The Fundamentals of Choosing the Right Landscape Lighting For Your Home

Landscaping lighting is a great way to not only bring your outdoor space to life but also to improve security and visibility. It is an investment that pays off year-round in terms of form and function. Lighting your landscape requires an understanding of your design goals and the types of lighting available, as well as the necessary steps to make sure you are illuminating the right spots.

In this blog post, we’ll look at the fundamentals of choosing the right landscape lighting for your home. We’ll discuss why it’s important to get the right lighting for your home, the different types of lighting available, tools to help you design your lighting layout, and the components you’ll need to make sure your lighting installation is successful.

Why Landscape Lighting?

Landscape lighting is a great way to make your outdoor space come to life at night. Not only will it ensure visibility throughout your outdoor areas, but it also adds a bit of accentuation for the architecture and landscaping of your home.

Using the right type and amount of lighting can also help to create a sense of safety and security, enabling you to enjoy your outdoor space after the sun sets. It’ll also add a certain “wow” factor to your home that will leave your guests in awe.

Types of Landscape Lighting

There are many different types of landscape lighting options, and each type works differently to provide the desired look and feel. Different areas of your home will require different types of landscape lighting to ensure that all areas are properly illuminated.

Pathway Lighting

Pathway lighting is a great way to ensure visibility and safety, especially on darker nights. These lights are typically the lower wattage type of landscape lighting, as they provide a gentle glow that’s meant to guide people and animals safely along.

The style of fixture used for pathway lights is typically chosen based on the type of aesthetic you are trying to achieve - it could be rustic or modern. Pathway lights should be carefully distributed throughout your pathways for an even and uniform glow.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is a great way to draw attention to certain sections of your landscaping, such as a water feature or a tree. These lights use a brighter wattage than pathway lights as they are used to create a dramatic effect.

Smaller, focused lights work best for this type of lighting, and they should be used sparingly. Uniformity is not required, as the goal is to create an asymmetrical effect.

Downlighting

Downlighting is a type of lighting used to draw attention to certain architectural features, such as a patio, gazebo, or other focal point in your landscaping. Working similar to accent lighting, downlighting creates a dramatic effect and ties in with the look and feel of the overall landscaping design.

Up-lighting

Up-lighting is the opposite of downlighting in that the fixtures are pointing upwards, instead of downwards. This type of lighting draws the eye upwards and is best used in combination with accent lighting to create visual interest.

Tools for Designing Your Lighting Layout

Designing your lighting layout is an essential step in the landscape lighting process. It helps ensure that you are illuminating the right spots, and creating the desired effect with the lighting. Here are a few tools that will help you design your lighting layout:

1. Outdoor Visualizer – An outdoor visualizer is a great way to visualize what your lighting will look like when installed. This tool allows you to place lights at different points in your outdoor living space and see what they look like in combination before you install them.

2. Lighting Planner – A lighting planner is another great tool to help you figure out how much light you need in each area. This tool uses a mathematical formula to help you determine the number and wattage of fixtures that will adequately light a specific area.

3. Sketch Pad – A sketch pad is a great way to plan your lighting layout. Simply draw out your property and make notes of existing features, such as pathways, trees, and other important elements. Add in where you want to place lights and draw out the area they will illuminate. This will help you figure out where to place the fixtures.

Components Needed for Your Lighting Installation

Once you’ve chosen the type of lighting and designed your layout, it’s time to get down to the actual installation. Here are the components that will be necessary to ensure a successful lighting installation:

Fixtures – This should be the first thing you purchase, as most of the other components will be based on the wattage and type of the fixture you choose.

Electric Wire – This is necessary to link the fixtures to your electric lines. Be sure to get the right number and gauge of wire.

Caps – Caps are used to lightproof your connections so that water doesn’t get in and cause problems for your wiring.

Transformer – This is what powers your fixtures. Make sure to get one that is the correct wattage for your fixtures and that meets local electrical codes.

GFCIs – These are safety devices that help protect your outdoor spaces from electrical shock.

Timer – A timer is a great way to automatically turn your lights on and off, making sure you don’t have to worry about it.

Call to Action

Now that you know the basics of choosing the right landscape lighting for your home, it’s time to make it happen! If you’re looking for Outdoor Lighting contact Luxe Lightscapes and we’ll be delighted to help. Our team of designers and installers can bring your vision to life, creating a beautiful atmosphere for you to enjoy for many years to come.