At night, a pool can be transformed with the use of a colored light. Here, a lighting system was installed in the pool and spa that creates a mood-evoking effect. The jets of water around the pool’s perimeter also are illuminated.

Accent Lighting
• Highlight stone elements. “We try to emphasize accent lighting,” states Osborn. “Think about the house as well as the landscaping. Are there interesting architectural features to highlight, like stone walls or arches?” Mueller finds that stone columns or archways serve as striking accents when dramatically up-lit.
• Emphasize fireplaces. Cervi recalls a home with a stacked-stone fireplace situated away from the house. “We made it a focal point, emphasizing the appealing stone accents with lighting. When the owners were actually sitting by the fireplace, they could turn those lights off and just enjoy the flames.”
• Create social areas. Mizukami Schoettker prefers subtle down-lights because they do not obstruct views the way a large spotlight or chandelier might. Traditional architecture may call for other lighting, however, such as a hanging lamp or sconces. Many styles of fixtures are available. If the patio has a beamed ceiling, says Mueller, you can nestle small lights there. Since the fixtures themselves are quite small, “the beams make a good concealed light source.”   
• Look at the entire landscape. Put as much thought into lighting courtyards and patios as you put into your landscape, Swetesich stresses. Enjoy the outside from within your home; think about the views from your windows, and light them accordingly.

An underwater fixture in this pond highlights water spilling over a rock formation. Several lights were placed around each tree to accentuate their sculptural shapes.

• Create shadows. Have fun with shadows, Kyle comments. He remembers a project with a fountain in a front courtyard framed by pillars: “We put bullet spotlights on either side, which cast a shadow of half the fountain on each side pillar.” Osborn finds that groups of interesting plants, including yuccas or palms, produce attractive shadow effects.
• Illuminate pools. Several of our ex-perts agree that fiber-optic lighting in-stalled in pools—typically around the perimeter—is appealing. For additional lighting, Mizukami Schoettker says the pool’s style should be considered. “If the pool is organic in shape, we highlight a water feature or palm tree using natural light.” On the other hand, to make a statement in a Contemporary pool with clean lines, she might choose to install colored fiber-optic lights into pool walls beneath the water line. “If a tree is near the pool,” she adds, “we can light the tree, and the light also will be cast into the pool area. Sometimes lights are within the pool itself—on the walls or floor surface.”  
• Emphasize water features. For waterfalls or other running water near or connected to a pool, Kyle recommends shining a light at the water feature from a nearby planter, or placing a raised fixture behind the feature, letting it shine down on the water. “Try to light the spill area right where the splash happens,” suggests Mueller. Lights also can be placed where they will shine up through the water. 

Eco-friendly Options
• Install low-voltage bulbs. All of our experts use low-voltage lighting. “They
are better for the environment and cheaper to run and install,” Kyle says. Osborn sees many advantages: “They draw less power and the bulbs last longer.” Low-voltage bulbs also offer plenty of light, Swetesich adds, noting that these bulbs are just as bright as standard 120-volt lights.
• Use LEDs. According to Mizukami Schoettker, LEDs are an up-and-coming trend. “They are maintenance-free and energy-efficient, and you can change colors.” Osborn explains that LEDs last far longer than average bulbs. It’s a softer light, though—not as defining, observes Cervi. “LEDs are definitely energy- and cost-savers,” says Kyle. “Within the next three to four years, they’ll become a popular option as the technology is refined.” 
• Go solar? None of our experts recommends solar products. “Solar is not up there yet in terms of illumination and lasting light,” says Swetesich. And, according to Osborn, many solar lights are plastic, which will not last long under the Arizona sun.  

Dark-sky Ordinances
Dark sky-friendly lighting products are recommended to keep the stars and moon in view. These products minimize glare and do not pollute the nighttime sky. Any lighting professional should be able to work within the parameters of a community’s dark-sky ordinances.
• There are many ways to approach dark-sky objectives, states Wes Osborn. For instance, place shrouds over fixtures to angle the light, so that it does not shine upward. Or, use diffuser rings, which “keep the light beam focused where you point it, as opposed to letting it spread,” he explains.
• Mark Mueller says bulbs that are no more than 20 watts often are required. He advises selecting your locations carefully, and being conscious of how much light you are shooting into the night sky.  
• If dark-sky rules make up-lighting difficult, use down-lighting, advises Nick Cervi. For instance, place lights in trees to create a subtle yet broad wash of light.
• David Kyle notes that choosing options with frosted lenses will reduce glare. Adding honeycomb-shape louvers provides glare control as well, offers Miho Mizukami Schoettker, and many fixtures show the light only from a certain angle. Use common sense, she adds, and you won’t have a problem.