Just because the sun sets earlier in fall doesn’t mean you need to settle for less time to enjoy your outdoor space. It’s not winter yet, and fall nights in NJ are wonderfully refreshing. You just need the right landscape lighting so you can extend your time outside into the evening. Here are 10 creative and practical landscape lighting ideas that will add joy to your life and curb appeal to your home.
1. Pathway Lighting: Illuminate Your Walkways
Pathway lighting is not only functional but also adds a welcoming glow to your outdoor space. Well-lit paths can also help prevent slips, trips and falls. You can use low-voltage LED lights along your walkways and driveways to guide guests safely while highlighting the contours of your landscape. For a classic fall feel, consider warm-toned lights that mimic the golden hues of autumn.
2. Up-Lighting: Showcase Trees and Architectural Features
Fall is the perfect time to highlight the changing colors of your trees and the unique architectural features of your home. Up-lighting, which, true to its name, casts light upward, can accentuate the textures and height of trees or shrubs, creating interesting shadows and a sense of depth. This is particularly effective for larger trees like maples or oaks, which take on brilliant hues in the fall.
In New Jersey, where homes often boast beautiful Colonial or Victorian architecture, up-lighting can also enhance the intricate details of columns, stonework, or gables, providing a warm, inviting look.
3. Under-Deck Lighting: A Subtle Glow for Entertaining
If you have a deck or raised patio, under-deck lighting can be a lovely addition to the ambiance. It provides a subtle glow that’s ideal for fall evenings when you want to enjoy your outdoor space without harsh overhead lights. LED strip lights or recessed fixtures can be installed underneath the deck to cast an ambient, indirect light, creating a cozy atmosphere. Under-deck lighting is especially great for outdoor gatherings to set a mood without overwhelming your space with brightness.
4. Fire Pit Lighting: Enhance the Warmth
A fire pit is a great amenity to have for New Jersey fall nights. You can take your fire pit area to the next level by adding lighting to complement the fire’s natural glow. Try incorporating soft lighting around the perimeter of the fire pit using recessed lights or low-level fixtures to create a cozy, intimate space. Lighting the area around the fire pit ensures that even when the flames die down, your guests can still see and enjoy the surroundings.
5. Spotlighting: Highlight Focal Points
Have a standout feature in your yard? Maybe a beautiful garden statue, a water feature, or a particularly pretty tree? Spotlighting allows you to shine a light on those focal points, drawing attention to the elements that make your landscape unique. In the fall, use spotlights to emphasize the natural beauty of your seasonal decorations—like pumpkins, hay bales, or fall wreaths—and create a festive atmosphere. New Jersey’s gardens are particularly picturesque in fall, with mums and asters in full bloom. Spotlighting these plants adds vibrancy and dimension to your outdoor space.
6. Step and Stair Lighting: Safety Meets Style
Step and stair lighting is both functional and stylish, offering safety in areas where falls can easily happen. By installing lights directly into the risers of your steps or along the edges, you can illuminate the way for family and guests without creating harsh glares. LED step lights are an excellent choice for energy efficiency and longevity.
7. String Lights: Create a Magical Ambiance
String lights aren’t just for summer evenings—they add a magical touch to your fall landscape as well. Hang them between trees, along fences, or drape them across a pergola for a cozy, intimate vibe. You can even choose warm, amber-colored bulbs to match the golden tones of fall. String lights are a popular choice for their ability to create a festive, welcoming atmosphere, especially during fall gatherings or outdoor dining experiences.
8. Bollard Lighting: Stylish and Functional
Bollard lights are short, vertical fixtures that provide 360-degree lighting, making them perfect for illuminating paths, driveways, or garden borders. They offer a modern, stylish look while improving safety and visibility in key areas. Bollard lights are a nice alternative to traditional pathway lights if you’re looking for something with a bit more visual impact.
9. Wall Wash Lighting: Highlight Textures
If you have a stone or brick wall, wall wash lighting can bring out the texture and color to make your outdoor area feel more dynamic and inviting. Wall washing involves casting light evenly across a surface, which can create a soft, glowing effect perfect for highlighting your home’s exterior or garden walls. For fall, wall wash lighting can also enhance the colors of surrounding trees and plants, adding richness to your yard’s aesthetic.
10. Pergola and Arbor Lighting: Extend Outdoor Dining
If you have a pergola or arbor, adding lighting will extend its use into the cooler months. String lights or small recessed lights can be placed along the beams or lattice to create a softly lit area perfect for outdoor dining or relaxing in the crisp fall air. Adding a heater to your pergola setup makes the area even cozier as temperatures drop.
Let High Tech Landscapes Light up Your Fall Nights
The right landscape lighting can transform your outdoor space from a daytime-only retreat to a vibrant nighttime hangout. With fall’s shorter days and longer evenings, there’s no better time to invest in lighting that enhances both safety and ambiance. At High Tech Landscapes, we specialize in designing and installing custom lighting solutions that fit your preferences and match your property’s architectural style. Contact us today to get started.
