Landscape Lighting Cost Guide in 2024
We put together a very detailed landscape lighting cost guide where you will find all the information and costs related to installing lights in front and around your house, patio, yard, garden.
A beautiful landscape is a reflection of a well maintained outdoor space. It shows that the homeowner has gone an extra mile to add character, beauty, and life to their home’s outdoors. When it comes to landscaping, flowers, and plants will naturally pop up into your mind. But, this gorgeous picture will not be whole without landscape lighting.
Your home’s architectural features might be gorgeous and appealing to the eye. Your picturesque garden beds are probably arranged in a way that leaves nothing but admiration. But this beautiful view of your home can transform into a breathtaking space by lighting your landscape.
Landscape lighting is considered to be one the best ways to enhance the beauty of your outdoor space. Outdoor lights are functional features that not only beef up security in your home, but they also highlight your garden to create a whole new dimension to your home.
If you are a homeowner, you have every reason to invest in landscape lighting. By lighting your outdoor space, you will be upgrading your home, creating an ambiance and improving safety and security. In short, investing in an outdoor lighting system will offer you both aesthetics and functional benefits.
Benefits of Landscape Lighting
If you have a home, you have to invest in your landscape. One of the best ways to enhance your outdoor space is to add lighting to it. Lighting your landscape adds beauty to your home and improves security. Landscape lights can be installed on trees, stairs, pathways, fences, driveways, on patios, etc.
Here are some of the benefits of installing landscape lighting in your home’s exterior.
Home Security
Darkness can be scary but not for some people such as burglars. But that’s not all you are likely to attract when your outdoor space is full of darkness at night. You risk attracting unwelcome pests and animals into your property at night if it lacks adequate lighting. Landscape lighting will illuminate your home’s exterior and make your home less attractive to thieves.
A well-lit home will have most of the entry points such as windows and doors well illuminated. This would make it quite difficult for thieves and other intruders to break in unnoticed. Dark pathways and side yards are perfect hideouts for intruders who will be lurking within the vicinity waiting for the right hour to strike.
In fact, it’s best to have some lighting with motion sensors, that will not only scare criminals away but even some animals. Therefore, landscape lighting acts as a significant deterrent to intruders and offers valuable protection for you and your household after the sunset.
Safety
A well illuminated outdoor space offers safe passage. Landscape lighting provides adequate light to your driveway and pathways. This makes it easy and safe to access such places as the areas become visible. It reduces the chances of you or your family members or even visitors from missing their steps, slipping and falling.
Your safety and that of your family members and visitors should be well taken care of especially when outside during the night. Remember, outdoor spaces are full of potential dangers such as pools, chances of tripping and falling, stairs, rocks, etc. Most people enjoy spending their nighttime outside admiring the sky, the stars or simply taking in the beautiful weather. But if your outdoor space is not illuminated, it can be dangerous.
Therefore, lighting your outdoor space will provide enough lighting for everyone, and you can safely enjoy your nighttime outside. It will be safe to add lights to balconies, around the pool, on garden steps, on the deck and patios, on walkways, driveways, and pathways. This way, you will make these areas safely accessible at night. Landscape lighting is a way of making your home’s exterior safe.
Adds Functionality
Landscape lighting adds and enhances the functionality of your home’s exterior space. If you illuminate your landscape well, you will be able to use most of the areas in your home that otherwise would become unusable when its dark. This means you will be able to enjoy your nighttime outside and spend quality time with your family and friends.
If you love having outdoor fun at night like drinking with your friends outside till late night, you can do so comfortably if your outdoor space is adequately illuminated. You can spend time in your backyard, on your deck and enjoy your night away.
More so, you can play around with lights to create a beautiful space that is favorable to you and your family members to enjoy the outdoors. In fact, landscape lighting makes it possible for you to enjoy outdoor activities such as cooking and dining. With a well-lit outdoor space, you can enjoy recreational activities no matter the time of the day.
Your outdoor space is an extension of your living space. This includes patios and decks which are meant to serve their purpose any time of the day, whether nighttime or daylight. Lighting your landscape makes it possible for to spend your time in such areas comfortably. You can add a seating area or a fireplace and enjoy reading a book or any other activity outdoors, at night.
