The right kind of lighting can really make your outdoor space stand out—so if you’ve been thinking about sprucing up your Okanagan home’s yard or garden, you’re on the right track. It’s all about mood lighting, especially as we’re smack in the middle of winter in Kelowna, offering the perfect opportunity to create a magical space to enjoy on long nights. There are plenty of lighting options to choose from but they depend on what your purpose is—such as functionality, aesthetics, safety and more. Do you want to amp up the ambience, host soirées in your backyard, or simply want to protect your flower beds from stomping feet, or all of the above?
If it all sounds too confusing, there’s no need to worry. Synergy Landscape and Design has you covered with several outdoor lighting options to weigh out, along with practical tips based on your intended usage. Let’s get into it!
Outdoor lighting ideas to boost your home’s landscape appeal:
Patio Lighting
Your home’s patio is naturally the focal point of your garden or backyard, so lighting up this section will add warmth to your space, creating a cozy atmosphere for everyone gathered there. It will also ensure your space is cozy and well-lit long after sunset.
The easiest way to start is adding some string lights over the seating area, and the best part is the number of string lights added can be increased or decreased based on the size of the space you’re dealing with or the vibe you want to create. You can choose to string the lights in neat rows or crisscross them for a bit of variation, and the brightness of your space will depend on the bulbs you choose and the number of lights you use. If you’re unsure, our team of expert landscapers can help you scope out the best options during the design phase of your landscape project.
Pathway Lighting
Pathways are great areas to have lights either built-in or fixed along the perimeter and it not only beautifies the space but helps visually define it, adds a layer of safety and protects surrounding plant beds. So, how can you tackle pathway lighting in the best way? Synergy’s landscapers have carried out multiple projects featuring pathway lighting and we’ve got it all figured out. Following are some options:
Another popular option for stone or wood walkways is recessed lights. These are built into the pathway, so they are quite practical, provide a modern aesthetic and highlight the edge of the path for safety.
If you’ve got stepping stones or pavers that lead the way across your yard, another potential option is using solar-powered lanterns to illuminate the path. These can be staggered on either side of the pathway, giving your space a whimsical touch, while also keeping the area well-lit. Talk about a storybook setting!
Fence Lighting
Ever felt like you needed to add just a tiny bit of oomph to your garden’s fence, what better way to do that than adding some ambient lighting? Here are some tried and true options:
LED lights can be used at regular intervals along the fence line. They’ll help cast a glow on the fence above and garden below, while also defining the perimeter of your outdoor space. These lights are usually about a foot tall and installed in the ground, however, fence-mounted spotlights work great too, and provide downward directional illumination.
Our landscape company has several years of experience, so if you have trouble making the right decisions, we can help with everything from landscape design to installation.
Illuminated steps and walls
If your backyard or garden has elevated or sunken areas with steps leading to perhaps the pool, firepit or seating areas, it’s a great opportunity to further accentuate the space using lighting. Steps can have built-in LED lights that illuminate the landing area of each step, adding dimension to the space.
Additionally, feature or accent walls can stand out further with the right kind of lighting. Wall sconces work best for this, as they are easy to install, compact and still effectively brighten up the area. Most options provide soft, background lighting, but for stronger illumination, cylindrical sconces that cast light upwards and downwards are your best bet.
Outdoor lighting is quite diverse with the ability to completely change the way your space looks and feels with just a few modifications to different areas of your garden. It’s all about accentuating the right spots, bringing in aesthetics, dimension, and an added layer of safety—increasing the overall value of your home.
When done right, your space can truly shine. But with so many choices, from the tone of lights selected to hardware colours for fixtures, it can all get overwhelming. That’s why Synergy is here to help you plan it out from conception to completion with our full-service landscaping solutions.
If you’re already envisioning a glow-up for your entryway, backyard or garden, partner with Synergy Landscape and Design for a hassle-free process and the best outcome. We’ve got tons of expertise in the landscaping industry from enhancing curb appeal to completely transforming the spaces surrounding Kelowna homes. To partner with us in breathing new life into your space, contact us today!