Your Calabasas home is likely more than just a place to rest your head—it's your oasis just far enough from the hustle and bustle of L.A. But when the California sun dips below the horizon, can you and your guests truly appreciate the beauty of your property? With the right outdoor landscape lighting, you can ensure your home's allure doesn't fade with the daylight. Read on to discover five landscape lighting techniques that will make your Calabasas residence shine long after dark.

SEE ALSO: What Are the Top Benefits of Outdoor Landscape Lighting?

Downlighting

Does your property boast tall, mature oak trees or other native California species? Installing downlights in the trees can cast a soft, enchanting glow over your landscape. Modern LED lighting offers a palette of white color temperatures and hues, allowing for a little creativity in illumination. Choose cooler whites to mimic the moonlight filtering through the leaves, or opt for warmer tones to match the tone of your Spanish Santa Barbara architecture. Downlighting can also enhance safety by illuminating long driveways and winding pathways common in Calabasas hillside homes.

Accent Lights

Do you have a prized sculpture or a unique feature that deserves the spotlight? Make it even more dramatic at night with strategically placed uplights. This technique can also showcase specimen trees like Japanese maples or native California flora. Accent lighting can transform ordinary landscape elements into focal points, adding depth and interest to your outdoor spaces after dark.

Shadows and Silhouettes

Shadowing and silhouetting are two techniques that capture attention and create visual interest. Use these methods to highlight your home's unique architecture, perhaps emphasizing Mediterranean-style arches or modern angular designs. During the holidays, these techniques can create special effects, casting dramatic shadows of palm trees or creating silhouettes of decorative elements against your home's exterior.

Pools and Water Features

The opportunity to illuminate water should never be overlooked. Underwater LED lighting with color-changing capabilities can transform your pool area, creating different ambiances for entertaining or relaxation. Use underwater lights in fountains, cascading water features, or koi ponds to create shimmering effects that add movement and life to your nighttime landscape.

Grazing and Washing

Grazing and washing techniques place wide-cast light close to a surface, enhancing texture and detail. These lighting methods are perfect for architectural styles featuring stucco walls or natural stone accents, highlighting your home's unique finishes. Use grazing to accentuate a tree's rough bark or to illuminate a tall, manicured hedge that provides privacy from neighboring properties.

Use Your Imagination

Don't settle for standard, purely functional lighting in your outdoor spaces. Illuminate sitting areas, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, and meditation gardens to create your own landscape masterpiece after dark. A well-designed landscape lighting plan enhances the beauty of your property while also improving safety and security. Incorporate smart lighting controls to make outdoor lighting easy to manage and energy-efficient, perfect for the eco-conscious Southern California lifestyle.

Ready to create your custom nightscape in Calabasas? Get in touch with us today, we would love to illuminate your outdoor living spaces!