OK, so you have finally finished landscaping your yard and it is beautiful…as long as the sun is up. Wouldn’t you like to enjoy the beauty after the sun goes down as well? The easiest way is with low-voltage landscape lighting. You have put a lot of time and thought into planning the placement of your trees, flowers, deck and pond. Now it’s time to plan your outdoor lighting. Decorative outdoor lighting is easy to plan if you take it one step at a time.

· The first step in planning your project is to decide what you want to illuminate and the effect you want. These two things will determine the type of lights you need and their placement. There are many different lighting techniques that will create different effects.

-Spot Lighting showcases interesting features such as trees, shrubs, architecture and statuaries.

-Shadow Lighting highlights interesting shapes or branch structure by casting a shadow on the surface behind the object being highlighted.

-Underwater Lighting- enhances the beauty of a pond, swimming pool or fountain.

-Grazing
brings out the texture of fences, chimneys, walls or other masonry.

-Moon Lighting creates the soft effect of moonlight filtering down through tree branches.

-Walkway Lighting adds safety, visibility and security for walking and can also highlight plants and shrubs along the walkway.

-Step Lighting adds beauty to your decks and landscaping while allowing guests to navigate steps safely.

-Security or Motion Control Lighting will help deter against crime and unwanted pests by eliminating dark areas where intruders can hide.

-Silhouetting highlights objects with interesting shapes or plants with interesting branch structure by silhouetting the object on the surface behind it.

-Sign Lighting will keep your signs illuminated and useful when it is dark outside.

-Down Lighting simulates natural light for entertaining as well as illuminating for safety and security.

-Up Lighting dramatically highlights the beauty of flags, statuary, trees and architectural designs, especially ones that are large or flowering.

-Spread Lighting illuminates flowerbeds, ground cover and low shrubs. It can also be used underwater to illuminate an ornamental pond.

-Deck lighting will bring your deck to life at night while it enables guests to navigate your deck safely. Deck fixtures can be installed on posts, below benches and railings or in step risers.

· Test the placement of your lights by having a friend help you by shining a flashlight on objects you think you want to light. Make notes of what type of lighting is best in each location as well as the angle that best achieves the effect you want. Also, make sure the light isn’t going to shine in your neighbor’s window.

· Sketch a "bird’s eye view" of your yard on graph paper showing main features such as driveways, gardens, walkways, trees and walls. Then plot where each fixture will be placed.

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