When the sun goes down, your landscape doesn’t have to disappear. With the right landscape lighting, your outdoor space can shine—literally. Not only does lighting enhance the aesthetics of your property, but it also adds safety, visibility, and security.

If you're a homeowner in the DFW area looking to boost nighttime curb appeal or highlight your home's best features, this guide offers simple, expert-backed tips to get started.

1. Focus on Focal Points

Start by identifying the features you want to highlight. Think:

• Trees
• Architectural details
• Pathways
• Water features
• Retaining walls

Use uplighting to dramatize tall elements and downlighting for more subtle, natural effects. Strategic placement is key to creating depth and dimension in your landscape.

2. Choose the Right Fixtures

Not all lighting is created equal. At Broadstone Landscape, we recommend using high-quality, weather-resistant fixtures made for outdoor use.

Popular choices include:

• Spotlights – Ideal for illuminating trees, statues, or architectural walls
• Path lights – Perfect for walkways, driveways, and garden borders
• Well lights – Subtle ground lights used to uplight trees or walls
• Step lights – Add safety and ambiance to stairs and retaining walls

3. Layer Your Lighting

Just like indoor design, outdoor lighting should include layers. Use a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create a balanced look:

• Ambient = general lighting (e.g., patio lights)
• Task = lighting with a purpose (e.g., security or path lights)
• Accent = decorative touches (e.g., uplights on plants)

This layered approach adds sophistication and improves visibility across your yard.

4. Use LED for Efficiency

LED lights are the smart choice for landscape lighting. They:

• Last longer
• Use less energy
• Produce less heat
• Offer a wide range of color temperatures

We install energy-efficient LED lighting systems that give you better performance with lower long-term costs.

5. Don’t Forget Smart Controls

Modern landscape lighting can be easily managed with timers, motion sensors, or smart apps. You can:

• Schedule lights to turn on at dusk
• Control brightness remotely
• Adjust zones for entertaining or security

At Broadstone Landscape, we help homeowners integrate smart lighting solutions for ease and efficiency.

6. Combine Lighting with Other Services

Your lighting design should complement your overall landscape. We often combine it with:

• Hardscaping – to light up stone patios, retaining walls, or concrete paths
• Water features – to illuminate ponds or fountains at night
• Turf or sod installation – to highlight the textures of your lawn

A cohesive plan ensures your landscape looks great in both daylight and darkness.

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