Aesthetic Appeal
Landscape lighting is arguably one of the best ways to enhance the beauty of your home. Everyone wants to have an aesthetically pleasing outdoor space. Lighting your landscape will not only enhance it, but it will also highlight the focal points of your exterior space and illuminate it to make it uniquely attractive. In fact, if well balanced, your landscape lighting can beautifully bring out the architectural features of your home.
Landscape lighting highlights and shows off the design of your landscape. It creates a visually pleasing view of your home. Lighting your outdoors complements and brings the best features of your home that would otherwise be hidden when the darkness sets in. Well- spaced landscape lights increase the curb appeal of your home. The lighting makes your outdoor space stylish, warm and inviting.
Besides, lights are decorative. They come in an array of colors and shapes. You can install them in such a way that they not only beautify your home, but they also make every aspect of your home stand out attractively. It’s a beautiful thing to have flowers and plants in your landscape, but lighting will make them stand out even when its dark.
Increase Property Value
Landscape lighting contributes a great percentage on the value of your property. A home with landscape lighting is likely to sell more than one that doesn’t have. In fact, studies show that landscape lighting can add about 30% to the value of a home. The study further shows that 50% of potential homebuyers claim that outdoor lighting is an important feature that they consider when buying a home.
For this reason, a real estate agent will consider the advantages of having landscape lighting, and they will specially recognize it better than the one without. This gives you an upper hand in setting a higher price for your property knowing that you will get a return on your investment.
If you design your outdoor lighting well, it will be more appealing to potential buyers. This increases your chances of selling your property at the asking price. If you plan to light up your outdoor space, you should do it magnificently and wait for a handsome return on your investment.
Complements and Enhances Your Home
Landscape lighting is one of the best ways to highlight the best features of your home’s outdoor space. If you design your landscape lighting properly and space them well, you will manage to make your yard and your home’s exterior, in general, stand out beautifully.
For example, you can highlight the focal point of your outdoor space by accentuating such areas by installing accent lights. Thus, you will not only draw attention to that particular area, but you will also make it stand out and become more visible.
Serves as Décor
There is no denying that a beautifully lit landscape looks amazing and its appealing to the eye at night. Lights come in an array of colors, shapes, and designs. Landscape lighting is a way of decorating your home; hence, it serves as your home’s décor. You can blend in the lighting design to complement the theme of your home or to enhance the existing décor.
A well-designed landscape lighting exudes warmth and serene beauty of your patio, garden, pool, and other parts of your yard. Outdoor lights add brightness to your property and create a welcoming feeling to anyone who comes into your home at night.
Factors to Consider When Installing Outdoor Lighting
We have already established the benefits of landscape lighting. But before you jump into the process of lighting your outdoor space, there are essential factors you need to put into consideration. To be able to create a simple yet sophisticated look for your home with outdoor lighting, you need to plan for the perfect design of your landscape lighting system.
Here are essential factors to consider before you start installing landscape lighting on your property.
1. Exterior Set-up
Before you get started on the project of installing landscape lighting, its important consider the current set-up of your outdoor set up for exterior lighting. Does your outdoor space have existing lighting fixtures? Are there electrical outlets or connections already in place for the lighting project?
Most newly constructed residential homes nowadays are fitted with outdoor electrical sources and outlets mostly on both left and the right side of the house to make outdoor lighting easier. If your home doesn’t have this kind of setting, you should hire an electrician to install electrical sources to make the installation of landscape lighting possible.
If the design of the landscape lighting you want requires several electrical outlets and connections, you should also consider hiring an electrician to add the electrical sources in preparation for the installation of lights. Also, if you are planning to highlight a particular area in your yard, for example, the pool area, you might consider additional light sources to make the connection easier.
2. Areas to Highlight
You need to decide on areas that will require highlighting when installing landscape lighting. Whether you are lighting the front or the backyard, the design of your lighting system will be determined by the areas you plan to highlight. What area or feature do you particularly want to highlight?
For example, if you want to light your pathways or walkway, you can do so with ground lighting or combine both high and low lighting system. Similarly, if you are lighting the pool area, you might consider installing both high and low lights.
