Outdoor Lighting Inspiration
Explore the techniques used to create your outdoor oasis.
Evening lighting attracts our vision into two distinct areas; the focal glow and the ambient lighting. The focal glow of the brightest areas initially attract our attention and draw our gaze. The ambient lighting is the spaces between the focal points. Creating a lighting system that gently blends these two points of lighting creates gentle illumination of key areas and a harmonious backdrop.
When painting a landscape with light, mastering these fundamental techniques is key. From accentuating architectural marvels to delicately tracing pathways with a soft glow, each technique serves to cultivate focal glow and ambient luminescence, breathing life into nighttime living spaces. Explore the lighting techniques below and see the secrets to crafting enchanting landscapes that captivate the eye and stir the soul.
*All images below courtesy FX Luminaire
Up lighting in landscape lighting refers to the technique of placing light fixtures at ground level or below to illuminate objects or architectural features from below. By aiming the light upwards, up lighting creates a dramatic effect that draws attention to specific elements in the landscape, such as trees, sculptures, or the façade of a building. This technique is particularly effective for highlighting vertical surfaces and creating depth and texture in the outdoor environment. Up lighting can also be used to create a sense of drama and ambiance, adding visual interest to the landscape during evening hours.
Up Lighting
Highlighting
Highlighting refers to the technique of accentuating specific features or areas within the landscape by directing focused light onto them. This technique is used to draw attention to key elements such as trees, shrubs, architectural details, sculptures, or other focal points.
Cross Lighting
Cross lighting is the technique of illuminating a subject or object from multiple directions, typically from opposite sides or angles. This approach creates balanced lighting and minimizes harsh shadows, resulting in a more evenly lit and visually appealing scene.
Wall Washing
Wall washing in landscape lighting is a technique where light fixtures are positioned to illuminate a vertical surface evenly from top to bottom. The goal of wall washing is to create a soft, uniform illumination that accentuates the texture and architectural features of the surface while minimizing harsh shadows.
Shadowing
To achieve shadowing, light fixtures are positioned in front of or below the object being illuminated, aiming the light toward the surface behind it. As the light passes through or around the object, it creates shadows that are cast onto nearby surfaces, adding depth, texture, and visual interest to the scene.
Grazing
Grazing is a technique where light fixtures are placed close to a surface, such as a wall, fence, or textured facade, and directed parallel to that surface. The term "grazing" comes from the way the light skims or grazes across the surface, accentuating its contours and creating depth.
Silhouetting
This technique involves placing a light source behind the subject, which effectively blocks direct light from reaching the viewer's perspective. A light fixture is strategically positioned behind the object or feature, aiming the light toward the viewer or a surface in the background. This backlighting creates a contrast between the illuminated background and the dark silhouette of the subject, resulting in a dramatic and visually impactful scene.
Down lighting in landscape lighting refers to the technique of illuminating objects, features, or areas from above. This method involves positioning light fixtures above the target area and directing the light downward, creating a soft and diffuse illumination that mimics natural moonlight.
Commonly used fixtures for down lighting include spotlights, floodlights, pendant lights, or tree-mounted lights. These fixtures are often installed on trees, buildings, pergolas, or other elevated structures, allowing the light to be cast downward onto the desired area.
Down Lighting
Task Lighting
Task lighting refers to the strategic placement of fixtures to provide focused illumination for specific outdoor activities or tasks. Unlike ambient or decorative lighting, which serves to enhance the overall ambiance of an outdoor space, task lighting is intended to serve functional purposes by illuminating areas where specific tasks are performed.
Accenting Garden Art
The purpose of accent garden art lighting is to draw attention to these focal points and enhance their visual impact, even during the nighttime hours. These features can include sculptures, statues, fountains, birdbaths, or any other artistic installations that contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the landscape.
Moonlighting
Moonlighting aims to replicate the natural effect of moonlight filtering through trees. It involves placing fixtures high up in trees or on elevated structures, such as pergolas or rooftops, to cast a soft, diffuse light downward onto the landscape below. The fixtures used for moonlighting are typically shielded and positioned to minimize glare, creating a gentle and subtle illumination that mimics the ambient light of a full moon.
Scalloping
Scalloping in landscape lighting is a technique used to create visually appealing patterns of light and shadow, reminiscent of scalloped edges. This technique involves positioning light fixtures in a way that casts alternating bands of light and shadow along a surface, such as a wall, fence, or garden bed border.
