Landscape lighting is the general term used to describe a wide variety of outdoor lighting fixtures. Easy-to-install landscape lighting fixtures are commonly used to illuminate walkways, trees, fences, driveways, flowerbeds, front entryways and other key architectural and yardscaping features. However, the value of landscape lighting goes beyond aesthetics: Exterior lighting adds a level of security and safety at night. It's also a great way to distinguish your homes from those that don't have an outdoor lighting system. Major landscape lighting manufacturers include Hanover Lantern, Sea Gull Lighting, Progress Lighting, Thomas Lighting, Cooper Lighting and Malibu.

Progress Lighting path light, Model P5208

Landscape Lighting Systems
When evaluating landscape lighting systems, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the fanciful fixtures and to lose sight of the other, equally important components. Here's a detailed look at the three key elements that go into any attractive, well-designed landscape lighting scheme: power source, lighting function, and fixture style.

Power Source There are two basic landscape lighting systems: low-voltage and line voltage. In a low-voltage system, a transformer is used to step down 120-volt house current to just 12 volts. The fixtures are connected to the transformer with 12-gauge cable, which is buried a few inches into the ground. Transformers come in various capacities and must be large enough to power all the lights in the system. For example, a 200-watt transformer is sufficient for a string of ten 18-watt light fixtures (10 x 18 = 180 watts). A large, elaborate lighting plan might require more than one transformer. Note that the transformer must be plugged into a GFCI-protected electrical outlet fitted with a while-in-use cover.

Line-voltage systems are connected directly to the home's 120-volt electrical system. In most cases, a separate, dedicated electrical circuit is required. Be aware that fixtures designed for low-voltage systems can't be used on a line-voltage system, and vice versa. Most professional lighting designers and contractors prefer to install line-voltage systems, but low-voltage lighting is growing in popularity, mostly because it's less expensive to purchase, and safer and easier to install.

Both systems accept photocells that automatically turn the lights on at dusk and off at dawn. And motion detectors are also available, which turn on specific fixtures if someone passes by.

Landscape Lighting Fixtures
Fixture types Landscape lighting fixtures come in dozens of different shapes and sizes, but less obvious is that they're also designed to perform a variety of specific tasks or functions. Here's a look at the most commonly used fixtures:

Pathway lights are the most widely used landscape lighting fixtures; they typically have a long shaft fitted with a down-facing head. As its name implies, pathlight fixtures are designed to light up pathways, sidewalks and driveways. Recommended spacing is 8 to 10 feet apart.

Sea Gull directional outdoor light fixture, copper finish

Down-light fixtures are typically tucked away high in trees and are aimed down to dramatically illuminate the tree and surrounding vegetation. Up-light fixtures are placed at the foot of trees, shrubs, statues and other tall vertical objects. They shine a bright beam of light upward for dramatic affect.

Wall-wash light fixtures have large heads that shine a wide, soft beam of light. These versatile outdoor light fixtures are used to highlight stone walls, fences, trellis, hedgerows and other broad, vertical surfaces.

Spotlights and floodlights are used to illuminate larger areas and are particularly well suited for lighting up entryways, garage doors and other points of entry; just be sure to aim the lights at an angle so they don't shine directly into the house.

Well lights are fully enclosed in a cylinder-shaped housing and are designed to be buried flush with the ground. These unique fixtures can be placed around trees, in patios or along the front of a wall or fence line.

Fixture Styles Picking the best-looking landscape fixtures for a particular home is a job best left to a professional lighting designer. Fortunately there are dozens of models to choose from, making it easy to find the right landscape lighting fixture for any home, regardless of its architecture or the size of its yard.

Pathway lights come in the greatest variety of shapes, sizes, and finishes. And that makes sense since they're usually highly visible. Some of the most popular pathway lights resemble long-stem flowers; light spills from their down-turned heads. There are landscape lighting fixture styles to directly complement specific architectural styles, such as Prairie, Contemporary, Victorian and Colonial.

Hard-working accent lights, such as well lights and down lights, are mostly hidden from view so aesthetics aren't usually a concern.

Landscape lights come in several finishes, including bright copper, aged bronze, verdigris, classic pewter finish and antique white. For outdoor light fixture finishes that blend into the surrounding landscape, choose black or dark green.

Additional Resources
American Lighting Association
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
International Association for Engergy-Efficient Lighting
International Association of Lighting Designers
National Association of Independent Lighting Designers
National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions