The addition of outdoor lighting provides a romantic allure to a landscape by creating shadows and contrasts. Lights also increase safety and security by illuminating walks and warding off intruders. Outdoor lighting accents the beauty of any landscape for a fairly small initial investment. By placing low to medium intensity lighting along a walkway or driveway, you direct traffic to the front or back door. The use of these fixtures gives enough light for a guest to see a path to the door without being blinded by floodlights or feeling like they are walking down an airport runway.
Lights show off plantings along the drive or walk.
Homes that are dark when guests arrive are not only dangerous, but also give an unwelcome feeling. The use of uplighting or downlighting on plants also adds interest to a landscape by emphasizing a favorite plant form. The uplighting of a Heritage River Birch, for example, has a striking effect. The form of the tree is brought out, as well as the cinnamon-colored exfoliating bark. The use of this lighting also adds light to a dark area of the yard, helping guests reach your front door or deter an intruder lurking in the bushes.