Landscape lighting is about more than placing a lantern at the beginning of a pathway. That may be a good start, but the main secret to lighting your landscaping is doing so in layers. You're not trying to get a daylight effect so much as create a pleasing nightscape. Lighting up your yard can provide safety and beauty.
Be Subtle with a Pathway
Let's start with that pathway. Safety is certainly the primary concern here, so you want to provide adequate lighting to guide your guests to the front door. That's the key, though – you want to guide them, not make them feel like they're on a runway. First, start with low-voltage lights and non-glaring fixtures. Next, direct the light downward. Stagger the lights, focusing on curves or tricky spots. When possible, though, let other parts of your landscape lighting illuminate the path. Finally, do consider including that lantern, perhaps on top of a pillar for beauty and greater visibility.
Match the Fixtures
In that vein, pay attention to your choice in fixtures. While low-voltage and solar options are recommended for maximum convenience, that's not your only consideration. Your landscape lights have to look pleasing in the daylight as well as at night. If you're choosing recessed fixtures, such as puck or well lights, it doesn't matter. Any visible fixtures, such as that lantern or the lights on the porch, should not only match each other but also your house's style. Don't choose a vintage-style street lamp and try to match it to a contemporary house or modern porch light.
Add a Creative Fixture
That said, don't be afraid to get a little creative with your light fixtures. When you're layering your lighting, it's fine to have a showpiece fixture. For example, Home and Garden TV describes a lighted metal fixture that resembles a Saguaro cactus. You could choose any style of lighted metal sculpture that complements your yard style. That said, a beautiful chandelier for the front porch or a set of mod wall lights also set the creative mood.
Utilize Different Effects
Ultimately, the big secret to lighting your yard is using different effects. The ones you choose depend on your landscaping features. For example, if you have an ornamental tree, you might consider uplighting it to highlight its features. If you have a taller tree, though, consider having the contractors place lights in the branches for a moonlighting effect. For more textural landscaping, such as succulents or bamboo, consider silhouette lighting. This works well for yard art, too.
Talk to landscape lighting experts like Outdoor Accents about the best blueprint for highlighting beautiful features in your yard and house.
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