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Lighting

Homeowners can enjoy their yard after dark, while increasing security on their property with the addition of landscaping lighting systems. Without lighting at night, landscaping cannot be seen and the house fades into the night. Homeowners are finding that architectural and landscape lighting allows them to extend the enjoyment of their landscape investment into the evening hours.

Adding landscape lighting improves curb appeal, expands living space and increases the safety and security of your home. The right lighting creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the exterior of a home and yard. Landscape lighting can even be enjoyed from the inside.

A landscape professional will determine focal points, use areas, traffic patterns, outdoor style, and the mood to be achieved. They will consider how the proposed lighting will enhance the form, color and texture of the soft and hard landscape elements. Landscape lighting should serve to unify both interior and exterior design themes, conceal what may be unattractive and shape the view of the landscape at night

Outdoor lighting is a safety feature every swimming pool needs. Pool lighting can also be designed to accent the backyard landscape. Underwater pool lights can provide clear or colored lighting to extend your swimming enjoyment well into the night. And fiber optic lighting can be even more delightful and can be used to emphasize other features such as waterfalls or spas. With fiber optic lights, there’s no electricity near the water, maintenance is easy because the light is accessible (specifically, it’s not underwater), and for a little something different, a color wheel can be added to the remote light source. Even basic pool lights now offer owners the ability to quickly change from standard white illumination to colored lighting with snap-on lenses.

Path lights around the pool will create lighting for night use. Up lights in nearby trees will add some lighting also. Torch lights are a great way to create lighting for areas where typical lighting does not seem to work. Torch lights also create a wonderful ambiance! Swimming pool lighting should be functional as well as subtle.

Fire Features

A fire feature tends to be one of the most popular outdoor features in most backyard landscape projects. Fireplaces and fire pits require the coordination of several key elements – masonry, gas and plumbing, and stonework. Here are a few options to consider:

• Fire pit – a fire pit is one of the most common fire features and has become a standard backyard installation. Fire pits can range from 3’ wide to as much as 6’ or greater. Usually at a height of 12”, these are all custom-built to the owners and landscape designer’s specifications. The fire pit can be wood burning or setup for natural gas or propane. A wood fire pit makes for a great evening, but requires cleanup, so most homeowners tend to prefer the quick and easy gas setup. Fire pits have become popular because of their ability to be the center point of an evening of fun, with everyone sitting and talking around the fire pit.
• Fireplace – A fireplace is the best way to make a statement in any backyard landscaping or pool project. This gorgeous focal feature can take on the design and feel of the house, backyard, or patio. A fireplace is more of a daily focal feature but as the night cools off, it becomes the center of the party. The fireplace sets on the edge of the patio, whereas the fire pit sits in the center. With that being said, the fireplace can allow more patio space for landscape projects. 

Digital Controls (Automation)

Backyard control has never been easier. With convenient digital controls, you can operate and even program your pool’s equipment without going outside. You can now customize your system to manage other backyard features — landscape and pool lighting, water features, a fire pit and more. Take control as far as you can – even right into the water with a wireless, waterproof remote. Perhaps best of all, automation can save you money — by automating essential pool and spa functions, you can save up to 70% on your pool’s energy costs.