Lighting add-ins for pool and pool deck

[TDTPool]

Currently, my pool has a single light, that doesn't work (I am working on repairing) but I am wondering if anyone has recommendations for adding more lighting; ideally without busting up concrete.
I've attached a far pic of the deck and pool. The only light is in the deepert part on the left side.

You can see I have LED light strings along most of the fence, and a ceiling fan under the sitting area to the right (mostly off the image). However, at night it is still very dark; especially in the pool, and to the left.

I was thinking about buying some generic solar floaters to help with pool ambience, but figured this would be a great place to ask for over-all suggestions. I am okay running some wires and getting lights that I glue to the rim of the pool, but that might look pretty tacky if I do it as I explained.

I was thinking of getting uplights on the back wall and that would help, some.

My main concerns is of course getting downlights and mounting on the wall, someone looking at it would be painful.
Alternatively, I could mount a down-light similar to where I took this picture from and that would be a decent source without the chance of looking into. But again; curious of ideas for actual pool-themed lighting, and brand warnings.

 

[PoolGate]

I suggest low voltage lighting. The cable can be just barely covered by mulch. See my SIG pics my lighting around the pool is low voltage.

 

[TDTPool]

I suggest low voltage lighting. The cable can be just barely covered by mulch. See my SIG pics my lighting around the pool is low voltage.

Thanks! I was thinking of some low-voltage stuff, and threading the cable under the wall. The wall part is where I'm struggling the most. I'm thinking of leading some cabling along the trim, then tucking some uplighting under the lip of the spill over spa. Unsure how it'll look, but could be a good burst of ambient.

 

[TDTPool]

I suggest low voltage lighting. The cable can be just barely covered by mulch. See my SIG pics my lighting around the pool is low voltage.

Related to your build; How much did it end up running? I'm thinking of completely demo-ing my area in the next 4-5 years and re-building a much more massive/custom setup.

 

[PoolGate]

Related to your build; How much did it end up running? I'm thinking of completely demo-ing my area in the next 4-5 years and re-building a much more massive/custom setup.

My pool build was right around $80k with all the landscaping. $70k for the pool and $10k for everything else. The low voltage lights I just did myself. Under $1000 for sure for everything. They are really easy to install.

 

[TDTPool]

My pool build was right around $80k with all the landscaping. $70k for the pool and $10k for everything else. The low voltage lights I just did myself. Under $1000 for sure for everything. They are really easy to install.

Thanks for info! I must say, and I know there are a A LOT of variables, but I was soft planning for ~150k when I went to do it. Some extra due to previous pool, but that is much cheaper than I expected you to say.
How did you go about designing it? Builders assistance, or personal interest?
I know gunite (I 'think' I should say) is cheaper due to it's life spam but that is still not bad. Speaking; it's been 5 years, how is your gunite holding up? I think I read you replace (something about it?) every 5-7 years?

 

[PoolGate]

Thanks for info! I must say, and I know there are a A LOT of variables, but I was soft planning for ~150k when I went to do it. Some extra due to previous pool, but that is much cheaper than I expected you to say.
How did you go about designing it? Builders assistance, or personal interest?
I know gunite (I 'think' I should say) is cheaper due to it's life spam but that is still not bad. Speaking; it's been 5 years, how is your gunite holding up? I think I read you replace (something about it?) every 5-7 years?

My pool was installed in 2017 just before the huge resurgence in pools. The same pool today I expect would be $25k plus more. My wife and I designed it along with the builder.

Gunite (plaster) is usually the most expensive pool surface. Liner pool is the cheapest followed by fiberglass and then gunite. Our plaster surface is near perfect no issues at all. My neighbor's gunite pool is going on 20 years with the same plaster but is showing its age mostly because for much of that 20 years his pool was not balanced properly. It has a lot of pitting in the plaster. Mine has almost none. Just a bit more than usual on my sundeck right where the output from the saltwater chlorine generator goes. I put a swivel eyeball on it and that has seemed to stop any additional pitting. None of it is bad enough to do anything about it. New plaster when/if the time comes is $15k(ish).

For $150k you should get quite a nice setup. Of course have all your local pool builders give you an estimate and check out their previous jobs if you can. Word of mouth is everything in the pool industry.

 

[TDTPool]

My pool was installed in 2017 just before the huge resurgence in pools. The same pool today I expect would be $25k plus more. My wife and I designed it along with the builder.

Gunite (plaster) is usually the most expensive pool surface. Liner pool is the cheapest followed by fiberglass and then gunite. Our plaster surface is near perfect no issues at all. My neighbor's gunite pool is going on 20 years with the same plaster but is showing its age mostly because for much of that 20 years his pool was not balanced properly. It has a lot of pitting in the plaster. Mine has almost none. Just a bit more than usual on my sundeck right where the output from the saltwater chlorine generator goes. I put a swivel eyeball on it and that has seemed to stop any additional pitting. None of it is bad enough to do anything about it. New plaster when/if the time comes is $15k(ish).

For $150k you should get quite a nice setup. Of course have all your local pool builders give you an estimate and check out their previous jobs if you can. Word of mouth is everything in the pool industry.

Wow, thanks for the additional details. That's great to hear - I will say I don't like my liner pool, but I dislike it for other reasons. I was looking into fiberglass but if gunite is only ~15k every decade+ I can handle that, everything has a maint cost.

I'm sure closer to the time I'll also come post my yard and layout here for ideas. Plenty of yard, just have to claim it.