Lighting around your backyard swimming pool and spa areas

18 Jul Lighting around your backyard swimming pool and spa areas

By Mike Gambino

Summer has begun and the warmest weather of the year is upon us. Nights are balmy and property owners are spending more time in and around their swimming pools even after dark. Swimming pools typically have 1 or more lights installed in them that are either color changing or white to illuminate the interior of the shell. Normally these lights consume a lot of electricity , are difficult and costly to change so most times they remain off unless the pool is being used at night. This means that most of the time the pool area is dark unless a garden lighting system is installed.

Safety

Job 1 when working around bodies of water should always be  lighting for the safety of those who are spending time in and around it. That means addressing areas where people or pets can become injured like steps and changes in grade. There should also be enough ambient light around the perimeter of the pool coping so no one accidentally walks or falls into the water. You may be familiar with these obstacles because it is your yard but friends and visitors probably are not. Safe traverse around the pool deck can be achieved by placing spread lights that stand around knee height and cast soft light downward towards the ground at various locations around the pool. Care should be taken so the light source does not reflect in the pool which can be unsightly and cause glare.

Beauty

Now that safety concerns have been met the aesthetics or beauty of the space can be addressed. Special trees that look good during the day are a natural for uplighting. Focal points should be brighter to draw attention with secondary and tertiary amenities illuminated appropriate to their hierarchy.

Mirrorlighting

Is a very effective technique that is achieved when subjects around the pool are front lighting such that their mirror image reflects onto the surface of the water when the pool water is dark. It can be very attractive and downright stunning when it is properly executed.

Moving water

Moving water just screams out to be illuminated at night. Only qualified individuals should attempt this as their are various safety codes that one must abide by when working with water that comes into contact with humans or pets.

Color

Colored lights in the pool or spa water can be striking and festive. Color in the surrounding garden should be limited to enhancing and bringing out the existing color of the plant materials for a more natural and aesthetically appealing look.

This landscape lighting blog is published by Mike Gambino of Gambino landscape lighting inc. all rights reserved. Mike is a professional landscape lighting system designer/ builder and has been designing, installing and maintaining landscape lighting systems for more than 20 years. Mike resides in the Los Angeles area with his wife and 2 sons. To visit his website go to www.gambinolighting.com . To inquire about hiring Mike please click here .

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