DIY Network

Lighting, Planning Outdoor Landscape Here are the DIY Basics on planning outdoor landscape lighting.

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Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E  WINDOWS MEDIA VIDEO Watch the Video

To enhance the look of your home, consider your outdoor lighting.

• First, get a good look at your house and the landscaping to determine what kind of lights you need.

  Note: Check local codes and location of easements before installation.

• Put your ideas to graph paper or use a computer landscaping program (figure A).

• Consider operating your lights from the inside or with an automatic program.

• Center your lighting on a focal point like your front door and key plants.

  Note: Follow manufacturer's installation instructions for all lighting.

• Uplights, like recessed well lights (figure B), accent features such as trees; place these behind shrubs for a natural effect. It's better to use fewer lights placed close together.

• Solar lights that charge during the day can illuminate for eight hours (figure C).

• Using flood lights gives extra security to an area like a side door.

• For a signature look, install a stylish lamppost next to the main entrance (figure D).

Lighting is all about mood. You can change your home's mood with the flick of a switch (figure E).

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• Lighting kits are available, but buy individual components for a more custom job. Each system has three parts; a transformer (converts your household current to 12 volts), one or more runs of cable (goes from the transformer to your lights) and the lighting fixtures.

• Use a voltage meter to test your stems. Voltage issues lead to a bad operation and increased maintenance costs.

• Solar lighting performance depends on the amount of light received during the day.

• Avoid placing lights in turf where they are in harms way from mowers. Put them in mulch beds or a perch, like a wall or tree.

• Area lighting shines in a 360-degree circle, great for flower gardens. Directional lights shine on trees or the side of your house.