Outdoor Lighting Ideas to Enhance Your Landscaping
- sublimesetuphousin
- 12 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Outdoor living spaces are an essential part of living in Orange County. Not only does the wonderful weather make hanging out in the great outdoors possible, but it can also extend your usable living space, making it ideal for smaller homes looking to expand the usable space.
However, for all their charm, once the sun goes down, the usability of these outdoor living spaces can decrease without proper lighting. By utilizing the right lighting options, you can turn your daytime hangout spot into a nighttime refuge, allowing you to enjoy the cooler weather as the sun goes down.
Not only does proper lighting extend the use of these outdoor spaces, but it can enhance the curb appeal of your home and make your outdoor space that much safer to use. In short, proper lighting is an essential part of landscaping design and can transform an outdoor space or garden into an all-day entertainment experience.
Functional Outdoor Lighting Ideas for Everyday Use
As we dive into the world of lighting, let’s start with the practical. Sure, decorative fixtures and lights have their place (yes, even fairy lights), but when it comes to lighting a space, starting with the functional options is always a good idea. From step and pathway lights to lighting for outdoor kitchens and even entry doors, there’s no shortage of lighting options for the exterior of your home.
1. Pathway Lights
Pathway lights blend together practicality and safety, while still remaining stylish. Nothing is more welcoming than a line of beautiful lights leading up to your home or winding through the garden. Plus, many walkway lights can be solar-powered, so you don’t have to worry about additional electricity costs, and they’ll even sense when the sun goes down for automatic lighting in your yard. What could be better than that?
2. Step Lights
If you have steps anywhere in your landscaping, a simple step light can work wonders. Step lights have a sleek, modern aesthetic and can help keep your steps from being a tripping hazard once the sun sets. If you have a deck with stairs, a porch leading up to the front of your home, or if your patio has several levels, step lights can not only improve the usability of the space, but they also bring a touch of elegance.
3. Task Lighting for BBQ & Outdoor Kitchens
You wouldn’t build an indoor kitchen without lighting, would you? The same goes for an outdoor BBQ or kitchen area. Not only do you need overhead lighting, but light placement is doubly important for these areas due to their functionality. You want to look into lights that illuminate workspaces and prep areas, as well as the grill or stove itself. Lights on the interior of cabinets or on nearby walls or posts can improve the nighttime use of the space and are a worthwhile investment.
As far as fixture styles go, you want to match the aesthetics of your landscaped space. If you have a modern design aesthetic, go for sleek, black, metallic fixtures. However, if you have a more rustic setting, look into fixtures that will work with your overall vibe choice. Of course, it’s important to remember that a single, sleek light can work in a wide range of areas, especially for prep work, so be sure to balance form and function when choosing lights for a heavy-use space.
4. Sconces by Entry Doors
Outdoor sconces by entry doors serve several purposes. First, they direct guests toward your home. Second, they provide a warm, welcoming aesthetic that gives guests a wonderful first impression of the space. After all, nothing is more daunting than approaching a house in the evening only to see all the lights are off, and the door is shrouded in darkness. Talk about the start to a Stephen King novel! Third, and finally, sconces allow you to see out onto your porch, providing light for security devices and letting you see any late-night guests before they get to your door.
Sconces are a more visible lighting choice, so choosing ones that match your architectural style is essential. Again, if you have a modern home, sleek, metallic sconces are a great go-to option. Conversely, warmer, lantern-like sconces work with a rustic or even Mediterranean home style. Take some time to see the other lighting fixtures around your house, and choose a style that fits accordingly. If you’re stumped or want a second opinion, we’re always happy to schedule a consultation.
Creating Atmosphere with Mood & Accent Lighting
Now that you have an idea of the lights you want in functional areas of your outdoor living space, let’s talk about the more fun parts of lighting. We’re talking dimmable lights, colored lights, lights for your trees (yes, fairy lights make another appearance), and of course, mood lighting. All of these light styles have their place in an Orange County landscaped area, and can turn a simple garden into a wonderland once the sun goes down.
1. Dimmable Dining Area Lights
Nothing ruins the mood like too bright lighting, which is where adjustable brightness lights come into play. Not only can you bring down the atmosphere for an al fresco dinner or group music session, but you can layer these lights with other, brighter points for an added decor dimension.
Dimmable lights, combined with choosing the right light color for your space, can really set the mood. When we say light color, we’re not just talking about lights that can turn into a rainbow display, though those lights have their place in an outdoor space. Light coolness levels can greatly impact a space.
Most outdoor areas should have warm lighting, unless you’re going for a very sterile or modern aesthetic. Warm lighting creates a comforting vibe and reminds you of natural light, helping wake up your guests without being jarring. Try and avoid blue light sources, as these can induce headaches and will create an artificial feeling in your space. Though if you desire your outdoor patio to invoke memories of a hospital room, feel free to use blue light sources.
2. Tree Lighting
Who doesn’t love a lit-up tree? Tree lights are not just for the winter holidays anymore. Adding tree lighting creates vertical space in your garden and extends the comfort of your outdoor living space. Not only is vertical appeal important for overall aesthetics, but it can also add a whimsical quality to your garden or patio, a win-win in our book. Plus, garden lights can showcase mature landscaping, drawing attention to a well-placed, fully grown tree or tall, thriving plant. Think of tree lights, when used correctly, as a more subdued spotlight, drawing the eye without overwhelming your visitors.
3. Mood Glow Lighting
Similar to dimmable light, mood glow lighting can really set the vibe in an area. Using dimmable or low-power and low-brightness light options in your lounging spaces and garden nooks can really elevate the space. On the other end of things, if you invest in multi-colored lights, you can change your light options to create an overall theme for your outdoor area, further cultivating the atmosphere. Whether you go for gentle, warm lighting or try and spice up your patio with RGB lights, mood glow lighting is a great landscaping idea to have in your back pocket.
4. Party String Lights
We couldn’t write about outdoor lighting without including fairy lights or party lights, could we? These casual lights are popular for a reason, and can be used for everything from patios and fences to pergolas and dining areas. The versatility of these light strings makes them one of the most versatile lighting options out there. If you’re looking to brighten a space with an easily removable and low-effort lighting option that will look great, party string lights are the way to go.
Bringing Your Landscape Lighting Vision to Life
Outdoor lighting merges practicality with style to help elevate your outdoor living space or garden. Whether you’re marking the path to your house, lighting up your front door, or creating a reading nook on your patio, the right lighting choice can transform a space and open it up to nighttime use.
If you’re looking to plan your yard’s lighting style or want to create a full landscaping plan for your Orange County home, reach out to us to schedule a consulting session today. We look forward to hearing from you!
Meet Allison, Founder & CEO of Sublime Setup
Allison is a passionate landscape designer and contractor with deep roots in Southern California. My love for outdoor living started at an early age, inspired by my grandfather’s craftsmanship and my own experiences exploring nature. That passion evolved into a thriving business dedicated to helping homeowners enhance their outdoor spaces.
Based in San Clemente, I work closely with homeowners across Orange County, creating landscapes that are both stunning and functional. My approach combines thoughtful design, expert craftsmanship, and a commitment to bringing each client’s vision to life. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing garden escape or a dynamic outdoor entertainment area, I’m here to help make it happen.
At Sublime Setup, we believe that an outdoor space should be more than just a yard; it should be an extension of your home, a place where you can relax, entertain, and enjoy the beauty of nature. That’s why we pour our hearts into every project, delivering high-quality, custom-designed landscapes that enhance not just properties, but lifestyles.
If you’re ready to transform your outdoor space, reach out today! Let’s create something extraordinary together.
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