Add more space in your home by installing outdoor lights in your yard, so you can use this space even at night. Many homeowners fail to see the many benefits that come from adding outdoor lighting in their backyards. When you go beyond installing a light bulb at the doorway, you actually transform a wide space into a new “room” where you can relax after work, entertain guests, and spend quality time with your family. Here are some tips to help you choose the right outdoor lighting and properly install your light fixtures so that you can transform your yard into a usable outdoor space any time of the day.

Choosing Outdoor Lights

Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, have become a popular choice for outdoor lighting. These lights are preferred by most homeowners because of their style, design, and effect. When lighting your outdoor space, the goal is not to emit large amount of light, but to highlight particular areas and features that will help create a warm and inviting ambience.

Another outdoor lighting option would be a reflector light. This type of light casts a lot of light, unlike LED lights. In terms of energy consumption, a reflector light uses a 35-watt lamp while an LED only uses one watt. Another advantage of using LED lights is that they are programmable.

Low-voltage lighting is another favorite when it comes to outdoor lighting. While most homes utilize 120 volts of power, low-voltage lighting only uses about 12 volts, so there is no need for deep trenches that will hold the wiring. Low-voltage lights are quite versatile and can be used either for down-lighting or up-lighting

Additional Outdoor Lighting Options

Add charm in your evening landscape with artisan lights to illuminate a pathway or light a dining area. For a dramatic and eye-catching appeal, install a spotlight to feature a sparkling fountain. There are several small-sized spotlights available in the market, some are designed specifically for underwater lighting. Brightly colored Chinese lanterns add a festive oriental touch, while sheer globe lights create a soft romantic ambiance.

Installing Outdoor Lights

When installing outdoor landscape lighting around trees, avoid mounting them directly onto the trees with nails or screws. Driving nails or screws into growing trees would cause injury to the trees and this would trigger a healing response, similar to scar tissue that forms over a wound. If not monitored properly, the tree would eventually grow around the light fixture.

A better option for installing light fixtures onto trees is to use a strap device which is made of cloth or a nylon-type product that has a clip device which can be adjusted throughout the life of the tree.

You can also up-light using on-ground lights and avoid the dreaded "glare in the eye" hazard, or with an in-ground light. This type of lighting can also be adjusted to up-light and highlight the structure of trees.

When you take the time to carefully plan and select the your outdoor lighting, you do more than just add light, you add a safe and beautiful living space outside your home that you, your family, and your friends can all enjoy. Keep these tips in mind when looking for your landscape lighting fixtures and installing them out in your yard and be happy with the results!

Joan Silver is a known lighting expert from Capitol Lighting (1800lighting.com) and a fan of all things “lighting”. She currently provides customers and designers with robust information on their lighting needs.