Holiday Lights Seasonal Special

Are you ready for the holiday season? Let us bring all the sparkle and shine of the holidays to your home. Our outdoor holiday light installation service will get your home ready for winter festivities.  

Don’t wait until the holidays are here or it will be too late. Our installation calendar fills up quickly! Secure an early installation date, before the holiday season, so your home will be ready with the holidays. We’re also offering an Early Bird Special! Schedule your holiday lighting installation for the month of September to receive a 10% discount.

St. Louis outdoor holiday lighting

Create the gorgeous and festive look you want with professionally installed outdoor holiday lighting for your St. Louis home. We’ve worked with customers all over the St. Louis area to install outdoor holiday lighting for the season. Our customers love us, and we love helping them get into the holiday spirit! Whether you want an elegant holiday lighting display for an expansive estate or fun, festive, color-filled lighting for a cozy home, we can provide. 

Take advantage of our Early Bird Special! Schedule your holiday lighting installation for the month of September to receive a 10% discount. 

All the joy, none of the stress

Life already gives you plenty to deal with. Let us get your home ready for the holidays while you focus on other things. We have the ladders, the equipment, and the know-how to manage outdoor holiday lighting installation easily and professionally. You get to enjoy the look you want for the winter holidays without adding another task to your list. 

Choose classic warm white or festive colors for the holiday look you want without the stress:

  • We provide the lights. No need to visit stores or sort through online options to get the lights you need. 
  • We install the lighting on your home. You don’t have to touch a ladder. 
  • We set up lighting on a timer. You don’t even have to worry about turning the lights on and off!
  • We take down the lighting. Once the holidays are over, we’ll come back and take all the lights down. It’s included!

Fill out our quick form and we’ll get in touch to find out exactly what you’re looking for, provide a quote, and schedule your installation date. Don’t wait: if you schedule now you can take advantage of our Early Bird Special! Schedule your holiday lighting installation for the month of September to receive a 10% discount!

High-quality holiday lighting

When you call us for your outdoor holiday lighting, you’re working with a team of dedicated lighting professionals who know St. Louis and outdoor lighting. It’s a quick and easy process to get started and schedule your installation. 

Here’s what you need to know:

  1. You’ll fill out an easy form, and we’ll be in touch to get all the details about what you want. 
  2. Holiday lighting installation starts at $500 which includes the rental cost for lighting materials, the lighting installation & removal after the end of the holiday season. 
  3. We’ll provide a custom quote for your home’s holiday lighting once we hear from you. 

Take advantage of our Early Bird Special! Schedule your holiday lighting installation for the month of September to receive a 10% discount.

Lighting professionals you can count on 

We’re not just here for the holidays. Designing, installing, and maintaining outdoor lighting systems is what we do all year for homes and businesses around St. Louis. We bring a depth of experience and a well-trained team, along with the tools, resources, and expertise to bring the best holiday lighting look to your home. 

Take advantage of our Early Bird Special! Schedule your holiday lighting installation for the month of September to receive a 10% discount !

Sprucing Up in St. Louis: 6 Essential Springtime Chores for Outdoors

garden lighting

Ahhh, nothing compares to the feeling of stepping outside and basking in the first sunshine of spring – especially here in St. Louis, where it’s a constant rollercoaster of weather experiences. Will it be sunny and warm today? Or perhaps chilly and gray? Or will we get to admire an ominous greenish-gray sky for a while? Spring in St. Louis is quite an adventure.

Despite the uncertainty of the season, it’s still a good time to take a look at what needs to be spruced up in your outdoor spaces. With a few relatively simple updates (and minimal money) you can easily give your home and yard a fresh new feel this spring. And once those summer temps have rolled in, you’ll be glad you can sit back and enjoy it in your upgraded and shaded outdoor spots.

