Landscape lighting can be a wonderful addition to your home, but it can also make your eyes hurt if you don’t pay attention.
If you want to know how to choose the best landscape lighting for your home, read on! I’ll walk you through everything from dimmer switches and light bulbs to hideaway fixtures and color schemes.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Good landscape lighting can enhance the look and feel of your outdoor space. |
| 2. Avoid common mistakes like over-lighting and unevenly spaced lights to achieve the best results. |
| 3. There are many creative ways to use landscape lighting, including to create a starry night sky effect or to illuminate a water feature. |
| 4. Landscape lighting offers several benefits beyond aesthetics, such as improved safety, security, and energy efficiency. |
| 5. If you’re new to landscape lighting, a beginner’s guide can help you start learning the basics, and there are many helpful resources available if you want to learn more. |
Keep It Simple
The best way to make your house look beautiful is to keep it simple.
Keep the lights simple, and don’t overdo it. You don’t need to overcomplicate things just because you have the option of doing so. If you plan on keeping it simple, then we guarantee that you’ll get the best results.
Good lighting is key to enhancing your landscape at night. However, it’s important to avoid common mistakes so you can achieve the best results. According to our guide on the top 13 landscape lighting mistakes to avoid, some of the most common mistakes include over-lighting, unevenly spaced lights, and poor placement of lights.
Include Up And Down Lighting
Up and down lighting are both important for security, but each has its own purpose. For driveways and walkways, up lighting is ideal as it creates a nice glow that illuminates your path. Down lighting is great for gardens, trees, or any other greenery you want to highlight.
It’s also useful if you have a fountain in your yard because it will reflect off water droplets back onto the ground below.
You can use both types of lighting together on your property if desired—they don’t compete with one another but instead add to the overall ambiance of your yard or garden area!
Recommended Brands for Up and Down Lighting
| Type of Fixture | Recommended Brands | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Wall Sconces | Kichler, Hinkley, Progress Lighting | $100-250 per fixture |
| Flood Lights | RAB Lighting, Lithonia Lighting | $50-100 per fixture |
| Landscape Spotlights | Volt Lighting, Pinnacle Lights, Hinkley | $50-200 per fixture |
| Pendant Lights | WAC Lighting, Hinkley, Kichler | $100-300 per fixture |
Note: Prices listed are per fixture and may vary depending on location and retailer.
Including up and down lighting is an important aspect of landscape lighting design. Up lighting can be used to draw attention to key features like trees or architectural details, while down lighting can create an inviting atmosphere and help with navigation. Popular types of fixtures for up and down lighting include wall sconces, flood lights, landscape spotlights, and pendant lights.
Brands like Kichler, Hinkley, Progress Lighting, RAB Lighting, Lithonia Lighting, Volt Lighting, Pinnacle Lights, and WAC Lighting all offer quality fixtures that can help you achieve the perfect balance of up and down lighting in your outdoor space.
Ensure That The Lights Are Well Hidden
Ensure that the lights are well hidden.
If you want to reduce the visibility of your lights, there are different options available:
Use a light diffuser. This is an opaque material that can be placed over the light to reduce its illumination and prevent it from shining in unwanted places. Light diffusers come in many different shapes and sizes, but all have the same goal: to make outdoor lighting less noticeable. Whether you choose a globe or spot light diffuser depends on your specific needs; however, both offer great results when used properly.
Use a light shield. If you don’t want any glare whatsoever coming off of your fixtures, then installing a shade may be your best option! The most common type of shade is one with an opaque surface that blocks off all direct sunlight from entering into an area where it’s unwanted (like at night).
These shades are usually circular or square in shape so they’ll fit nicely into any fixture without being too bulky for any space – whether it be indoors or out!
Are you looking to create a stunning outdoor space with the use of lighting? Our ultimate guide to landscape lighting is the perfect resource for anyone looking to get started. From choosing the right type of lighting to creating a layout and preparing the space, our guide covers everything you need to know to achieve a beautiful, illuminated landscape.
