Landscape Lighting: Choosing Different Ways to Brighten Up Your Garden

April 22, 2020

When it comes to landscape lighting, a little goes a long way. That’s because your eyes need less light outdoors than they do indoors in order to see light, shadow, and pattern. To plan your outdoor landscape lighting, start with a walk around your yard at night. Envision how and when you want to use your outdoor spaces, and tailor your landscape lighting to suit those needs. When you’re ready to choose the fixtures and layout, use these landscape lighting ideas, including tips for the best placement and how to avoid common issues, for a well-lit outdoor space you can enjoy long after dark.

Landscape Lighting Basics

How light is seen during the day is different from how it is seen at night, a particularly important distinction when it comes to lighting pathways and other outdoor spaces. However, certain principles about lighting remain true indoors and out. For starters, light has intensity, or quantity emitted, and colour. The colour of a particular light bulb can be found on the packaging.

Unique Placements

While outdoor lighting can be placed virtually anywhere, some spots make it an absolute must. Essential landscape lighting areas include the following. 

Path Lighting

A well-lit path is both welcoming and required, providing illumination that extends hospitality to visitors and makes walking more secure. High illumination isn’t necessary, and downlights will prevent glare. Individually lit pavers can also be used to light a pathway.

Entryway Lighting

Place lights either to each side of a door or overhead at front, back, and side entry doors.

Driveway Lighting

Low-voltage landscape lighting, which is typically easier to install and uses less energy than other systems, is a good option along a driveway.

Step Lighting

Steps should be lighted for safety; either the risers or the treads can be lit.

Decks or Patios Lighting

Lighting can be used to illuminate specific task areas on a deck or patio, such as an outdoor kitchen or grilling spot, as well as railings and seating areas. Uplighting, which is harder to accomplish outside, can be used on a deck or patio to send light upward on an umbrella or deck overhang for an indirect effect.

Gazebos, Pergolas, or Trellises Lighting

Lighting is a good way to highlight an interesting built element, such as pergolas or arbors, in the outdoor landscape.

Architectural Features Lighting

Outdoor landscape lighting can be used to highlight a wall, for example, by washing it or grazing it. When a wide beam of light is aimed at a wall from a few feet away, it creates a wall wash. A light used to graze a wall creates interesting highlights and shadows. Both can help accent nearby plants.

A range of landscape lighting fixtures, including wall fixtures, sconces, portable lamps, chandeliers, and ceiling fans, is available for nearly every spot. However, any fixture used outdoors should be rated for “UL wet location” use.

Know the best lighting tips from the professionals at Tuckerman Landscaping and Design. We can provide outstanding quality work and excellent communication with our customers. We are always pushing to exceed your expectations and deliver the very best in outdoor design.

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