Things You'll Need

Instructions

1

Break out of your box. One of the first things you need to do to have a successful backyard illumination set is to get rid of your preconceived notions of how such a thing is done. If you have a neighbor who has gone the extra mile with lighting, you can copy ideas from there, but for the most part, you'll want to forget what your neighbors are doing and strike out on your own. In the field of landscape illumination, you will be the trendsetter for the neighborhood, not the follower. There is plenty to backyard lighting beyond floodlights and motion detectors.
2

Use Christmas lights all year round. Few are the daring enough to break out the Christmas lights in July, but you could be one of these people. As long as the lighting isn't accompanied by a plastic Santa Claus on the roof, or a nativity scene in the front yard, there's little chance your neighbors will think you've lost your mind. In fact, Christmas lights can add a touch of class and elegance to your yard, while giving away very little of their holiday origins. Wrap the tiny tasteful white lights around hedges and watch your backyard come to life.
3

Save with solar power. This unique form of cheap energy can make a great way to illuminate your backyard without spending an arm and a leg in the process. The lights are available in every conceivable shape and size, and usually give off a softer illumination than their electrical counterparts. It's perfect for a quiet evening on the back porch, sipping iced tea.
4

Embrace your island nature. One delightful way of illuminating your backyard is with the use of tiki torches. These torches make better summer and springtime decoration than anything else, but for those times of the year they can be a perfect way of bringing a bit of the islands to your own landscape. If you don't feel comfortable using them on a nightly basis, they could make a wonderful supplementary lighting for nights when you are entertaining or simply want to enjoy some time out by the pool in the twilight hours.