Short answer: light the places people use, from low and to the side, with warm white at a gentle level, and keep the bright light away from eye level. Layers beat one big floodlight. Landscape lighting starts from $195 per fixture, and the estimate is free.
Why summer nights are different
In a Georgia summer the day is too hot to sit outside, so the patio comes alive after sundown. Dinner moves outdoors, the grill goes on, and the kids stay out. That is when a yard either feels like a room or like a parking lot. A single bright light over the back door draws bugs, blinds anyone looking out and flattens everything it touches. The yard past it goes black, which makes the whole space feel smaller.
A better plan uses several soft sources at different heights, each doing a small job.
The layers that make a space feel finished
| Layer | What it does | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Path lighting | Shows the way, marks edges | Walkways, steps, garden edges |
| Wash lighting | Soft glow on a wall or fence | Behind seating, on the house |
| Uplighting | Lifts a tree or column | At the base of trees, columns |
| Step lighting | Makes stairs safe | In risers or beside treads |
| Task lighting | Bright where you cook or read | Over the grill, at the bar |
You do not need all five. Most patios feel right with path, wash and one uplit tree.
How to plan it, step by step
- Sit where you actually sit at dusk and note what you look at. Light that view first.
- Mark where you walk. Steps and changes in level come next.
- Choose a warm white tone so skin and wood look natural.
- Keep fixtures low or shielded so you do not see a bare bulb from the seats.
- Add one task light where you cook or serve.
- Put it on a timer or photocell, so you do not have to remember.
- Check it at full dark. What looked fine at dusk may glare once the sky is black.
Bugs, glare and heat
Bright white light pulls insects. Warm white draws fewer, and shielded or low fixtures put less light in the air where insects fly. Heat matters for hardware too: fixtures that sit in direct summer sun need good seals and sturdy finishes. Brass holds up in clay, sprinklers and long summers, and we offer lifetime-brass fixture options.
Low voltage versus plug-in decor
String lights and plug-in lamps are fine for a party. For a space you use all summer, low-voltage LED is easier. It runs on a transformer, the wire is buried, and there are no cords across the patio. LED fixtures also draw little power, so running them every evening is not a worry. Our lighting is designed on your property at dusk and we offer a live demo before you commit, so you see what you are buying.
If you also want music, outdoor audio can be wired along the same runs, with weatherproof speakers. That is quoted on design. See our lighting page.
What it costs
Landscape lighting starts from $195 per fixture. The number of fixtures depends on the size of the space and what you want to show. We give you a firm number before any work begins, and the estimate is free. Our minimum service call is $95 if you already have lights that need attention.
Mistakes we see most
The most common mistake is putting the brightest light at eye level, where it shines straight at people. The second is lighting only the house wall, so the yard disappears at its edge. The third is using one color of white for everything, so a warm patio meets a cool path. The fourth is forgetting the steps. We fix each by lowering and shielding fixtures, extending light to the edge of the space, matching tone and lighting every change in level.
When to call us
Call when you want a patio, deck or pool area designed for evening use, or when an existing system leaves dark corners or glares in your eyes. We are family-owned, licensed and insured, and we offer same-day service. See our landscape lighting design page and our gallery.
FAQ
What lighting is best for a backyard patio? Soft, warm, low-level light in layers: path, wash and an uplit tree or wall.
Will outdoor lights attract bugs? Bright white light draws more insects. Warm tones and shielded fixtures draw fewer.
Do I need electricians for landscape lighting? Low-voltage lighting runs off a transformer, and your plug-in outlet powers it. We design and install the whole system.
How much does landscape lighting cost? It starts from $195 per fixture, with a free estimate and a firm number before work begins.
Prices from our price list. Updated October 2026.