Summer is winding down, and there’s no better way to take advantage of those warm, carefree evenings than spending them right in your own backyard with friends and family. When you add landscape lighting to your backyard spaces, you won’t have to worry about cutting the night short or moving the celebration indoors.

Outdoor lighting can serve many purposes: amping up ambiance, setting different moods, and making your outdoor areas safer and more secure. Looking for some inspiration? Keep reading for some ideas on how to transform your backyard into a space worth celebrating, using different lighting techniques.

Have Some Fun

If you’re planning a party – graduation, birthday, wedding reception, gameday BBQ – don’t be afraid to add some color. Multi-colored string lights, paper lanterns, colorful solar lanterns and lights, and even floating pool lights that change color can all add a festive flair to your evening without much time and effort.

You can easily drape or hang lights from tree branches or your fence, but if you want more coverage, consider adding shepherd’s crooks or light poles in your yard. Some light poles even come with planters on the bottom for an elegant touch.

Create Cozy Spaces

Do you have a firepit, outdoor dining, or other seating area? Invite your guests to sit and stay awhile by using lights to create a welcoming and cozy atmosphere. If possible, outline the area with lights, either on the ground using well lights or lanterns, or from above by stringing lights in a pergola, from lights poles, or in the trees to make a distinct space. Choose warm lights that are closer to natural light, which is easier on the eyes. Downlighting works well in seating areas, providing enough light to see clearly without shining in anyone’s eyes or creating an uncomfortable glare.

Make a Backyard Oasis

You don’t have to take an expensive vacation to experience luxurious relaxation. Add an outdoor chandelier or a group of lanterns above your eating or seating areas to create a focal point and elevate the space. Tiki torches can also do double duty near seating areas, giving a tropical feel while also keeping bugs at bay. If you have water features in your backyard (e.g., pool, fountain, pond, waterfall), add waterproof lights submerged in the water, or moonlighting to shine down from above to achieve a magical feel.

Layer Your Lights

Your outdoor areas will feel fuller and richer if you use a variety of lighting in different ways, such as:

• Pathway lighting – installing lights along paths or walkways, as well as on steps and stairs, is essential to making your backyard welcoming and safe at night
• Accent lighting – using spotlights at the base of trees or architectural features you want to highlight can add focal points and areas of interest
• Ambient lighting – fairy lights in mason jars, lanterns, candles, and string lights are just a few examples of ambient lights that can add some romance and elegance to your backyard spaces
• Flood lights – use flood lights to illuminate water features like a fountain or pond, or against a garden wall or your home’s facade, to create interesting reflections and textured shadows
• Moonlighting – lighting professionals can place lights high up in your trees to shine down softly through the branches and leaves to cast a silvery glow on your backyard that mimics the beautiful light from the moon, even on a cloudy night

Designing Good Nights is What Dayloom is All About

At Dayloom, we specialize in creating unique, personalized landscape lighting designs that help you unlock the full potential of your home and last for years to come. Our team of expert designers and lighting professionals have spent the past 25 years proudly serving the greater Washington D.C. and northern Virginia areas. When you schedule your free consultation with us, you receive a free rendering of your home with a proposed lighting arrangement. We involve our clients every step of the way to make sure the end product is perfectly suited to your specific property, vision, and needs. Re-imagine how you experience your property at night. Take a look at some of our previous work and then give us a call at 703-215-9089 to get started today!