The Designer's Eye
Top 5 Landscape Lighting Design Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
More lights do not equal better design. In the world of luxury estates, beauty is found in the shadows and the subtle transitions between light and dark.
1. The "Runway" Effect
We’ve all seen it: a straight line of path lights along a sidewalk that looks like a landing strip for a Cessna. This is the #1 sign of a "big box store" DIY install.
The Artistic Fix: We utilize focal point discipline. Instead of lighting the concrete, we splash light down from trees or architectural features. This illuminates the path naturally while keeping the focus on your landscaping.
2. Blinding Glare (The "Lighthouse" Problem)
If you can see the lightbulb (the light source), the design has failed. Glare is visually "loud" and physically uncomfortable. It distracts from the home and creates a security risk by blinding the viewer.
The Artistic Fix: We hide the source. By using shielded fixtures and precise aiming, we ensure you see the glow, not the glare. We follow strict Dark-Sky standards to keep the light on your property, not in your neighbor's windows.
3. Over-Lighting (The "Gas Station" Look)
Amateur installers often think "more is better." They blast the front of the house with high-wattage floodlights, erasing all texture and making the home look flat and 2D.
The Artistic Fix: We create Depth of Field. By layering light—uplighting the palm trees in the foreground and softly washing the architectural peaks in the back—we create a three-dimensional masterpiece.
4. Wrong Color Temperature
Using "cool white" or "daylight" (5000K+) bulbs on a luxury home is a cardinal sin. It makes stone look blue, grass look grey, and the atmosphere feel like a surgical suite.
The Artistic Fix: We exclusively use 2700K to 3000K warm-toned LEDs. This mimics the soft glow of a sunset or candlelight, enriching the natural colors of your home and foliage.
5. Zero "Moonlighting"
If all your light comes from the ground up, your yard looks unnatural. It creates harsh shadows and leaves your lawn looking like a dark void.
The Artistic Fix: We utilize Moonlighting. By placing fixtures 20-30 feet high in your Grand Oaks or Royal Palms, we filter light down through the branches, creating beautiful patterns on your turf and lanais.