Clean up the winter leftovers

We may not get a lot of snow here in St. Louis, but we do get plenty of cold weather, strong winds, ice, and rain. There can be lots of debris, and perhaps some damage, after a few months of winter. Now’s the time to do initial cleanup, and take stock of any bigger jobs. Make the rounds with a wheelbarrow or large trash can, gathering up small branches, debris, and anything else that needs to be picked up. As you do, check on hardscaping, gutters, large trees, and landscaping features that may have sustained damage. You can either put aside some time to tackle those jobs or call in a professional. Either way, it will be a relief to know it’s all taken care of before you have a crowd of people over for that graduation party or post-game barbecue.

Optimize your outdoor spaces

Optimize for activities that work best in sunny and naturally shaded areas. Remember: that warm spring sun feels great now, but when it’s 95 degrees and 90% humidity in mid-July, you’ll be craving shade.

Use the sunny areas for gardening and natural landscaping features, taking advantage of the natural light to promote healthy growth. Focus on using those cooler, shaded areas for comfortable outdoor living spaces.

Get organized

A little bit of effort can go a long way here. And we know, we know: it’s never fun to spend a day cleaning out the garage. But it’s much more tolerable on a pleasant spring day than a sweltering June afternoon. The same is true for those other outdoor spots that tend to accumulate toys, tools, and all that random stuff. There are three steps to accomplish: declutter, clean, and organize. First, gather up those random items and sort them out. Then, with the space cleared, you can do a quick cleaning. Sweep up debris and spiderwebs, wipe down surfaces, and hose off larger areas. Now you’re ready to organize. Hang gardening tools in the shed, gather up outdoor toys in a bin or chest, and get sports gear organized in the garage.

Stock up on supplies

Once you’re organized, stock up on the things that will make outdoor time better. There are fun supplies like water balloons, bubbles, and outdoor chalk. Then there are the practical things, like handheld fans, insect spray, and beer koozies. It doesn’t hurt to add in a few inflatable beach balls, outdoor games, and s’mores pokers.

Beat the heat

When summer blooms in its full glory, there are two things you need to enjoy your outdoor spaces: shade and a breeze. Think about how you can bring in more shade around relaxing and entertaining areas. Outdoor curtains, umbrellas, and shade sails can be good temporary solutions if you don’t want to invest in permanent structures. They’ll also create more privacy and elevate outdoor areas into spaces that feel welcoming and comfortable. For porches, gazebos, or other outdoor areas with an actual structure, consider installing an outdoor ceiling fan to generate a cool breeze.

Light up the night

Summers in St. Louis mean long sunny days and relaxed evenings. Where does your yard need outdoor lighting to make it safe, usable, and fun on those summer nights? 

Here are a few ideas:

  1. Pathway lights near sidewalks, entrances, and steps.
  2. Bistro lights over the deck or patio.
  3. Spotlights on a new landscaping feature.
  4. Pathway lights leading to the fire pit.
  5. Color-changing lights around the pool.

Get in touch if you’d like a free estimate on outdoor lighting that can make your whole home and yard sparkle at night. Ready for even more ideas? See these 7 outdoor living space upgrades to make the neighbors jealous.

Top Customer Questions about Outdoor Lighting System Design and Installation

When you’re about to invest in a professional outdoor lighting system, it’s wise to ask lots of questions. You want to know what to expect, consider all the options, and make sure you’re getting a good value. Here are some of the top questions we answer for our customers. As we design and install custom outdoor lighting systems for their homes and businesses, our goal is to match their vision and bring the perfect lighting to life.

What if I change my mind after the lighting is installed? 

Short answer: it’s no problem. We can make adjustments even after the lighting is installed. 

Here’s the longer answer: It’s rare that we need to make big adjustments after installation. We start with a custom design, and provide a demo so customers can see what the system will look like. Fixture placement is extremely customizable, and during the demo we can fine-tune to get it just right. Then we schedule the installation. 

We also design our lighting systems to be doable in projects. Most of the time people will start with one area and add another area the following year until the lighting system is complete. The installation is made for permanent placement, but there is no conduit used, so adding or relocating fixtures is not too involved. Our outdoor lighting systems are designed for alterations to be made, if ever desired.

