Landscape lighting can be the thing that takes your backyard from basic to bling, but undertaking a lighting plan for your yard can be an intimidating project. But have no fear, as this need not be the case. Welcome to Landscape Lighting 101, where we’ll walk you through a basic overview of the various types of lighting you’ll find in a landscape and exactly what each of them is supposed to do. We’ll look at:

• What to light in your yard
• Types of landscape lighting
• How to use landscape lighting

Like many things in life, less can be more—and this is the case when it comes to landscape lighting. Your instinct might be to light up everything: every detail, every tree, every nook and every cranny. But besides potentially running up your power bill, this will wash the yard out.

What makes a space special during the night is the play of light and dark, highlighting features that you may not take note of during the day and creating contrast and shadows using the forms and plants in your yard. Playing with these elements creates intrigue and drama, and a well-lit space will often be one in which you want to stay.

What to Light In Your Landscape

So what do you light and what do you leave in the dark? Here are three things to consider:

1. Identify the features in your yard that you like. Maybe it’s a pond or a particularly stately tree—highlighting those with light will show them off.
2. Add drama to areas that might not stand out during the day. A simple stone wall can take on a whole new personality at night when grazed with light and shadow.
3. Think about function. A deck with stairs or a meandering pathway need to be lit to ensure that you can can move about your yard without risk of injury.

And always consider an inviting and well-lit entryway. By properly illuminating the entrance to your home, the light provided by one or two outdoor wall sconces will safely guide family members or guests while creating that warm and welcoming curb appeal.

Types of Landscape Lighting

Now that you know what you want to light, how will you actually do it? There are a few basic types of fixtures that you want to get familiar with when you are making your lighting plan. Below are the various types of lighting you might find in a landscape:

Path Lights

This is probably the most common type of landscape lighting. Path lights are small posts that have a light built in are are capped with a diffuser. They can be spread out down a walkway or used to frame out a space or feature in a yard. Line them down a path, around a pond or along the outline of a driveway.

Postmount/Piermount Lights

When a more architectural light is needed, postmount lights are designed to install onto a post or on top of a structure. They’re commonly used for entries, gates, fences or around a deck.

Deck and Step Lights

Used as an accent to architectural details and add safe passage to dark stairs, deck and step lights are installed directly into a yard’s hardscape or decking. They can also be used for washing light down stone walls, lighting up entertainment spaces.

Spotlight

These are going to be the backbone of any landscape system. Spotlights can be used for highlighting a number of outdoor features, including trees, buildings, sculptural and architectural details.

Flood Lights

This is the heavy duty cousin of the path light. Bollard lights are great for creating an architectural look or to stylize a space. Use them as guide posts around a space or to separate a driveway from a yard.

Well Lights

Another variant on the spotlight, well lights are recessed into the ground to create a seamless look in both landscape and hardscape setting. The inset profile is minimal and can be used to uplight trees, walls or art.

Pond Light

A spotlight aquatic! Also similar to the spotlight, but made to be submerged in water to add real drama to outdoor water features.

Hardscape Lights

Hardscape lights are a newer addition to landscape lighting, thanks to LED technology. These are tiny lights with brackets or flanges that install onto or into structures that are used to wash and graze walls with light.