Landscape Lighting

Why Add Landscape Lighting

Your landscape disappears after sunset unless you light it properly. Outdoor lighting extends the hours you can enjoy your yard, makes your home safer by illuminating walkways and entries, and adds significant curb appeal. A well-lit property looks more valuable and welcoming than one that goes dark at night.

Landscape lighting also provides security by eliminating dark corners where intruders could hide. Motion-activated lights near entries and along your property line deter unwanted visitors while remaining unobtrusive during normal use. In Cypress neighborhoods, professional lighting sets properties apart and creates stunning evening ambiance that you and your neighbors will appreciate. We've been designing landscape lighting systems since 2024 and know exactly how to showcase your Cypress landscaping investment.

Types of Landscape Lighting

Professional landscape lighting uses several fixture types, each designed for specific purposes:

• Path Lights: Illuminate walkways and driveways to prevent trips and guide visitors safely to your door
• Spotlights: Highlight focal points like specimen trees, architectural features, or decorative elements
• Well Lights: Mount flush with the ground to uplight trees, walls, or other vertical surfaces
• Wash Lights: Spread broad, soft light across walls, fences, or large planting areas
• Step Lights: Built into stairs and retaining walls to make elevation changes visible and safe
• Deck and Patio Lights: Provide ambient lighting for outdoor entertaining spaces

A complete lighting design combines several fixture types to create layers of light. We start by identifying what you want to see after dark, then select fixtures and placement that bring your landscape to life. Most systems use low-voltage LED fixtures that are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and safe around plants and people.

Design Principles

Good landscape lighting is subtle. You should notice the effects, not the fixtures themselves. We hide lights within plantings, behind architectural features, or mount them low where they blend into the landscape. The goal is to create a magical nighttime scene, not a spotlight show.

We follow the principle of layering light at different heights and intensities. Lower path lights guide movement, mid-level lights showcase plants and features, and uplighting on trees adds drama and height. Varying the brightness and beam spreads prevents harsh spots and creates depth that makes your yard feel larger.

Modern systems use smart controllers that adjust lighting schedules automatically and allow you to control everything from your phone. You can set different scenes for entertaining versus everyday use, or dim the lights for movie nights on the patio. These features integrate beautifully with your outdoor living spaces and overall landscape design.

Installation and Maintenance

We install low-voltage systems that run on transformers connected to your home's electrical system. The transformer reduces standard 120-volt household power down to safe 12 volts. This makes the wiring safe to bury in shallow trenches throughout your landscape without the need for expensive conduit or licensed electrician work for most installations.

Installation typically takes 1-2 days for a residential property. We bury all wiring, test each fixture, program your controller, and show you how everything works. Most systems can be expanded later if you add new landscaping or want to light additional areas.

Maintenance is minimal with LED fixtures. Bulbs last 20,000+ hours, which means years of use before replacement. We recommend annual service to clean lenses, adjust fixtures that may have shifted, and trim any plants that have grown to block the light. These tune-ups keep your system performing perfectly for decades.

Landscape Lighting Questions