One of the most common mistakes homeowners make when attempting a DIY landscape lighting project is to use the same style of fixtures and angles throughout their yard.
When planning your home's landscaping, you wouldn't use only one kind of plant, so why would you use only one kind of light when planning your outdoor lighting? You don't just want to fill your yard with identical flood lights, but you don't want a scattered assortment of mismatched lighting fixtures either.
For the greatest effect, there should be a balance of consistency and variety.
Up lighting, in which the fixture is placed in front and below of the object to be lit, is one of the most popular outdoor lighting techniques.
It is versatile and relatively easy to install, illuminating your landscaping or your home with great effect.
However, there is a tendency to overuse this method to the exclusion of other techniques.
Instead of having all light coming from in front and below, try placing lights at different heights and angles.
For example, a fixture can be mounted in a tree for an interesting and completely different effect.
You can also experiment with different wattages, for different levels of dimness or intensity.
For instance, you may want your front door to be very brightly lit, but prefer to use softer lighting around your garden.
To get ideas for your landscape lighting design, look for examples of outdoor lighting that you like.
Drive around the neighborhood to look at others' yards, or flip through a magazine or online images galleries.
For the best results, contact a professional landscape lighting design company to create a custom plan to light up your yard.