Design Your Own Landscape

You want to showcase your home’s exterior by highlighting structures, pathways, and foliage. However, with so many options, you’re not sure where to begin, and hiring someone can be expensive.

Fortunately, we’ve put together these FIVE EASY STEPS to design your very own landscape and illuminate your outdoor oasis so you can be proud of the space YOU create!

1. Form Your Ideas And Make A Sketch.

Grab a pencil and paper and simply shape out your home’s exterior landscape to get started. Remember, sketches do not need to be top digital renderings!

Walk the landscape during the day and night to select key focal points such as a towering oak tree or grand group of juniper shrubs, and if available, also focus on hardscape features like a carefully crafted facade or water feature.

Next, make a sketch of the perimeter, adding in any structures, trees, shrubs, vegetation, and significant decorations within the garden, and highlight the focal points previously chosen. By doing so, you will now be able to determine which lighting system will work best for your outdoor area.

2. Select Your Style.

Choose decorative and functional fixtures that complement the architecture and varying elements of your landscape. Fixtures are now available in an array of colors, finishes, and styles - from traditional and rustic to contemporary and vintage.

Highlight the exterior of your home and surroundings to provide a visual introduction to the interior of your home.

3. Choose Your Fixtures.

After selecting your design style, choose fixtures based on the forms you would like to highlight in your sketch. Options include:

  • Path and Area Lights: Illuminate walkways and add dimension.
  • Accent (Spot) Lights: Create uplighting or downlighting effects.
  • Wall Wash: Create an even and wide flood of light on any surface.
  • In-Ground Lights: Great for path lighting or illuminating tall trees.
  • Hardscape Fixtures: Durable and concealed under architectural and landscape features.
  • Submersible: Highlight ponds or other water features.
  • Step/Deck/Patio: Illuminate outdoor entertainment areas.
  • Indicator Lights: Highlight edges of a deck/patio or overall perimeter.

4. Define Outdoor Zones And Fixture Spacing.

The key is to create distinction. Odds are, you probably have more than one outdoor spot that you like to use at night. Use lights of different colors or brightness levels, or lights that project beams in different directions to distinguish your ‘zones’ from one another. For example, lanterns and path lights may lead to the front door, recessed downlights frame the garage door, and in-ground lights illuminate key trees.

Spacing can be subjective - six feet of lead wire is typically provided across most landscape lighting products for final adjustment on the field.

5. Enhance Perspective And Highlight Resting Places.

The final step is to bring your landscape lighting sketch to life. Your design should both enhance perspective and highlight spaces, thus providing an enjoyable and safe atmosphere for all during the evening hours.

Aging eyes have difficulty seeing contrasts, especially at night, so illuminate features on your land including trees and structures, with a close attention to detail on walkways and steps. It is also important to highlight seating areas throughout your yard, garden, or deck area - uplighting and downlighting lend favorable for this task and aid in indicating a place to rest.

Time To Get Started!

Your vision, our expertise. Call an Expert today at 866.344.3875 and we'll be happy to assist in creating a space you're proud of!