How to Illuminate Your Outdoor Water Features

One of the most beautiful things you can do to your home is to install illuminated water features. These can be both relaxing and romantic. Whether you are spending the evening alone after a rough day, with your significant other, or hosting a party in your yard, illuminating your water features can make all the difference. There are a couple different ways that you can do this as well. Most methods are rather cheap and easy to install.

One of the easiest ways to light up your yard is through the use of garden lights and even some spot lights. If you position your spot lights just right, you can achieve several different effects. The key to using a spot is to have it pointed away from high traffic, keep it mounted low, and use a low wattage or colored bulb. This can add all sorts of different effects to your pond or waterfall. Using garden lights, you can light up the surrounding area of your feature. Another option is to use a color changing system. You can usually find these for rather cheap and they are easy to hide. They will change the color of the light at regular intervals and change the whole look of your feature. One thing to keep in mind with any of these lighting fixtures, except for the garden lights, is that you do not want them to be very visible. You can use plants to hide them, but a little plaster and paint can make the exterior look like a rock. This will give you the lighting you want and add a little mystery to your whole yard.

Underwater lighting is a great thing to use. These systems can be a little more expensive, but are still affordable. These lights will mount underwater and turn your whole feature into a light. This can add some life to your fountains and waterfalls, especially if you use colored bulbs. These can also liven up your pond and cast some light on your underwater plants. If you have fish or other animals in your pond, you will want to leave some darker areas to your pond so that they can hide if the light gets too invasive. By putting the light in the water source of your fountains and falls, you can create a whole wall of color or make your fountain come to life.

Floating lights are another great feature you can add. By putting a string of floating lights in your feature, the light is not fixed and will ebb and flow with the feature. These can also give a mirrored look to your water surface. There are several different effects that you can reach with floating lights. You can even scatter them apart and watch the shadows grow and shrink with each wave in your feature.

No matter which option you decide to use, adding light to your features is one of the best things that you can do. Why have something in your yard that you can only enjoy during the day. With a little bit of light, water features can be enjoyed from dusk to dawn as well as during the day. They can give your entire yard a whole new life and mystical appearance that will add depth and beauty to any home.