A system and method for lighting a surface, for example a deck of a boat, spa, swim spa, pool, watercraft or vehicle, using backlighting such that decorative or other desired patterns of light may be created by forming cuts, outlines, thin sections, or voids in an overlay that is applied to the lighted surface, allowing light to pass through or around portions of the overlay material. In an exemplary use of the system and method of the invention, the surface may be the surface of a boat or spa. The surface may comprise transparent or translucent materials, allowing light from a first side of the decking, or light that is generated within the decking, to pass through the decking and to emanate from a second decking side, where the light may be blocked, partially blocked, or allowed to pass through the overlay material in any desired pattern or shape.