Types of Outdoor Lighting Fixtures for Landscaping

Selecting the right outdoor landscape lighting fixtures is critical, whether you aim to enhance the beauty of your yard or improve its safety and security. 

We will explore a variety of outdoor fixtures, from essential pathway lights that illuminate walkways and gardens for safe navigation to attractive string lights that transform trees into vibrant focal points, covering both aesthetic and safety aspects of your landscape. Explore these 14 outdoor lighting fixtures thoroughly to select the one for your yard. 

Pathway Lights

Pathway lights are designed to illuminate pathways, walkways, and driveways in your landscape for proper navigation and safety after sunset. Their brightness and warmth also adds a decorative touch to your landscape. 

These essential outdoor lighting fixtures are available in a variety of designs, sizes, and materials. You can also categorize them based on their power source, i.e., LED, solar, or electric. 

Examples of Pathway Lights: 

Traditional lamp posts, solar LED path lights, in-ground path lights, brass path lights, ground lamps

Floodlights

Floodlights are powerful outdoor lighting fixtures designed to provide high-intensity illumination over large areas. They are one of the best outdoor lighting options to enhance the safety and security of your landscape, including front yards, backyards, driveways, and gardens. 

These lighting fixtures are especially useful in deterring burglars and intruders. They are available in a variety of sizes and wattages. They also come with advanced features, such as adjustable beams and motion sensors. 

Examples of Floodlights: 

LED motion sensor floodlights, solar-powered floodlights, halogen floodlights, LED wall washes

Step Lights

You can use step lights to illuminate staircases and steps in your landscape. These lights enhance the aesthetics of your landscape and elevate its safety. You can mount them directly alongside staircases or integrate them into steps. You can also use them for outlining steps. These lights are highly useful in preventing falls and trips during the dark hours after sunset.

Step lights are available in a variety of designs and styles. From sleek LED strip lights to traditional lanterns, you can pick a suitable option per your landscape’s theme. 

Examples of Step Lights: 

Recessed LED step lights, solar step lights

Bollard Lights

Bollard lights are upright and sturdy lighting fixtures typically used to illuminate outdoor landscape areas, such as driveways, garden borders, pathways and walkways. Due to their long, column-like structure, these lights provide low-level illumination, perfect for proper navigation and pedestrian safety after sunset. 

Their brightness or illumination is neither too overpowering nor dull. It’s just enough for enhancing visibility and marking boundaries. Therefore, they can serve as safety lights in your landscape as well as enhance its beauty with their subtle and warm glow. 

Examples of Bollard Lights: 

LED bollard lights for driveways, solar bollard lights for pathways and walkways

String Lights 

String lights (also called fairy lights) are typically used for decor purposes. You can use them to beautify your landscape, including trees, pergolas, and fences. These lighting fixtures comprise a series of tiny bulbs connected by a thin wire. 

Some string lights also comprise large bulbs stringed together with a thin wire. They are called festoon lights and popular in garden settings. 

Some of the best features of these lights is their flexibility and versatility. You can drape them over trees, hang them from one corner of your backyard to another to form a beautiful canopy, or use them to outline fences. String lights are available in a variety of colors and lengths. You can also find solar-powered and LED options on the market. 

Examples of String Lights: 

LED string lights, solar festoon lights, outdoor globe string lights, battery-operated string lights, solar-powered string lights 

Garden Spotlights

Spotlights focus targeted beams on specific elements in a landscape. You can use them to highlight garden sculptures, enhance the natural beauty of trees and shrubs, and so on. They are available in a variety of sizes and styles. 

You can use spotlights using different techniques such as downlighting and uplighting to focus light downward or upward on specific landscape elements. 

Examples of Garden Spotlights: 

Solar garden spotlights, color-changing spotlights, adjustable LED spotlights, in-ground spotlights, brass spotlights 

Lanterns

Lanterns are elegant outdoor lighting fixtures. You can use them to add a decorative element to your landscape or enhance its safety. For example, you can use them to illuminate pathways and walkways, or hang them from trees to create a rustic atmosphere. 

From modern designs to traditional styles, from LED to solar-powered, lanterns are available in a variety of sizes, designs, and styles. 

Examples of Lanterns: 

Hanging solar lanterns, tabletop lanterns, rattan lanterns, paper lanterns, Moroccan lanterns

Smart Landscape Lights

With automation becoming the new norm, smart outdoor landscape lights are also becoming popular. You can control these lights with smartphone apps, and adjust their brightness, color, color temperature, etc. 

Some key advantages of these lights are customization options, energy efficiency, enhanced security, and voice control. Examples of smart landscape lights include smart pathway lights, floodlights, color-changing lights, deck lights, solar lights, and so on. 

Examples of Smart Landscape Lights:

Wi-Fi enabled color-changing floodlights, Bluetooth garden lights, voice-controlled path lights, smart LED strip lights

Pendant Lights

Pendant lights are also one of the most versatile outdoor landscape lighting fixtures. They typically hang from ceilings and roofs, by a chain, cord, or metal rod. Moreover, they provide both ambient and task lighting in different landscape settings, such as decks, patios, gazebos, outdoor bars and kitchens, etc. 

These lights are available in a variety of styles, from rustic and traditional looks to modern and sleek designs. You can hang them individually or in groups depending on your requirements. Pendant lights can enhance the overall look of your landscape and provide the utmost illumination for outdoor activities. 

