How to Cast Outdoor Lights

Cast some of your lights so they accentuate certain aspects of your property, such as trees or sculptures. This is known as spot-lighting, and is one of the most common and effective outdoor lighting techniques available. To minimize glare and provide a direct path of light to the object you intend to accent, install your spot lighting fixtures from above, rather than below.

Point a spotlight directly behind the object you wish to accentuate so the lighting hits a blank wall. This effect is known as silhouetting, and casts a shadow (or silhouette) of your object on the wall the light is pointed. This can be a very affective way to accentuate shrubbery, as well as any large sculptures you may have on your property.

Place a hanging light fixture in the tallest tree on your property. This technique is known as moon lighting, and is a great way to turn heads. The lighting effectively shines down toward the base of the tree, highlighting the tree amongst other nearby objects. Hide your fixtures as much as possible when installing hanging lights to be used as moon lighting.