Landscape Lighting: Expectations vs. Reality

Landscape lighting can be a great way to transform the look of your home or business. With outdoor LED lights, you can create an inviting atmosphere and extend your living or working space into the outdoors. However, many misconceptions and expectations regarding landscape lighting can lead to less-than-ideal results if you don’t know the right way to go about it.

Below, we’ll cover some common landscape lighting expectations and realities and how to ensure you get the best results for your home or business.

Landscape Lighting Expectations

Regarding common expectations with landscape lighting, some expect it will be an easy installation and setup process. Unfortunately, this is only sometimes the case. Outdoor LED lighting requires a complex network of wiring and fixtures to get the right results.

Another expectation is that landscape lighting is a DIY project. While you can install simple string lights around trees or along a fence, this is rarely the case with fixtures like color changing outdoor lights. Outdoor LED lighting installations are best left to professionals with experience in this kind of work.

Finally, some people expect outdoor lights to be easy to install and maintain. Unfortunately, this isn’t usually true either. Some landscape lighting systems and fixtures require a more complex wiring system. They may take more effort to install than traditional LED lights.

Landscape Lighting Reality

The reality of landscape lighting is that it requires a certain level of skill, knowledge, and experience to get the best results. Outdoor LED lighting installations require high precision to ensure the wires and fixtures are properly connected and secured. It can lead to expensive (and avoidable) repairs if done incorrectly.

Color-changing outdoor lights are also a more complex installation than traditional LED lights. The wiring must be installed properly to ensure that the colors change smoothly and accurately. This requires an experienced installer who works with different systems and components.

Another reality is that landscape lighting can be pricey. Some outdoor LED installations cost thousands of dollars, depending on project type and complexity. Professional installation services may also incur additional costs, so it’s important to factor these into your budget when deciding on landscape lighting.

How To Choose the Right Landscape Lighting?

When choosing the best landscape lighting for your home or business, there are a few things to consider. First, think about how you want to use the lights. For example, could you use accent or task lighting in your outdoor space? Or maybe you want to highlight your home’s or business’s architectural features. Your answers will determine the type and number of lights your project requires.

Next, consider your budget. Outdoor LED lighting often isn’t cheap, so it’s important to factor in the cost of fixtures, installation, and maintenance before deciding. Look for ways to save money, such as taking advantage of promotions and discounts and dividing your project into phases to complete it over time. It is also worth investing in professional and experienced service providers if you’re not confident about doing the work yourself.

Finally, think about the amount of maintenance required. LED lights require very little upkeep, but some fixtures may need periodic replacement to keep them looking their best. It’s important to factor this into your budget when deciding about landscape lighting for your home or business.

Outdoor LED lighting is a great way to bring new life to your landscape. By taking into account the expectations and realities of outdoor LED lighting installations, as well as how to choose the right fixtures, you can create a stunning and long-lasting lighting design that will elevate your landscape to new heights.