15 landscape lighting ideas to make your yard glow
By Evan Crowther•Last updated Jun 2, 2023
Last updated Jun 2, 2023
Table of Contents
- 1. Light up walkways with path lights
- 2. Use lighting to emphasize your yard’s best plants
- 3. Make your stairs safer with step lights
- 4. Hang string lights for cozy ambiance
- 5. Showcase large trees with moonlighting
- 6. Highlight water features in your yard
- 7. Light a large area with floodlights
- 8. Shine a light on your fire pit
- 9. Set the mood with garden lights
- 10. Use understated ground or in-floor lights
- 11. Use lanterns for a touch of warmth
- 12. Add bollard lights to your driveway or steps
- 13. Play with colored lights
- 14. Consider eco-friendly solar lights
- 15. Hang lights along your fence
- Find a top-rated landscape lighting professional today
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This guide was reviewed by landscape designer Bret Douglas of Iron Clad Landscape Management
When it comes to landscape design, lighting is a key component. The right landscape lighting can add curb appeal to your home and make the backyard an outdoor escape. A well-lit yard is an inviting space for gathering with friends and family, and different kinds of light accentuate your home’s strongest features, add ambiance to your yard and improve safety.
There are countless ways to add outdoor lighting to your home’s exterior. Consider some of these landscape lighting ideas and make your yard glow.
1. Light up walkways with path lights
Path lights are practical and stylish. They not only illuminate your outdoor walkways, but they can also discourage guests from trampling your plants.
The key to effective path lighting is placement. You want them close enough together to light the whole walkway, but not so close that it’s too bright. You might be inclined to place the lights directly across from each other. However, it usually looks more balanced if you alternate them in a staggered pattern.
2. Use lighting to emphasize your yard’s best plants
Uplights are an excellent way to accentuate the features of your home you’re most proud of, like architectural details, artwork, or landscape design. These lighting fixtures can create a dramatic effect by casting a strong beam of light on one focal point. You can also cast a soft glow over a larger area for something more subtle.
When you install uplights, angle them carefully to avoid glare. A landscape lighting specialist can help you avoid casting large shadows and recommend the best spotlight for your needs.
3. Make your stairs safer with step lights
Outdoor stairs are a major trip hazard in the dark. Add mounted step lights to improve visibility for anyone walking up or down the stairs at night. A small light source at ankle level will make your stairs safer without being overwhelming.
Step lights can go on the underside of steps or the sides for a more modern look. LEDs are ideal for step lights because they produce strong light without using much energy.
4. Hang string lights for cozy ambiance
String lights are a stylish and versatile lighting option. Hanging them on a deck or patio can make your outdoor space a welcoming spot to get some fresh air in the evening.
Other places you can hang string lights include:
- Fencing
- Trees, shrubs, bushes, and hedges
- Pergolas and arbors
- Rails on stairs and decks
String lights come in a wide variety of sizes and colors, each of which creates a different mood. Warm white or yellow bulbs are a good option for an intimate atmosphere. Larger bulbs can add a more playful and whimsical effect.
5. Showcase large trees with moonlighting
If you have large trees in your yard, moonlighting creates a beautiful nighttime display. This lighting technique uses lights high up in the tree and pointed downward. The result simulates the soft, diffused light of the moon.
Moonlighting is a practical way to light a large area of your yard. It also highlights the unique shape and texture of the trees in your yard.
6. Highlight water features in your yard
Water features like ponds and swimming pools are a beautiful addition to any outdoor space. Creative use of light fixtures can highlight your pool even after the sun goes down.
There are several different ways to light a pool or pond. For example, an underwater light source will create a glowing effect that highlights the water’s movement. You can also use above-ground lights to play off the water’s reflection.
7. Light a large area with floodlights
Although floodlights and spotlights are similar, they have different applications and uses. Rather than illuminating one focal point, floodlights cast light on a large area like a driveway or garden. Besides making an outdoor space more welcoming for guests, floodlights can also deter intruders.
8. Shine a light on your fire pit
A fire pit makes the yard an ideal space for gatherings, even when the temperature drops. Some well-placed path lights or torches can enhance your fire pit’s ambiance. You can also light your fire pit by suspending string lights from posts or a pergola.
Be sure to choose lights that can withstand the elements. And don’t use lights that are too bright or overpowering, since that will ruin the welcoming atmosphere.
9. Set the mood with garden lights
In the sun, a flower bed is a dazzling sight. But with garden lights, it can shine even brighter after dark. Lighting your garden will transform it into an enchanting space you’ll love to spend time in.
There are many lighting techniques you can use to illuminate your garden. In addition to path lights and bollards, you can use globe lights for a more magical feel.
10. Use understated ground or in-floor lights
If you don’t want light fixtures to be visible, ground lights are a subtle option. Ground lights, sometimes also called well lights or in-floor lights, go into a small hole in the ground to provide uplighting while concealing the fixture. These fixtures are ideal for lighting pathways, trees and plants, decks, and more.
11. Use lanterns for a touch of warmth
Lanterns are a timeless outdoor lighting option that works with any aesthetic. They come in many styles and can use electricity or candles to produce light. You can choose something sleek and modern or rustic to match your style. In addition to hanging lanterns, you can also place them on tables as accent pieces.
12. Add bollard lights to your driveway or steps
These versatile lights are both stylish and practical. Similar to path lights, bollard lights are vertical posts that light an area of ground.
They can be hard-wired or solar-powered. You can place bollard lights at the edges of a driveway or steps to guide visiting guests.
13. Play with colored lights
Color is an essential element of lighting design that can add curb appeal to your front yard or enhance the atmosphere in your backyard. As you consider lighting ideas, think about how the color of the lights adds to your outdoor space.
Especially for water features, colored lights are a visually striking addition to your landscape lighting. With smart bulbs, you can change the color of your outdoor lighting to suit your mood.
14. Consider eco-friendly solar lights
For almost every type of outdoor lighting, there are solar-powered options. When you use solar lights, you don’t have to worry about wiring them or running up your utility bill. However, you have to make sure the small solar panel has easy access to sunlight.
15. Hang lights along your fence
In your backyard, hang some string lights or lanterns across your fence to add accent lighting. This is a great idea the next time you host an outdoor event in your backyard.
Find a top-rated landscape lighting professional today
While some outdoor lighting ideas are easy enough to do yourself, more involved projects may require help from a professional. The easiest way to find a qualified lighting technician is with Thumbtack. Download the Thumbtack app today to hire a landscape lighting professional near you.
Note about project costs included or linked in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can affect costs.
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