12 Yard Lighting Ideas to Boost Your Outdoor Ambiance
If you’re lucky enough to have a yard at your home, then you know the joy that an evening outdoors can bring. From quiet nights in the garden to festive get-togethers with family and friends, the right lighting can help set a magical mood as the sun goes down and daylight vanishes.
Making the perfect choices can seem daunting at first – the options for fixtures are endless, installation sometimes requires bringing in an electrician to hardwire lights outdoors, and costs can add up. We’re here to inspire you with some great tips and ideas that will set you up for success.
How to Create a Magical Ambiance with Lighting
Let’s start by looking at different types of fixtures, and what sort of visual effect they will have on your front or back yard.
1. Lantern Yard Lighting Ideas
Beautifully designed lanterns are one of the simplest ways to add lighting and aesthetic appeal to your yard. A hanging lantern can be hung from a porch ceiling or pergola to cast sufficient light for you to see, whether you are enjoying a book or hosting a dinner party. And because they come in many different shapes and finishes, you’re sure to find one that suits your outdoor décor, whether you want something that is classic and elegant or industrial and modern. You can even install wall lanterns on a porch or patio to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
2. Post Light Yard Lighting Ideas
Post lights add an elegant touch to your front yard, and like lanterns they also come in a wide variety of styles. When making a selection, consider the architectural style of your home. If it is more traditional, then you can find a light post that is inspired by Victorian gaslights or stately Parisian boulevards. If your home is modern in style, then opt for a contemporary light post that will coordinate beautifully.
3. Chandelier and Pendant Yard Lighting Ideas
Who says chandeliers are only for indoors? Install an outdoor chandelier on your back porch to elevate the space, with a stunning design that will become a conversation piece. For a more streamlined look, go with a set of pendant lights: they will give plenty of light and draw the eye upward in a way that is more understated than a chandelier, but is still stately and sophisticated.
4. String Light Yard Lighting Ideas
String lights bring a bit of whimsy when hung from trees, draped over patios or strung across your back yard to give a romantic bistro vibe. They’re incredibly easy to install and come in a range of bulb styles and colors.
5. Floodlight Yard Lighting Ideas
Floodlights do more than provide security, they can also be used to create a bit of drama. Use them to uplight an impressive tree at night by placing them at the base of the tree at different angles (ensuring that their beams don’t intersect) and directing their beams upward into the branches.
6. Solar Stake Lighting Ideas
Solar stake lights are another low-cost, DIY installation option. Placed along pathways or in garden beds, they will charge during the daylight hours and then emit a soft glow that provides just enough brightness so you can see where you’re stepping or highlight special flowers and shrubs.
7. Water Feature Lighting Ideas
Got a pool, pond or water feature in your yard? Add spotlights, lanterns, or solar stake lights around the edges to add a shimmering glow to the surface. You can also install submersible lights in the sides of your pool, perfect for night swimming or extra safety after dark.
Yard Lighting for Safety and Functionality
8. Security and Safety
Safety first and always. Protect your yard and home from intruders (or simply to make it easier for you to see the way from your car to the front door once the sun goes down) with motion-sensor double or single floodlights. With a softer bulb that still provides plenty of illumination, this will add to the magical ambiance rather than detracting from it.
9. Pathways and Steps
Path lights are small lights that can be placed along walkways, to prevent stumbles. Because their beams point downward, they will not add light pollution that takes away from the overall atmosphere you are creating. The same is true of step lights, which can be installed into the steps themselves or into railings to help you guide your way at night.
10. Ensuring Visibility in Seating Areas
Strategic lighting can turn a patio or gazebo into the perfect place for a get-together as evening turns to night. Pendant lights, lanterns and string lighting are all great options to make sure that your family or guests have enough light to see, and most can even be installed on a dimmer switch, so you can increase or decrease the brightness as best fits the mood.
11. Curb Appeal
Another function of outdoor lighting is increasing the curb appeal of your home. One way to make your home stand out is by using uplighting: placing spotlights near the base of an exterior wall and angling them upward. This reduces dark spots and shadows, while also letting you highlight particular architectural details such as a lovely portico or the texture of a stone wall. You can even install uplit wall sconces on either side of your front door, to welcome visitors to your home.
12. Creating Festive Displays for Holidays
We can’t forget the holidays, when many homeowners add temporary strings of lights to their front yards. White bulbs are classic and timeless, but colored bulbs bring a fun party atmosphere. Many of these lights can be programmed so they don’t stay on all night, drawing electricity, as well as to move in delightful patterns and displays.
Eco-friendly Yard Lighting Options
LED bulbs are the most energy-efficient choice for just about any outdoor fixture, as they use up to 90% less electricity than other types of bulbs and often do not need to be replaced for more than a decade. LEDs also come in strips and ropes, opening up all kinds of possibilities for outdoor decorating.
Solar stake lights are also earth-friendly, and are available with LED bulbs. And because they do not need to be hard wired into your home’s electrical system, they are super easy to install around the yard yourself, as a Saturday project.
Common Yard Lighting Mistakes to Avoid
First and foremost, be sure to choose lighting fixtures that are rated for outdoor use, made of durable materials, and will last for years to come.
Next, be sure not to overlight – creating so much brightness that it strains the eyes or creates bright spots that make the yard look harsh and uninviting. On the flip side, take care not to underlight areas where you want to be able to focus on outdoor cooking, dining or reading.
At Visual Comfort, We’ll Help Put Your Yard in Its Best Light
Our outdoor lighting is designed to weather storms and last for years with minimal maintenance or need for replacement. Visit visualcomfort.com to explore the many options that are available to help turn your front or back yard into a magical wonderland.
FAQ
What’s the most important consideration for yard lighting?
Be sure that any lighting that you use outdoors is rated for that use, so it won’t be damaged by rain, snow or extreme sunlight.
What style of yard lighting should I choose?
This depends on what ambiance you are working to create in your yard. You can go for a dark and moody atmosphere or a clean, bright and modern look. Make certain that the fixtures coordinate with the architectural style of the exterior of your home, so they don’t look out of place.
How do I clean and maintain my yard lighting?
Clean your outdoor lights two or three times a year, using a soft cloth to remove loose dirt, then gently wiping them down with soapy suds (no harsh abrasives) and drying them with a towel. Once a year, check your fixtures for any loose connections or damage. If a light is broken, you might be able to fix it yourself, but if damage is extensive, consult a professional electrician.