How to Design Outdoor Lighting

A porch light is part of an outdoor-lighting system.

According to House-Energy.com, homeowners should think about how they want their outdoor lighting design to meet their aesthetic and day-to-day needs. For example, homeowners who want to beef up security around their home can think about installing lights near their driveway and front door. If showcasing an ornamental plant interests you, then placing a light that shines on an attractive tree can create a dappled light over the lawn. In creating a plan, be clear about how you want your outdoor lighting design to benefit you.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Graph paper

Instructions

1. Draw a diagram on your property on a piece of graph paper. Create a key at the bottom that designates a square to a measurement. For example, one square equals one square foot. Indicate on the diagram immovable objects such as your home, swimming pool, driveway, bushes, large trees and sheds.

2. Mark on the map areas that need to be illuminated for safety, entertaining and to draw attention to a focal point such as a fountain. Types of lighting are based on their purpose. Path lighting follows a deck, driveway or pathway. Uplighting is used for interesting architectural features or large trees. Backlighting is used to create silhouettes of your garden. Downlighting casts light from a tree or outdoor structure. Spotlighting is used to create small focal points on objects like flagpoles.

3. Walk around your yard to look for energy sources. Any lighting around the perimeters of the home or on top of the house can use the outdoor outlets. You may find outlets on the deck or in other areas of the yard. Often, cable must be run underground from an energy source to a light.

4. Call local authorities to find out if there are any rules or regulations for outdoor lighting. And The International Dark-Sky Association, based in Tucson, Arizona, suggests keeping all light from your lighting within the borders of your property -- don't position them pointing up at nothing, or pointing too far out.

5. Take your diagram to a hardware store to use when purchasing lights and controls. Controls can help you place your lights on a timer in order to prevent their use while you are sleeping or gone.

Tips & Warnings

• Use colored bulbs during the holidays to create a festive atmosphere.

• Avoid any lighting that is not specifically made for using outdoors.

References

• International Dark-Sky Association: Simple Guidelines
• House-Energy: Landscape Lighting Design