Mercer Island, WA

Mercer Island Waterfront

Dock lighting that respects the water — and the view across it.

19 fixturesMercer Island

Mercer Island Waterfront — Mercer Island, WA

Background

The project.

A waterfront home on Mercer Island's east channel, with a private dock, boat lift, and a sweeping view of Lake Washington. The homeowners wanted lighting that would make the dock usable at night without creating glare on the water or disturbing the view from the house.

Challenge

The problem to solve.

Waterfront lighting is uniquely difficult: light reflects off the water surface in unpredictable ways, dock fixtures are exposed to constant moisture and temperature swings, and any light spill onto the lake creates a visual distraction for everyone looking across the water. The homeowners also needed the dock lighting to comply with Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife guidelines for over-water lighting (no direct light on the water surface).

Approach

How we solved it.

We used dock-specific low-profile LED strip lighting under the dock cap, aimed downward onto the dock surface only — zero light spill onto the water. The boat lift received a single warm-toned floodlight on a motion sensor for nighttime operations. The facade facing the lake was washed with wide-beam fixtures set far back under the eaves, so the light reads as interior glow rather than exterior floodlight. The stairs from the house to the dock had recessed step lights on every other tread. All dock fixtures are marine-grade stainless steel with sealed connectors.

Result

The outcome.

The dock is fully usable at night without a single lumen hitting the water surface. From the house, the view across the lake remains dark and undisturbed. The stair lighting makes the steep grade change safe. The homeowners report that neighbors on the opposite shore have commented on how "considerate" the lighting is — they can see the dock in use without being blinded by it.

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