However, in most cases, outdoor lighting sources are usually fitted on the higher points of your home like at the eaves of the house or in such a way that when the lights are installed, they will be shining down. If you are planning to combine your outdoor lighting system to highlight some areas, you will have to consider adding more electrical sources. Lights shining down is not the only way to highlight the area of your desire, you can consider grounding the lights going upwards as we pointed out above.
3. The types of lights
When it comes to landscape lighting, you have to consider the type of lights you will need. Your choice of lights will depend on what you plan to light, the design of your outdoor lighting system and how you plan to the lighting your exterior space.
Like most aspects of life, less is considered to be more, and this should also apply to landscape lighting. You might be tempted to light every corner of your yard; every tree, every floor, and generally every nook and cranny.
But remember, the idea of installing landscape lighting is not to flood your outdoor space with brightness. In fact, flooding your landscape with lots of lights will only run up your electrical bill. The beauty of lighting your landscape is to play around with dark areas with the light. You need to highlight and accentuate some areas and features of your yard to make the appearance of your home look special at night.
Balancing your lighting system will enable you to create contrast and shadows using the available features in your outdoors such as plants. By mixing different types of lights, you will be able to create a unique, intriguing drama around your space. You will also achieve a well-lit space, that is comfortable and yet aesthetically appealing.
Here are different types of lights that you use when lighting your landscape.
Path lights
Path lights are the most common types of lights in landscape lighting. Path lights are designed as small posts with a built-in light topped with a diffuser. They are used to illuminate the pathway for safety reasons and also create an elegant appearance. When properly spaced on a pathway, path lights create an exotic kind of view on your walkway.
You can spread path lights on your walkway or frame out a space in your yard or line them out on a feature in your outdoors. You can also line them up around your pool or use them to outline the framework of your driveway. Whichever the case, you can use path lights to create a personality that suits your outdoor space perfectly.
Floodlights
Floodlights are almost similar to path lights only that they are more intense and heavy duty. They can be used to light up the best features of your home’s exterior. For example, if you want to highlight an architectural masterpiece of your home, you can use floodlights to achieve this goal perfectly. Or you can highlight other special features in your outdoor space such as a fountain or a special tree that is the focal point of your yard.
Floodlights cover a large area including hidden places that are easy to illuminate. They are used as safety lights as they can provide security to your property from vandalism and intruders. You are more likely to find these type of lights on outdoor spaces, stadiums or in any large space.
Spotlights
Spotlights are used to highlight and accentuate a special feature in your outdoor space. The give out direct and focused lighting that highlights the focal features or key areas of an object or a feature.
Instead of spreading light on a wide area, spotlights focus their light or beans in a narrow line in a straight manner directing their light to a particular focal point. Spotlights can be used to highlight a building, a tree, extraordinary designed architectural detail, or a sculptural detail.
Deck lights/step lights
These are used to illuminate decks and dark stairs, to create a safe passage. They are also used to accentuate special architectural features and details. The can be installed in decks, or they can be used to light up entertainment space in your yard.
Post-mount lights (pier-mount lights)
Post-mounts lights are used when as architectural lights. These type of light fixtures are designed in such a way that they will be mounted or installed on a post positioned at the top of a building or a structure. You are most likely to find post-mount lights on entries, fences, gates and surrounding a deck.
Well-lights
Well-lights are almost similar to spotlights. They are recessed to the ground to achieve a smooth seam; seamless appearance for a landscape setting. They produce minimal subtle but focused light that can be used to light up trees, art or walls.
Bollard lights
Another landscape light similar to path lights only that they are heavy duty and can be used to light up a large space. They can be used to emphasize and create an architectural appearance or style up an area. Bollard lights can be used to create a barrier between driveway and yard; or, they can be used as guiding posts.
Pond posts
Pond lights are similar to spotlight only that they are aquatic. They are usually submerged in water to create an exotic look and create a real dramatic effect to the outdoor water landscape features.
As you can see, you have a variety of different types of lights to choose. When planning a landscape lighting project, it’s essential to identify different areas and features in your landscape and determine the best way to illuminate them. Remember, less is more; so, don’t flood your yard with different lights. The key is to choose the type of light that will bring out the best effect.
