Installing an exterior landscape lighting system will add safety, curb appeal and beauty to your entrance area, walkway, and home garden. Even if you have a few lights present already, there are always steps you can take to enhance it.

As you begin planning your landscape lighting, there are a few things to think about first:

• What do you want to light?
• What type of lighting technique is right for your space?
• Is there a certain style of lighting fixture or accessories you prefer?
• What power option do you prefer?

Creating Your Landscape Lighting Plan

As you begin thinking about where you want the lighting elements to be in your yard, you need to consider a few important issues. These are not only important for aesthetic purposes, but also for safety.

• Consider where all your landscape elements are installed. Use lighting to accent these elements. Also, make sure your lighting is flexible so it can be moved or adjusted as plants grow.
• Prior to digging, call the utility locator in your local area to mark underground wires and pipes.
• Determine if a permit is needed.
• If the wires have to run under sidewalks or driveways, using conduit is the best option. In most cases, calling the professionals at the IDL Company for help will be beneficial.

Select the Type of Lights You Want to Install

There are several different types of lights to choose from when making a landscape design plan. You can use one, a few or all of these options to enhance your outdoor space. Most homeowners find mixing the type of lighting they use offers appealing accents to all the areas in their yard and around their home.

• Uplights: These are placed at ground level and aim upward to larger focal points, such as architectural features or trees.
• Downlights: Placed over an area or object and focused downward to create a look of natural light.
• Backlights: Placed behind objects or plants to create a silhouette on a wall.
• Path lights: Placed at ground level along informal paths, driveways, and sidewalks.
• Specialty lights: These are any type of accent light that are meant to enhance an area.

Gather Your Supplies

Once you have chosen your lighting options and taken the necessary precautions to safely install your new landscape lighting elements, you will need to gather together your supplies. Some things to have on hand include:

• Chosen light fixtures
• Electrical source
• Proper size wire based on the transformer size and fixtures.
• Conduit
• Electrical staples to attach the cable to the building.

While a DIY landscape lighting plan is completely possible, there are quite a few homeowners who prefer the help of the professionals. If this is the case, feel free to call on the technical professionals at the IDL Company for planning and installation assistance. Since you will be working with electricity, taking the proper precautions is a must. Our team is able to handle any landscape lighting plan and ensure it is installed properly and safely on your property.