Want to illuminate your property with style and purpose? The key to crafting the perfect outdoor ambiance is to pinpoint your exact needs and then isolate and select the ideal light fixtures to fulfill those needs. Whether you hope to set a mood or light a path, merge form with function to bring your lighting vision to life.
Below, peruse a comprehensive list of different types of residential outdoor lights, along with brief descriptions:
Solar Lights
Outdoor solar lights are becoming increasingly popular because of their low operating and installation costs. They are the most accessible type to install because you don’t need to wire them to a power source; instead, they collect and use energy from the sun. They are available in a variety of styles, including path, post, security, landscaping, string, and decorative solar lights, to name just a few.
Wall Lights
Mount wall lights on exterior walls to illuminate entryways, patios, decks, or sheds to increase function and security in those areas at night. They are available in styles ranging from practical light fixtures to decorative lanterns. You may also find them as motion-sensor lights.
Ceiling Lights
We install these lights on or in the ceiling of covered patios, porches, or gazebos. True to their name, they provide general overhead lighting. They range from flush mounts to pendant lights.
Post Lights
Post lights can refer to a couple of different types of fixtures. You’ll find them set on the top of posts like bollard lights or lamp posts, or they can be post cap lights used on the top of deck posts for deck lighting. Shorter versions can line a walkway, while we use taller post lights as a general light source for a region of the yard.
Walkway and Pathway Lights
We use walkway lights, or path lights, to illuminate walkways in a yard. We also place them along a driveway, as perimeter lights for your garden, or to outline a particular landscape feature. Most styles are on a short post, but you can also find paver walkway lights flush with the walkway.
Paver Lights
Pavers are embedded in the ground, often flush with the surface they’re lighting. We might employ paver lighting to illuminate walkways, driveways, patios, and sometimes stairs. You’ll find them installed in the brick or stone of these surfaces and spaced to create a pleasant outdoor lighting design without overlighting the area.
In-Ground Lights
Paver lights are one style of in-ground lighting, but other styles, like bullet lights, can be used directly in the grass, garden, or other landscaped areas. We employ in-ground lights in various landscape lighting techniques, including uplighting, which directs light upwards to accent trees or other landscaping techniques for dramatic effect.
Garden Lights
Specifically designed to highlight and accentuate garden areas, these vegetation-oriented lights come in various forms, including simple stake lights you insert into the ground.
Step Lights
We often place step or stair lights to illuminate stairs so they are easier to see in the dark. However, you might also use step lights to emphasize a stone path through a terraced yard or garden. Either way, they can create an elegant look when used well.
Deck & Patio Lights
Deck and patio lights usually refer to small lights installed into decks, steps, or patio walls. They enhance safety by illuminating potential trip hazards and helping establish ambiance with subtle lighting.
String Lights
String lights are a row of lights connected to a power cord. Christmas lights are the most common type, but many other styles exist, some of which look entirely different. Globe or lantern string lights are popular, but you can find them in a wide range of additional themes. They are a great style of backyard lighting for a party.
Rope Lights
Rope lights are similar to string lights, except a translucent tube encloses the light, improving the rope’s flexibility and durability. We use rope lights to line areas like stairways, or they can be tucked under a structure (like a railing) so you don’t see the actual rope light. Instead, you enjoy the glow emanating from out of sight.
Umbrella Lights
You’ll find a couple of styles of patio umbrella lights available. One style looks like string lighting lining the arms on the underside of the umbrella; the other style is a single or double light that clips onto the upper part of the umbrella pole. They offer a warm yet functional glow for your deck or patio table.
Underwater Lights
True to their name, we employ underwater lights in or around water. Submersible lights can create a great look when used in a backyard water feature like a pond or a fountain.
Bollard Lights
Stout cousins of post lights, we use bollards to illuminate walkways and borders while employing them as physical barriers to cordon off certain areas, mainly motor vehicles.
Motion Sensor Lights
These lights turn on automatically when they detect movement, offering convenience, energy efficiency, and enhanced security. Whether you want to restrain your lighting to only when needed or you want your lighting to serve as a deterrent, motion-detecting lights provide great utility.
Spotlights
Use spotlights to focus a bright light beam on a narrow area or feature, such as trees, statues, or architectural details. Employ them with motion detection to startle intruders.
Floodlights
Similar to spotlights but with a broader beam, we use these lights for general illumination of large areas like driveways and backyards. Like spotlights, these lights pair well with motion detection for security purposes.
Landscape Accent Lights
We use these more subtle cousins of spotlights to accentuate landscape features without overwhelming them or washing out their features.
Each type of light offers distinct advantages. Try to isolate and select your lights with your specific needs and design preferences in mind.
If you feel overwhelmed with the range of lights available, start with the basics and proceed. You can always blend additional light sources into your composition later. Combining different types of lights can create a layered lighting effect to enhance the function and appeal of your outdoor living areas.