Outdoor Lighting Design Techniques and Tips

Area Lighting: Placement of fixtures to illuminate a large area without accentuating any particular object.

Cross Lighting: Intentional intersection of light beams at pre-determined angles to create depth from the interplay of light and shadows.

Down Lighting: Placement of lighting to illuminate an area or architectural element below the fixture.

Mirror Lighting: Placement of fixtures to illuminate an object which is reflected on the surface of a nearby pool, pond or other water feature. This technique creates a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

Moon Lighting: Placement of fixtures in tree branches to create a moonlit effect. Lights create shadows that produce a variety of patterns on ground surfaces.

Pathway Lighting: Placement of fixtures to project light onto a walkway to help illuminate the walking surface.

Security Lighting: Strategic placement of fixtures to create no-glare illumination for optimal security.

Shadowing: Placement of fixtures behind landscape and structural features to create dramatic contrast with light and shadow.

Silhouetting: Backlighting of an area to enhance and display an architectural detail or landscaping object.

Spot Lighting: Placement of fixtures to illuminate a specific feature or object.

Step Lighting: Placement of fixtures to illuminate a step or group of steps to increase visibility and safety.

Up Lighting: Placement of fixtures at ground level to illuminate upwards. This technique dramatically highlights architectural and landscape elements by accentuating texture, size, color and other features.

Wall-Washer Lighting: Placement of fixtures that create a soft illumination which accent the textures of the wall surfaces.

Water/Pond Lighting: Placement of underwater fixtures that add general illumination of the area or light specific underwater objects