There are few features of a home that add the kind of convenience, entertainment value, and plain old fun of an outdoor pool. When considering landscape lighting around a pool, it’s essential to consider safety and aesthetics. You want to show off your sparkling pool and lush landscaping that surrounds it. It may be tempting to flood the area with light, but not only does this wash out the space, it also doesn’t highlight its special features.

Strategically illuminating special features like trees, plantings, and walls create a beautiful place for entertaining. And they can fulfill their function of making the pool safe and easy to navigate at night. Below are some tips and landscape pool lighting ideas to make your pool the place where everyone wants to gather.

How Do You Light an Outdoor Pool Area?

The placement of lighting around your pool landscape depends on your backyard or porch, their features, the ambiance you want to enhance, and the elements you want to highlight. You may have trees, flowers, specimen plants, or mostly hardscapes and tile. Deck lighting for the pool landscape can frame the area and highlight its special features.

Weymouth 20 Inch Tall 3 Light Outdoor Pier Lamp by Hinkley Lighting

This beautifully lit poolscape is perfect for entertaining guests or a casual night with your family. The Weymouth 20 Inch Tall 3 Light Outdoor Pier Lamps by Hinkley Lighting modernize the outdoor space without sacrificing its traditional appeal. The clean design of the subtle yet overstated frame echoes the clean lines of the home and the textured walls. The light shimmers and plays over the flowing water into the depths of the pool.

Eurofase Lighting Ilya 13 Inch LED Outdoor Flush Mount

The modern tray-like design and strong lines of the Eurofase Lighting Ilya 13 Inch LED Outdoor Flush Mount showcase the architectural features of this elegant poolscape. The black framework echoes the black-framed doors while the speckled, clear glass panel adds interest.

Pool Lighting Idea #1: Highlighting Trees and Plants

The best way to show off landscaping at night is to use uplighting. With this technique, you place small fixtures in the ground around trees or shrubbery you want to highlight. Pointing the lights upward towards the landscaping illuminates them nicely in the dark. And they create pleasing shadows that highlight architectural features.

Hinkley Lighting Hardy Island 2 – 20 Watt In-Ground Light

As dusk gently seeps across the sky, these palm trees are transformed into a stunning display by Hinkley Lighting Hardy Island 2 – 20 Watt In Ground Lights. The palm trees take center stage, bathed in glowing illumination from these subtle lights.

12 Inch Stem Nexus Landscape Accessory by Hinkley Lighting

The simple shape of the 12 Inch Stem Nexus Landscape Accessory by Hinkley Lighting radiates light upward, showcasing the elegant planters and textured wall behind them. The vibe is ideal for solitary evenings lounging by the pool or entertaining guests.

Pool Lighting Idea #2: Illuminate Walkways and Steps

Safety is essential when lighting walkways, stairs, and any area around a pool. Without enough light at night, the pool can become unsafe. Family members or guests risk tripping and falling into the pool or down the stairs when they aren’t well-lit.

Staggering the lighting along walkways avoids the runway effect while offering plenty of illumination right where it is needed.

Kuzco Lighting Maro 26 Inch Decorative Pathway Light

Safety and beauty work hand in hand around this pool surrounded by Kuzco Lighting Maro 26 Inch Decorative Pathway Lights. The wishbone-inspired shape is functional and decorative. These lights work well along the perimeter and offer downlighting to highlight shrubbery.

Kuzco Lighting Traverse 4 Inch Decorative Pathway Light

Outlining the pool, Kuzco Lighting Traverse 4 Inch Decorative Pathway Lights add style and elegance as they make the area safer. Inspired by the form and rotational illumination of lighthouses, the lighting is completely adjustable and can be customized to any outdoor space. They dispel the myth that simple pathway lighting can’t be decorative as well.

Pool Lighting Idea #3: Using Outdoor Wall Lights

Using stunning outdoor lighting around the pool can add an artful vibe to the backyard or porch. Visually striking lighting can become wall art, especially when juxtaposed with other features that stand out in the soft illumination.

Atlantis 16 Inch Tall 2 Light Outdoor Wall Light by Hinkley Lighting

Less is definitely more with the Atlantis 16 Inch Tall 2 Light Outdoor Wall Light by Hinkley Lighting. Its minimalist design is the ultimate in urban sophistication. They shed soft downlight that defines seating areas without blinding their occupants and throws pleasing, artful shadows on the wall that help define the space.

Sorrento 17 Inch Tall 1 Light Outdoor Wall Light by Hinkley Lighting

Lighting around the pool can be subtle, as we’ve seen above, or more ornate, such as the Sorrento 17 Inch Tall 1 Light Outdoor Wall Light by Hinkley Lighting. Its cast metal details and stunning amber etched inner glass surrounded by clear seeding glass highlight the relaxed boho feel of this pool, making it a perfect place for lounging. This put-together look makes a grand statement.