Choosing a Landscape Lighting Style

At first glance, landscape lighting can seem overwhelming. There are so many types of lighting and options for how to light your grounds that a first-time landscaper can get lost in the shuffle of it all. However, with the right tools and our easy-to-understand guide, you'll find that you'll soon be making your outside just as beautiful as your inside.

Types of Lighting
Path Lights light a path or walkway. Especially elegant in a garden, path lights look best when staggered from side to side, to avoid a "runway look."

Railing Lights are built into or attached to a deck rail. Railing lights will outline the perimeters of your deck and railings, creating security and ambience.

Step Lightsilluminate steps and inclines in your landscape. Some lights can be built right into your steps, while some attach at the front of the step.

Well Lights are ground-based or underground lights designed to highlight or "uplight" your landscape. Their position makes them almost invisible, creating a mysterious air.

Pond Lights are submersible lights, suitable for adding that intimate glow to your pond or water garden.

Decorative Lights can include most types of landscape lighting that are intentionally decorative as well as illuminating. Hanging lights for your entryway, sconces, light posts, and path lights can all be found in decorative styles.

Security Lights are flood and motion lights, implemented for your security. Security lights are the #1 theft deterrent available, according to the FBI, making them a vital part of your landscape lighting system.

Light Voltage
There are three different types of outdoor light voltage available.

High-voltage lights can handle more fixtures without a significant voltage drop, although they require more power to run. These lights also require a separate electrical circuit installed by a certified electrician.

Low-voltage lights use less power, and are easier to install than their high-voltage counterparts. Low-voltage lights are wired directly to the home's electrical circuit, and use smaller wires, requiring shallower trenches.

Solar lights don't require electricity or wiring at all. Using the natural power of the sun, solar lights charge during the daytime hours and, if fully charged, can illuminate up to 15 hours at night. Solar lights, however, only work to their full capacity when they're in open sunlight for a good portion of the daytime hours.