Summer is the perfect time to enjoy your front and back yard. The right outdoor lighting can transform your yard into a magical oasis at night. Here are some expert tips to help you create outdoor ambiance in Minnesota's short summer.

1. Highlight Your Home’s Architectural Features

The first step to stunning outdoor lighting is understanding your home's unique style. Look for elements you'd love to accentuate and use various lighting techniques to draw attention to them. For example, consider installing wall-wash lighting if you have a textured surface with unique architectural details. These lights are mounted close to the wall to cast a broad, even beam that highlights texture and creates beautiful shadows. The type of wash lighting you use will depend on your desired effect. If you want to create a soft, even wash of light on the walls, install low-angle in-grade light fixtures. In contrast, if you want to create dramatic shadows and highlights, use more focused lighting fixtures (spotlighting). You can also use spotlights to highlight specific architectural features, like a distinct roofline or an intricately carved door, for more focused attention.

2. Illuminate Landscaping

Landscape lighting enhances the natural beauty of your yard. It brings small plants and flowers, large trees, and garden features to life when the sun goes down. Illuminating landscaping requires careful planning. There are many techniques you can use, but choose only the ones that best complement your outdoor environment. The common types include:

Spotlights and Floodlights

Spotlights project a concentrated, narrow beam of light that highlights specific features. They have a 45° spread, and you can adjust them to focus on different elements of your target subject. Floodlights work just like spotlights, but they have a wider beam spread (120°). They are best used for general areas like lots or driveways.

Inground Lighting

An inground light (also known as a well light) is a circular-shaped fixture installed directly into the ground. It creates a beautiful uplight effect that heightens the sophistication and visibility of your yard's unique features. Inground lighting is best used under trees and along garden walls for a dramatic effect. You can also use it to accentuate pathways for safer navigation and garden beds for a touch of elegance.

Outdoor Post Lights

Post lights help accent pathways and driveways without overpowering floodlights and other fixtures in your yard. When installing a post light, take note of the diameter of the light it encompasses around it. Your next fixture should be outside that space. Don't let lights overlap, as this can create excessive brightness and reduce the aesthetic appeal of your lighting design. Instead, try placing the post lights on either side of the path in alternating patterns.

Moonlighting

Positioning a downward-angled light fixture high in a tree's foliage can create a moonlight-like effect. This placement will cast a soft glow similar to moonlight, complete with interesting shadows of branches and leaves on the ground.

Underwater Lights

If you have outdoor water features, install submerged strips of LED tape or spotlights to add a captivating glow. The lights can enhance the movement and sparkle of water, drawing your focus to your fountain, pool, or pond while also ensuring safety.

3. Enhance Outdoor Living Spaces

Incorporate lights into your deck or patio to create a well-lit area for relaxing, socializing, and dining. Lanterns can create a warm atmosphere, perfect for outdoor gatherings and social events. You can drape string lights across pergolas and along fences to create a soft, twinkling border for your chill spot. Recessed lights, on the other hand, can provide understated illumination that enhances visibility and ambiance. For your seating area, dimmable wall sconces can set the appropriate mood for an evening cocktail or a quiet chat. Opt for rustic lantern-style sconces if you want a contemporary look. Additionally, install motion-sensor lights that activate when movement is detected. Remember, you don't want to flood your patio with too much light.

4. Improve Home Security

Besides aesthetics, you also need a well-lit exterior that makes it more difficult for intruders to approach unnoticed. Floodlights provide an excellent solution for dark corners and areas. They provide broad, intense illumination that covers large areas and should be the foundation of your home security lighting plan. The next phase should involve installing spotlights at entry points and along pathways. Spotlights highlight critical spots that require extra attention. They provide a clear view of visitors and increase overall visibility around your property. In areas where constant illumination is unnecessary, install motion sensor lights.

Automated and Advanced Security Lighting

It's very important to automate your security lighting fixtures. Timers and photocells can help with this. Timers enable you to schedule specific times for your floodlights and spotlights to turn on and off. On the other hand, photocells detect changes in outdoor light levels (sunlight) and automatically turn on your security lights, ensuring that your home is always lit when it needs to be. You can also install spotlights with advanced technology that can accurately identify and track human presence on your property. They use motion sensors and computer vision chips to differentiate between people and other moving objects like animals and vehicles, reducing the chances of false alarms. There are advanced spotlights that can even activate deterrent features such as loud alarms or flashing lights to scare off intruders.

Choosing the Right Fixtures

When selecting exterior accent lighting fixtures, consider the following factors:

Make Sure They Match

All your outdoor lighting choices should harmonize with your home's overall style and aesthetics. For example, modern homes favor sleek and minimalistic fixture designs, while traditional homes go well with classic and ornamental fixtures. Regardless of your style, ensure your outdoor lighting creates a cohesive visual harmony across your property. Avoid mismatched fixtures and aim for a unified look where each light complements the others and the existing elements of your home.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Invest in fixtures that consume the least electricity without compromising effectiveness. Prioritize LED bulbs, but look specifically for ENERGY STAR-certified models. The Environmental Protection Agency has tested and confirmed that such fixtures are energy-efficient, durable, and generally better for the environment. You can also install fixtures that harness the sun's energy during the day and store it for use at night.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Your outdoor lighting fixtures should withstand Minnesota's harsh and variable climate. Opt for fixtures made from robust materials like stainless steel, aluminum, or brass, which are resistant to corrosion and damage. Also, look for products with an Ingress Protection (IP) rating of at least 65 and 68 for those submerged in water bodies.

Light Up Your Home’s Potential With Mister Sparky®

Contact Mister Sparky® to help design, find, and install the right outdoor lighting fixtures for your property. Our highly experienced and creative electricians will arrive punctually and promptly with all required tools, ready to complete the job correctly. In addition to lighting, you can also contact us for whole-home electrical rewiring, socket (outlet) repairs, routine electrical grid maintenance, and indoor lighting solutions. Contact Mister Sparky® today for outdoor lighting installation and maintenance in the Northern Minnestota area.