How is the outdoor lighting system wired?  

The lighting is powered via a low-voltage landscape lighting transformer. The transformer plugs into a standard 110 Volt outlet, usually on the outside of the home on the back or sides of the house. We often install them in garages or basements. We’ll recommend a transformer with the correct output to handle all your lighting combined, as well as planned additions you may intend to make to your system.

How are the fixtures installed?

Most of the fixtures are attached to an 8-inch ground stake and are placed about a foot away from the home. We’ll work out the spacing and the angle of fixtures to produce uniform light coverage and highlight features, without creating shadowy or dim areas. We’ll also adjust the intensity and spread of the beam as needed for a welcoming glow and appropriate brightness, without intense or overwhelming lights. 

For fixtures attached to trees, we have special hardware to install the lights without damaging trees. For string lights such as bistro lights, if there are not adequate supports for mounting the lights we will cut and install custom support poles for the area. 

Do you have fixtures for different budgets?

We choose lighting brands that provide light fixtures and light output that meet our quality standards and provide options for our customers. 

Here’s a quick highlight of the brands we use:

  • Kichler has been around for a very long time and is the leading brand in the industry. They have the widest variety of pathway light styles, fixture finishes, and options for different lighting needs. Kichler is our high-end price point option. 
  • Sterling has a single uplighting fixture with variable light intensity settings that allows the fixtures to grow with the trees they are lighting up. They also offer the most substantial pathway light fixture on the market, in our opinion. Durability is almost always the number one concern with pathway lighting. Sterling is our mid-level price point option.
  • Dauer is a relatively new addition to our options. We have been using them for almost 5 years and they have the best price point among our options, but we are selective about the fixtures we use from Dauer, as some do not offer the quality that we stand behind. Dauer is our low-end price point option.

What kind of warranty coverage comes with an outdoor lighting system?

All equipment comes with their manufacturer’s warranty; we can direct you to the appropriate website for more specific info when you choose fixtures. The warranty start period for fixtures begins when the installation is completed.

Typically, the light fixtures we offer (from Kichler, Sterling & Dauer) hold a 10-year warranty for electrical failure and/or water damage but NOT for physical damage.

Our installation has a 1-Year Workmanship Warranty. This warranty covers any return trips needed for the first year. Why would we need to come back? We usually don’t, but if we do it is usually for damaged wires from critters underground. Also, we’ve found that when fixtures last all four seasons in their first year, we will not see them go bad for the next 10 years. Occasionally, there’s a fixture which goes bad within the first year due to overheating or bad seals. You’ll never have to pay to replace a dud fixture that is less than a year old.

How do I control when the lights turn on and off? 

Our outdoor lighting system installations come with two timing options:

  • A digital timer that self-adjusts for DST to operate the lights from dusk till dawn. This is a great option if you want things to work and don’t want to mess with the system at all. We will program it and you should never need to interact with it. No wi-fi needed, and it has a battery back-up to protect the memory in case of short-term power outage.
  • For those who want options and some hands-on control, we offer a Smart Wi-Fi Timer. You can set up different programs (e.g, dusk – dawn, specific times) and control these through your smartphone. We will assist in setting this up as well.

What type of maintenance is needed for an outdoor lighting system?

There are no bulbs to replace, as the LED is integrated into the fixtures. If the light goes bad, we can replace it with a service call, but there is no service fee during the 1-year workmanship warranty period. And we rarely see lights go bad after one full year of use.

For other aspects of maintenance, you’ll want to keep fixtures clear of debris and may need to straighten placement. After storms, ice, and heavy winds, it’s a good idea to walk through and pick up branches, remove leaves and dirt, straighten fixtures, and check for any damage. We also offer an annual maintenance plan to make things even easier for you. 

See what our clients have to say, and get in touch to schedule your custom outdoor lighting design and installation!

Ladue Homeowners: Here’s How to Get Better Landscape Lighting

Welcome to Ladue, Missouri

The town of Ladue was established when St. Louis county was a rural landscape of farms and small communities. Now the county is a bustling center for people living, working, and playing, and Ladue is a top-tier town in this larger area. Ladue has a population just under 10,000, and is known as one of the best-educated and wealthiest areas in Missouri. 

