Q: “Randall, why is exterior lighting overlooked? Why should it not be?”
A: I think people are more concerned with the inside of their homes. Once they have settled in, they realize there is valuable real estate beyond the front and back doors. The trend now is exterior rooms where people can entertain alfresco. Good lighting adds to the value of property. It creates a sense of welcome and safety. This is an excellent way to sell the idea of landscape lighting to your customers.
Q: “What kinds of outdoor lighting are available? At what prices?”
A: There are both line voltage (120V) and low voltage (12V) systems. I recommend a combination of the two. Mount 120V fixtures on the house to create a brighter punch of light when homeowners want to enjoy their yard from within. Use a low voltage system to highlight plants, sculptures, water features and pathways when people are outside. There are low voltage starter sets that people can install themselves; they run about $150. These don’t last a long time, but they do offer instant gratification. I would recommend better-made fixtures installed by a licensed electrician. This costs more money, but the system will last longer.
Q: “What exterior lighting is most popular? What should be avoided?”
A: The aforementioned starter kits are the most popular. You get eight fixtures and a transformer (a device that changes a 120V house current into a 12V system) to run them. Sometimes they come with six pathway lights commonly called “pagoda lights,” and they turn the front walkway into a landing strip. Or they come with six accent lights on stakes, which are directed at trees and plants from below, creating a very unreal and somewhat commercial-looking effect. I would avoid both of these scenarios. Instead, install lights in trees, some pointed downward through the lower branches and some upward. This creates a subtle pattern of light and shadow called “moon lighting,” which works well with any style of home. It is subtle and inviting, drawing attention to what is being illuminated instead of to the light source.
Be sure to check out Randall Whitehead on the Martha Stewart Living channel on Sirius Satellite Radio (channel 112)! Randall's segment about landscape lighting will air at 3:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 18.
