Creative Pool and Fence Lighting Ideas
Outdoor fences around backyards are not only for privacy; they keep unwanted guests out of our swimming pools while also providing security, comfort, and safety, especially as we have mentioned if you have a pool that’s why it’s so important to install security fencing.
Do you have an existing fence, or are you considering putting one around your swimming pool? If so, let us help you make your decision one step further to enhance visibility and nighttime relaxation by illuminating the pool and fence.
First, we discuss color and how it affects our moods. Then, we will explain the types of lighting, followed by creative fence lighting ideas and topping it off with pool lighting ideas.
How Lighting Color Affects Mood
Do you know that colors evoke emotions? Blue, purples and greens evoke feelings of peace and calm. Red, oranges and yellow evoke excitement, happiness and sociability, while green evokes nature, healing and freshness. In ancient cultures, colors were used to heal. And today, color is used in some holistic practices.
Since color plays a vital role in affecting our emotions and influencing our thoughts, imagine sitting amongst the perfect color lighting to set the mood you want to achieve. Invite your family and friends over for an energetic, cheery party and set the tone with reds and yellows. In contrast, for a relaxing evening with a book in hand, visualize yourself at your favorite tropical resort and set the tone with greens and even browns.
Now that we have discussed a bit about how color can set our mood, let us begin offering you a few lighting ideas, from lighting accents spread across your fence line to the pool area and its interior. Let’s take your imagination to the next level and reap the rewards of a beautifully illuminated backyard.
Lighting: Solar vs. LED Electric Lights
Solar Lights
Solar lights are easy to install, especially since they have no wires to deal with. However, their duration of light output is based on the current charge and the condition of the batteries.
Generally speaking, most solar lights only last up to 6 hours, based on getting enough sun during the day to charge them. You may find that you only get a couple of hours out of them each night, depending on the quality of the light and the location they are placed. You will find some manufacturers that claim up to 10-12 hours of performance, but that is the maximum potential the light offers. It is not realistic in most situations and applications.
With that in mind, lighting performance can be different from one light to the next. Slight variations in construction from the manufacturer can also alter the results. Of course, the batteries can vary too based on their internal composition from the factory. The last important thing to note is that performance also depends on the number of batteries the light requires, as well as the lumens (similar to wattage) it delivers.
LED Electric Lights
Electric lights require a power source, such as a distribution center or power stakes, to plug the cords into. Additionally, the underground wiring is the best option and requires little maintenance over time, but it does require a lot of work to install. Underground wiring is definitely the safer option.
In any case, electric outdoor lighting provides consistent illumination for any amount of time, and each light usually delivers the same lumens to provide an even lighting scheme in your backyard.
We recommend using outdoor LED lights as they are much more efficient and last longer than traditional light bulbs.
Types of Fence Lighting
Accenting your fence with outdoor lights depends on what you would like to do. There are many options, such as color emittance, power type (solar or electric), directions of illumination (spot, flood, 360-degrees) and more. You can easily combine more than one to create a unique look, mix colors or go for that clear appearance that many homes include.
Solar/Electric LED Spotlights and Floodlights
Add some flair with spotlights that install on the ground and shine upon the fence panels. You can get creative with colors, as we have discussed above or make it clear to provide a more neutral look. Why not alter their positions to have one higher on a panel and one lower on the next? Your entire fence line will look dazzling, and that will also “highlight” your artistic abilities. You can even overlap the spotlights to form a new appearance on the fence. Aside from spotlight options, you can use floodlights to deliver a broader spread of light.
Post Top Lights and Deck Accent Lights
Post-top lighting is another option you can explore. However, this option is only available in solar unless you run cords up the post and use a different type of light.
In addition, solar deck accent lights are typically used for deck edges, railing, or stairs and can also make great fence decor for nighttime beauty. A cup light is designed with a half-dome structure that projects light out of the open half in the direction you desire. Right-angled accent lights mount on the top edges of the fence post or panel to project light downwards and have the solar panel on the top half.