Examples of Pendant Lights:

Solar pendant lights, outdoor chandelier pendant lights, oversized pendant lights

Wall Sconces

Wall sconces are outdoor landscape lighting fixtures mounted on walls to provide ambient or direct lighting. In the landscape, they are typically used to illuminate architectural features, entryways, patios, and outdoor corridors. Therefore, they are useful for both enhancing the appeal of your landscape and improving its safety. 

From traditional designs to modern LED fixtures, you can find a variety of wall sconces on the market. 

Examples of Wall Sconces:

Motion sensor wall sconces, solar wall sconces, LED wall sconces

Barn Lights

Barn lights or gooseneck lights comprise a downward-facing shade and curved arm. They are typically used for illuminating decks, driveways, outdoor kitchens, and porches. Since they provide focused, downward-facing lighting, they are perfect for highlighting different landscape elements or task lighting. 

Examples of Barn Lights:

LED barn lights, vintage metal barn lights

Submersible Lights

Submersible or underwater lights are typically designed to be submerged in water. You can use them to illuminate fountains, ponds, pools, and other water features in your landscape. 

These lights elevate the look of water elements after sunset, creating beautiful visual effects and accentuating the movement of water. They also improve safety around water features by providing adequate illumination. 

Examples of Submersible Lights:

LED pool lights, pond lights, fountain lights

Wall Lights

Wall lights or hardscape lights seamlessly integrate into the pre-built elements of your landscape, walls, benches, decks, patios, and steps. You can use them to accentuate the overall look of your landscape and enhance its functionality by improving safety and visibility. 

Examples of Wall Lights:

Recessed lights, LED strip lights, warm white outdoor in-ceiling lights, cool white outdoor in-ceiling lights

Rope Lights

Similar to string lights, rope lights are also a versatile option for landscaping. You can use these lights to enhance garden features, illuminate pathways, highlight garden borders, and so on. They are most useful for linear applications, such as along borders or railings. 

Examples of Rope Lights:

Waterproof LED rope lights, solar-powered rope lights, battery-operated rope lights, colorful rope lights 

Well Lights

Well lights (also known as in-ground lights) are also used for landscaping. They are typically installed within the ground and blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. They are also used for uplighting as they provide illumination from below to highlight elements, such as plants and sculptures. 

When placed along driveways, pathways, walkways, or near steps, they can also provide adequate illumination for safety and security.

Examples of Well Lights:

LED well lights, color-changing well lights, halogen well lights, solar-powered well lights

Sign Lights

Sign lights are landscaping lighting fixtures used to light up house numbers, entrance signs, outdoor signs, and so on. Their main function is to enhance the readability and visibility of these elements during the dark night hours. Moreover, they also enhance the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space. 

Examples of Sign Lights:

LED sign lights, directional lights, solar-powered sign lights

Things to Consider When Selecting Outdoor Lighting Fixtures for Landscaping 

Now that you have gone through the complete list of outdoor lights for landscaping, let’s look at some vital things to consider when selecting the right fixture for your yard:

Lighting Purpose

First things first, determine the purpose of buying the lighting fixture. Are you looking to enhance the aesthetics of your yard? In that case, exploring string lights, LED strip lights, spotlights, etc., might be beneficial. 

Do you aim to install the lighting fixtures for functionality purposes? If yes, you may want to explore recessed lights or vintage lamp posts. Are safety and security of the yard your top priorities? In that case, exploring floodlights could be a good option. 

Budget

Plan your budget for landscape lighting. When finalizing the budget, ensure you factor in different costs, such as initial purchase price, installation costs, maintenance costs, and long-time energy consumption. 

Lighting Type and Style

Next, ensure the fixture you have chosen blends perfectly with your landscape’s theme and style. From traditional lamp posts to LED flower pots, the lights should blend seamlessly with your surroundings. 

Voltage

When looking for outdoor lighting fixtures for landscaping, voltage is also a critical factor to consider. After all, the voltage of the fixtures can impact their installation, overall safety, and energy consumption. 

Outdoor lighting fixtures are typically available with two voltages: low voltage (12 V) and line voltage (120 V). 

Low voltage lighting is most suitable for outdoor spaces with moisture. Therefore, it is ideal for accent lighting, garden paths, and residential landscapes. Moreover, there’s minimal risk of electric shock and professional installation is not required in most cases.

Therefore, low-voltage outdoor lights are typically used in DIY projects. Please note that you will need a transform to convert line voltage into 12 V low voltage. 

On the other hand, line voltage is suitable for high-intensity lighting needs or powering larger outdoor lighting fixtures. Installation of lighting fixtures working with line voltage is typically done by professionals since the risk of electric shock is also high. 

Durability and Weather Resistance

Once you have picked the right lighting fixture to suit your requirements and landscape, evaluate its durability and weather resistance. Ensure the fixture is capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions, such as rain and snow. 

Choose fixtures rated for outdoor use and made from materials, such as aluminum, durable plastics, and stainless steel.

Energy Efficiency

Along with durability and weather resistance, also assess the energy efficiency of the fixtures. Consider buying LED or solar-powered outdoor lighting fixtures to save cost and reduce electricity usage. 

Color Temperature and Light Intensity

The color temperature and light intensity of the outdoor lighting fixture can also impact the ambience of your yard. Bright, cooler lights are suitable for task lighting and flood lighting, while soft, warm lights create a cozy atmosphere and can be a great choice for romantic dinners and intimate gatherings. 

Additional Features

Look for lighting fixtures with features like smart home integration, dimmers, timers, etc., for flexibility. 

Installation

Lastly, consider the ease of installation of the outdoor lighting fixture. Battery-powered and solar lights are the easiest to install as they do not involve any wiring. However, they may require more maintenance in terms of battery and bulb replacement.