Planning for outdoor lighting should start before digging up yards. If possible, already at the design stage of the house. In this article we will discuss the design of outdoor lighting.
OUTDOOR LIGHTING DESIGN IS IMPORTANT
Our expert advice on outdoor lighting design will help you plan your yard lighting and give your outdoor space a professional look with simple tips.
When you know about outdoor lighting design, you will have a better understanding of how to design your own yard lighting. Not just to add atmosphere, but the right outdoor lighting can make a huge difference to the look and feel of an outdoor space. It can highlight the stunning features of your house, allow you to feel comfortable and safe on the road. It can also change how often you’re out in your yard – you can stay outside long into autumn, not to mention a beautifully lit yard to look out your window.
But how do you plan your outdoor lighting correctly? Especially with so many outdoor lighting products to choose from? Directional spotlights, outdoor floor lamps and stripstrip lights are all very attractive, but they create very different effects, so it’s worth thinking about what you want to achieve with lighting.
Of course, your outdoor lighting dreams of gorgeous details may be very special ideas you’ve seen around the world, but remember that not all ideas that work in warm countries will work in Finland, unfortunately. snow, ice and rain. On the plus side, of course, there’s plenty of darkness to light.
You can also get a fancy lighting system to take care of the lighting. You can control everything with your smartphone, such as Philips HUE or Homeassistant. Is this a job for a lighting designer or something you can design and install yourself? Want to know more? All you have to do is read on.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF OUTDOOR LIGHTING DESIGN?
When choosing the best outdoor lighting for your home, the buildings, environment and safety all play a part in good outdoor lighting design. The more we use our outdoor spaces, the more important design becomes.
Good general lighting is key for safe barbecues, reading and hanging out with friends. Children will also play longer in a well-lit yard. Outdoor lighting helps you to avoid tripping on steps and slopes and makes it easy to distinguish different levels of a yard or terrace. Good fixed and adjustable spotlights, spotlights, recessed patio lights are made for courtyard lighting.
Background lighting, such as the use of ground spike lights or LED strips to indirectly light surfaces, adds to the atmosphere. Bringing soft, usually warm light into the darkness encourages guests to stay and relax longer. Two-way wall lights wash the walls with light, while the autumnal dripping leaves soften and create a warm, cosy glow.
Outdoor pendant lights on patio furniture or coffee tables also provide a continuation of dark evenings. A few earthenware lamps among the shrubs or illuminating a tree create eye-catchers in the garden.
Lighting brings peace of mind and helps deter intruders. For example, in the yard of a house in a more remote location, security is created by light, for example, to see if there is a wild animal in the yard. There are many options to choose from, from wall and ceiling installations to bollards along paths. Of course, these lights don’t have to be on all the time – and your neighbours might not like them – so you should also consider separate motion sensors and, of course, a dimmer switch that automatically turns on the lights when it gets dark.
DESIGNING OUTDOOR LIGHTING ACCORDING TO YOUR YARD
The starting point for outdoor lighting design is knowing your site and understanding the compatibility of different spaces. Decide which areas you want to illuminate, which are the most important highlights in the house and focus on them. If you have a preliminary garden plan, all the better.
One way is to walk around the space and make a list of the areas to be lit. Your main priority may be to use great patio lighting ideas, but don’t forget to consider the views from inside your home too! Think about lighting a focal point in your garden, such as a tree or a rock. You can also use ground spike lights to add indirect light to your outdoor dining area by placing them in the surrounding planters.
Changes in the level or surface of a terrace also need a small amount of light to work safely, while larger open areas, such as the edge of a lawn, can be lit with wider lights to create layers. Decorative highlights such as retaining walls and planting ponds can also be creatively illuminated stripLED striplighting.
There is one important point to remember when designing outdoor lighting. Less is more. A smaller amount of outdoor lighting is more efficient. Too many outdoor lights or too bright lights will simply cause a headache, while a few well-chosen and well-placed light sources will create a subtle, calm look.
OUTDOOR LIGHTING FOR A DETACHED HOUSE
Good outdoor lighting design is all about creating atmosphere. Playing with light points to create different effects is spectacular, but did you know that it can also affect the use of outdoor space? As humans, we tend to focus on light, so it makes perfect sense to light outdoor spaces in a warm, inviting glow.
