How To Choose Path Lighting?

As opposed to brighter and more prominent lights, path lights are unique in their subtle elegance, making them the perfect finishing touch for your outdoor lighting layout. Delicate and discreet, they are wonderful accents for illuminating your home or business. 

The purpose of path lights is to project pools of light downwards, towards your feet and away from your eyes. The delicate effect creates a peaceful, natural direction to follow.

This is why choosing the appropriate path lighting is essential to a wholesome outdoor ambiance. The right path lighting not only guides guests to the entrance but also serves as a functional safety asset by protecting your garden from wandering feet or helping people avoid obstacles.

Before installing your new outdoor lighting, it is important to select the right lighting plan for your property in Houston, TX. 

Step One: Deciding Why You Want Path Lights

Path lights highlight walkways, entryways, and low-level garden fixtures. Deciding which aspects you want to feature will set the foundation for the design. They can benefit your home by subtly:

• Marking path boundaries
• Providing home safety and security
• Highlighting steps and stairs
• Protecting plants and outdoor decor
• Highlighting garden plants near the floor
• Providing ambient lighting

By making a list of what matters most to you, you will be better prepared for designing your path lighting system.

Step Two: Choosing the Right Type of Path Lights

The term path lighting does not just include one type of light fixtures, but actually includes several types of lights, all serving different functions. The most common types of path lights are:

Step lights: dim lights that are installed in steps or stairs so that the walker can carefully navigate at night

Downlights: spotlights fixed to a pole, directing light downwards

Bollar or Pillar lights: stronger lights that glow with a 360-degree projection and serve as a focal point and are often placed at the beginning or end of paths

Flush lights: lights that illuminate upwards and outwards and are installed in the floor of a walkway

Garden Lights: lights that are topped with a canopy that reflects light downward and onto paths next to garden features

Many designers choose to interweave several types of path lights with similar design styles so that they complement the overall lighting theme.

Step Three: Choosing the Right Bulbs

Once you have a better understanding of what you want to achieve with your lighting, you will need to decide what type of energy you want to use for your lighting. 

Many people trying to save money opt for energy-efficient LED lighting. With so many options of various qualities, it is important to choose a trustworthy source for your LED lights.

Step Four: Going for it!

Many people find designing path lighting a daunting task. This is why our goal at Houston Lightscapes is to make your outdoor lighting design process simple in Houston, TX. 

We promise to take away the stress of selection by giving you access to reputable landscape lighting designers whose mission is to understand and illuminate the unique aesthetic features of your property. The result? Stunning, safe, and serene outdoor path lighting for your property. Set up a free consultation.