Ladue has notable landmarks such as The Price School and Ladue Chapel, and family businesses that have been established for generations. Ladue can also boast a long list of notable people, including Stan Musial and August Busch III. The real estate market in Ladue is very competitive, and the average home price is over $1m.

If you’re lucky enough to call Ladue your home, it’s no surprise you want to honor this beautiful area by bringing your house to life with upscale, well-designed landscape lighting. If it’s time to upgrade your landscape system, or completely redesign all your outdoor lighting for a lush and elegant look, here’s what you need to know. 

Start with a complete landscape lighting design

Elegant landscape lighting starts with a complete design. Just as you wouldn’t build a house without a complete set of architectural plans, you shouldn’t haphazardly get lights installed in different places. The result won’t be cohesive unless there’s a plan tying all the elements together. 

  • “The result of a good design is a cohesive, finished look that increases curb appeal and makes your home look steller, anytime.” Read more.

To plan a landscape lighting design, first think about what you want from your outdoor areas. How do you use the outdoor spaces? Are there outdoor areas which are underused because they’re not appealing once the sun goes down? Or, does harsh utilitarian lighting put a damper on outdoor gatherings and relaxation? 

  • “By taking the time to plan your landscape lighting design, choosing the right fixtures, and placing them well, you can create a livable outdoor space that’s perfect for entertaining, relaxing, or simply enjoying your favorite outdoor activities.” Read more. 

Work with professionals who will consider your preferences and priorities, and design a system customized for your vision. Not sure where to start? Take a look at these questions to ask your outdoor lighting designer. Or get in touch to schedule a house call so we can go over your needs and plan your landscape lighting from the ground up. 

Different types of landscape lighting for Ladue homes

Any worthwhile modern landscape lighting system will be a low-voltage LED system. LED bulbs last longer and have a better output quality than incandescent bulbs. And while we love the idea of solar lighting systems, they’re just not quite adequate for the big job of landscape lighting. LED systems do the job while are both cost-effective and energy-efficient. 

Here are several types of landscape lighting to consider for your Ladue home: 

  • Uplighting: When it comes to outdoor lighting, uplighting is an essential part of the system. Exterior uplighting across the front of your house creates a uniform elegance and a beautiful nightscape. Then, you can add strategic uplighting to landscape elements and features around your home. Read more.
  • Bistro lights: Cafe-style string lights have Edison style bulbs and are associated with Parisian cafés and inviting bistros. They offer a unique ambiance that other lights can’t provide, and are perfect for outdoor areas used for entertaining. Read more.
  • Walkway lighting: Use these lights to create a sense of welcome and guide guests along designated walking areas. Wherever you have a path, you can have great outdoor pathway lighting. And, with the current options in walkway lighting fixtures, you can choose complementary but differing styles for different areas of your yard and home. Read more.
  • Hardscape lighting: Hardscaping includes permanent installations, such as a concrete retaining wall, a swimming pool, a deck, a driveway, or a gazebo. Hardscaping also includes less permanent elements, such as a swing, a  bench or seasonal decorations.The right type of lighting for hardscape elements makes the usable areas more enjoyable, and can help hide the less appealing surfaces while highlighting the areas you want people to notice. Read more. 

Set the look for your Ladue home’s landscape lighting

Landscape lighting systems can be designed to complement a home, and to create a certain look and feel. If you use a one-size-fits-all, pre-designed system, you won’t get more than a generic finished look. To create an outdoor elegance that fits your home, go with a custom landscape lighting design. 

  • “In our modern world of luxury exterior lighting, outdoor lighting has become an art form in itself, meant to create inviting atmospheres and set the tone for any given space. To create a sense of polish and quality, imagine your lighting system as one that begins at the very edges of the property and continues all the way inside. Read more.

