The Ultimate Guide on Where to Place Landscape Lighting for Energy Efficiency
When it comes to landscape lighting, strategic placement can turn your garden, yard, or exterior space from “pretty at dusk” into an inviting, functional, and beautiful place all night long.
The right locations and lighting techniques not only enhance aesthetics but also improve safety, highlight features, and extend the usability of outdoor areas after dark. At Left Coast Electric, we help business and homeowners in Santa Barbara plan and install landscape lighting that looks great and works well.
Why Placement Matters
- Aesthetic balance: Good placement allows light to accentuate textures, shapes, and features, rather than highlighting everything and washing them out.
- Safety & usability: Walkways, steps, and patios require sufficient lighting so people can move safely without tripping.
- Minimised glare and light pollution: If fixtures are placed poorly, they glare into eyes or into neighbours’ windows, or light spills where it’s not wanted.
- Energy efficiency: Fewer, well-placed lights can often do more – and use less power – than many lights placed randomly.
Key Places to Consider for Landscape Lighting
Below are ideal zones or features on your property to consider for lighting placement, along with some tips on how to do so effectively.
| Walkways, paths, stairs, ramps | Place low-level fixtures along edges or beside steps, recessed or wall-mounted where possible. Angle lights down to reduce glare and ensure you can see each step clearly. Keep spacing consistent so there are no overly dark patches or over-lit ones. | Path lights, recessed step lights, bollard lights. Downlights from trees or nearby structures if possible. |
| Entrances, doorways, building facade | Focus lighting to highlight architectural features like door frames, columns, textures (stone, brick), signage. Use uplights from base if highlighting tall features; or wash-lighting across walls to reveal texture. | Uplights, wall-wash lights, spotlights. Fixtures that cast soft shadows can also help add drama. |
| Trees, shrubs, large plants | Use uplighting (light from ground up) to show trunks and canopy. For larger trees, "moonlighting" (placing lights high in the tree, aiming downward) creates pleasant ambient glow with shadow play. Don't put fixtures too close - leave some distance to allow the light to spread and avoid harsh shadows. | Spotlights, well-lights, tree-mounted or pole-mounted downlights. Use wider beam spreads for large canopies. |
| Water features, fountains, ponds | Lighting from edges or slightly underneath (safe waterproof fixtures) can bring out the reflection and movement of water. Also helps with safety around wet surfaces. | Submersible or waterproof lights, accent fixtures, LED strips for rim lighting. Use soft lights to avoid glare. |
| Hardscape elements & decorative features (walls, statues, pergolas, fences) | Light from base (uplighting) or from structures above (downlighting) to show texture or silhouette. For decorative features, backlighting or washing techniques can add visual interest. Hide fixtures so you see the effect, not the light source. | Well-lights, floodlights with wide beams, hidden recessed fixtures. Use narrow beams when highlighting small decorative pieces. |
| Patios, decks, entertainment zones | Place lighting overhead, under railings, or from nearby structures to provide ambient light without harsh direct glare. Lighting from above or from trees helps make space usable at night while preserving atmosphere. | Downlights (mounted in trees or house eaves), pendant or wall lights, integrated step lights. Consider dimmable LED fixtures. |
Lighting Techniques & Tips for Placement
Here are techniques and “rules of thumb” to help your landscape lighting truly shine:
- Layer your lighting
Use multiple layers: ambient/general lighting, accent lighting for features, path/task lighting for safety and function. This creates depth and visual interest. - Mind angles and beam spread
The angle at which the light is aimed matters. Too steep and you get glare; too flat and you’ll wash out textures. Use fixtures with adjustable heads and experiment before permanent installation. - Keep light sources hidden or shielded
You want to see the pools of light and shadows, not glaring fixtures. Placement behind shrubs, under ledges, or using fixtures with shields helps. - Use warm colour temperatures for an inviting ambience
Warm white (≈ 2700-3500 K) tends to feel cosy and inviting, especially for residential lighting/property lighting. Cooler whites are sometimes used for architectural or modern features, but must be used carefully. - Test at night before final install
Move the lights temporarily (use stakes) and view the effect in darkness from multiple vantage points, such as the driveway, house windows, neighbour’s view, and walking paths. See where shadows or glare occur. - Avoid over-lighting
More lighting is not always better. Too much brightness can detract from the beauty of the landscape, create glare, increase energy consumption, and even compromise safety by reducing visual contrast.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
To make sure your landscape lighting is both beautiful and practical, watch out for these pitfalls:
- Placing fixtures too close to plants or surfaces causes harsh glare or hotspots.
- Orienting lights so they shine into windows, cars, or people’s eyes.
- Using inconsistent styles or color temperatures makes the design look disjointed.
- Choosing fixtures or wiring without proper weatherproofing or outdoor ratings can lead to damage or maintenance issues.
- Forgetting maintenance access (e.g., replacing bulbs, cleaning lenses): invisible fixtures aren’t useful if they can’t be serviced.
Working with Left Coast Electric: How We Help
At Left Coast Electric, we assist in every stage of landscape lighting, ensuring placement is optimised for your specific yard, style, and lighting goals:
- Design & layout planning: We evaluate your property’s features, walkways, trees, and hardscaping, and advise on placement before installation.
- Fixture selection: We source weather-rated fixtures with adjustable heads, shielding, and appropriate lumen and color temperature.
- Installation: We provide proper, safe wiring, transformer placement, and power installation, ensuring compliance with local codes.
- Finishing touches: aiming, testing, adjusting so you get the effect you want – not just lamps for lamps’ sake.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know where to place landscape lighting in my yard?
While DIY may seem cheaper, mistakes can lead to fires, injuries, or code violatioPlacement depends on your goals – whether it’s highlighting features like trees or pathways, improving safety, or creating ambience. A professional electrician can design a layout tailored to your property, ensuring balance and effectiveness.ns that cost far more than hiring a professional.
What is the best type of lighting for walkways and steps?
Low-voltage path lights, bollards, and recessed step lights work best for walkways and stairs. They provide clear visibility without glare, guiding people safely through outdoor spaces.
Can I highlight trees and plants without causing glare?
Yes, by positioning uplights a short distance away from the base and angling them correctly, you can illuminate trunks and canopies beautifully. Shielded fixtures also help minimise glare while enhancing natural features.
Is LED lighting a good choice for landscape lighting?
Absolutely. LED lights are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and available in different brightness levels and color temperatures. They’re perfect for outdoor environments and require less maintenance than traditional bulbs.
Should I install landscape lighting myself or hire a professional?
While simple solar lights can be DIY, wired landscape lighting should be installed by a licensed electrician. This ensures proper wiring, safety, and compliance with electrical codes while achieving the best lighting design.