Landscape Lighting III : Make Your Layout Design

Now that you’ve decided to install landscape lighting, it’s time to design your layout. With careful planning, you can eliminate any problems that may arise during the installation process.

Step 1: Where do you want to light?

Take a look at your yard at night to decide where more light is needed, then make a detailed sketch of the yard. In deciding what to illuminate, consider your existing outdoors lighting. A good place to start is your walkways and other functional and transitional areas.

Step 2: What other extras do you expect from lighting?

For example, while you’re lighting the facade of a house, you very well may illuminate bushes or trees, as well.

Step 3: Pair other professional-looking techniques

There are lots of professional-looking and popular techniques that can create a dramatic and attractive design. Lighting the front of the house has a very impressive effect and can make your house inviting at night, except to unwanted guests.

A facade lawn is an ideal and easy subject for illumination.

Trees and plants can be back-lit to create a silhouetted effect or front-lit to showcase the plant itself. If you have a tall tree, place a light at the base and shine it up through the branches. You can also hide a tree mount fixture and have it shine down on a lawn or garden.

You may consider lighting other objects of interest like a birdbath or bench. It’s generally a good idea to spread your lighting out to create even illumination throughout the yard.

A word of caution: Be careful not to over-light your landscape, since too much light might prove unattractive. The secret is to be creative and light only what you want.