There are many ways to do this, and they are also suitable for every budget. Combining pergola ideas with inexpensive Christmas lights from the market or adding twinkling lanterns from Ikea are extremely simple ideas that instantly create a magical atmosphere.
For a sleek, contemporary look that goes perfectly with modern courtyard ideas, try a more permanent installation. Ground lights lighting the foliage and trunks of trees or shrubs, or LED strips around the edges of planter boxes, create a soft, gentle light. For added drama and depth, add light strips hidden under fixed seats and deck lights on the terrace. Lighted coffee tables and planting tables also add to the fun party atmosphere. So, when planning a terrace, you also plan the outdoor lighting!
The colours and shades of lighting play a major role in the atmosphere of an area. Warm tones, ranging from soft white light to deeper golden hues, encourage you to relax and linger, while bold, cooler shades of blue, green and purple create drama and mystery. The colours give an artistic effect, a party or maybe a Halloween vibe, but definitely not suitable for a casual outdoor dinner.
Many smart lighting systems, such as Zigbee (e.g. Phillips Hue), have the ability to select and change colours, perfect for endless experimentation. It is also worth knowing that LED lights come in a wide range of “white” shades. This is called the colour temperature – these range from blue-white (6500K), ideal for highlighting sharp architectural details, to warm white (2500K), reminiscent of the glow of a fireplace. Nowadays, our light range includes LED strip lights and spotlights that are freely adjustable for light colour temperature with Zigbee or DALI.
OUTDOOR LIGHTING DESIGN TO HIGHLIGHT THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR YARD
If you want to showcase a sculpture, a tree or an elegant wall panel, light it up. It’s the perfect way to enjoy it 24/7 and also look at it in a slightly different way. LED SPIKE or LED PILLAR TILT garden lights can be tilted to illuminate trees and shrubs. Lights vary in dimension (lumens), beam width and can create very different effects. One spotlight will do the job, but two or three spotlights placed at different angles will create a more rounded and elegant result.
Wall and surface mounted down lights are also useful, and look best used in pairs, groups of three. Outdoor lighting models vary in beam width, reach and angle, and some even allow you to adjust these. One such freely adjustable up/down light is the FUNK WALL. You can adjust the angle of the light to achieve the look you want.
INDIRECT LIGHTING OUTDOORS
Thanks to the arrival of LEDs (Light Emitting Diode, in case you didn’t know), there are endless possibilities to choose from for your garden. The range is huge and the most popular category for outdoor lighting is the CCT LED strip lights. Thanks to the temperature control, the temperature of the light is always right. Another good thing about using LEDs outdoors is their resistance to cold. In fact, LEDs do not tend to “die” at all, but they gradually dim over time, which takes several years. The beauty of this long-life light source is that its small size allows it to be used in many ways and it can be easily hidden.
Popular in outdoor lighting design, low-profile LED strip lighting is a great way to add dimension to your stair ideas, as it sits discreetly under the stairs and lights the surface below, creating indirect light. This idea works equally well with fixed tables and benches. The most popular place is on the front edge of the terrace and on the eaves, lighting the whole house.
For wall lighting, wall lights that provide indirect light along the surface are recommended. Lights where the light is coming straight ahead cause glare, making it difficult to see. When bright light comes directly into the eye, everything around you becomes darker. When outdoor lighting creates an even, non glaring light, the eye becomes accustomed to the light level and it becomes easier to see.
Small recessed LED lights are also an interesting choice, as they emit light directly upwards or to the sides, creating beautiful light patterns on the terrace surface. Find more outdoor lighting inspiration in our gallery.
USE INDOOR LIGHTING ALSO IN THE YARD
Soft, moody lighting is every interior designer’s best tool for making a room feel cosy, so why should outdoor spaces be any different? As more and more of us spend time designing new terrace ideas and patios, we need quality lighting to help us relax and entertain, and create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Look at the lamp and lighting styles you use indoors and bring them outdoors. This way we make sure that the same style is harmoniously outdoors. Nowadays we build a lot of sheltered canopies in the yard, under which we gather for evening parties in the later summer, so why not bring similar LED strip lighting outside?
