Landscape lighting is not a DIY project. There are far too many technical issues and variables involved, all of which could turn a seemingly simple job into a mess that will ruin the look of your house and make everyone who lives in it unhappy. The way your yard is illuminated after dark will impact the whole aura and atmosphere of the home so you can’t afford to make mistakes. Landscape lighting installation is best left to a landscaping company that has the experience and expertise to do the work the right way and give you the look you want for the exterior of your home. That said, you need to know the common mistakes that occur in outdoor landscape lighting so that you have the information you need to talk to your landscaping professional about the lighting you are looking for. So, here are the common landscape lighting mistakes to avoid.

• Too Many Lighting Fixtures: You want a bright cheerful yard, but overdoing the lighting can turn it into a glaring reflection of how the Sahara desert looks at noon. Start planning the lighting with a “less is more” approach.
• Not Enough Lighting Fixtures: Less is more does not mean that there should be dull and dark spots in the yard unless you are looking to create a somber effect. Balanced lighting will offer you a choice of moods so that your yard will be ready for entertaining, family gatherings, chilling out, or anything else that you may want to use after dark.
• Using the Wrong Fixtures: Besides the layout of the yard and the plants in it, the type of fixtures and the locations are key factors in getting the lighting effect you want.

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Also Read: Regular Landscape Renovation – It Makes a Huge Difference to Your Home

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• Skimping on Quality: Most homeowners have to work on a budget, but going in for inferior-grade lighting equipment and fixtures will sooner or later cause a lot of problems that will ruin your enjoyment of the yard. A landscaping professional will know how to get the most bang for your buck.
• Not Understanding Automation: More and more aspects of your home are becoming automated and landscape lighting is no exception. You need to know what kind of automation you want and need and what will be a waste of money and cause needless complications.
• Not Having a Clear Design Concept in Mind: A “figure it out as you go” approach to landscape lighting will never produce the right results. You need to have a clear concept and lighting plan in mind before the project begins. And it must be a practical and workable one. This will ensure that the result is not a mish-mash but is the lighting effect you want.

It’s your home and your yard, so the landscape should be lit to give you the look you want. However, a qualified landscaping professional will have a lot of ideas and concepts to offer you. With a knowledge of what to avoid, you will be able to work with him to create just the look you want for your landscape.

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