While choosing the type of lights to use, you will also have to consider whether to settle for LED, halogen or fluorescent lighting. Your choice of lights will depend on the quality of light you want. For example, halogen bulbs tend to give out more intense white light and brighter as compared to fluorescent lighting. However, halogen bulbs use more electricity and produce a significant amount of heat as compared to fluorescent lights which emit low heat and instead gives off subtle, cool and visible light.
Compared to halogen bulbs, fluorescent lighting is way cheaper and its considered to be more energy efficient. However, fluorescent bulbs contain mercury which is very toxic and so, the bulbs pose a health risk in case they break.
LED lights are considered to be one of the best choices for landscape lighting. They are rapidly becoming popular among most people for their outstanding performance. They consume less energy making them energy efficient. More so, LED lights last longer as compared to other light choices. Even though LED lights cost more than halogen and fluorescent light bulbs, the cost evens out with time as they last longer and consume less energy. Your electricity bill will be lower if you use LED lights as compared to halogen or fluorescent lighting. In addition, LED lights are safe to use in your outdoor space as they are eco-friendly.
4. Color Temperature of Your Lights and Degrees
Another important factor to consider when planning to install landscape lighting is the color produced by the light source. The color temperature is usually measured using a temperature scale normally referred to as Kelvin (K). If the Kelvin value of the light source is high, the light’s color hue will be something close to real sunlight.
The Kelvin value is usually indicated on the packaging of the bulb so, make a point of checking out the K value before making a purchasing. For example, if you want your light source to emit an amber hue, you should go for a bulb that has an output range of about 3500K to 4100K.
For instance, if you want to light up trees or other green plants, you should consider using a bulb with 4200K light. It will give off a faint to blurry blue which in turn makes the green in the tree to become greener. The color temperature of your lights will emphasize and enhance the color of your landscape features. As you choose your lights, make it a point to factor in the Kelvin value and choose the right bulb depending on what you plan to light.
Lighting Effects
When planning to install landscape lighting, you have to figure out lighting effects. Different lights will create different effects; even the way you place the lights around your property will achieve different lighting effects.
Here are some of the landscape lighting effects that are worth trying.
- Shadow lighting effect
Shadow lighting is used to radiate light to an area or surface that is already in front of another feature or object. The feature can be a wall, tree or any stationary object. To achieve shadow lighting, the light fixture is usually installed at ground level pointed upwards towards the surface. The light fixture will cast a shadow to the stationary object behind the surface that is illuminated by the light. With this kind of lighting effect, you will be able to create a soft, subtle, moody effect. You can achieve shadow lighting by using spotlights, flood lights, or well lights.
- Silhouetting lighting effect
This lighting effect is perfect for highlighting special features or bringing out unique shapes that are hard to see when its daylight. For example, you can create a dramatic effect with a tall tree or a building.
It works by placing the light source behind the object and let it light off towards the direction where the focal point will be. Install the light source in a spot where it cannot be seen, such that all that will be visible is the silhouette effect. To achieve silhouetting lighting effect, use spotlights or well-lights for a dramatic effect.
- Moonlighting effect
If you have large trees in your yard, moonlighting effect will bring out your space much better. To achieve this particular effect, you should place the light source at highest points of your trees and then aim it downwards. The light will wash down through the branches to the ground below the tree. As a result, lighting will create a beautiful effect especially if the tree has open branches. Spotlights are the best types of lights for creating moonlighting effect.
- Grazing Lighting Effect
Grazing effect is achieved by placing the light source near a flat surface and then directing the light up or down to the flat surface. It creates a dramatic light effect with successive shadows. You can make the light graze up or down according to your preference.
The aim is to make use of the texture of the flat surface to create uneven dramatic patterns across the surface. This kind of lighting effect creates an upscale effect and is most dominant in restaurants or hotels. Well lights work best to create grazing lighting effect.
- Washing lighting effects
Some areas in your landscape will require ambient lighting; subtle and inviting mood, especially in an entertaining area. To achieve a washing lighting effect, you will need to lit the space by flooding a wall in that particular area with light. The lights will kind of wash the areas with light.
