Outdoor and Landscape Lighting Tips

December 19, 2007

Many home owners want to try adding some outdoor or landscape lighting to their yard, garden, deck or patio area but don't know where to start. Here are some general tips or suggestions for outdoor lighting:

1. Create Points of Interest. Create a point of interest by highlighting a particular tree, shrub, or architectural aspect of you home with a flood light placed at ground level and focused upward.

2. Light Paths and Walkways. Use path lights or wall or pole mounted lights pointed downward to illuminate sidewalks, paths or driveways. The is a great way to provide beauty and safety to your home. Brick lights or well lights can also be used as an alternative and provide adequate way-finding light from below. Decks and patios may also provide great locations for brick lights or step lights.

3. Outline Outbuildings with LED String or Rope Lighting. Try experimenting with LED rope light or LED string lights and highlight arborways, doorways, gates, decks, gazebos, and similar structures. Add some LED spot lights or down lighting to illuminate seating areas, fire pits, barbecues and other areas where people may gather.

4. Light Up Your Pond or Fountain. If you have a pond, fountain or even a bird bath try adding a waterproof LED spot to illuminate the moving water.

5. Experiment with Color. Most people on think of white when considering outdoor or landscape lighting but colored lights can add some interested effects when used properly. Try experimenting with colored LED spots on your gardens at night (especially areas where the plants or flowers are light colored.) In winter time try using different colored LED lamps to illuminate snow banks or snow covered trees.