Five Lighting Ideas for a Well-Lit Pool
With the Fourth of July only two weeks away, we’re well into the middle of summer. And you know what that means: if you haven’t already, it’s time to cool down at the pool. However, continuing the fun after the sun goes down requires a well-lit swimming pool. Though most home pools only have simple lighting installed for safety, pool lights can also be a great way to amp up the ambiance of your backyard. These five ideas can help you get the most out of your pool lighting!
1. Colored Underwater Lights
Underwater lights not only make night swimming safe, but they can also give your pool some much-needed character. If your pool has only one light installed in the deep end, a colored bulb (or lens) will make your entire pool glow in whatever hue suits your mood, décor, or event. If you have multiple lights installed in your pool, you could even use them to layer different colors. In the photo to the right, the pink lights with subtle touches of orange make the pool seem to reflect sunset, creating an enchanting effect.
2. New Area, New Lights
Similar to the idea of layering colored lights in your pool, you could also use colored lights in groups to highlight different sections of water. In the example to the right, they used green for the pool, blue for the shallow end, and purple for the hot tub. Highlighting each section of your pool gives each area its own atmosphere and makes the pool as a whole that much more captivating, especially when looking down from a balcony or second story window.
3. Floating Lights
If your pool only has the standard one light in the deep end – and it happens to be a little outdated – your pool may be only very dimly illuminated. Floating lights are a simple solution for those in this situation, and an ideal solution for those who have above-ground pools. But there’s no reason you couldn’t use them for just a little extra lighting, too! However, if you go with this route, make sure to purchase lighting options that are (of course) water-proof and won’t break easily.
4. Lights AROUND Your Pool
If your pool does not already have additional lighting around the walkway, it should. Poolside lighting is a smart move for preventing accidents – most notably, slipping on water or pool toys. Installing bollards or pathway lights on the outskirts of your poolside path are ideal options for ensuring safe night swimming. However, if you’re just wanting a nice evening-time decoration, you could simply surround your pool with candle-lit lanterns. But we don’t recommend the latter option if you’re using your pool that night, or if you have kids playing outside.
5. Lights ABOVE Your Pool
If you’re lacking light in more outdoor areas than just your poolside, light strings are a perfect all-in-one lighting solution. Hanging light strings across your backyard will provide light to your pool, as well as walkways, patios, and more all at once. We recommend using commercial light strings for the brightest, most all-around light, but if you have regular Christmas lights, those would work just as well. Moreover, light strings are especially useful (and decorative) on nights when you’re hosting a backyard event or pool party.
Do you have any interesting pool lighting ideas (or tips) that you’d like to share? Tell us in the comments or drop us a line on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Pinterest!