Of course, moisture protection is important and you should only choose outdoor lights that are designed to last outdoors. IP44 is really good for weather resistance, but IP21 will do for a roof on a sheltered terrace. If you are installing a light in a pond, it should be IP44 or preferably IP65 to make it weatherproof. “Use stainless materials for outdoor lighting, such as powder-coated aluminium, stainless steel.” Janne Halttu’s guides.
IMPROVE THE SECURITY OF YOUR HOME WITH OUTDOOR LIGHTING
Good outdoor lighting can reassure and deter intruders if it is well chosen and carefully placed. There are several types of motion sensors available, where a micro-vibration or infrared sensor detects motion and switches on the lights connected on the sensor. These sensors can therefore be used to make any light fixture into a motion sensor for a yard light.
Directional floodlights (FLOOD) are another option, and are ideal for illuminating the back or sides of your home. However, they are usually very effective, so place and tilt them carefully to avoid annoying your neighbours. Indirect wall lights are more atmospheric and cause less glare, making it easier to see around the yard.
Careful placement is key to assessing the effectiveness of these lights. A good outdoor luminaire produces at least 700-1300 lumens. You should place the luminaire close to the access point to your home or backyard. Fix the lamp to the ground, with the light source downwards and in a position where the light can fill most of the illuminated area without glare.
Front doors and porches are easy places to start planning outdoor lighting. If you have an entrance porch, we recommend discreet spotlights, otherwise wall lights or surface washing pole-mounted narrow angle lights will create an inviting impression. In a modern house, a linear LED striplight can be boldly installed vertically on the wall or as a line on the ceiling.
The side corridors and large glass surfaces of the house can all be illuminated with stylish wall lights, recessed walkway lights on the walls or a series of recessed up-lighting terrace lights. Carports can be lit with spotlights or, again in a modern way, with LED strip lighting, in lines on the ceiling, creating a parking square with light on the ceiling.
Driveways, especially if they are long, can also benefit from their own lighting. Regularly placed bollards, poles or ground markers will help guide your home and eliminate black spots, just don’t overdo it and install them so they don’t dazzle. Unfortunately, in Finland, small recessed lights do not work in winter in driveways, but in a paved yard a LED strip light can still be embedded in a retaining wall, for example. “Our outdoor lighting design takes into account the Finnish winter” – says Janne Halttu, and continues “Similarly, the selection of products takes into account the northern conditions.”
Many lights can also be synchronised with a wider smart home security system, allowing you to monitor your home via your smartphone or other device. For added security when you’re at home or away, you can turn individual lights on or off, or set them to turn on as part of a more complex, timed (e.g. Zigbee, Philips HUE) programme. Combine lighting with the best outdoor surveillance cameras and you’ll always have complete peace of mind.
SMART HOME AS PART OF OUTDOOR LIGHTING DESIGN
We have already referred to intelligent lighting a few times. There is something very satisfying about remote control and modification of yard lighting, and it is now very popular even in cottages. Whether you want to impress your friends or have the lights ready for when you get home, this feature is easy to add to any lighting system at a low cost.
So if you want a more comprehensive yard lighting system, try Zigbee. Choose your own wall lights, spotlights, bollards, connect them in desired groups to Zigbee receivers and use them to illuminate your outdoor space. When connected to a smart home HUB/Centre, you can control them via an app.
As well as changing the look of your lighting, you can also switch smart outdoor lights on and off remotely, program them with timer settings or set them to activate with a motion sensor.
INSTALLING THE OUTDOOR LIGHTS YOURSELF
Once the outdoor lighting design is done, the installation begins. Whether you can install outdoor lighting yourself or whether you need a professional depends largely on the luminaires. Battery-powered lights and solar lamps are of course without wires – so they can simply be put in place with very little effort – but things get a little more complicated when it comes to more permanent, wired installations.
