It's no surprise many people rate the weather in Southern California as some of the best in the country, with dry mild to hot weather year-round. That's why our clients in Agoura Hills place such a premium on their outdoor spaces and contact us to install outdoor TVs or sound systems. However, lighting has always been the most important tech upgrade to optimize their pool, patios, and yards. 

Without properly lit exteriors, you end up with shadows and glare that make using them a drag after the sun sets. Plus, improperly lit spaces decrease your overall security and curb appeal! How do so many people end up with bad outdoor lighting? Check out people's top mistakes and how a professional landscape lighting design helps you avoid them.

SEE MORE: Enhance Your Space With Cutting-Edge Lighting Control 

Wrong Amount of Lighting 

Elegant landscape lighting is all about balance. We see clients with both too much and too little illumination in their outdoor spaces. Why is this an issue? If you have too many lights or make them too bright, you'll overpower the space and create a blinding effect in certain areas. You may even cause light pollution in surrounding homes. Not having enough light is also common. Without enough coverage, you'll end up with poorly lit spaces that are dangerous and hard to use.  

You should work with a professional who understands the lighting levels of different fixtures and the needs of your outdoor areas. The result should be layered lighting that adds depth and dimension. Sometimes, it's as simple as placing fixtures at different heights to add angles of illumination so lighting does not overpower any area. 

Choosing the Wrong Fixtures 

Selecting the right fixtures is difficult, and the wrong choice could have a major impact. Low-quality fixtures will burn out quickly and provide dim lighting, so you need more of them. The color temperature of the lights is also important to set the right ambiance. We recommend tunable LEDs that allow for warmer hues in the evening and cooler ones earlier in the day. Finally, consider the type of fixtures. Uplights along pathways, for example, will get into people's eyes and actually decrease their visibility. 

A professional landscape lighting designer will consider all of this to find the right fixtures for different applications (ambient lighting, pathway lighting, or uplighting), ensure you're using high-quality models, and that they're rated to survive the elements. 

Lack of Planning 

All in all, the main mistake we see is people not thinking about their landscape lighting comprehensively. They often add lights as use cases appear rather than taking a cohesive approach. The result is disjointed lighting that won't do the job as well. 

Another issue with lack of planning has more to do with the technical aspect. Without the help of a professional landscape lighting designer, it's easy to end up with the wrong voltage wiring, which could lead to lamps burning out or not fully functioning. Plus, poorly installed wiring could cause serious safety issues. We'll help you plan where all fixtures go, take care of all necessary wiring and conduits, and provide enough power.

Don't let bad lighting dim your outdoor enjoyment! Call us or fill out our contact form to discover how our professional landscape lighting can brighten your space and enhance your security.