6 Common Types of Landscape Lighting

Landscape lighting provides many obvious advantages, from increased usability of your outdoor spaces to improved security. The exact ways you benefit from your lighting, however, can depend on the quality and the type of light you use.

In this blog, we discuss six common lighting placement types and the purpose they may serve in your yard.

1. Deck Lights

Your backyard deck is the perfect place to spend a summer evening, whether you’re hosting a barbeque or chatting with your closest friends. But once the sun sets, deck surfaces can become tricky to navigate, especially if you have many stairs or steps.

Deck lights target the spaces where you’re most likely to have risky shadows and illuminate them. Many deck fixtures sit just below the edge of your stairs, main deck space, or railing to create beautiful ambient light that increases safety and never feels glaring.

2. Flood Lights

As the name suggests, floodlights cast wide beams that can encompass large swaths of your yard. This characteristic makes flood lighting ideal for homeowners with security concerns. Consider placing flood lights on the walls of your home to illuminate your yard and eliminate hiding spaces for intruders.

For extra security, install motion sensors to turn the lights on and off. Not only will these lights scare away most human threats but they can also spook would-be animal pests.

3. Hanging Lights

Few outdoor elements lend as much charm as hanging lights. Whether you choose twinkling fairy lights that rest in your trees, lanterns which float above your favorite water feature, or Old World lanterns that guard your back door, you are sure to find a hanging fixture that suits your aesthetic.

When using hanging lights, be sure your fixtures are intended for the outdoors. For example, some light strands intended for holiday decorations can become sun bleached over time or pose a safety risk if they get wet.

4. In-Ground Fixtures

For unobtrusive light that emphasizes the best elements in your yard, opt for in-ground fixtures. These lamps can go under planters and steps, like your deck lighting. However, in-ground fixtures can also line paths, illuminate your swimming pool, or create mood lighting throughout your yard.

If you choose in-ground fixtures, work with a professional landscaper to ensure that your new lighting doesn’t interfere with your irrigation, sprinkler, or security systems.

5. Lamps

Adding a decorative lamp to your landscape immediately transports you and your guests from a backyard to a street corner anywhere in the world. Lamps cast large glows, which makes them ideal for homeowners who often host events in their backyards after dark.

Choose a lamp style that complements your home and other exterior elements. For example, if you have natural stone paths and water features, opt for a lamp with an organic design rather than an industrial or architectural one.

6. Pathway Lighting

Finding your way through a dark yard can become a safety risk quickly, especially if you have multi-level landscaping. Light the way with pathway fixtures. These fixtures come in myriad styles, including in-ground and hanging fixtures and appear at regular intervals along your walkways.

Pathway lighting is ideal for homeowners who spend lots of time in their yards at night, especially if they do so with the company of young children or pets.

If you opt for pathway lighting, get some design advice from a professional. You want to illuminate your path as effectively as possible, especially if you have tripping hazards like uneven pavers. But, you also don’t want the fixtures to make your yard appear cluttered.

 

For professional recommendations and lighting installation, partner with Estate Landscape. We offer a wide range of low-voltage lighting solutions to complete your dream for you property.

Consider any combination of these types of lighting as you renovate your outdoor space.