Uplights, Downlights, and Everything In-between

Outdoor lighting is one of the unsung heroes of home ownership. For a small investment, the right lighting does so many jobs at once: increase security, enhance safety, and highlight the beauty of your home while at the same time expanding your usable living space and increasing your home value. 

The key to effective landscape lighting is understanding the different types of lights available and when to use them. Layering your lighting by using a variety of lights adds depth and interest to your property and will show off the beauty of your home even after the sun goes down. Below, you’ll find brief descriptions of some different lighting options to help you create the environment you want for your home.

Uplights

As you can probably guess, uplights are fixtures positioned at the ground level and aimed upward. Spotlights are often used in uplighting to highlight vertical elements like trees, interesting textures on walls, statues, fountains, or other architectural features. The focused beam of light can create dramatic shadows and interesting silhouettes to enhance the look of your home at night.

Well lights can also be used in uplighting. Because these fixtures are submerged in the ground, they are a great option in high traffic areas like gardens or along retaining walls, giving you the same effects as spotlights without worrying about them getting kicked or knocked down.

Downlights

Placed above eye level (e.g., in trees, on pergolas, on garages, etc.), downlights provide functional lighting and work well to illuminate larger areas like shrubbery, pathways, and outdoor living areas like patios, pools, firepits, and outdoor kitchens. With their broad coverage capabilities, floodlights are often used in downlighting situations, especially when you’re looking to increase security, for instance on a back deck.

One specific type of downlighting is known as moonlighting. Lighting professionals place lights high up in trees to shine down with a soft, diffuse light that mimics natural moonlight. Moonlighting can be especially magical on swimming pools.

Pathlights

Pathlights, which are smaller, low-level fixtures that aim light downward toward your feet, can be used for more than just paths. Steps, stairs, walkways, driveways, and gardens on your property can all benefit from pathlights, which come in a wide variety of styles, including solar versions. When installing pathlights, stagger them on either side of the path, steps, driveway, etc., instead of keeping them in a straight line, which will look more like an airport runway.

Underwater Lights

For water features like ponds, fountains, and pools, it’s essential to invest in waterproof fixtures and lights made to be used underwater. Besides the obvious aesthetic appeal of the play of light in water, a well-lit pool area is a must for safety reasons. 

Houston Lightscapes Gives You Options

Not sure where to start? Houston Lightscapes can help you transform your home by designing and installing a professional outdoor lighting system, customized to your specific property. Our lighting experts understand when and how to use the different types of lighting discussed above to bring your vision to life and give you a stunning outdoor lighting display that is visually appealing, safe, effective, and efficient. Call us today to schedule your free consultation and discuss all of your options.