3 Creative Ways to Use Landscape Lighting in Water Features in Sun Prairie and McFarland, WI

The water features that adorn your outdoor living space make up some of the most beautiful views and sounds when the sun is out. When the sun drops beneath the horizon, however, the visuals should be continued with creative landscape lighting design. Apart from safety reasons, these lights will also turn your landscape into a stunningly beautiful place that makes for a comfortable place to hang out with friends and family. Here are three creative ways to use landscape lighting in water features in Sun Prairie and McFarland, WI.

Related: How Landscapers Near Me Create Showstopping Nightscapes With Outdoor Lighting in Sun Prairie, WI

First, let’s look at some important tips for illuminating water features:

1. Considering the angle of illumination is an important part of illuminating water features. The right angle will allow you to highlight particular features or enhance the play of the water or reflected light on nearby objects. At the same time, you want to avoid creating glare on the water. Usually, angling lights away from the primary viewing positions will do the trick. If there is more than one prominent viewing area of the water, be sure to use more muted lights to avoid blinding your guests, or use physical barriers such as rocks or plants to shield people from glare.

2. Fixture placement is also important. Nobody wants to see “how” a water feature is illuminated. This means placing fixtures in unobtrusive places (while still maintaining their effectiveness) or disguising them. For example, integrating light fixtures into masonry is one way to minimize the clutter. Keep in mind that if you’re using submersible lights, you’ll need to access them regularly to clean them. 

3. Before you start designing lighting around your water features, you’ll need to clarify the mood you want to set with the lights. Do you want to create a relaxing zen-like space? Do you want a more festive mood just right for a vibrant party? 

Keeping these tips in mind, here are some ideas for ways to make your water features the stars of the evening show.

Underwater Lighting

The way that water plays with light will always create fantastic visuals. The slightest disturbance on the surface of the water will always make a light show, whether it’s from a fish eating a pond skipper, the continuous splash of a stream jetting through the surface, or a gentle breeze folding ripples on an otherwise glassy pond. 

Place some underwater lights within each one of your water features to keep the show going after dark. The dancing ripples of light make water feature lighting part of a lighting theme that focuses not only on function, but on beauty. Use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to expand your creative options. For example, some LED lights can be programmed to change colors, which will produce a dazzling light show that will set the mood.  

Don’t forget to illuminate the space behind moving water (fountains or waterfalls). This lighting strategy will draw attention to the water, and will add drama to your outdoor living space. 

Lighting Integrated into Masonry

If your water feature is made of masonry, you could embed landscape light fixtures into the masonry itself. This offers a clean and uncluttered look that enhances the elegance of the space. Positioning the light facing directly downward will highlight the beauty of the masonry, as well as shining light directly at the water below. 

Spotlighting

Spotlights can make a dramatic impact on a landscape. Pointing a spotlight directly at your waterfall or fountain can draw attention to the cascading water.

Related: Landscape Lighting Techniques That Achieve a Variety of Moods for Your Monona, WI Patio