Summer is almost here, and it's time to get your yard looking as welcoming as possible as warmer days quickly approach. One important task? Ensuring that your yard is well-lit—both so that your home appears welcoming from the street and is also all set for nighttime entertaining.
But, let's start with what not to do. In this article, experts highlight six common mistakes that people make when brightening up their outdoor spaces: avoid these at all costs!
1. Displaying Large Light Fixtures
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Bigger isn't better when it comes to your outdoor lighting fixtures, explains Joe Raboine, the VP of design at Oldcastle APG, parent company of Belgard. He finds that large path lights can appear dated. "Upgrade areas like walkways with inset paver lights that illuminate the space while offering a more linear, clean aesthetic," he suggests.
2. Using Solar Lighting Incorrectly
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Caroline Ervin, a landscape designer and the founder of Caroline Ervin Landscape Design, is a proponent of incorporating solar lighting outdoors. However, a common mistake people make is with regard to its placement. "Make sure they get plenty of sunshine for charging during the day," cautions Ervin, who is also the owner of The Georgetown Garden Shop. "Placing solar fixtures in a shady garden often won’t work."
3. Adding Too Much Color
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Just because colorful outdoor lighting exists, it's not the right choice for every space. "Color-changing LED lights have become increasingly popular and are great for setting the mood for any occasion," Raboine explains. However, it's in your best interest to save these for special events only. "Using bright colors as a constant lighting motif can make a space look and feel outdated and clash with other features," he says. "Keep things neutral and simple until the time calls for a fun pop of color."
4. Incorporating Too Many (or Too Few) Lights
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You'll also want to be thoughtful about the amount of lighting you incorporate into your yard as a whole. "The biggest landscape lighting mistake is using too many lights, which drown out the plants and garden features," Ervin says. She concludes, "The overall aesthetic should be subtle: 'Wow, the garden looks beautiful at night,' versus, 'Look at all the lighting in the garden.'"
At the same time, adding too little lighting is equally detrimental, Raboine warns. "If your outdoor space has sparse lighting, it can make the area feel small and less welcoming—not to mention pose obvious safety hazards," he says.
5. Placing Light Fixtures on the Lawn
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Think about practicality when it comes to the placement of your outdoor lighting fixtures. As Ervin notes, many people will position these on the lawn without much regard for day to day activity. "This often results in fixtures being knocked around by lawnmowers and looking crooked," she says. "Keep them placed within a planting bed where there is less opportunity for someone to bang into them."
6. Positioning Light Fixtures Evenly on a Path
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If you're placing lights around a path, be sure to distribute them unevenly, Ervin notes—otherwise, your path will resemble an airport runway!
Related: Hobby Lobby's $12 Geometric Solar Lights Add a Cozy Glow to Outdoor Spaces
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