Another common type of accent light mounts/screws directly on a vertical surface and shines light downward or outward. They are available in many designs and appearances, but bring a home-comforting look to your backyard.
Cup lights and right-angled accent lights are small, so they do not look bulky on a fence. Vertically mounted lights are more noticeable but don’t really affect the fence’s appearance during the day. All three options are solar, but other similar lights can work as an alternative. You will just have to accept the visibility of wires unless you find a way to conceal them safely.
Hanging Solar Lights
Aside from spotlights, floodlights, post tops, and cup lights, there are other types of solar and electric lighting based on design. Hanging solar lights are one prime example. They can be found in various styles, such as circular, square, and oval. The windows on these lights usually vary in design too, if you want more options you can also see Maverick Windows. The lighting disbursement is typically 360 degrees, so it will not only light up your fence but also the yard. It is an excellent way to accent your fence’s landscaping, too, if you have mulch and/or flowers. Hanging solar lamps typically offer the same purposes but have different looks to explore. One good advantage here is that you can move them if desired.
Rope Lights
Rope lights have become a popular way to decorate outdoor landscapes and are perfect for fence lighting. They are commonly used on railings, porches, and even ceilings. They can be installed on your fence to bring new life to your outdoor space. “Hook them up” anywhere you desire, such as across the panels in a straight fashion or as a drip design. You can even wrap them around end posts if there is a gap between the posts and the fence.
Rope lighting also provides appeal through wavy effects, circular patterns, or even zig-zag designs. With that in mind, clear lights will deliver an even appearance, while colored rope lights will add attractive appeal. In the colored options, you can find them in multi-color and single-color selections. Why not “draw” up your fence design with various rope lights in various colors? Some homeowners have created flags, stars, and other innovative works of art using several rope light colors. You can too!
Overall, fence lighting creates beautiful, appealing works of art that can suit any backyard. You don’t necessarily need a fence to enhance your landscape, but a fence is a panel of creativity you can take advantage of and make your neighbors jealous.
Types of Pool Lighting
What Types of Lights are Used in Pools and The Surrounding Pool Area ?
By adding pool lights within the pool and around the pool area, you are not only making swimming and walking safer but increasing the overall ambiance by adding a dramatic dimension. As the technology in the pool lighting industry continues to expand with the newest, brightest and energy efficiency, there is an option to meet everyone’s needs; however, knowing the comparisons is essential
There are three types of lighting used for the pool today, LED, incandescent and halogen.
The incandescent bulb, once the popular choice, is no longer as it can be more costly. Like the incandescent bulb, halogens were once popular; however, they are much more expensive than the old rivals and have a shorter lifespan.
Today the preferred pool lighting is LED. They are brighter, use a small fraction of energy vs. incandescent and halogen and are the longest lasting.
Lighting Types In The Pool
For underwater lighting, there are flush-mounted pool lights and surface-mounted pool lights.
Flush-mounted lights are in line with the pool’s wall. They are installed directly inside the pool’s wall so as not to stick out.
Surface-mounted lights are excellent for lighting up the entire pool. Since they are not flush and within the wall, they are easier to install and replace. The downside is that they do stick out a bit.
Lighting The Pool Area
Lighting around the pool area has no limits as long as you choose a company with no limits, such as No Limit Pools & Spas. As our custom inground swimming pools have no limits, neither does our additional work.
As choosing the right lighting for a pool area can be challenging and a daunting task, we advise you to consult with our pool lighting experts. We have been designing and installing fantastic lighting for many years. We are not going to get into too much detail here as to the kinds of lighting we can offer, because as we have stated, we have no limits.
We perfectly light up niches in waterfalls, laminar jets streaming from the decking into the pool, install up lighting to trees, low lighting to focus on beautiful plants, and how about the spa, oh how wonderful the ambiance can be under the stars.
Pool and Lighting Ideas with No Limits. Get Started Today
Contact No Limit Pools & Spas today or simply fill out our contact form to get in touch and learn more about all of the creative and unique ways we bring incredible lighting to your swimming pool and entire backyard landscape.
We service Maricopa County, Arizona including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa and far far beyond.
