Tips to Light Up Your Landscape

What’s the point of having a beautifully designed, artistically crafted landscape if you can’t see it? 

When the sun goes down, and the shadows grow long across your yard, you are missing out on some of the best sights you will ever see.  

Spending cool summer nights in your backyard is an idyllic experience, but your yard can quickly begin to feel cramped (and even ominous) without any illumination.  

The solution? Strategically lighting your yard for a boost in mood, atmosphere, and visibility.  

This blog from Lebanon Lawn and Landscape will go over some outdoor lighting basics and the best placement for your outdoor lighting systems. Keep reading to find out more! 

Outdoor Lighting Basics 

Our eyes see light differently depending on the time of day. This concept is important when we consider implementing lighting systems in our outdoor spaces.  

The two biggest factors we need to consider for outdoor lighting are intensity and color.  

Intensity determines the quality and brightness of your lighting. Color determines the mood and feelings the lighting emits.  

For color, we consider a unit called kelvins (often abbreviated as K). 1800 K is a reddish hue, while 7500 K is more of a bluish-white. Anything in between those two numbers will be a mixture of red and blue. The higher the unit, the bluer it will be, the lower the unit the redder it will be. You can find a bulb's Kelvin units on the package.  

We generally divide lighting into three categories (or layers). 

• Overall lighting. This is the type of lighting that provides illumination for an entire space.  
  
  
• Task lighting. This is the type of lighting that provides light for one particular purpose, lighting a pathway for example.  
  
  
• Accent lighting. Accent lighting illuminates a certain area or object. This type of lighting is meant to draw attention to a feature of your yard. You will usually accomplish this with spotlights or floodlights.  

Consider these bulbs for their different effects. 

• Incandescent bulbs. These bulbs emit a soothing light, but they have a short lifespan and consume more electricity than other bulbs. 
  
  
• Halogen bulbs. Halogens are like incandescent bulbs, but they consume less electricity and have longer lifespans.
  
  
• Florescent bulbs. These bulbs come in a wide color range, consume a small amount of electricity and last a long time. However, fluorescents are prone to flickering and this can give some people headaches.  
  
  
• LED lighting. These are some of the most expensive bulbs you will find, but they consume very little electricity and have the best lifespan of the bulbs listed by far. 

Best Lighting Placement 

Let’s take a quick look at some of the best places for outdoor lighting.  

• Paths. A well-lit path is essential for a welcoming entrance to your home or yard. Also, a lit path ensures safety while walking at night.  
  
  
• Entrances. Be sure your entrances are well-lit. How will people find your front door if it is dark and eerie? 
  
  
• Driveway. A well-lit driveway is an excellent way to make sure your car finds the right path at night. This is especially true if your driveway is long and winding.  
  
  
• Decks and patios. Your outdoor living spaces are a great place to install warm, welcoming lighting. Lighting these spaces will help make sure your yard is comfortable and you can enjoy your time at night outdoors.  
  
  
• Gazebos and pergolas. Wooden fixtures are great places to hang additional lighting. Hanging bulbs and fairy lights tend to do the best hanging from these structures. 

Light a Better Landscape with Lebanon Lawn and Landscape 

You don’t have to put too much thought into lighting if your landscape isn’t much to look at.  

If your yard could use an upgrade, Lebanon Lawn and Landscape is here to help.  

From retaining walls to patios, pathways, and more, Lebanon Lawn and Landscape has the skills to create the yard of your dreams.  

If you are ready for an upgrade to your yard, reach out to Lebanon Lawn and Landscape today!