Landscape lighting: what to know

Landscape lighting, designed to illuminate the outside, combines technology with nature, blending the two to create a pleasing affect. It can be used to showcase pathways, trees, flower gardens, patios, or part of your home.

Lighting techniques

The first step in creating beautiful landscape lighting is to understand a little about the different lighting techniques available.

• Landscape up-lighting is used to illuminate a specific object, such as a tree of shrub. With this technique, light comes from a low fixture location and shines upwards.

• Landscape down-lighting, also called moonlighting, creates the opposite affect of up-lighting. A light is placed in a high place and shines downward on its subject. Down-lighting is particularly affective for illuminating smaller objects close to the ground, such as flower beds. It can also be used as a form of security light.

• Pathway landscape lighting is used to illuminate walkways. It uses low light fixtures that are set an equal distance apart, which are pointed outwards and down. Path lights are often covered with fixtures to prevent glare, achieving a clear, even light.

• Landscape spotlighting is another technique used to draw attention to an object. If differs from up-lighting in that two or more lights are used at a low level. Spotlighting usually incorporates a very bright light as well.

• Silhouette lighting, also called backlighting, incorporates a wash light fixture. It creates a beautiful affect on a large surface area, such as a wall, by causing the objects in front of it (shrubs, flowers or small trees) to appear as silhouettes. Lights are placed at a low level behind objects.

• Landscape shadowing is another technique which also depends on a large surface area, but its affect is different. Rather than the objects in front of the wall casting a silhouette, shadowing causes the object to cast a shadow on the wall behind it. Lights are placed at a low level in front of objects.

Any number of these techniques used in combination can create a powerful affect. Not only is landscape lighting aesthetically pleasing, but it also helps family members and friends see walkways clearly and wards off potential intruders. A home that incorporates landscape lighting is less likely to be burglarized.

Landscape lighting ideas and tips

Here are some great tips that can help you illuminate your landscaping beautifully.

• Use floodlights to illuminate trees. Uplighting or spotlighting is great for large objects. Not only does it make them appear larger than life, but it also shows off their beauty. Focus on both the trunk and treetops.

• Set landscape lights on a timer. Not only will this save energy, but you won't have to worry about turning them on and off everyday. Plus, if they are outside a bedroom window, you can have them automatically turn off so they won't keep you up.

• Consider the durability of the landscape lights you purchase. If you live in an area with particularly harsh climates, such as excessively cold winters, make sure the lights, fixtures and cables can withstand the elements.

• Consider solar landscape lighting. Not only are they maintenance free and easy to install, but they don't need electricity to run, saving you money in the future. Just remember that solar lights must be placed in an area that receives full sun during the day.

• Chose lights that have low voltage systems. They are both safer and more efficient that high voltage systems.

• Create balance and uniformity. This also means, don't overdo it! Consider yard size, brightness of light, and lighting technique.