Your yard can be improved by landscape lighting.s ambiance almost as much as the plants themselves. Depending on where it is placed, a little ground lighting can produce either a soft glow or a dramatic appeal.
Making your garden, patio, or driveway appear brighter is not enough to achieve this. Different lighting styles have a number of minute variations. Landscape illumination should be carefully positioned to highlight landscape features, being mindful of the shadows being cast.
How To Start The Landscape Lighting Process
Planning where you want your lights to be placed carefully is the first step in installing a landscape lighting system. Some features might be more significant to you than others, while some features might not look as good when lit. Take into account the landscaping features you want to emphasize, such as…
- Your Home
Multi-story homes will probably need more lighting, whereas single-story homes probably won’t. The angle of the lights also affects how they act, from low to the ground to high above to emphasize architectural details.
- Trees And Bushes
Large-canopied trees, like palm trees, may require several lights, whereas smaller bushes may only require a portion of lighting for proper enhancement.
- Flower Beds
A great location for low-voltage lights that cast just the right amount of light on the flowers all night long.
- Lawn Decorations
With the right lighting, anything can be emphasized and improved, including statues, flagpoles, and birdbaths.
- Fences And Pathways
These spaces require lighting to make a path visible or to highlight a row of flowers along a wall.
- Patios, Decks, And Lanais
For evenings spent outside to take advantage of our wonderful weather, keep these areas well-lit.
- Swimming Pools & Pool Cages
For safety reasons and to accentuate their inherent beauty, pools benefit greatly from lighting.
Where To Place Landscape Lighting
Highlighting
When you highlight, you use lights to draw attention to a specific feature, whether a tree, a shrub, or a statue.
It’s typically accomplished with a spotlight, but it will depend on the size and shape of the feature you’re highlighting.
Typically, trees require two lights at least. one for the trunk and one for the leaves. Otherwise, it leaves the tree’s portion looking like it.s floating.
Silhouetting
Placing lights behind an object is known as silhouetting.
It’s a more creative option that still aids in showcasing your plants but does so with eye-catching crisp shadows as opposed to fully illuminating them.
Shadowing
When you use shadowing, you select lights that are placed to create shadows. Yet, rather than disappearing, you’re trying to use dramatic shadows cast on another surface.
A tree that you can use to cast shadows onto the wall is a good idea if you have light-colored walls around your garden or as part of your home.
Otherwise, the shadows might disappear.
Moonlighting
In terms of lighting, moonlighting simply refers to the use of lights that are elevated but protected from full glare. Consequently, the bulb itself isn’t usually visible. Rather, it makes it appear as though you’re enhancing the downward-facing light.
If you have a pond, it will help.s worth illuminating that too. In addition to making the borders more visible for increased safety, waterproof lights placed around the pool’s sides will also make them look nicer.
Use partial vertical lighting instead.ll reflect off the surface – lights should be aimed just below the water level.
Don’t worry about water and electricity too much for ponds here since your landscape lighting should be appropriately waterproofed anyway.
Your pond will be safe as long as it was constructed by professionals.ll have sealed edges, so there’s no risk of the water causing the ground to shift and the lights to move.
Even though underwater lights are available, they work best for highlighting specific features like fountains. If you don’t, the light will go out wh you are trying to use them to safely show the borders.
Is It Necessary To Plcae Lights On The Tree
You can install lights on a tree if you want to, but you have to question whether that’s the best idea.
When light is added to a tree, the tree will likely only be partially illuminated, which will appear odd.
The entire tree must be visible if you want to see it. Along with that, the light becomes the tree’s focal point, which is probably not what you intended.
If the tree is tall and you want to hang lights from it that face downward, you will need to be close to another feature or your patio; otherwise, there’s no actual worth using it.
Go for it if you have a tree that hangs over your patio or perhaps another cool feature, but be sure to use a glare guard so your eyes aren’t straining.t drawn to the shiny bulb above you.
Tips For Diy Landscape Lighting Installation
If you’re thinking about trying to DIY landscape lighting, here are some quick tips to help keep you on the right track:
- Before you begin digging, have all light locations planned and mapped out.
- Verify that none of the lights in your house or your neighbor’s house are aimed directly at any windows.s homes.
- Place all wiring at least 6″ underground. deep.
- For the best performance and longevity, purchase high-quality components, Every connection is waterproof.
- Make sure lights are straight by using a level.
Final Thoughts
Don’t do it excessively because you could ruin it.t place lights on everything. Also take into account your guidelines and policies, as well as common courtesy for your neighbors when placing lights in your yard. You’re not attempting to replicate daylight; rather, you’re trying to make your lawn, garden, and trees look better.
Accept the beauty of the shadows and muted hues. Think about your experience inside. Point lights away from the house, use softer bulbs and direct them down when you’re working close to windows. This will stop the light from glaring inside and upsetting your family.