For this, use a light source with a wide beam and position it between the main focal point and the surface to direct the beam of light to create an even soft and gentle effect over the entire area. This kind of washing lighting effect can only be achieved using floodlights.
- Path lighting effect
Path lighting can seem like an easy and quite basic lighting effect to achieve, but, if not keen, you might not achieve the desired effect. The key to achieving the ideal path lighting effect is to balance the lights and keep the number of fixtures on the minimum. Most people install too many light fixtures and end up over- lighting the space making it feel crowded and squeezed.
The best way to achieve path lighting is to make sure that you place the light fixtures on each side. As you install the lights, do so in a back and forth manner to achieve an interesting, warm and inviting entry. The best lights for path lighting will obviously be path lights, and also bollards can work out perfectly.
Now that you know the various lighting effect you can, you also need to know that the distance for spreading your light fixtures is important as well. To achieve the ideal lighting effect, you have to know the specific area or object you are lighting.
Additionally, you need to make sure you get the right light fixtures for the intended lighting effect. While still on the light fixtures subject, it’s essential that you purchase fixtures intended for external lights. External fixtures obscure or hide the light source to bring out the lighting effects much better.
As you choose lights, you need to be aware that different types of light create different lighting configuration which plays a big role in the lighting effect. For example, spotlights have a 15-degree cast, while a narrow floodlights produce a 30-degree spread. Therefore, it’s important to consult with someone who understands the functioning of external lights before you make a purchase.
Cost of Installing Landscape Lighting
Landscape lighting is probably one of the best ways improve safety and at the same time, add style to your outdoor space. Landscape lighting offers a variety of options that can fit in any budget, style and even purpose. The overall cost of installing landscape lighting will depend on the size of your property, the types of lighting fixtures to be used and the method of installation.
Generally, a landscape lighting project can cost an average cost ranging from $1500 to $20,000 or even more depending on the size of the project and other variables. For example, if your home’s backyard is of a standard size of about 800 square feet, you will spend an average cost of about $3800 to install 20 lighting fixtures.
Depending on the amount and scope of work to be done, landscape lighting is a task that a homeowner can accomplish through DIY. The only complication that can arise is where additional wiring and electrical outlets are required. In this case, you will need to hire a professional electrician to handle the wiring issues.
Landscape Lighting Cost Breakdown
Cost of materials
The cost of installing landscape lighting varies immensely depending on the features in your yard and the installation style. Most average homes have a standard yard of about 800 square feet which normally requires about 20 lighting fixtures.
Lighting fixtures roughly cost about $80 to $120 each. Based on that price per fixture, the total cost of 20 lighting fixtures will total to an average cost of about $1600 to $2200. However, it’s worth noting that the price of fixtures can be higher than we have indicated if you are planning to use premium fixtures.
For example, LED light bulbs are one of the best choices for the outdoor lighting project. They are energy efficient, last longer and most importantly, they are eco-friendly. However, the initial cost of purchase is higher compared to other lighting options.
If you are planning to use LED light bulbs for your landscape lighting project, expect to spend about $850 to $1100. Wiring for the outdoor lighting will cost you about $200.
Here the costs for common light fixtures used in landscape lighting projects.
Path lights: path lights are used to in most parts of the yard for different lighting needs. They illuminate pathways, walkways, trees, etc. Path lights averagely cost about $80 to $150 each.
Floodlights: these also another common lighting option in landscape lighting. They are bright outdoor lights that are used to light up large spaces mostly for security reasons. You will find them attached to structures and buildings. Expect to spend an average cost of about $80 to $170 per floodlight.
Wall lanterns: these types of light fixtures are usually attached to walls to illuminate patios, decks, porches, and pools. They create a sophisticated ambiance. Lanterns are available in a variety of colors, shapes, and styles. Wall lanterns create a unique personal style, and you can use them to portray a specific theme. The average cost of wall lanterns ranges from $100 to $150 each.
