How To Plan Landscaping Lighting

Use warmer light on oak trees and brown siding while cooler colors like those found on pine trees or dark gray exterior stone play better with a more neutral color temperature.

How to plan landscaping lighting. The design of outdoor lighting should always follow how the owners want to use the space. Select the appropriate lighting techniques. Billy bradford owns and operates integrity outdoor lighting in south mississippi. This beam spread is also ideal for general accent lighting.

Landscape lights that make soft spots of light are good for garden paths. Blue tinted lights allow for a moonlight type mood in your garden landscape. Based on the width and height of what you re lighting do this. Form ideas for your landscape layout.

When it comes to lighting your landscape a little goes a long way. Choose the power supply either line or more commonly low voltage. A single bright light shining directly on the object will create harsh shadows. Envision how and when you want to use your outdoor spaces and tailor your landscape lighting to suit those needs.

That s because your eyes need less light outdoors than they do indoors in order to see light shadow and pattern. Make a sketch of the landscape. How to design your landscape lighting in 5 easy steps step 1. You and your clients will appreciate the extra effort taken to do the job right the first time.

Draw the footprint of your house to 1 8 scale and sketch in all major landscape elements including fences decks tree paths. Space the lights at equal distances along the path you want illuminated. To plan your outdoor landscape lighting start with a walk around your yard at night. 25 45 degrees for medium height and width such as a prized tree.

Taking time to plan ahead and wire your system properly will help you on your way to building a high quality system. When you re uplighting objects such as statuaries or trees a good rule of thumb is to use warm yellow orange light on man made objects and cool white blue light on plants says night light inc s macmorris. It s also best if you plan the lighting before you actually install the object itself. Select your landscape lighting fixtures.

The best lighting for your landscaping should be in the same color family as the objects you re lighting up. Choose the fixtures and accessories that give you the desired effect. Downlighting stone veneer casts craggy shadows which give a sense of depth to this outdoor bar. Planning for outdoor lighting plot out your ideas on graph paper.