Focus on upgrading the lighting around areas that are focal points, and consider how you can use lighting to make the most of your outdoor living spaces. The right fixtures make a huge difference in the final look, as well. Choose high-quality fixtures which complement your home’s architectural style and color scheme.

  • “Not all outdoor light fixtures are the same; each type has certain uses and benefits. High-quality materials will weather better and last longer. Stainless steel is a great choice for a modern look. Brass fixtures will slowly develop a natural patina that just adds to their classically beautiful look. Read more.

Ready to get started with your custom, elegant landscape lighting? Fill out a quick form, or give us a call at 314-332-2030. We’re here to work with you and design the perfect outdoor lighting system for your Ladue home. 

Photo credit: Fox2 News

Lighting Up Clayton Homes with the Perfect Outdoor Lighting Designs

Back in 1876, when the City of St. Louis split from St. Louis County, the county courts were left without a home. A farmer by the name of Ralph Clayton donated 104 acres to house the courts, which was supplemented by another small land donation from the local blacksmith and merchant Martin Hanley.

And thus, the city of Clayton was born as the new County seat.

Of course, it wasn’t much of a city then. The courthouse got most of the action, and a few residents and businesses grew around it to form the beginnings of a community.

Now, Clayton is a vibrant community with a bustling business center, a great downtown, excellent public schools, and lots of parks. 81% of Clayton is dedicated to residential or park use, but the business district nestled in between the quiet, tree-lined streets houses over 7,000,000 square feet of office space. The walkable downtown area holds restaurants and cafes, boutiques and shops, many housed in historic buildings.

Lighting up homes in Clayton

Let’s take a closer look at the residential homes in Clayton.

While they vary, of course, in size and style, Clayton homes have a distinct stateliness that is both elegant and welcoming. The Clayton housing market is fairly competitive; houses usually sell after about 40 days on the market, with an average price upwards of $500,000. 

If you’re lucky enough to call Clayton, MO your home, you certainly want to make the most of living in such a great community with beautiful surroundings. And what better way to enhance the look and feel of a Clayton home than with a custom-designed, professionally installed outdoor lighting system?

We can’t think of a better way, honestly. 

Good outdoor lighting can be a great way to enhance the look and feel of your Clayton home. It serves the practical purpose of providing security and visibility, but that’s just the beginning. The real benefit of professional outdoor lighting is how it highlights the beauty of your home. Well-done lighting is subtle and effective. It’s not garish or ostentatious; it isn’t about showing off, but about creating the perfect lighting environment to suit your home’s features. Thoughtful landscape lighting design also supports the way you prefer to relax and entertain. Whether you prefer an energetic backyard pool party, or a quiet dinner on the patio with a few friends, the right lights make all the difference.

Outdoor lighting design for Clayton homes

When we bring our outdoor lighting services to a Clayton home, we like to start with the overall system design. Of course, if your Clayton house already has professional outdoor lighting, we can work with what you have. But it’s important to think about the different areas of your home, driveway, garden, yard, and other outdoor spaces, and the lighting you might want in those areas first. That way, we can consider future lighting projects in the initial design, so when you decide to add those bistro lights over the pool patio or that lighted walkway to the firepit, it’s easy to incorporate with the rest of your lighting design. 

Speaking of outdoor lighting design: be wary of any “plug and play” type of landscape lighting systems. These are generic lighting systems with little variance, if any, in the design. They really don’t do justice to the beautiful home and landscaping designs in Clayton. 

It’s a matter of matching the right things together. Pair brats with an ice-cold beer, and pair an elegant home with elegant outdoor lighting. We believe in using high-quality fixtures and customizing each system for what our clients envision:

The best Clayton outdoor lighting company

We’re a St. Louis company with deep roots in the area. We love helping our clients all over the St. Louis area get just the right look for their homes and businesses with professional outdoor lighting design and installation. 

“Outdoor Lighting Solutions worked with me to design the perfect lighting for my property. I had a rough idea of what I wanted, and they helped me to develop it into beautiful lighting for a hardscape wall and bistro lighting for my patio. I couldn’t be happier with my outdoor lights!” 