Labor costs
If you hire a professional contractor for the installation of landscape lighting fixtures, expect to spend an average cost of $65 to $110 per hour on labor. This cost is not inclusive of the cost of the light fixtures and materials. Most homeowners spend about $250 to 340 per fixture on a professional. This includes the cost of materials and labor. However, the cost of hiring a contractor can be higher than indicated depending on the type of light fixtures to be installed.
You can opt to hire a landscape lighting designer to come up with a landscape lighting plan for your outdoor space. Expect to spend an additional cost of about $500. The designer will come up with an elaborate plan for your landscape lighting system depending on the dimensions of your property.
Other Additional Cost Considerations
If you are planning to install multiple lights in your yard, you will need to consult an electrician to ascertain whether the transformer you have can accommodate the additional voltage. If the transformer cannot handle the addition voltage, you will need to replace it. Alternatively, you can add power to the transformer to increase its voltage at the cost of about $200. Replacing the existing transformer will cost you about $350 to as much as $1500 for a larger home.
If your exterior space already has an existing landscape light, you will need to retrofit and change the existing wiring step up to accommodate your new landscape lighting system. This process will cost an additional 20% on the overall cost of the exterior lighting project.
Your landscape lighting project may require you to add electrical outlets to accommodate the new lighting. Additional outlets will cost you an average of $200 per outlet.
If you need to run the cables longer than the standard length, for example, 600 foot run for a single light (which is on the extreme) it will add to the overall cost of installing that particular fixture.
Other processes like custom drilling and cutting will increase the overall cost of landscape lighting installation.
If the process of landscape lighting will require running conduit, expect the cost of installation to increase significantly.
Adding a time clock or remote operation will add to the overall cost of the lighting project. The remote control operation can be integrated to operate on tablets or even on smartphones. Adding a time clock will cost you about $50 to $130, while a remote operation control comes at an average cost of about $1000.
| Landscape lighting materials/requirements | Description | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape lighting fixtures | Includes path lights, wall lanterns, floodlights, etc. | $80-$170 per light fixture |
| Landscape lighting labor | Installing six fixtures. Takes about 3.5 hours. Labor cost for basic landscape lighting with a normal site condition. The contractor will layout the fixtures and also the work on the transformer. Dig shallow trenches to install and bury the wires. Secure and install above ground wiring. Connect the light fixtures and then test them. The contractor plans for everything prepare the site and cleans up after installation. | $235 to $380 |
| Supplies required for landscape lighting installation | Materials and supplies needed for the installation of about six light fixtures include items such as junction boxes, connectors, mounting wares, and fasteners. | $5 to $6 |
Cost of illuminating some scenes/features in your outdoor space
| Scene/ feature | Size | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pergola | 12x16 | $1,800 |
| Deck lighting | Standard size | $1,500 |
| Pool lighting | Perimeter | $2500 |
DIY Landscape Lighting Tips
Landscape lighting can typically be a DIY project depending on the scope of work required. As mentioned earlier, if some areas require additional wiring and electrical outlets, you have to hire an electrician for these tasks. Otherwise, you can install landscape lighting all by yourself if you identify areas that need to be lit.
However, it’s possible to get carried away and go overboard with the lighting project. Remember, less is more, and this applies greatly to landscape lighting. A little bit of lighting goes a long way, so, you do not necessarily need to over flood your yard with light fixtures.
Before you begin the landscape lighting installation, it will best to have a look at your outdoor space at night. This will help you plan effectively and pinpoint areas that need to be highlighted or areas that are hidden during the day. Also, you will be able to map out your space and figure out the best design for your landscape lighting.
Here are essential tips that should guide your landscape lighting process project.
✓ Purchase The Right Light Bulbs
One thing that you need to know about landscape lighting is that lighting during the day and at night are completely different. You need to consider two factors when purchasing your light bulbs: color and intensity. We mentioned earlier that the packaging of the light bulbs always has the number of Kelvins indicted. Make sure you take note of that.
While choosing lightbulbs, look at the following options; task, accent and overall lighting. Task lighting is commonly used on paths and areas that require specific lighting. Accent lighting is used to accentuate or highlight special features. Spotlights work for accentuating. Overall lighting illuminates a large space or is used to light up an entire space. Example of overall lighting is floodlights.
