There’s a difference between simply lighting up a yard and designing an experience. When a Columbus-area family dreamed of turning their outdoor space into a peaceful retreat, they reached out to Light Up Columbus with a simple request: make it beautiful, make it functional, and make it feel like home, even after the sun goes down. The result? A breathtaking transformation that recently earned “Best of Show” from the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP)—one of the industry’s top honors.
More Than Lights—An Atmosphere
This wasn’t about floodlights or overly bright fixtures. The goal was to create a space that invited relaxation, connection, and calm. Designer and President of Light Up Columbus, Chris Apfelstadt, led the project with that exact vision in mind.“We weren’t just solving for visibility,” Apfelstadt shared in a recent episode of The Lighting Coach podcast. “We were building an experience—something peaceful, something memorable.”With that mindset, the Light Up Columbus team got to work.
The Details That Made It Magic
The property already had great bones: a pool, stone pathways, mature trees, and multiple entertaining areas. But at night, everything faded into darkness.
To bring the space to life, the team used a mix of subtle, layered lighting techniques:
- Moonlighting high in the trees to cast a gentle glow—mimicking the feel of a full moon
- Underwater lighting in the pool to enhance movement and safety without glare
- Soft step and path lighting to guide guests naturally across the space
- String lighting in seating areas to create warmth and intimacy
The result was soft, inviting, and seamless for an outdoor space that feels just as alive at night as it does during the day.
From Backyard to Award-Winner
What started as a standard backyard quickly became one of the most talked-about designs in the industry. The Moonlit Oasis project stood out not just for its technical skill, but for how it made people feel. It’s proof that outdoor lighting, when done right, doesn’t just light up a home, it transforms it.
Inspired? Let’s Talk.
Whether you’re dreaming of your own moonlit escape or want to make better use of your outdoor space after dark, we can help you get there.