In Finland, there are basically two types of outdoor lighting: low voltage, 12 to 24 volts, which is usually found in light fittings, or high voltage, 230 volts, which is usually found in individual luminaires. The lower voltage means that a competent resident can often install the lighting system themselves, as long as it complies with current regulations. These light kits usually come with a transformer , pre-waterproof connectors and cables that can be installed just below the ground. Examples of self-installing outdoor lights:
- Led strip with transformer
- Led light sets with transformer
The installation of 230-volt lighting is a job for a professional. Retrofitting is also often difficult, as the cables have to be dug at least 50 cm deep into the ground. In new developments, the installation and laying of cables can usually be easily done in conjunction with other construction work. So plan your outdoor lighting as early as possible, or leave a reserve of cables in the yard for easy installation the following year when you do the landscaping.
OUTDOOR LIGHTING OF AN OLD HOUSE
For outdoor lighting in an old house, it’s a good idea to start by upgrading your wall lights to new LED outdoor lights. In addition, if you are not doing a major yard renovation, I would start with the use of LED strip lights on the terrace. Terrace handrails and stairs can usually be easily retrofitted. By the way, the design of the exterior lighting of an old house is no different from a new one.
WHAT DOES OUTDOOR LIGHTING COST?
Are you ready to design a lighting plan for your yard? Then you are probably wondering how much does outdoor lighting cost? The cost of outdoor lighting is difficult to estimate in advance, as it is hugely influenced by the scale of the site and the amount of light.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF OUTDOOR LIGHTING AND THEIR USE IN OUTDOOR LIGHTING DESIGN
Finally, here is a summary of the types of lighting used in outdoor lighting. By choosing the right luminaires when designing your outdoor lighting, you can create a functional and beautiful outdoor lighting system that will enhance your home and landscape.
Floodlights: floodlights produce wide spots of light. They are used to illuminate large areas such as courtyards and driveways. They are typically installed on columns or the sides of buildings and can be used for security or to highlight features of the home. EMPLOYMENT
Spotlights: spotlights are directional lights used to highlight specific features or areas. They can be mounted on columns or on the sides of buildings and are often used to highlight architectural details or landscape features. SPIKE.
Stair lights: stair lights are small, low-level lights used to light stairs and corridors. They can be embedded in the sides of staircases or mounted on the walls of buildings to help people navigate safely in the dark. INWALL
Wall lights: wall luminaires are lights mounted on the walls of buildings. They can be used for general lighting or to highlight specific features of your home. VIISTO
Column lights: column lights are lights mounted on poles. They can be used for general lighting or to highlight specific features of your home. FUNK-WALL
Bollard lights: bollard lights are short, solid lights used to provide low-level illumination. They are often placed along paths or around landscaped areas. PILLAR TILT
Patio lights: patio lights are small lights mounted on the sides of patio decks. They can be used for general lighting or to highlight specific features on the deck, such as railings or stairs. TERRACE SECTOR
Pendant lights: pendant lights are decorative lights that are often used to add atmosphere to outdoor spaces. They can be hung from the roof of a porch or covered terrace.
Chain lights: chain lights are small, decorative lights that are often used to add a festive atmosphere to outdoor spaces. They can be hung on trees, pergolas or the sides of buildings, and come in many styles and colours.
Some other outdoor lighting design articles:
Outdoor lighting design – Consider these points
Led outdoor lights for outdoor lighting
Led lighting expert
LedStore has been an expert in LED lighting and lighting design since 2010. We have our own product design, so our products are technologically state-of-the-art. We are also very familiar with outdoor lighting design.
We focus on light colour temperature controlled and high colour rendering index lights. We do around 500 lighting designs for our clients’ sites. Read more here or order a lighting design
We offer a service of custom-made LED strips, i.e. custom-made LED strips in aluminium profile. Also installed. Did you know? LedStore offers lighting design from 99 euros for the whole house!
Remember that we are always ready to offer our help to you along the way, by email (myynti@ledstore.fi) and by phone (045 251 4510). As always, feel free to share photos of your own projects on social media at ledstore.fi at Instagram and ledstore.fi at Meta. We love to see the cool things done by our LEDs, and it also helps to provide inspiration for those who are not sure about the power and awesomeness of LEDs. Did you know that we already have over 3500 pictures of our LED installations in our Gallery!
Photo gallery of Led lights to help you design your outdoor lighting:
Product gallery: Pictures of products in different installation locations
Indirect light: Indirect light in different spaces
Room-specific: Light in different rooms
References: Complete houses that have been photographed
