Illuminated fountain: an exclusive decoration for an apartment and a summer residence (20 photos)

Both a summer cottage and a room fountain are a true work of art in itself, always bringing special cosiness, chic and respectability to the surroundings. Everyone who has decided on such an acquisition for their own apartments, initially thinks about how to make the model they like exclusive and unique. Perhaps the most win-win option is a spectacular backlight.

Species diversity

Decorative or functional lighting can complement the design of any hydraulic structure: from a compact fountain to a huge pool. All lighting options of this kind can be divided into two main groups:

1. Underwater;
2. Surface lighting.

Decorative underwater lights add a special mystical gloss to the fountain, making it unusual and exclusive. The light does not blind the eyes, because the rays of the lamps break through the water much softer. This is a good option for miniature elements designed for home or apartment decor.

There are two types of underwater lights. This is underwater lighting, the key elements of which are located in special bowls at the bottom or on the sides of the structure. There are also mobile lights that float freely on the surface of the fountain.

Nuances of underwater and surface lighting

The main disadvantage of underwater lighting is the high risk of current leakage. The waterproofing of the wiring, as well as all components must be of the highest quality. Even the work done filigree and accurately is not a guarantee that moisture will not get on the lighting device unexpectedly.

The surface lighting of the fountain is considered a safer decor option. To "fill" the waterbed with a specific color, various types of searchlights and lamps are used.

Functional Lighting Design

From the point of view of operation, equipping a fountain with a backlight is permissible only with very strong, all-weather, durable and high-quality materials. If the lamps are selected for water decorative elements for giving, it makes sense to think over not just the decor of a particular element, but to form a holistic landscape design. Illumination of the fountain should be in harmony with the lighting of the summer cottage.

Too bright light is better not to use. The maximum level of brightness is usually focused on some interesting attributes: arbors, patios, green hedges, flower bushes.

Types of luminaires for functional lighting

For the functional lighting of the courtyard and fountain, as an important decorative element in the area, a wide variety of lighting devices are used: incandescent lamps, energy-saving, fluorescent, LED installations. It is allowed to combine several options for lighting at once.

At the same time, if you can use any kind of lamps for poles, arbors, around fences and other locations in the courtyard, then only structures that are safe in all respects should be located directly with the fountain. Actual and such options:

• Floor lamps. Devices are mounted near the fountain vertically, equipped with light diffusers made of frosted glass. Such designs can be stylized “retro”, pick up interesting options in the modern or high-tech direction;
• Spherical lights for fountains are represented by round-shaped devices that are equipped with low-power lamps. Products made of polycarbonate or carbonate usually do not give powerful streams of light, therefore, to give some kind of romantic flair near the fountain, they are ideal for a summer residence;
• Solar backlighting is suitable only for outdoor (surface) lighting of a garden fountain. Installations are located only in the warm season (in winter they usually clean from the yard) in locations flooded with sunlight.

There is one good rule that will help to prevent mistakes when choosing lighting for a summer cottage and fountains in particular: the richer the landscape design, the more concise the devices that illuminate the space and the fountain itself.

For example, if the courtyard is decorated with all kinds of flowerbeds, patios, unusual carved fountains, original garden furniture, alpine slides and more, then to illuminate all objects it is better to choose simple spherical lamps.

LED lighting for fountains - a modern solution

Separately, it is worth exploring the fountain with LED backlight. Considering the most modern, progressive and safe in all respects products for lighting water points, LED devices pay special attention. LED spotlights and tapes are ideal for "coloring" water jets, as well as the fountain bowl itself.

They are flexible, easy to install. You can set up a primitive backlight with your own hands, even without solid experience. A special advantage is the extremely low level of energy consumption. At the same time, you can set this or that glow mode with your own hands, changing decorative elements to suit your mood.

The disadvantages include the high cost of such equipment. However, during operation, an expensive purchase justifies itself at 100%. In addition, alternative lighting options in good quality are also not cheap.

Selection of fixtures and site preparation

To illuminate a large fountain, it is enough to place lamps with a pointed leg at the edges. They are elementary installed directly on the ground. To make the “picture” look voluminous and playable, tapes with LED clusters are also mounted on the bottom of the bowl.

It’s also quite possible to create “floating fountains” with your own hands. Suitable for installation are RGB luminaires with 12V LEDs and IP 68 protection class. Such designs are characterized by a high degree of safety. Moisture is not able to penetrate parts of devices. The body of the fixtures is usually represented by reinforced plastic or stainless steel.

About the nuances of installing LED equipment

Before assembling decorative lighting with your own hands, you need to make markup. Experts recommend doing this before buying the materials themselves, in order to know exactly what materials and in what quantity may be required.

The protective layer is removed from the LED strip and the adhesive base is pressed against the work surface. If it is necessary to cut the canvas, do it only in the marked places where the cuts are permissible. It is also strictly forbidden to pinch the tape. A bend of 20 mm is allowed - no more.

The glued device is connected to the controller, and then to the power supply through a step-down transformer. It may happen that the controller does not “pull” the tape too long.

The situation will help fix several amplifiers. So that in the end the resulting construction meets all the standards, it is important to remember the main rule: the recommended fragment length for smd 3528 tapes is 5 meters, and for smd 5050 - 3 meters.

Special precautions

Any electrical equipment requires a careful attitude. When it comes to electricity and structures with water, it is important to follow all the rules. This guarantees not only safety, but also the long life of all components.

It is important that the network is equipped with a residual current device. Such a device today complements any electrical installation.

Lamps must have a sealed housing. Sealed box protects the backlight from moisture. If there is any doubt about the reliability of the design, it is better to abandon the experiments by contacting people who are well versed in this in a timely manner.

Fog and Light: A Magic Combination

You can also decorate a table fountain with illumination in the apartment and overall street structures using a diffuser. This device allows you to create incredible effects over the water surface, which LEDs will help to emphasize.

Fountains with fog and lighting look truly magical. The diffuser generates artificial fog, and LED strips illuminate both the bowl of water itself and the clubs of steam rising above the fountain.

The diffuser is rather miniature. The housing is generally protected against moisture. This allows you to place the device directly in the tank with water. The device separates the water into microparticles, thus generating “cold vapor” that resembles ordinary fog.

Puffs of steam hang on the water bowl for a while, gradually dissolving in the air. Room diffusers perform not only the role of decorative devices, but also moisturize the air with quality. It is worth noting that without appropriate lighting, the effect of artificial fog will not be so impressive.

Not only fountains, but also indoor waterfalls are found with lights and fog. Similar designs can be done with your own hands, armed with good instructions and after studying all the nuances of installation.

Buyer Memo

It is important to understand that with street lighting (especially if the devices are located in close proximity to water points), dirt, moisture, dust will constantly come into contact, the sun will burn and the wind will blow. When choosing a product, the buyer should be picky and attentive.

The main rules:

• Always ask the seller-consultant for quality certificates, as well as other documents indicating that the product is of high quality and does not pose a potential threat;
• Carefully study what is written in the quality certificates themselves, as well as in the documents that are attached to the product;
• Clarify the warranty period and possible specific nuances regarding the operation of the goods;
• Pay special attention to materials that must protect the device itself.

When considering a future purchase, it is worth looking to see if the interior of the housing is painted. If not, there is a high probability that deformations and breakdowns will begin from here. “Stainless steel”, cast iron and aluminum are the simplest but most beneficial materials in terms of operation.