As you choose your light bulbs, remember you have halogen bulbs, fluorescent and LED light bulbs. As we discussed earlier in the guide, LED bulbs are the best choice for your lighting project. They might be expensive, but, they are a worthy purchase.
✓ Fixtures
When purchasing fixtures for your landscape lighting project, it’s essential to check if they are rated for UL wet protection. These are the fixtures that ideal and safe for use on the outdoors. You have a variety of choices from wall fixtures to scones, chandeliers lamps, etc.
✓ Power capacity
As you plan your landscape lighting project, it’s important to factor in the issue of power. Do you plan on integrating the new lighting system with your existing home’s wiring system? If so, does your transformer have enough voltage to accommodate the new wiring?
To ascertain your electrical power capacity, you might have to hire an electrician to assess your electrical needs. Alternatively, you should consider an option of solar landscape lighting.
✓ Installation of landscape lighting
When installing landscape lighting, there are important aspects that you need to consider to ensure a successful installation. They include:
Be cautious of glare – when installing landscape lighting, the aim is to illuminate and not create glare. Your lighting source should not cause an uncomfortable glare. This happens when the light source is either too big or too bright.
Try as much as possible to avoid direct light, but consider using indirect landscape lighting. Direct landscape lighting will brighten up the area, or the object or features it is directed at and provide little light to the immediate surroundings. Indirect light, on the other hand, produces a subtle soft wash of light and reflects on its surrounding area.
Place your lights appropriately – when installing landscape lighting, you should pay close attention to areas that will adequate lighting either for security, safety or functionality reasons. Additionally, set your lights in such a way that they are welcoming as they highlight the best features of your outdoor space.
Here are some of the areas that you should not fail to illuminate and light up.
- Driveways – preferably use lights with low voltage to light this area.
- Paths – lit pavers work best for pathways. This is also one of the areas that you should be cautious of glare. To avoid glare, try using downlights.
- Step – steps have to be lit for safety at night.
- Entries – you can install overhead lights or; place lights fixtures on each side of the entry.
- Decks and patios – illuminating your deck or patio can make it possible for you to use these areas at night for relaxation or entertainment. You can incorporate task lights to illuminate task areas like around the seating area, cooking area and on railings.
- Special architectural features – the best way to highlight well-designed architectural features is by using a grazing lighting effect or by washing the wall with lights. Grazing effect directs a beam of light to the wall from a distance to create a washing effect on the wall and highlight the special effects with dramatic shadows.
- Pergolas and gazebos – these are beautiful features in your yard that will stand out perfectly with landscape lighting.
✓ Be cautious of outdoor light pollution
Landscape lighting is supposed to enhance your property. However, if you install too much lighting or position your lights inappropriately, you might end up creating glare, and generally spoil the appearance of your landscape lighting. The result of this will be light pollution.
To avoid causing light pollution, you should regularly check your light fixtures to make sure that they are placed and positioned well. It’s also recommended that you use light fixtures that are equipped with reflectors and shields to ensure that the light cast is only concentrated on the preferred spot. The reflectors will also prevent the lights from shining to other areas and surfaces such as your neighbor’s windows. The shield helps prevent people from spotting your lights all the way from the streets.
Incorporate the use of lower wattage bulbs as the aim of landscape lighting is to illuminate. In addition, consider installing motion sensors, clock timers or remote controls and dimmers to control your outdoor lighting needs. All these controls will enable you to turn on some of your lights only when you require them.
Conclusion
Landscape lighting, when designed and installed appropriately can be the magic that transforms your yard from basic to an admirable exquisite space. The key to successful outdoor lighting is to avoid going overboard and over flooding your beautiful landscape with too many lights or overly bright lights. Additionally, you need to identify the areas in your outdoor space that need lighting so that you can decide on the right type of landscaping light to use.
When it comes to landscape lighting, less is actually more and a little lighting will go a long way in illuminating your space. Highlight the special features in your yard by creating the right lighting effect. As you light your landscape, take note of areas that require extra safety at night such as the stairs, steps, and pathways and make sure they are lit adequately. Lastly, playing around with various lighting effects will help you create intriguing and unique drama for your space and make it aesthetically appealing.