Light it Up! Get Creative with Backyard Lighting

You enjoy your backyard during the day. Why not set the mood for some evening enjoyment as well?

Outdoor lighting continues to grow in popularity as people choose to enjoy their patios and yards well after sunset. From purely functional to decorative, outdoor lighting can add to the ambience of any home.

When choosing outdoor lighting, first consider its purpose. Are you setting a mood for relaxation? Or do you just want to see where you are walking? Purpose is key to deciding what lights to buy and where to place them.

Many homeowners hire landscapers who specialize in outdoor lighting to handle everything from selection to installation. Whether you hire someone or do it yourself, you will need to have at least one electrical outlet to accommodate your new lights.

Most outdoor lighting is low voltage (12 volts), making it safe around kids and pets as well as easy to install. You will need to place a transformer box alongside your outdoor outlet to convert your home's interior 120 volts to 12 volts. Transformer boxes come in different sizes, so match yours to the number of lights you expect it to handle (the packaging will provide direction on this). The transformer box also has a timer for your lights.

Let's look at the types of backyard lighting you may want to choose:

• Moonlighting. This is a version of downlighting where small lights are secured high in trees with their soft beams directed downward on a patio, deck or walkway. The lights create a dappled glow shining through the branches to create a moonlit shadowy effect. They produce enough light to set a relaxing mood and continue your conversation well into the night.
• Uplighting. These light fixtures are installed at ground level and are directed upward to highlight a special point of interest, such as a beautifully shaped tree or a landscape structure. Used conservatively, they are appealing. If overdone, they can create too much light (think retail store).
• Shadow lighting. This is an artistic form of lighting used to highlight a beautiful landscape feature such as a small tree, sculpture or other garden ornament. Place the light in front of the object at ground level, casting the shadow of the object on a wall behind it.
• Pathway lighting. These lights are more functional than aesthetic. Placed along walkways, they guide you and your guests at night. There are many varieties, including solar pathway lights which collect the sun's energy during the day to provide an adequate, soft light after dusk. For any type of pathway lighting, choose lights that are ankle to knee high and work them into your surroundings, such as between plants where their look is somewhat softened.

Enjoy your yard this summer - day and night - with your new lighting choices!