— Valerie

When it comes to quality outdoor lighting solutions in Clayton, get in touch for a complete lighting system design, professional installation, and maintenance. 

Photo credit: claytonmo.gov

Common Questions about Exterior Lighting Color Temperature

With exterior lighting, you need to consider both the intensity (how bright is the beam of light) and the color temperature (what is the tone of light). Both are important factors because they create a different look and feel depending on the settings. For example, a cool light at a very high intensity might do a great job lighting up every single detail, but it will feel stark and overwhelming. On the other hand, a warmer tone at a much lower intensity won’t give the same visibility but will create an ambiance that’s relaxed and welcoming. 

Here are some common questions and answers about color temperature for outdoor lighting. The answers are equally applicable to both residential and commercial exterior lighting. 

For exterior lighting, what are the color temperature options?

Modern exterior lighting systems use LED bulbs; if someone tries to set you up with incandescent bulbs in an outdoor lighting system, you should run away screaming. (Or, at the very least, making a kind of disgruntled huffing noise.) Incandescent bulbs have had their day. LED bulbs are more efficient, cooler, less attractive to insects, and they come in a perfect range of color temperatures: 

  • 2700K Warm White: warm white creates illumination that appears romantic, cozy, and welcoming.
  • 3000K Natural White: the lighting color temperature preferred by many professional landscape designers. The cooler tone accentuates greens and blues in vegetation.
  • 4000K Cool White: the coolest of all the whites, the best choice for moonlighting, and usually the lowest you will see in security floodlights.

Should outdoor lighting be warm or cool?

The thing to remember with outdoor lighting is that each fixture has its own purpose. So there is not a single correct answer to this question. Instead, the “best answer” is to ask another question: what is the purpose of this lighting? 

Of course, visibility is the basic purpose for lighting. But is the lighting meant to create comfortable visibility and warm ambiance for an outdoor living space, or to illuminate a large area for logistical or security purposes? Those are very different types of visibility. 

For the former, a comfortable glow, you’d choose a warm color temperature to provide the right ambiance. For the latter, you’d probably go with a cool tone to create stark illumination.

How do I choose an exterior light color?

One way to choose a good exterior light color is to imagine what color temperature you would use in a similar interior space. A basement storage room might have brighter, cooler bulbs to provide maximum visibility. There’s no need to consider ambiance or set the mood; you’re not hanging out in the storage room. You want to see details clearly and retrieve what you’re looking for in all those boxes and totes. So a similar setting in an outdoor space — for example, a workshop or garage — might benefit from a brighter, cooler light. 

What is the best color temperature for patio lighting?

A warm color temperature is generally best for patio lighting. Warm lights feel welcoming and homey, which is typically the kind of mood you want to have with patio lighting. Go with a 2700K temperature for outdoor areas like a patio or deck where you’ll gather and relax.

What is the best bulb color for porch light?

Porch lights, like patio or deck lights, are typically better with a warm color temperature. A warmer color emits a gentle, welcoming glow. It’s a good look for a porch. If you want to create more light without making an individual light brighter, try adding more fixtures.

What is the best bulb color for security lighting?

Security lighting needs to be very bright and provide a high level of visibility. 4000K is a great choice for residential security lighting, as it gives the cool white brightness but is not quite as harsh as commercially used security lights. 

How much kelvin for outdoor lights?

For LED outdoor lights, you can choose from this range: from 2700K (warm white) to 3000K (natural white) to 4000K (cool white). While there’s always room for customization and personal preferences, in general, we find that warm white is best for the “close to home” lights, like patios, porches, decks, and walkways. Natural white is often a great pick for landscape lighting that highlights natural features and trees. And cool white works well for security lighting. 

Should a lamp post light be warm or cold white?

You can use warm or cool white color temperature for a lamp post light. If the light is meant to be a brighter, security type of light, you might want to choose the more stark cool white, with an intense beam and a wider spread. If the lamp post light is meant to be a kind of beacon (e.g., at the end of the driveway or sidewalk), then a warmer white is a better choice. 

