The swimming pool. It’s the centerpiece of a backyard’s landscape design. However, when it comes to completing the quintessential poolscape, the finishing touches are in the lighting.
Of course, there are many ways to enhance the backyard ambiance by adding lighting around a pool area, and the features you include in the design will depend on a variety of factors. After all, no two backyards landscape designs are meant to be the same, and the lighting you install should help you establish the unique, inviting, safe, and functional space you desire.
If you’re seeking inspiration for your next pool landscape lighting design, look no further than this article about outdoor lighting ideas for the backyard. Continue reading for some key features to consider and how to incorporate the perfect lighting into your next backyard landscape project.
4 Key Lighting Features to Transform A Backyard Poolscape
When it comes to lighting, it’s all about placement. Some lights will be used to draw attention to a major focal point, others will zone a section, some will create a sense of safety, and many will brighten a path that creates a welcoming environment. All, however, establish a scenic space that brings warmth and definition to the overall landscape design. Here are four key outdoor lighting ideas for a backyard poolscape.
1. Path & Area Lights
Adding path lights to a backyard with a pool creates an added layer of safety by illuminating the walkway for increased visibility at night. This is particularly important when lighting a darker space that sits in proximity to a pool. Path lights also highlight the overall beauty of the poolscape and surrounding areas with a touch of serenity and tranquility that gently play off the water’s natural reflection.
Path lights are available in a wide variety of designs and sizes to complement and accentuate any architectural style. From classic to contemporary and everything in between, there are options to accommodate large estates, those that are suitable for niche tastes, and ornate fixtures for those seeking added personality for their backyard poolscapes.
2. Spotlights and Floodlights
Backyards with pools often have a host of added features, and while the swimming pool may take center stage in the design layout, architectural elements and purposeful plants provide the essential backdrop to complement and complete the scene. These important features should not be ignored. Instead, you can include spotlights and flood lights in the outdoor lighting plan to emphasize larger spaces for safety, accentuate surrounding structures and foliage, or draw attention to a notable detail worthy of highlighting.
Floodlights are recommended for walls, signs, tree canopies, and other similar applications where widespread lighting is essential. However, if you wish to draw attention to one specific feature of the landscape design, cast a narrower stream using a spotlight for impact and emphasis on the desired space. With careful consideration and proper placement, spotlights and floodlights can bring the pool’s surrounding space to life at night.
3. Lanai Lights
For pools with a cage, lanai lights are a great option for setting the desired scene without emitting too much light inside the enclosure. For example, the VOLT® Lusitano Mini Brass Lanai Light , which can be configured for uplighting or downlighting, or the VOLT® Brass Lanai Light, which has a frosted PVC lens for subtle, balanced illumination. Both lanai lights feature a pre-installed brass mount engineered with a plastic cover for corrosion prevention when attached to an aluminum post.
Pro tip: Add bistro lights to the enclosure to achieve a completely different look and feel. For ambiance and intimacy, try the VOLT® 120V E26 Bistro String Lights in 25 or 50 feet.
4. LED Color Bulbs
Personalize a pool area and add a little pop with LED color bulbs. Incorporate LED Color bulbs to represent a holiday, set the mood for a party or gathering, or include them in the layout simply for aesthetics. Available in blue, green, orange, and red, LED Color bulbs are another way to make any backyard setting unique.
These bulbs are specifically made for damp locations and are the ideal fit for a backyard with a pool. For a touch of vivid yet balance color, include these true-to-color LED lights for added drama and effect any time of year.
Completing Your Backyard Pool Landscape Lighting Project
No backyard pool landscape design is complete without the proper lighting. Whether you are seeking to provide added security, emphasize a landscape design element, wish to illuminate a large space – or all of the above – incorporating the right VOLT® Lighting landscape lighting fixtures will bring together the look you are hoping to achieve. If you’re seeking more inspiration for your project, be sure to check out the articles below. You can also visit our VOLT® YouTube Channel for more videos.
