Landscape Lighting Trends for 2022

Homeowners are spending more and more time at home these days. Because of that, many are seeking ways to beautify their property and create a space that offers them more comfort and peace. It turns out that landscaping lighting upgrades are often at the top of their list.

 

When you think about it, we live in a nature lover’s paradise here in Texas. With seasonably warmer temps lasting for many months, outdoor living is just a way of life for us. In fact, it’s growing in popularity as homeowners seek ways to spend even more time outside.

 

That’s why homeowners are giving more consideration to their landscape design and creating spaces to feel more at home – outside. For many, a professional landscape lighting plan is an essential part of the design.

 

Most of us want to improve our landscape’s ambiance, whether it be in our garden, patio, or around our lawn and backyard. Houston has lots of gorgeous weather to enjoy, so why not make your landscape look more appealing?

 

Check out these top landscape lighting ideas that are trending in 2022. But first, let’s take a closer look at these outdoor lighting basics.

Landscape Lighting Considerations

Before implementing a landscape lighting design, it’s a good idea to look at your needs. Let’s first examine why many homeowners install landscape lighting in the first place.

Outdoor Safety

While it’s true that most homeowners just want a gorgeous landscape, some initially embark on a landscape lighting design because they’re concerned about safety, and with good reason.

 

Crime is always high in many Texas cities, especially in and around Houston. But, having a well-lit exterior can help ward off unwanted criminals and trespassers.

 

You also want your outdoor paths, such as walkways and steps,  to be adequately illuminated to avoid accidents and ensure the safety of those walking around your property.

 

Outdoor Living Spaces

Homeowners also desire outdoor lighting because they want to create an outdoor living space similar to what they’ve created inside their homes. Aesthetics are a vital part of a landscape lighting design.

 

To achieve what you’re looking for, you first need to evaluate a few things. Answering the following questions will help.

 

• Do you have favorite areas of your landscape that you want to turn into a focal point?
• Do you have other areas that you want to disguise because you wish they weren’t part of your landscape in the first place?
• Do you want to entertain guests and have a second dining room outdoors?
• Do you have any unique architectural features that you want to highlight? Maybe you have a pond or a pool or beautiful trees on your property that you want to draw more attention to?
• Do you want to draw special attention to paths you feel need more illumination?

The idea is to leave no stone unturned. As long as you’re thinking about landscape lighting ideas, make a list of everything you want to be incorporated into the design.

 

Walk around your landscape and think about how you use each space currently and how you might use it differently if you implemented a different design plan.

 

Visualize your outdoor space from every angle. Once you have all your ideas and concepts nailed down, consider contacting a landscape design specialist to help you carry out your plan. A designer will understand how shadowing and light interact to create the ambiance you want. They may think of something from a technical perspective that you may not have considered.

 

In the end, you want a relaxing, functional atmosphere you can be happy with and live in. But you also want the WOW factor, long after the sun has gone down. Now, about those trending landscape lighting ideas for the coming year.

Smart Lights

Smart lights are a convenient choice for homeowners who like to be connected. Plus, it’s one of the trendiest solutions today. Your phone app or a remote allows you to control the outdoor lights, which can come in just about any size or shape, and the app will let you change the color on command. This is great when you entertain a lot and want to mix it up. Your smartphone will also allow you to make the lights brighter or dimmer. And of course, if you want to shut the smart lights off altogether, it’ll do that too.

 

Downlighting

Downlighting is just as it sounds. Lights are angled down, and downlights typically illuminate walkways, flowerbeds, and other areas of your landscape that have more shadows than others. Often, the lightbulbs are covered on the sides and top so that the illumination is centered on a particular area.

Motion Lights

Outdoor motion sensor lights will turn on when it detects movement within an area. Homeowners typically use motion sensors as a security measure, often with security cameras. When the motion lights come on, they yield a clear picture for the camera, no matter how dark it is outside.

Hardscape Lighting

Hardscape lights illuminate your landscape’s hardscape features like walkways, edging, pillars, and steps. Typically, these lights use a softer light that works similarly to downlights. They are great for lighting darker areas or highlighting small features.

Exterior Wall Lighting

One of the more common places homeowners add exterior wall lights is near the entrances, particularly by their home’s front door. But more and more, they’re being added to most of a home’s exterior wall perimeter, particularly where there are porches or patios. While they’re often designed with an aesthetic appeal, they’re also used for security purposes. A lighting designer can help you choose wall lights that complement your home’s overall design.

Solar Lights

Many homeowners have taken advantage of solar-powered pathway lights in recent years. The advantage of solar lights is that you don’t need wiring to light the paths. The lights use little panels to absorb the sun during the daytime and utilize it at night to illuminate the pathways. You can also use solar lights to light up your patio or driveway. It does sometimes take an expert to place the lights strategically so that they don’t look cluttered or overcrowded.

Bistro Lights

Bistro lightings are lights strung together and installed towards the top of your outdoor space. For instance, you might place bistro lights over your deck, patio, garden, or porch. Bistro lights work exceptionally well for outdoor gatherings or parties and can transform your outdoor space into a dreamy soft-lit paradise.

 

LED Step Lighting

These lights are arranged on flat linear strips and are usually installed along outdoor steps to add illumination. So, they serve two purposes: they’re practical and add a layer of safety. But, at night, it lights the steps beautifully. LED step lights can usually be controlled with a remote that allows you to change the colors or turn them off and on.

Spot Lights

Spotlighting is also known as uplighting, and the lights usually point up. They’re often installed at ground level or maybe a little above. Spotlights are perfect for highlighting the architectural features of your home. They’re also a crime deterrent as burglars tend to steer away from areas with lots of light.

 

Spotlights have different intensities, but we usually recommend that you avoid high-intensity lighting by your home’s window because too much of the light might be disruptive if it makes its way into your home. This is an especially important consideration at night when you’re trying to sleep.

Fairy Lights

Fairy lights in the landscape have really soared in popularity recently. They’re often used to decorate trees and bushes. Some homeowners also string them along the outside of their homes. The netted lights are especially appealing during the holidays, but homeowners often like them so much, they end up leaving them throughout the year. Fairy lights lend a mythical and magical feeling to your outdoor space.

The Takeaway

Landscape lighting designs are becoming even more trendy in 2022. For premium landscape lighting solutions, contact the lighting experts at Illuminations Lighting Design in Houston.

 

We can develop a custom outdoor lighting plan that matches your home’s design and aligns with your needs and purposes. Our stylish, modern designs will help transform your landscape into an inviting and gorgeous utopia to be enjoyed for years to come.

 

Reach out to us by calling (713) 863-1133 or request a design consultation with one of our designers.