Lighting Design Techniques
Light up your Landscape!
Enjoy the beauty of your home & gardens . . . Even when the sun goes down.
Spread Lighting
Spread lights produce circular patterns of illumination for general area lighting. Ground fixtures are effective for ground covers, perennials or low shrubs. To take full advantage of the effect, the bulb should not be visible to the viewer’s eye.
Path Lighting
Path lighting fixtures utilize spread lighting and must shield the bulb or they will compromise their usefulness by “blinding” the pedestrian who is depending on them. This is accomplished by keeping the fixture below eye level.
Floraform Fixtures
The natural form and colors of the “Flora” type fixtures can enhance the lighting of the garden while adding a decorative detail during the daylight hours. Like any garden sculpture or ornamentation, theme lighting should be used carefully and sparingly.
MoonLighting
The effect of moonlight filtering through the tree canopy creates a pleasing effect on the plantings, decks, parking and walk areas. With fixtures carefully placed within the tree canopy, both the tree and ground surfaces may be beautifully illuminated.
Up-Lighting for Directional Viewing
When a lighted object can be seen from one direction only, above grade accent lighting fixtures are ideal. Fixtures should be aimed away from observers and concealed from view in daylight.
Up-Lighting for All-Around Viewing
If the lighted object may be seen from any direction, well-lights are the logical choice. These in-ground up-lighting fixtures naturally reduce the potential for glare since the lamp is located low in the fixture’s housing.
Silhouette
Trees and shrubs with interesting branch structures are dramatic when silhouetted against a wall or building façade. This combination of landscape and façade lighting provides additional security near the building as well.
Highlighting
Special objects such as sculpture, water features or specimen shrubs should be highlighted with spot or flood lighting for the specific piece. It is important to eliminate possible glare from the bulb and insure the level of lighting balances within the overall garden illumination.