Landscape Lighting Advice Part II

Evan,

Thank you for the assistance getting my initial project finished. As you can see from the first image--I added uplight between the windows and a downlight above the bump out as you suggested. I would now like to expand my lighting to the landscaped area in front of the house as seen in the second photo. The second photo is taken from the street. I haven't started the landscaping project yet...however would prefer to get some light in the mulched areas. Can you make any suggestions? Thanks!

 

Spectacular job, RSB. Really looks fantastic!

 

Thanks, @Mesodude2.

Any advice on where I should place lighting and what type in the mulch in front of the house? Thanks!!!

 

Sorry I overlooked your question earlier. I'd definitely illuminate those stone walls, probably with floods or small spots, or hardscape lights. Those different fixture types would each create a unique effect. You could further define the area behind that stone wall by uplighting that quartet of trees. Another option (either in addition to or instead of illuminating the aforementioned trees) is moonlighting. You've essentially got this blank canvas of mulch. Down lights installed high up in that large tree on the left filtering through the tree canopy would create some interesting shadows over a wide expanse of that mulched area. I think that could look spectacular and give a lot of dimension to your overall lighting scene. Finally, you didn't ask but I wanted to suggest a few of tweaks to your facade lighting (please see my diagram on your photo). First, it could be my eyes or the camera or both but I think some of the up lighting on your house is a bit hot. I also think the horizontal lines created by the light beams on the siding are a bit jarring to the eyes. Again, this could be an optical illusion from the camera or even my monitor. But if this is something you've noticed too, simply aiming the lights differently or adjusting the distance from the house might be all you need to compensate for that. You could also try putting in a frosted lens on one fixture to see if that tones down the heat and softens the horizontal bars and shadows from the siding.

I also think you could highlight that first floor gable more effectively by flanking the window with uplights and aiming that light you have facing down into the area above the window instead. As it is, that whole section of the house is dark, except for the triangle of light shining in front of that window. Finally, I think lighting your flag and that wood beam/column it's mounted on would look very cool. I might also uplight that far left edge of your house (perhaps by placing a fixture near the corner of the house). In general, I think you've done a terrific job, though. So please do take my suggestions with a grain of salt. Hope you're enjoying your hard work so far!

 

Thanks for all the feedback and advice. Greatly appreciate it. See what you're talking about on the brightness of the uplighting and harshness. I think adjusting the angle/distance should take care of it.
1. Do you think a small spotlight would be best to light the flag?
2. Would a flood in front of the wall to the right in the landscaping and some sort of uplighting above the wall to highlight the trees be too much?

Thanks again!

 

If you were just lighting the flag, a mini spot should be fine. If you want to light the porch support also, I’d recommend a regular size fixture like the one you’re using on the house walls. The reason is, you may need a wider beam spread than 60 degrees and I believe the mini would limit you to a 60 degree or smaller beam spread. I also think I might go with a couple of spots for those walls. The reason being, you’ll have more control over the beam spread and you won’t be lighting up as broad an expanse as you would with flood lights. Like I mentioned earlier, I think those trees behind that wall gently illuminated would look great.