Use A Dimmer Switch For Perfect Lighting
The final step is to use dimmer switches instead of regular switches. Dimmer switches allow you to control the brightness of your lights, so they can be turned up during the day and turned down at night.
These are easy to install and use, and they can be used with any type of light fixture. They’re also great for energy conservation you’ll save a lot more money by using them than without them!
This will allow you to get the perfect lighting effect in your home landscape lighting system.
Choose The Right Light Bulb Temperature
The next step is to choose the right light bulb temperature. Different light bulb temperatures can create different effects, so it’s important to find one that matches your aesthetic and the mood you want to set.
For example, warm light creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere while cool light creates a more modern or sleek look.
- Color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K), with higher numbers meaning cooler light. Warm bulbs are typically colored between 2700K and 3000K, while cool bulbs are generally above 3000K up to 4500K or even 5000K for some high-end options.
Landscape lighting can truly elevate the look and feel of your outdoor space. With our guide on 17 creative ideas for landscape lighting, you’ll find inspiration for transforming your yard into a truly unique and breathtaking escape. From creating a starry night sky effect to using lights to illuminate a water feature, our guide has something for everyone.
Avoid Harsh Lighting
When selecting spotlights, look for ones that are focused rather than wide-reaching. The more concentrated the light source is, the less it will cast as much illumination onto your home and yard.
You should also choose lights with a lower wattage if possible—this can help you save money on energy costs by reducing how much electricity you use in general with your outdoor lighting system.
Recommended Brands for Soft Lighting
| Type of Fixture | Recommended Brands | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Path Lights | Hinkley, Kichler, Volt Lighting | $50-150 per fixture |
| Bollard Lights | Tech Lighting, Hadco Lighting | $100-200 per fixture |
| String Lights | Feit Electric, Brightech | $30-100 per strand |
| Step Lights | WAC Lighting, Progress Lighting | $50-100 per fixture |
Note: Prices listed are per fixture and may vary depending on location and retailer.
Harsh lighting can create a harsher, more uninviting look and feel to your outdoor space. Instead, opting for soft lighting can create a more inviting and relaxing environment. A few popular types of fixtures ideal for soft lighting include path lights, bollard lights, string lights, and step lights.
Brands like Hinkley, Kichler, Tech Lighting, Hadco Lighting, Feit Electric, Brightech, WAC Lighting, and Progress Lighting all offer excellent fixtures for creating gentle, soft lighting in your outdoor space.
Consider Using Color For A Unique Look
If you’re going to use color, use it wisely. Color is a great way to create a unique look, but if you don’t know how to do it right, it could end up looking like an accident instead of artistry.
The best way to use color effectively is by keeping your project simple and using only one or two colors throughout the space. This creates unity while still giving the room a custom look that no one else has.
Color can also be used in more subtle ways than just painting walls and furniture. For example, if you’re trying to lighten up a dark area but don’t want splashes of bright paint everywhere, consider using lighting that comes with different shades of white (or other neutral hues) for each fixture instead of trying out brighter shades like yellow or blue lights that would clash with everything else in the room.
The same goes for any outdoor lighting; even though white lights may not match the exterior design itself perfectly from an architectural standpoint (especially if it wasn’t designed with them in mind), they’ll still fit into most landscapes quite well because they have naturalistic tones rather than neon ones!
Use Different Types Of Landscape Lighting
There are many types of landscape lighting, and you can use them all in your yard. If you have a large backyard, for example, consider using spotlights to focus on specific areas.
You can also install accent lights where they will be most effective—perhaps along the walkway leading up to your front door or around a fountain or other water feature.
Landscape lighting is both practical and decorative. It’s an inexpensive way to add security and ambience without spending too much money on electricity bills!
Landscape lighting is a must-have for any outdoor space, but did you know it offers some surprising benefits beyond just improved aesthetics? Our guide on 10 surprising benefits of landscape lighting you never knew about highlights some of the lesser-known perks of illuminating your landscape, including improved safety, security, and even energy efficiency.
