6 Expert Tips on Outdoor Lighting from a Garden Designer
How to Light Up Your Home from the Outside In: Expert Advice from a Garden Designer
When transforming your landscape, one key element often overlooked is lighting. “It’s one of the best values for any garden upgrade,” says Bridget Skinner, a garden designer based in Newport Beach, California. “Though it’s not always inexpensive, the impact it has is undeniable.”
With over three decades of experience in shaping outdoor spaces, Skinner shares her expert advice on how homeowners can elevate their front yards, backyards, or patios with the right lighting.
1. Prioritize Safety and Style
Certain lighting features, like highlighting stairs or addressing numbers, are essential for safety but can also add beauty to your garden. They not only make your outdoor area safer but act as lovely design elements.
2. Use Lighting to Enhance Your Lawn’s Ambiance
Lighting can dramatically change the mood of your garden. “In California, where we enjoy nearly year-round indoor/outdoor living, outdoor lighting that accentuates trees and plants while casting beautiful shadows really makes the space come alive,” Skinner says.
3. Bring the Outdoors In
While you may focus on outdoor aesthetics, Skinner recommends considering how your landscape lighting will look from inside your home. “When you have landscape lighting, you get to enjoy the view both from inside and out,” she explains. “We always think about the view from the windows at night, so homeowners can appreciate the beauty of their yard even when they’re inside.”
4. Opt for LED Lights Over Solar
While solar lights are popular, Skinner is a strong advocate for LEDs. When paired with a transformer that converts line voltage to low voltage, LEDs are energy-efficient and long-lasting. “The lights at my home are over 15 years old, and since switching to LEDs, I rarely have to replace a bulb,” she shares. “They last for years and years.”
5. Create Drama with Trees
If you have large trees or plan to add new ones, Skinner has two standout lighting options. One is to hang lights in the trees for a magical, eye-catching effect. “It’s such a beautiful touch, and not everyone thinks to do it,” she says. Alternatively, you can use uplights to highlight the tree’s trunk and branches, though keep in mind you may need to adjust the positioning as the tree grows.
6. Illuminate Planters for a Unique Touch
Thinking outside the box, Skinner suggests running low-voltage wires inside large pots to light up the plants within. “It creates lovely shadows and highlights the plants in a unique way,” she notes.
7. Don’t Be Afraid to Add More Lights
When it comes to how much lighting is enough, Skinner advises, “There’s no strict rule, but I’ve never had anyone say there were too many lights. In fact, people usually say, ‘Wow, this makes such a difference!’” Adding more lights can truly transform your outdoor space, making it feel warmer and more inviting.
By thoughtfully integrating lighting into your outdoor design, you can enhance both the safety and beauty of your garden, creating a space that shines both inside and out.
