Landscape Lighting

Why Add Landscape Lighting?

Outdoor lighting transforms your property after dark. It extends the usable hours of your outdoor spaces, making patios and walkways safe and inviting after sunset. Good lighting also highlights the landscape features you've invested in, creating dramatic effects that simply aren't possible during the day.

Beyond aesthetics, landscape lighting improves safety and security. Well-lit pathways prevent trips and falls. Illuminated entrances deter intruders while welcoming guests. In Rancho Santa Margarita's pleasant evening climate, proper lighting means you can enjoy your outdoor spaces year-round, not just during daylight hours.

Professional landscape lighting design considers both function and beauty, creating a cohesive lighting plan that enhances your entire property.

Types of Landscape Lighting

Different lighting techniques create different effects. Here's what we use to design complete outdoor lighting systems:

Path and Area Lighting

Low-level lights along walkways and driveways ensure safe navigation after dark. These fixtures direct light downward, illuminating the path without creating glare. Path lights also define your landscape's circulation patterns, guiding visitors through your outdoor spaces.

Accent and Spotlight Lighting

Spotlights draw attention to focal points like specimen trees, architectural features, or water elements. Positioned correctly, they create dramatic shadows and highlights that add depth and interest to your nighttime landscape. This is where artistic lighting design really shows.

Deck and Patio Lighting

Built-in lighting for outdoor living areas provides ambient illumination for dining and entertaining. We incorporate step lights, post cap lights, and subtle under-rail lighting that creates atmosphere without harsh brightness. Good patio lighting makes your outdoor spaces as comfortable at night as during the day.

• Up-lighting for trees: Ground-mounted fixtures shine upward to highlight tree canopies and create dramatic silhouettes.
• Down-lighting (moonlighting): Lights mounted in trees cast natural-looking shadows on the ground below.
• Wall washing: Fixtures illuminate walls and fences, expanding perceived space and highlighting textures.
• Step and riser lighting: Built-in lights make stairs safer while adding sophisticated ambiance.

Modern LED Landscape Lighting

We install LED lighting exclusively for landscape applications. Here's why LEDs are the clear choice:

Energy Efficiency

LEDs use up to 80% less electricity than traditional incandescent landscape lights. They run cool, meaning less fire risk and less energy wasted as heat. For a typical landscape lighting system, this means running costs of just a few dollars per month instead of $20-30.

Longevity

Quality LED fixtures last 50,000+ hours. That's 15-20 years of typical use. You'll rarely need bulb replacements, reducing both maintenance hassles and long-term costs. The fixtures themselves are also more durable, with better weather resistance than older technologies.

Better Light Quality

Modern LEDs produce beautiful, consistent color that doesn't yellow or shift over time. You can choose warm whites for cozy ambiance or cooler tones for security lighting. The light quality is far superior to older halogen or incandescent options.

Landscape lighting works especially well when coordinated with hardscape features and overall landscape design to create complete outdoor living environments.

Frequently Asked Questions