Easy Guide to Outdoor Pathway Lights
Are you looking for outdoor pathway lighting ideas? Outdoor pathway lights come in a variety of styles and sizes to complement a range of pathways. Pathway lights are attractive in and of themselves and can accent garden areas and highlight architectural or landscaping features.
What is path area lighting?
Path area lighting, also known in its shorter form simply as path lights, is a category of outdoor light fixtures that are responsible for brightening up walkways and driveways after hours. With a subtle glow of illumination that is directed downwards towards the ground, these popular outdoor lights are very effective for when it gets dark, as they light up the landscape just enough so that you can easily see where you're headed. Contributing to the visual aesthetic of your outdoor surroundings, path lights are an incredibly functional way to safely guide visitors while also highlighting the beauty of your garden’s decorative features at night. Here we’ll review outdoor pathway lighting styles and how to choose the best pathway lights for your needs.
Benefits of Having Outdoor Pathway Lights
Properly lighting your pathways improves visibility, safety, and aesthetics along your home's walkways at night. Landscape path lights can showcase trees, plants, and architectural features and are great additions to a property's front walks and backyard paths. They also add a welcoming glow to entryways. Illuminated pathways give your home extra visual interest, which can please you as the homeowner and be an asset that appeals to homebuyers.
What are the different types of outdoor pathway lights?
The most common types of outdoor pathway lights include:
- Classic path lights - People love these lights because they offer a traditional style that looks great with any landscape design. Pagoda lights are included in this category.
- Modern pathway lights - These landscape pathway lights come in many different styles, colors, and finishes. Some of the mushroom light variations are included in this category.
- Hat lights - These lights illuminate pathways, planters, or small areas.
- Brass path lights - If you want to highlight pathways and small garden spaces, these are an excellent choice. They add an elegant look to any property.
Types of low voltage outdoor pathway lighting
There are many types of low voltage landscape path lights, including several LED low voltage, outdoor path light options:
LED low voltage pathway lights - These modern pathway lights sit on top of the ground and cast light upward. Their domed tops spread soft, gentle illumination without glare. You can buy mushroom, pagoda LED pathway lights, and hat LED pathway lights in low voltage styles.
Whatever your preference for design and function, low voltage pathway lights can help you create a beautifully illuminated pathway. They can add character and style to your property.
Low Voltage Path Lights
Low voltage pathways lights are outdoor lighting fixtures designed to operate on a lower electrical voltage (usually 12V), making them energy-efficient and safer to install compared to stand high-voltage lights. These lights are ideal for illuminating walkways, driveways, or garden paths, providing clear visibility and enhancing safety during the evening hours. In a garden or backyard setting, low voltage pathway lights can create a warm, inviting atmosphere while also highlighting landscaping features like flower beds, shrubs, or trees. They are also easy to install, require minimal maintenance, and are a great way to add function to your outdoor space.
Mushroom Lights
Mushroom lights are a type of outdoor lighting fixture that features a dome-shaped, wide canopy, resembling the cap of a mushroom. These lights are often used for walkway lighting, providing soft, even illumination along pathways or driveways. In a garden or backyard setting, mushroom lights are perfect for adding a subtle, ambient glow that highlights the contours of your landscape while maintaining a natural unobtrusive look. As the best types of walkway lighting, these fixtures work to illuminate areas where you want to guide people along a path without overwhelming the surroundings with too much light.
Pagoda Lights
Pagoda lights are a contemporary, outdoor lighting fixture designed with a unique tiered roof that mimics the traditional architecture of Asian pagodas. These lights are often used for outdoor pathway lighting, adding elegance and the ultimate functionality to garden paths. In a backyard setting, pagoda lights provide a serene glow that is ideal for enhancing the beauty of your greenery, as outdoor pathway lighting staples with a distinctive design that makes them a top choice among homeowners.
Bollard Lights
Bollard lights are vertical outdoor lighting fixtures, typically made from durable materials like metal, that provide wide, evenly distributed illumination. These lights are commonly used in garden settings as LED pathway lights, helping to define walkways, driveways, and other outdoor paths. In addition to their practical function, bollard lights are often a sleek design that complements outside landscapes. These LED pathway lights are also incredibly low maintenance.
Combo Lights
Combo lights are versatile outdoor lighting fixtures that combine multiple functions in one design. With both uplighting and downlighting features, these lights are ideal as pathway lights. Perfect for casting a soft glow on surrounding areas, combo lights and their functionality make them a great choice for illuminating pathway lights as well.
Key features
LED Efficiency
LED efficiency is a key factor in reducing energy consumption while providing high-quality illumination for outdoor spaces. With their long lifespan and low power usage, path and area lights equipped with LED technology offer both cost savings and sustainable lighting solutions for gardens, walkways, and driveways.
Weather Resistance
Weather resistance ensures that paths and area lights can withstand varying environmental conditions like rain, snow, and extreme temperatures. High-quality path and area lights are designed with this in mind and are made from weather-resistant materials that maintain their performance and appearance, no matter the season.
Low Voltage Options
Low voltage options for outdoor walkway lights provide an energy-efficient solution while ensuring safe, consistent illumination along paths. These lights are easy to install, require minimal power, and are perfect for creating a beautifully lit outdoor space without the costs of traditional lighting systems.
How to install low voltage pathway lights
To install low voltage pathway lights, start by placing the lights along your desired path. Next, connect each light to a low voltage transformer using the provided cables, ensuring all connections are secure. Finally, plug the transformer into a power source, test the lights, and adjust the positioning as needed.
How do you choose the right outdoor path lights for your home?
You'll want to select outdoor pathway lighting fixtures and kits that complement your home's architecture and landscaping. Formal homes may be best suited to elegant path lights, while rustic fixtures may match casual homes.
Start by lighting key locations, like pathways around high-traffic areas. You can always add more path lights later for decorative accent lighting effects.
What type of lighting is best for walkways?
Landscape Path lighting fixtures about 12 to18 inches high illuminate ground-level walking paths, gardens, and patios. Consider using low-level in-ground lights or bollard lights for secondary pathways and decorative effects. These add a subtle glow and visual interest.
How many lumens are needed for a path light?
The appropriate lumen output for path lights depends on the fixture, spacing, and desired light level. Here are some general guidelines:
- Lights along main paths, 8 to 10 feet apart: 800+ lumens
- Lights every 4 to 6 feet along key walkways: 400–600 lumens
- Accent lighting along winding paths: 200 to 400 lumens
- A subtle glow for gardens and landscaping: Less than 200 lumens
- Space lower lumen lights closer together and use wider spacing for higher lumens.
What is the best lighting for a pathway?
The best landscape path lights is easy to buy and install, so you can quickly upgrade your pathway lights and enjoy all their aesthetic, visibility, and safety benefits.
At Best Pro Lighting, we have a large selection of path lighting for sale in a variety of styles, finishes, and lumen outputs. Select from our stylish fixtures and design options to make your walkway as unique as your home.
Shop our products with confidence. Best Pro Lighting 3 Tier pathway lights come with exceptional warranties. Buy now and receive free shipping for US orders over $75.
