Illuminate Your Outdoors: Choosing the Right Landscape Lighting

Outdoor lighting isn’t just about visibility—it’s about creating atmosphere, adding security, and highlighting the best features of your landscape. The right lighting can transform your yard from basic to breathtaking.

At Salas Outdoors, we help homeowners design and install custom outdoor lighting systems that bring their properties to life. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to choose the right outdoor lighting to elevate your space.

1. Understand Your Landscape’s Needs

Before diving into fixtures and styles, assess how you use your outdoor space. Are you looking to:

• Illuminate pathways for safety?
• Highlight trees, water features, or architectural elements?
• Create a warm, ambient glow for patios and seating areas?
• Add motion-sensing security lighting?

Knowing the purpose of your outdoor lighting will help guide the entire design.

2. Use a Layered Lighting Approach

The best landscape lighting uses layers—a combination of techniques to cover functionality, safety, and beauty. The three main types are:

• Ambient Lighting – General illumination, often using wall lights or overhead fixtures.
• Task Lighting – Lights for specific purposes like stairs, pathways, or outdoor kitchens.
• Accent Lighting – Highlights key features like trees, statues, or water features.

At Salas Outdoors, we specialize in blending these lighting layers for a polished and practical effect.

3. Choose the Right Fixtures for the Job

There are many types of outdoor lighting fixtures. Choosing the right ones ensures efficiency, safety, and style:

• Path Lights – Illuminate walkways and garden paths.
• Spotlights – Highlight focal points like trees or fountains.
• Floodlights – Provide bright, wide coverage for driveways and yards.
• Step and Deck Lights – Increase safety on stairs or patio edges.
• String or Bistro Lights – Add ambiance to entertaining areas.
• Well Lights – Ground-installed and ideal for uplighting trees or structures.

We work with weather-resistant, energy-efficient LED fixtures to ensure durability and cost savings.

4. Focus on Placement, Not Just Power

Where you place your lighting matters more than how bright it is. Strategic placement creates depth and prevents over-lighting, which can ruin the mood.

Lighting tips:

• Space path lights 6–8 feet apart for even coverage.
• Use uplighting for trees and downlighting for seating areas.
• Place lights at angles to avoid glare and shadows.
• Avoid lighting every square foot—let darkness add contrast.

Let us design a balanced layout that brings your landscape to life.

5. Go Energy-Efficient with LED and Solar

Modern outdoor lighting is all about energy efficiency. At Salas Outdoors, we prioritize:

• LED Lights – Long-lasting, low-energy, and available in various tones.
• Solar Lights – Ideal for eco-conscious homeowners, though best used in sunnier areas.

Low-voltage LED systems are popular for their balance of brightness and cost savings, making them perfect for residential use.

6. Add Smart Lighting Control

Want the ultimate convenience? Smart outdoor lighting lets you control everything from your phone. Benefits include:

• Timer automation
• App-based on/off controls
• Scene presets for entertaining, security, or relaxing
• Motion detection features

We offer smart lighting integrations that fit seamlessly into your landscape and lifestyle.

7. Don’t Forget the Curb Appeal

Aside from functionality and safety, outdoor lighting dramatically boosts your home’s curb appeal. It:

• Highlights the architecture of your home
• Enhances landscaping features after sunset
• Makes your home feel more inviting

Thoughtfully placed lights can even increase property value—especially when professionally designed and installed.

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