You’ve likely enjoyed using your swimming pool to host parties and relax with your family. But the fun doesn’t have to stop just because the sun has set.

You don’t have to depend on the back porch light and the glow from inside your pool to serve as your only light source.

Adding beautifully functional lighting elements to your pool area can make all the difference in wowing your guests and adding that much-needed element of safety. 

We’ve compiled a list of our top ideas for lighting your pool area, which are our favorite lighting ideas for making your backyard feel like a true escape from the rest of the world.

Pool deck

Let’s face it, your pool deck is a busy place.

Keeping this area lit is important for people’s safety.

Adding lights that can spill light out over the deck is a wonderful way to add both function and safety.

Consider whether there are any walkways leading to or leaving your pool deck area. These paths can be difficult to traverse at night.

Tiki torches

Are you a fan of the way tiki torches look, but tired of settling for poor quality?

High-quality tiki torches have all the fun of tiki torches without any of the downsides. Built from brass and copper, they are wired in with the rest of your low-voltage lighting system. 

With a wick that burns oil at the top of the torch and a light at the bottom to splash light onto the pool deck, you really get the best of both worlds. 

Hot tub area

Any good lighting designer will tell you that the jacuzzi should be kept quiet and private in terms of lighting.

The area surrounding the hot tub, however, is another story. 

• If there is a path leading from the hot tub to the house, it should be lit to eliminate trips and slips.
• Is there a beautiful tree or other key landscape feature that could be highlighted? We don’t want any direct light on the hot tub, but a splash of light on something beautiful nearby can help set the mood. 

Tread lighting for stairs

Are there any steps near your pool?

It’s always a good idea to have these lit for multiple safety reasons. A slip or a trip wouldn’t be a fun way to end the pool party. 

A tread light will recess right into the stair and spill light down onto the step below it.

These lights will illuminate the steps without causing a hazard. Since the light is hidden within the step it also will be less noticeable during the day. 

Moonlighting 

Moonlighting is achieved by mounting a fixture high and aiming it down towards a targeted area.

It uses a softer light with a wider beam spread. This creates a soft-wash lighting effect resembling moonlight.

Moonlighting provides both functional and beautiful illumination

Pool areas are ideal for enjoying the effects of moonlighting. Subtlety is key in lighting design, where less can often have a greater impact.

The trick to immaculate lighting design is subtleness: less says more.

Lighting the surrounding landscape

Illuminating the landscape surrounding your pool and patio will set the mood and add beauty.

By lighting the area around your pool, you will have better visual control over your surroundings.

A lighting designer’s goal is to bring soft, warmly toned lighting levels to your outdoor living space.

The idea behind lighting the landscape is to create a backdrop. We have attached a video of one of our favorite ways we’ve lit a resort-style pool.

Are you ready to turn your pool into your dream at-home resort?

There are numerous ways lighting can be approached for your pool area.

The key to a successful outdoor lighting experience is tailoring your lights to your space and your needs.

Consider your unique setting, and how you enjoy using your outdoor space, and then let the rest fall into place. 

Landscape lighting makes all the difference

At Landscape Lighting Pro of Utah, the art of outdoor illumination is a real passion we work to perfect. Designing elegantly bespoke landscape lighting systems is simply all we do.

For over 20 years, our award-winning team of designers and craftsmen have striven to bring the best outdoor lighting experience possible to people’s homes and businesses across the Wasatch Front and beyond. 

Located in Midvale, Landscape Lighting Pro of Utah installs, maintains, and repairs lighting systems throughout Utah’s residential areas, including Salt Lake City, Park City, Draper, Davis, and Utah

If you are located in Utah and ready to start your transformation, call us at (801) 440-7647 for more information on how we can light up your pool!