Landscape Lighting Ideas

Landscape lighting can be a wonderful part of your garden. You will see here how incredibly easy it is to create a nice exterior outdoor lighting design.Ideally, your design should be not too bright, but should create a subtle aura throughout your property.

It's not really that complicated.

It just takes some knowledge of what particular lighting fixtures will do and the correct way to place them in the garden.

You can read about it here on these outdoor lighting pages. In no time, dusk will come, and your garden will be seen and beautiful.

There is an overview below, and then other pages for more specific information.

There are various types of outdoor lighting systems and fixtures.

Landscape outdoor lighting systems can be any of the following:

1. 120-volt lighting - this uses typical electrical wiring which must be installed to code.
2. Solar landscaping lights - no electricity is used. Power is supplied by the sun.
3. Low voltage lighting - An easy system to install. Wiring is located just slightly under the ground. A transformer is needed somewhere on the house for power.

The following types of fixtures are typically used:

• Path Lighting - used to light up such areas as walkways, patios, and pool paving. They also provide safety. These lights should be placed in planting beds, not in the lawn where they can be hit by the lawn mower.
• Up Lights - these lights can beautifully accent ornamental trees.
• Accent Lights - light up special landscape features such as garden ornaments or garden structures.
• Down Lights - creates downward light in large trees.
• Architectural Lighting - typically provides lighting on residences.

*There is one other type of lighting. That is the gas lights! Please visit my page on the outdoor gas light where you will find interesting information.

I like to use fixtures that have a finish which looks well with the landscape.

Copper is a high end choice. Copper lighting fixtures are usually long lasting. Over time they develop a natural green patina which is very nice. If you buy from a reputable company, the fixtures should have a very long guarantee.

To learn more about types of outdoor lighting fixtures please go to my page on exterior lighting.

With all these choices, how do you create a wonderful outdoor landscape lighting plan? Things to consider might be distance between path lights, how to uplight ornamental trees and special focal points in the garden, using moon lighting in large shade trees, and so on. I have put together some professional ideas for creating a design. You can read about them at my lighting ideas page. I have also written a very informative page on lighting contractors.

If you have a swimming pool, you can read about pool landscape lighting here. You might consider underwater illumination for your pool. This is particularly nice if you have a pool waterfall. You might also enjoy reading about driveway lighting.

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