Illuminating your home and yard with subtle low-voltage lighting will not only enhance the property’s curb appeal but also improve its safety. Even if your yard is fairly small, though, getting started may seem a little intimidating. Thankfully, you can ensure the final product looks stunning by knowing what to do—and what to avoid.

Do:

Prioritize structures.

The primary focus of a property should always be the structures on it. This includes the house itself as well as any detached garages, greenhouses, and water features. Once you’ve decided how to illuminate these, devising a plan for lighting up the rest of the property should be fairly straightforward and is just a matter of complementing the structures. 

Layer the lighting.

Choosing spotlights with varying levels of brightness and positioning them around the same subject at different angles will add some depth to the overall landscaping design. Just make sure to avoid grouping too many spotlights on one subject. You want the effect to be subtle and cohesive, not busy and distracting. 

Don’t:

Use straight lines.

Placing your low-voltage lighting in a straight line to illuminate your walkways may not produce the warm and welcoming effect you’re trying to achieve. Instead, it can end up looking like a runway at an airport. Consider alternating lights on each side so there’s more of a staggered zig-zag pattern instead.

Overdo it.

When it comes to landscape lighting, less is almost always more. To avoid overwhelming onlookers, place spotlights only where they’re needed, and don’t worry about illuminating every square foot of the property. 

For help installing low-voltage lighting around your property, turn to Steve Hinesley and Co. Inc. Based in Asheboro, NC, this family-owned and -operated business provides comprehensive landscaping services for residential and commercial clients throughout the Piedmont Triad area. You can turn to their talented team for help with everything from tree trimming to lawn care and save money with a 12-month contract. To see some of their past projects, visit their website, then call (336) 629-3779 or (336) 886-9542 to discuss your low-voltage lighting needs.