See our article on how to choose the right color temperature for outdoor lighting, or get in touch for expert help with all your St. Louis outdoor lighting needs. 

Planning a Low-Voltage LED Outdoor Lighting System

With the right lighting, a humble abode can become one with the stars. However, when energy consumption is an issue and prices are rising, is there a way to deliver the look without over-using resources? Sure, there’s a price to beauty, but it needn’t be ridiculously steep.

That’s where low-voltage systems come in. By definition, low voltage systems pertain to electrical equipment that uses 50 volts of electricity or less. They are used for a variety of things, but let’s focus on low-voltage outdoor lighting systems. 

Advantages of low voltage outdoor LED lights

1. Cost effective
While the initial cost of LED bulbs may be higher, the operational cost is less than that of standard bulbs since they require less energy.

2. Better output quality
Low voltage lights project a natural light with a range of colors and temperature options. From an aesthetic standpoint, you’ve got options to play with so you can tune the system to get the look you want.

3. Energy efficient
Low-voltage LED lights produce far more lumens than the average line voltage ones. They also have a greater lifespan than incandescents. They also do not produce a lot of heat, hence the efficacy.

4. Safety
Owing to the fact that they operate at a low voltage, a low-voltage outdoor lighting system is often preferred to prevent accidents. They don’t come safer than these. 

Is LED the way to go?

While low-voltage lights have many advantages, installation can be a little complicated. You need a transformer with enough capacity to run the entire system. And figuring out where and how to install supports and wiring can be a challenge.

However, we think the advantages far outweigh the work of installation. Over the years, the technology of low-voltage LED lights has come a long way:

  1. The light output is adjustable, providing a wide variety of aesthetic options.
  2. They don’t produce a lot of heat or ultraviolet light, so they usually don’t attract bugs.
  3. They last 13 times longer compared to conventional incandescent bulbs.
  4. They’re a very low fire hazard owing to their low voltage and low heat.

Plan a low-voltage LED outdoor lighting system


Take stock of your home’s exterior. Generally, you’d be thinking about lighting up the pathways and entrances as a starting point. You’d also be thinking about how you can install lights that add greater emphasis and panorama to the landscape surrounding your home. Here are some of the more popular LED choices for lighting up the outdoors:

Uplights: Uplights are popular for showing off the entire front of a house or building and highlighting features. The trick is to arrange them so they project a uniform look, while adjusting the angles to avoid any shadows or dark areas. There’s plenty of variety in terms of sizes, shapes and colors, so landing the style that works for you should be easy.

Spotlights: Spotlights, as the name suggests, are used to create focal points with a directed spot of light. Be it a tree, a statue, seasonal plants, or a water feature, you can use spotlights to make something the star of the show. As with uplights, there are plenty of types to choose from. You can adjust the lighting according to what you’re attempting to showcase, especially if it is a living feature.     

Floodlights: Floodlights are powerful outside lighting features that can cover large areas. Since the name of the game here is intensity, you shouldn’t need to use many of them. They are best used for security and practicality. 

Components of low voltage outdoor lighting

Low voltage landscape wiring: Low voltage landscape wiring comes in many sizes, being commonly available as 10-, 12-, 14-, or 16-gauge. The lower the number, the bigger or thicker the wire. It’s important to use the right size wiring for the amount of voltage. Also note that too much distance between the transformer and power supply can cause a voltage drop due to resistance in the circuitry.

Transformer: The transformer is the powerhouse of a low-voltage lighting system. It modulates the voltage supply coming in and dials it down to run the low-voltage LED system. Keep in mind that choosing the right transformer is important. Choose one with a maximum output that can handle the total output of all your lighting combined. You may also account for any future additions you may intend to make to your system and buy a transformer accordingly.

Annnnd time to light it up!

We’re here to help with planning, installing, and maintaining low-voltage outdoor systems for St. Louis homes, restaurants, and venues. Get in touch for a free estimate and custom demo.