor lighting can change that.
A lighting design that is well-planned can help bring attention to the areas that surround your pool and also make it easier to move around your yard after dark. From the pool deck and surrounding gardens to retaining walls, pergolas, and pool houses, there are plenty of opportunities to create a backyard that feels warm, inviting, and enjoyable long after the sun goes down.
At Moon Glow Lightscapes, we believe the best poolside lighting designs are layered. Rather than simply adding a few bright fixtures around the yard, different types of lighting can work together to highlight the features that you love, while also providing useful lighting where it’s needed.
Here are some of the lighting options to consider around your pool and outdoor living space.
Hardscape Lighting
Hardscaping often plays a big role in the overall look of a pool area. Stone patios, walkways, steps, and other masonry features can all become part of the nighttime landscape with carefully placed lighting.
Hardscape lights can be integrated into stone or masonry structures to create a subtle glow without placing bulky fixtures throughout the space. They can work particularly well along the edges of patios, built-in seating areas, and other architectural features around the pool.
The goal of hardscape lighting should be to not flood the entire area with light. Instead, a softer, more controlled effect can help to define the space and highlight the texture and design of the hardscaping.
Integrated Pool Deck Lighting
The pool deck is where much of the activity happens. Whether you are walking around the pool, relaxing in a lounge chair, or entertaining friends, having enough light around the deck can make the area easier and much safer to use after dark.
Integrated deck lighting can be incorporated into certain features surrounding the pool deck, such as steps, walls, and other elements that are built-in. This helps to define changes in elevation and the edges of different outdoor spaces without relying on one overly bright light source.
Lighting should be planned carefully around any pool area, and fixture selection, placement, and electrical installation need to be appropriate for wet locations and comply with applicable electrical and building requirements. A professional lighting design considers both the look of the finished space as well as where the light is needed for people to move around the area safely.
Shade Structure Lighting – Gazebos & Pergolas
Gazebos and pergolas are great gathering places beside the pool. During the day, they can provide shade and structure, and at night, lighting can help turn them into a comfortable place to sit, dine, or relax.
Depending on the design of the structure, lighting can be incorporated into the beams, ceiling, or surrounding features. Small downlights, accent lights, and other carefully positioned fixtures can provide useful illumination while keeping the space feeling relaxed.
Balance is the key to lighting structures, and they do not need to be brightly lit to be functional. Softer lighting can make them feel more inviting while still allowing people to see and move around them comfortably.
Pool House Exterior Lighting
Exterior lighting can highlight a pool house’s architectural details while also making the entrances, doors, and surrounding pathways easier to see. Wall-mounted fixtures can provide lighting near doors that are functional, while accent lighting can draw attention to stone, siding, or other features that you want to show off. The surrounding landscaping can also be incorporated into the overall design, which can help the pool house feel connected to the rest of the backyard as well.
Retaining Wall Lighting
Retaining walls are often built around pool landscapes to help with the changes in elevation and create planting areas. They can also be a great place for integrated lighting.
Lights installed within or beneath wall caps can create a gentle wash of light down the face of the wall, which can help highlight the texture of natural stone or concrete while making the wall easier to see after dark. Retaining wall lighting is also effective when the wall separates different levels of the backyard. It can help define the change in elevation while adding another layer of visual interest to the yard.
Garden Lighting
The gardens surrounding a pool should not disappear when the sun goes down. Strategic garden lighting can highlight trees, ornamental shrubs, and other focal points, adding depth to the backyard after dark. Uplighting can draw attention to the shape and structure of a mature tree, while carefully aimed accent lighting can show off unique plants or other features. You don’t need a fixture for every plant or garden bed, and selecting a few focal points often creates a more natural and great-looking result.
Deck Lighting
If your pool area is connected to a raised deck, lighting can make the transition between the spaces feel seamless. Step lighting can improve visibility on stairs, while integrated lighting along railings or other features of your deck can create a subtle glow around the perimeter. This type of lighting can be especially useful for defining the edges of the deck without shining light directly into people’s eyes. Deck lighting can also help extend the use of the space. A deck that is difficult or unsafe to navigate at night can become a great area for relaxing or entertaining when it’s adequately lit.
Water Feature Lighting
Water features like fountains and waterfalls can be stunning focal points around a pool area. Lighting can be positioned around these features to highlight the moving water, stonework, and surrounding landscaping. The fixture itself may be hidden from view so the attention remains on the feature rather than the source of the light. The result can be especially dramatic after dark by adding movement, texture, and visual interest to the backyard. As with all lighting near water, the equipment and installation must be suitable for the specific location and done according to electrical requirements.
Creating Your Complete Poolside Lighting Design
The best poolside lighting designs do not rely on just one type of fixture. They combine different lighting techniques to create a backyard that is both functional and good to look at.
A few well-placed lights may highlight a beautiful tree. Integrated fixtures can define retaining walls and hardscaping. Step and deck lighting can make it easier and much safer to move between different areas. Meanwhile, lighting around a gazebo, pergola, or pool house can help create inviting spaces for spending time outdoors. This layered design brings your backyard to life after dark without overwhelming it with unnecessary and unnatural brightness.
If you are planning a new pool landscape or looking for ways to enjoy your existing backyard later into the evening, Moon Glow Lightscapes can help create a professional lighting design that will show off the best features of your yard.
