From Buckhead estates to historical Marietta gems, here is how we redefine your property once the sun goes down.
When I design a landscape for a client, I’m creating an outdoor sanctuary. But one thing has always bothered me: seeing a significant investment disappear the moment the sun sets. A stunning Japanese maple becomes a dark shadow, and a custom stone walkway becomes a tripping hazard.
I believe that landscape architecture shouldn’t stop at dusk. For me, professional landscape lighting is the critical final layer of a design. It turns a dark yard into an inviting “nightscape,” extending the usable hours of your outdoor spaces and providing a level of security and sophistication that your neighbors will notice.
Whether I am working in Johns Creek, right here in Atlanta, or up in Buckhead, I don’t believe in just blasting the yard with floodlights. My approach is about nuance, shadow, and technique.
Here is a look at the tools I use and the functional artistry my team and I apply to bring homes to life at night.
My Toolbox: The Essentials
I like to think of lighting fixtures like different paintbrushes—I use specific ones to achieve very specific goals.
1. Path Lighting
This is the most common type of lighting I see, but it’s also the one I see botched the most often. I never want to create an airport runway with glaring bulbs lining a sidewalk. My goal is “wayfinding.” We use subtle, low-voltage fixtures that cast pools of light downward onto your walkways and garden beds. It guides the eye and the foot safely without blinding you or your guests.
2. Spotlights (Uplighting)
When I want drama, this is how I get it. We place these at ground level and angle them upward. I love using these to highlight the majestic canopy of a mature oak tree or to draw attention to a sculptural element in a garden. Look at these two maples. The extra drama is created by nature. The maple on the left turned color before the one on the right. The homeowner shared the picture with us!
3. Downlighting
Sometimes the best way to light a landscape is from above. By installing lights in the soffits or eaves of the house—or high up in mature trees—we can cast a soft, wide wash of light downward. I use this technique, often called “moonlighting,” to create gentle shadows that mimic natural moonlight. It is incredibly effective for illuminating large patio areas or “grazing” the front facade of a home.
It could be as simple as this string lights on the pergola.
Functionality: More Than Just Illumination
When I’m planning a lighting scheme, it’s not just about what lights we use, but how we use them. Strategic lighting solves practical problems while enhancing beauty.
Safety and Navigation
My primary concern is always safety, particularly on stairs and uneven terrain. We integrate subtle lighting into stair risers or alongside stone steps so that navigating your property at night is safe for everyone, without sacrificing the ambiance.
Softening Walls and Architecture
A large, blank wall on the side of a house can feel imposing and stark at night. By using “wall grazing”—placing lights close to the surface and aiming them up—we can soften that architecture.
We recently finished a project where a masonry wall felt a bit heavy during the day. However, this wall in North Druid Hills became even more special with our lights. The grazing effect caught the imperfections of the stone, turning a flat surface into a textured backdrop that looked like a piece of art. The result is magnificent!
Highlights and Textures
This is where I feel lighting truly becomes an art form. During the day, a stone veneer or stucco finish might look uniform. At night, with light hitting it from a sharp angle, every crag and shadow pops.
This modern house that we did in Decatur is a great example of how textures can be highlighted.
The architecture was sleek and minimal, but the lighting we installed brought out a depth in the materials that you simply couldn’t see while the sun was out.
Looking for expert landscape lighting in Atlanta or Decatur? We design custom outdoor lighting setups that instantly boost your home’s curb appeal and security.
Contact us today to see how we can highlight the best features of your property.
