Landscape lighting adds both functionality and beauty to your outdoor space. It enhances the unique features of your property by highlighting their textures, colors, and shapes.

Uplighting illuminates trees or structures with a direct beam, mimicking natural moonlight. This technique is perfect for bringing drama to a feature tree or structure. Click Here to learn more.

A landscape lighting design shows you take pride in your property, accentuates key features of your landscape and creates the desired ambiance. It also illuminates paths and stairs, making your yard safer at night. It can even deter unwanted guests. A well-thought out landscape lighting plan adds value to your home and makes it stand out among the others on your block.

There are several things to consider when designing your landscape lighting system, including how the lights will be used and what type of effect you want to achieve. A lighting contractor can help you decide how to best highlight the different elements of your landscaping and the architecture of your home. They will also look at your property from a different perspective to see if there are any potential safety hazards that need to be addressed.

It’s important that your lighting fixtures coordinate with the overall look of your landscape and your home, which is why many homeowners choose to hire a professional for the installation process. If your light fixtures clash with your house or don’t match in style, the entire look of your landscape will be off. For example, edgy, sleek light fixtures will blend in with modern homes while antique fixtures work best with traditional and old world architecture.

Your lighting plan should include multiple types of lights to create a layered effect and highlight different areas of your landscaping. For example, a paved path will benefit from the use of pathway lights to guide you or your guests while spotlights and downlights can be used to highlight your home’s architectural details or other landscape features. Using floodlights and spotlights in your landscape can also provide a variety of effects, such as providing a wider coverage area to light up a driveway or narrowing the focus to highlight a tree.

The type of bulbs you use can affect the color and intensity of your light, as well as how long they last before needing replacement. It’s important that you use bulbs rated for outdoor lighting and that your fixtures are also rated for outdoor usage. Using a fixture or bulb that’s not meant for the outdoors can cause your fixtures to break or damage the finish and paint.

Lighting Bulbs

The light bulbs used in your landscape lighting system have a big impact on the overall appearance and performance of your landscape lights. The most important factors when choosing the right bulbs include energy efficiency, color temperature, brightness, and beam angle.

LED light bulbs are the most energy efficient and longest-lasting option available for your landscape lighting. While they may have a higher initial cost than traditional halogen bulbs, the long-term savings in energy costs and replacement costs can make them a smart choice for your landscape lighting project.

When it comes to color, look for options with a warm-color rating (around 2,700K) that will create a more inviting atmosphere. Cooler colors (4,000K or above) can create a moonlit effect but can be too bright for some applications.

Be sure to select light bulbs that are rated for outdoor use, as they will be exposed to the elements. Also, keep in mind that the wattage of the bulb plays an important role in how long it will last and how much light it produces.

For example, 4-watt bulbs are best for accent lighting, while 15-watt bulbs can provide enough light to illuminate a pathway or set of stairs.

It’s important to consider how far apart your landscape lights should be. A close range of fixtures can cause glare and create an unattractive glow. However, a wide range of lighting fixtures can create pools of light that guide the eye across your property and create an elegant and inviting atmosphere.

Your landscape lighting installer will recommend the best spacing for your specific project, based on the features of your yard and the desired effects. They will consider factors like the size and position of your home, any plants or trees, and walkways or other pathways.

With a carefully designed landscape lighting system, you can transform your yard from a dull after-dark space into a romantic retreat, vibrant party zone, or peaceful oasis—all at the flick of a switch!

Lighting Controls

Whether you want to highlight architectural features of your home, illuminate paths and walkways or create a cozy ambiance for family dinners or party-friendly backyard gatherings, landscape lighting can help you achieve your goals. It’s also a great way to improve safety by illuminating steps, tripping hazards and other potential obstacles that may be difficult to see in the dark.

Unlike traditional outdoor lighting, which often relies on incandescent bulbs that can produce harsh shadows or bright spots of light, modern landscape lighting uses LED technology to provide uniform brightness throughout your space. And with the option to add photocells or smart home integration systems, you can control your lighting automatically.

A well-designed landscape lighting system provides a sense of security and comfort for homeowners and their guests, as it helps deter unwanted trespassing or activity. In addition, a properly-installed system can help to make your yard more welcoming and usable at night. This can be especially important in today’s lifestyles, when many homeowners enjoy entertaining outdoors or spend a significant amount of time in their yards after the sun goes down.

If you’re considering installing a landscape lighting system, we encourage you to contact a professional. They can help you map out your project, including fixture locations and cable routes, and recommend the best options for your unique needs. Depending on the scope of your project, it’s also a good idea to bring in an electrical contractor to help with wiring and installation.

With proper maintenance, your landscape lighting will look good and work great for years to come. Be sure to check in with your lighting professionals periodically, like once a year or so, to ensure the system is running smoothly and all the bulbs are working as they should.

The right landscape lighting can make your property stand out from the rest of the neighborhood and become a place where you’re excited to spend time after the sun goes down. It shows that you’re a thoughtful homeowner who cares about your home and takes pride in your yard. It can even be the key to attracting buyers when it comes time to sell your house.

Lighting Maintenance

Landscape lighting highlights your property’s best features after dark, transforming it into an inviting space for entertaining or spending time with family and friends. But a well-installed lighting system requires consistent care to perform at its peak.

A good lighting maintenance plan includes a combination of regular inspections and preventive actions. This ensures that everything works as intended and extends the life of your system.

For example, a lighting professional will check the connections and wiring on your fixture circuits for signs of corrosion or damage. Then they’ll repair or replace any corroded components as needed. This minimizes electrical issues, such as a timer that goes out of sync or burned-out bulbs.

Another part of a comprehensive lighting maintenance plan is to make sure that trees and plants aren’t growing around your lights. This can be a serious issue that causes your landscape lighting to fail. If the branches or bushes are too close, they can cut off the power to your fixtures and create a safety risk.

Lighting professionals can trim any overgrown bushes and trees to protect your lights from interference. They can also replace any burnt-out bulbs and clean the lenses on your fixtures to keep them shining brightly.

Finally, a lighting maintenance plan should include an inspection of your outdoor lighting circuits to make sure that none of the wires have become exposed to the elements. This is especially important if you have children or pets who play in your yard, or if your lighting system is located in an area that experiences harsh weather conditions over time.

A quality landscaping company will use high-quality, tin-coated wire for landscape lighting. This solution is more durable than standard copper wire and resists corrosion in outdoor environments, increasing its lifespan. In addition, the tin coating protects the wire from oxidation and makes it easier to identify problems like frayed or worn wiring. A wire that’s been exposed to the elements can cause dangerous circuit breaker trips and other electrical problems.