Fall Landscape Lighting Ideas

Labour Day has come and gone, the kids are back in school, and the days are getting shorter - but this does not mean the end of your patio entertaining! Not only can you still have gatherings and meals outdoors, there’s harvest festivals, fall fairs, Thanksgiving, and Halloween to look forward to. The experts at Landscape Lighting Ottawa have put together this great list of ideas for your fall landscape lighting projects. As always, if you’re unsure about something, give us a call. We love to help!

String lights are great for a themed party on the patio. They come in a variety of lengths, colours, and price points and are easy to install. Often, you can find them in a variety of shapes – pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns, footballs – whatever you’re looking for. We think these are a fun way to brighten your deck for that themed party or gathering.

Depending on how long you want to use them, rope lights come in a variety of price points and styles. Professional installation will ensure the lights remain weather-proof so you can use them all year long. The LED lights are easy to install in grooves or along railings or other features for subtle lighting. If you’re having guests over this fall, ensure that changes in levels on patios and stairs are clearly illuminated for safety.

Many landscape lighting designs take advantage of summer’s full foliage by placing spotlights on the ground pointing up or place moonlights high up in the branches to filter light through the leaves. Once the leaves change colour and start to drop, what do you do?

You could choose not to use those lights until next spring or summer. Highlighting a naked tree can look fantastic but it can also skew towards slasher-movie vibe. If you love Halloween, why not highlight those bare branches for a creepy look. If you don’t mind the bare branches, dimming the lights can give a romantic look. Consider adding frosted or coloured lenses to mute or add colour to your trees to create the mood you’re looking for.

The days are growing a little shorter, so make use of those dark spaces in your yard to add contrast to the lighted portions. Having a dark yard (with pathways, stairs, etc. lit for safety) with a soft lit patio can lend a feeling of privacy on a fall night - even in the suburbs. Cuddle up on a bench with a blanket under the stars and enjoy the mood.

If you’ve gone all summer without pathway lights, the shorter days of fall may force you to reconsider. Pathway lights are important for safety because they keep guests on the path and, hopefully, out of your gardens! Fall is a great time to take advantage of end-of-season discounts at retailers.

We’d love to answer your outdoor lighting questions or help you design a truly unique lighting display. There’s still plenty of time left for outdoor entertaining in 2016.Contact our lighting expertsto learn more about our lighting services or view our gallery of one-of-a-kind designs.