We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
Outdoor lighting serves a number of purposes, including safety, aesthetics (or curb appeal), ambiance, increasing a home’s value, and decorative. The type of lighting used should match the purpose for which it’s intended, but with so many options available, the choices can be overwhelming. Lack of understanding of how to use the right type of lighting to create the desired effect can lead to making outdoor lighting mistakes.
Discover how best to add the right outdoor lighting to achieve your goals, opening up your space for a more welcoming, enjoyable experience, and accentuating features for dramatic flair or safety precautions.
1. Too much or too little light.
Insufficient lighting is both unwelcoming and unsafe, but too much light becomes harsh and ruins the ambiance. Additionally, over-lighting results in light pollution, which has a detrimental effect on the environment as well as wildlife and human health, and contributes to climate change.
Avoid dark spots and light pollution by creating a lighting plan. Aim for visual balance and even distribution of light in the space. “Think like a designer and map out your space,” suggests Kyle Beach, COO of Wonderly Lights. Do you want to uplight a tree canopy for dramatic effect? String bistro lighting for a festive flair? Techniques like moonlighting, wall grazing, silhouetting, and zone-based lighting can all be used to create a beautiful backyard.
Layer lighting by mixing different types: uplights for trees, path lights for walkways, string lights to create social areas and spotlights for focal points. This adds depth and dimension.
2. Using the wrong materials.
Only fixtures, bulbs, and connectors labeled for outdoor use are safe to use outside. The wrong transformers, fixtures, and bulbs can overheat, corrode, or create a fire hazard. Look for outdoor lighting that’s “wet-rated” or “weather-resistant.” According to Beach, these are designed to handle rain, humidity, and temperature fluctuations.
If you’re adding a lot of landscape lighting to your property, make sure your transformer is properly sized to support the total wattage. It’s always wise to ensure the electrical panel has room to grow in case you want to add more electrical features later. “An undersized transformer can lead to dimming, short circuits, or system failure,” Beach explains.
3. Improper installation.
Improperly installed outdoor lighting can cause short circuits, power failures, or fire hazards. Loose connections or fixtures and damaged wiring require costly repair or replacement.
The DIY approach to landscape lighting may save money, but unless you’re installing solar lights or have experience doing electrical work, hiring a professional electrician might be a better idea. An expert will make sure your outdoor connections are safe, with no exposed wires, and that the lights won’t overload the electrical system, function properly, and are energy-efficient. Professionals will also pay attention to the aesthetics, ensuring the style of the lights matches the home’s exterior.
If you plan to install outdoor lighting yourself, it’s safest to use low-voltage lighting systems. Beach advises burying wires 6 inches deep or using conduit to seal all connections with waterproof gel-filled wire nuts or shrink-wrap tubing. “Always follow the manufacturer’s specs for maximum run length and load capacity,” he suggests.
4. Improper placement.
Failure to position lights correctly can make your outdoor spaces unattractive, unsafe, or uncomfortable. Improper placement diminishes the effectiveness of the lights. Correct spacing eliminates shadows and dark spots, for better aesthetics and safety. The proper height reduces glare in people’s eyes.
To get the best effect from landscape lighting, the right type of fixtures should be properly placed for the intended use. For example, uplights and path lights should be placed in flowerbeds or other areas that aren’t mowed to avoid damage from lawn equipment. Wall lights work well for entryways, patios, and porches. Small lights on either side of the base of the stairs or staggering them along pathways indicate where to step.
Rather than anchoring to trees, which can cause damage as limbs move and grow, choose permanent anchor points for the lights: buildings, pergolas, or poles secured in concrete or heavy planters.
5. Buying cheap lights.
Cutting corners by purchasing cheap lights might actually cost more money in the long run because they have a shorter lifespan due to being made from low-quality materials that degrade quickly. Plastic fixtures lack durability in harsh outdoor conditions, such as exposure to strong sunlight and overwintering in cold climates. That means they will likely need replacement sooner than a higher quality fixture.
It’s possible that cheap lighting may be faulty, possibly resulting in breakage, shocks, overheating, or even fire. Look for tags from the Underwriters Laboratory for the United States and Canada to ensure that lighting meets safety standards.
Some cheap lights use inefficient LEDs. These consume more electricity, resulting in higher energy bills.
Quality lights typically look nicer than their inexpensive counterparts that are made from inferior materials that might corrode, discolor, or break easily. They also usually last longer, providing a better return on investment.
6. Leaving them on all the time.
The purpose of outdoor lighting is to make your yard feel welcoming and safe, not brightly lit all night long. Leaving your landscaping lights on all the time will increase your electric bill, create light pollution, and disturb local wildlife, insects, and pets, including fish in small backyard ponds. Too much artificial light can also obscure your view of the stars, and if lights are shining on the house, they can disrupt your sleep.
Options include using a timer to turn off your lights at a specific time. Some timers have multiple settings for on/off periods. Security lights can be fitted with motion detectors so that they turn off after a few minutes. Sunset to sunrise timers sense the amount of natural light in determining when to turn on and off outdoor lights.
7. Neglect.
Even quality exterior lighting needs some maintenance to keep it in top condition, but too often, homeowners install it and forget it. Being exposed to the elements all day, all night, all year long can take its toll. Fixtures and wiring can become damaged or deteriorate. Wildlife or pets can also wreak havoc on fixtures and any exposed wiring.
Lighting should be checked once or twice a year for exposed wiring, cracks, or other damage. Dirt and debris should be cleaned off the fixtures. Vegetation should be trimmed or pruned so it doesn’t interfere with the lighting. Burned-out bulbs should be replaced.
It’s important also to check the lights at night to ensure that they’re working properly and are aimed correctly. As the ground settles from freeze-thaw cycles, as tree roots grow, or as pets dig, things can shift. Lights may no longer be pointing in the right direction.
