Landscape Lighting Tools and Tips

Published November 20, 2021

Intro:
First of all, it’s important to remember that when it comes to lighting your outdoor landscape, a little goes a long way. That’s because your eyes need less light outdoors to see light, shadow, and pattern. To plan your outdoor lighting, walk around your yard at night and envision how and when you want to use your spaces.

In addition to our work in outdoor landscape design, did you know that GreenPro also specializes in outdoor landscape lighting design? At GreenPro we pride ourselves on our full-service, 360-degree approach to your home and property; that includes one of the most crucial aspects of landscape design: your lighting.

Adding landscape lighting design to your property can often take your landscape to another level. As a result, we thought we would share a few suggestions for how best to approach your landscape lighting.

First of all, it’s important to remember that when it comes to lighting your outdoor landscape, a little goes a long way. That’s because your eyes need less light outdoors to see light, shadow, and pattern. To plan your outdoor lighting, walk around your yard at night and envision how and when you want to use your spaces.

Basic Lighting Principles

It’s also important to remember some basic lighting principles. For starters, light has both intensity and color. A particular lightbulb’s color can be found on the packaging, usually, a number that ranges from 1800 kelvins (K) (very red in tone) to 7500 K (a bluish-white). Additionally, whether indoors or outdoors, lighting is generally divided into three layers based on function: Overall light provides illumination for a whole room or space; Task lighting is used for a specific purpose, such as to light a path; Accent lighting draws attention to an object or area (usually accomplished with spotlights or floodlights).

Different Types of Light

A variety of bulbs are suitable for outdoor fixtures. Incandescent bulbs emit pleasing light but have a short life and consume more electricity. Halogen bulbs are more efficient versions of incandescents, typically with longer life and less energy consumption. Fluorescents are often available in a more pleasing color range, last much longer, and consume less energy. While LED bulbs are more expensive, any costs are often balanced by extraordinarily long life and extremely low energy consumption.

Placement Matters

While lighting can be placed virtually anywhere, some spots are an absolute must. Those include:

  • Paths
  • Entries
  • Driveways
  • Steps
  • Decks or Patios
  • Gazebos, Pergolas, or Trellises
  • Architectural Features

Minimize Light Pollution

Like noise pollution, light pollution can also overwhelm your senses and leave you feeling like home is overlit and garish. Too much light, or poorly installed lighting, can create unwanted light pollution that shines into indoor rooms, washes out the view of the stars, creates a glare that temporarily blinds people, and wastes energy and money. To avoid light pollution:

  • Aim lights carefully. Position lights at night and check their position frequently.
  • Shield bulbs. Use fixtures with reflectors and shielding to concentrate light in desired areas.
  • Minimize wattage. Higher wattage lights will create harsher light without improving aesthetics or increasing safety. Low-wattage bulbs are often enough to provide illumination.
  • Control the light. Separate your lighting zones and utilize timers, controls, dimmers, or motion sensors to turn on lights only when needed or enable them to be turned down as necessary.

Again, GreenPro is proud to specialize not just in outdoor landscape design, but also in how best to illuminate your property’s design and layout with specialized outdoor lighting. We’d be happy to schedule a consult and arrange a time to meet with you to go over options; call us today!