Use Moonlighting To Create A Natural Effect
Moonlighting is a type of landscape lighting that uses low-wattage bulbs. The soft glow it provides can create a very natural effect, making your landscaping look like as if it’s illuminated by moonlight.
This is especially great for home garden areas, but also works well around your house such as along pathways and driveways.
Moonlighting Examples
| Type of Moonlighting | Recommended Brand | Price |
|---|---|---|
| LED Spotlights | Hinkley | $120-150 |
| Downlights | Kichler | $70-100 |
| Hanging Lights | WAC Lighting | $200-300 |
| Post Lights | Progress Lighting | $100-150 |
Note: Prices listed are per fixture and may vary depending on location and retailer.
Moonlighting is a popular technique for creating a natural effect in landscape lighting. This involves placing fixtures high up in your trees or other tall features, casting a soft, dappled light down onto the surrounding area.
Some popular types of fixtures for moonlighting include LED spotlights, downlights, hanging lights, and post lights. Brands like Hinkley, Kichler, WAC Lighting, and Progress Lighting all offer high-quality fixtures that can help you achieve a stunning moonlit effect in your outdoor space.
Find The Best Landscape Lights For Your Home Here
Now that you know the basics of landscape lighting, it’s time to get some inspiration for the design of your own home. Here are a few places where you can find great options for all kinds of outdoor spaces:
Landscape Lighting Stores – Many stores offer a wide variety of products, including everything from lamps and fixtures to installation kits and timers. You can also find lighted outdoor decorations here, such as fountains or statues.
Online Shopping Sites – Online retailers often carry popular brands like LEDGlow®, which makes an excellent assortment of LED lights in different styles and colors.
If you’re looking for ideas on how to make your house stand out at night when everyone else is asleep then this article was written just for you!
There are many ways that homeowners can improve their curb appeal by adding exterior lighting into their landscaping design plans but first let’s go over some common misconceptions about how these systems work so we all stay on the same page when making decisions together later down the road.
If you’re new to landscape lighting, it can be tough to know when and where to start. That’s where our beginner’s guide on when to use landscape lighting comes in handy. From discussing different types of lighting to tips for picking the right fixtures, our guide provides all the basics you need to know to get started brightening up your yard.
Conclusion
Now that you know what to look for in landscape lights, it’s time to get started on the design of your own backyard!
The key is taking your time and making sure every detail is perfect—the end result will be worth all of the work that goes into it.
Further Reading
Want to learn more about landscape lighting? Check out these helpful resources:
Lumens’ Landscape Lighting Guide: A comprehensive guide to landscape lighting that covers everything from design and planning to installation and maintenance.
This Old House: All About Landscape Lighting: A helpful overview of landscape lighting and what you need to know to get started.
Family Handyman: Landscape Lighting Dos and Don’ts: A concise list of landscaping lighting do’s and don’ts that covers important factors like placement, intensity, and conservation.
FAQs
Have more questions about landscape lighting? Here are some common ones we’ve answered:
What are the benefits of landscape lighting?
Landscape lighting can enhance the look and feel of your outdoor space, improve safety and security, increase your home’s value, and even save you money on energy bills.
What type of lighting should I use for my landscape?
There are several types of landscape lighting, including path lights, spotlights, floodlights, and decorative lights. The type of lighting you choose will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
How do I install landscape lighting?
Installing landscape lighting can vary depending on the type of lighting and the location. It’s generally recommended to hire a professional electrician to ensure proper installation and safety.
How much does landscape lighting cost?
The cost of landscape lighting can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of lighting, the size of the property, and the complexity of the installation. Generally, the cost can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.
How do I maintain my landscape lighting?
Proper maintenance of your landscape lighting can help ensure it stays functional and looks great. This can include tasks like replacing bulbs, cleaning fixtures, and checking wiring. It’s recommended to conduct maintenance at least once a year.
Hi! My name is Hellen James, and I’m a landscape designer in Los Angeles. I’ve been working with homeowners and businesses to help them improve the look of their properties for over 10 years.