The primary purpose of path lighting is to enhance safety and visibility of pathways, walkways, and other pedestrian routes within outdoor spaces, allowing people to navigate safely through the landscape, particularly during the evening hours.
Path Lighting
Staggered Path Lighting
Staggered path lighting can be achieved using a variety of path light fixtures, such as lantern-style lights, bollard lights, or low-profile fixtures, depending on the desired aesthetic and functional requirements of the landscape. By creatively arranging these fixtures along the pathway, designers can create a captivating lighting scheme that enhances the beauty and usability of outdoor spaces.
Single-Row Path Lighting
Single row path lighting is an effective and versatile technique for enhancing the safety and functionality of outdoor spaces, particularly along pathways or walkways. By carefully selecting and positioning path lights, designers can ensure that their pathways are well-lit and inviting, creating a pleasant and enjoyable outdoor experience for residents and visitors alike.
Marker Lighting
Marker lighting in landscape design involves the use of low-level lights or markers to delineate specific areas or guide pathways in outdoor environments. These lights are typically installed flush with the ground or slightly raised, providing subtle illumination without drawing attention away from the surrounding landscape.
Wall lighting in landscape design involves the strategic placement of light fixtures to illuminate vertical surfaces such as walls, fences, or facades. This technique not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the outdoor space but also provides functional lighting for safety and security.
Wall Lighting
Ledge Lighting
Ledge lighting is a technique used in landscape lighting design to illuminate horizontal surfaces such as ledges, retaining walls, or steps. This technique enhances safety, adds visual interest, and highlights architectural features within outdoor spaces.
Wall Lighting
Wall lighting in landscape design refers to the strategic placement of light fixtures on vertical surfaces such as walls, fences, or pillars. This technique serves both functional and aesthetic purposes, enhancing visibility, safety, and ambiance in outdoor spaces.
Deck Rails
Deck rail lighting is a type of landscape lighting specifically designed to illuminate the perimeter of a deck or balcony. These lights are typically installed along the railing or handrail of the deck, providing both functional lighting and decorative ambiance.
Water feature lighting is the placement of light fixtures to illuminate various types of water features such as ponds, fountains, waterfalls, and streams within outdoor landscapes. This type of lighting serves both aesthetic and practical purposes, enhancing the visual appeal of water features while also providing safety and visibility in the outdoor environment. Pool lighting also uses water submersible fixtures.
Water Features
Under Water Lights
Underwater lighting involves the use of light fixtures that are specifically designed to be submerged underwater in ponds, pools, fountains, or other water features. This type of lighting adds a mesmerizing visual element to water features, enhancing their beauty and creating stunning effects both during the day and at night.
Mirroring
Mirroring in landscape lighting refers to the placement of light fixtures to create reflections on water surfaces, such as ponds, pools, or fountains. This technique enhances the visual appeal of water features by doubling the illuminated area and adding depth and dimension to the landscape.
Refractional Lighting
Refractional lighting works by strategically placing light fixtures near fast moving water to create a scattered lighting effect.
Elevation Change Lighting
This technique involves strategically placing light fixtures to highlight slopes, steps, terraces, or other elevated features in the landscape, enhancing safety, aesthetics, and functionality.
Stair Wall Lights
Typically installed at intervals along the wall parallel to the stairs, these lights offer directional lighting downward onto each step, ensuring visibility and reducing the risk of accidents. Stair wall lights come in various designs, including recessed, surface-mounted, or decorative sconces, allowing for customization to suit different architectural styles and preferences.
Stair Step Lights
These lights are typically installed directly into the steps or adjacent to them to provide safe passage and enhance visibility. Step lights come in various forms, including recessed, surface-mounted, or strip lights, and are often designed to emit a low-level, diffused light to prevent glare and create a subtle ambiance. They serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, improving safety while also adding a decorative element to staircases and pathways.
Stair Downlights
Stair downlights are fixtures designed to provide illumination downward onto each step of a staircase from above. Stair downlights offer a clean and unobtrusive lighting solution, as they are often recessed into the ceiling or mounted flush with the surface. They provide a practical and elegant lighting solution for staircases, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics in indoor and outdoor spaces.
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