Landscape Lighting: The Foundations of
Outdoor Lighting

Print This

There are three forms of common landscape lighting: task lighting, accent lighting, and general lighting. They can be both for design and practicality. When used together, they can add new dimensions to the exterior of a home and create dramatic effects. In order to get the most out of exterior lighting it is important to have a basic understanding of these lighting elements and the methods used to effectively harness them.

Task Lighting

Task lighting is used in concentration to enhance the functionality of a space. While this form of lighting is typically reserved for indoor space, it can be used outside in the design of outdoor kitchens, patios, and recreation spaces.

Table lamps are the most common form of task lighting. They provide people with adequate light for reading and other focused activities. However, task lighting can be used in a multitude of applications. Outdoors it can be placed by a favorite lawn chair, above the garden faucet, or next to the grill.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is the most common form of lighting in landscape design. As the name implies, the purpose of accent lighting is to accentuate selected characteristics of home architecture or outdoor landscaping. Often times, it is used to add dimension through the creation of shadows or extend the height of a home by vertically lighting external walls.

The source of accent lighting should always be hidden to preserve the natural feel of a space. Common practice in landscape lighting is to position accent light sources behind plants, shrubs, and bushes. However, light fixtures are now manufactured in organic shapes and colors to alleviate the problem.

General Lighting

General lighting is the most practical of the three forms of lighting. While task lighting is applied to concentrated areas and accent lighting is used to enhance design, general lighting provides light to an open space. Basic ceiling lamps and floor lamps are fixtures of general lighting used to illuminate an entire indoor area.

In landscape design, general lighting is commonly used under patio awnings or above garages and carports. The light is typically a basic white. It washes spaces as opposed to highlighting certain features of them. Unlike other forms of lighting, general lighting can occasionally be seen at the source or fixture without detracting from the overall mood of a space.