Tag: landscape lighting

Upgrade Your Outdoor Living Space with Outdoor Lighting

Written by Burkholder on December 10, 2025. Posted in Landscape Ideas & Design.

Your outdoor spaces add real livable area to your home: places to gather, relax, and enjoy the landscape you’ve invested in. The right landscape lighting makes those spaces welcoming after sunset while adding beauty, safety, and curb appeal. If you’re ready to upgrade your landscape with outdoor lighting, explore how lighting plans come together, answers to common questions, and why homeowners on the Main Line choose Burkholder for lighting design and installation.

Why Upgrade Your Landscape with Outdoor Lighting?

Outdoor lighting is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make to your property, improving visibility, enhancing curb appeal, and creating a nighttime atmosphere that feels complete. Modern LED lighting systems provide energy-efficient, low-maintenance illumination while highlighting the architecture, gardens, and outdoor rooms you love. A tailored design ensures every area of your landscape looks intentional, safe, and inviting after dark.

What Thoughtful Lighting Does for Your Property

Thoughtful landscape lighting enhances how you experience your home after dark. Key benefits include:

Safer paths, steps, and entries

Low-glare path lighting and stair lighting guides family and guests, reduces trips, and minimizes harsh glare, which is especially valuable on early winter evenings.

A warm, usable ambiance after dark

Layered lighting extends the use of patios, pools, and pavilions into the evening—subtle for conversation, brighter for activities—so your outdoor spaces feel as inviting at night as they do by day.

Highlights that showcase architecture and plantings

Uplighting and accents add drama to facades, specimen trees, and water features, revealing textures and creating depth across the landscape.

Learn More About Benefits of Landscape Lighting

Types of Outdoor Lighting Fixtures

To truly upgrade your landscape with outdoor lighting, it helps to understand the different fixture categories and what each brings to your property. Below are the most common fixture types used in professional landscape lighting:

Path Lights: Provide safe, glare-free illumination along walkways
Spotlights/Uplights: Highlight architectural features, trees, columns, and facades
Wall Washers: Create even, ambient illumination on exterior walls and garden structures
Well Lights: In-ground fixtures ideal for driveways, stonework, or low-profile accents
Step & Deck Lights: Increase safety on stairs, risers, and platforms
Bollard Lights: Modern vertical fixtures used for guidance and dramatic accents
Flood Lights: Broad-beam lights used sparingly for general security coverage
Under-Cap & Hardscape Lights: Hidden illumination for retaining walls, seating walls, and outdoor kitchens
Pendant & Sconce Lighting: Decorative fixtures added to pavilions, porches, and outdoor rooms.

Lighting Techniques That Transform Your Property

Designers use a variety of lighting techniques to create depth, highlight key features, and establish mood across your outdoor spaces.

Moonlighting: Fixtures placed high in trees cast soft, natural shadows
Grazing: Tight-angle light reveals stone texture on walls and columns
Silhouetting: Light behind plant massing creates dramatic outlines
Shadowing: Uplighting objects to throw artistic shadows onto walls
Cross-Lighting: Two fixtures aimed at a feature to reduce harsh shadows
Downlighting: Directional light from above to mimic natural daylight
Backlighting: Adds depth by illuminating features from behind

How We Design Your Landscape Lighting (The Burkholder Way)

Every plan starts with a conversation: What do you want your lighting to accomplish: safety, ambiance, highlighting, or all three? Our designers tailor a solution for your style and budget, specify the right fixtures and placement, and our in-house team handles installation end-to-end so you don’t have to coordinate multiple vendors.

Common elements we integrate:

Path & step lighting for guidance and safety
Architectural uplights to wash walls or columns
Tree accents to reveal form and canopy
Pavilion, deck & stair lights for comfort and visibility
Pool-area lighting to extend evening use
Discreet security lighting to reduce shadows around entries and foundations

Whether you’re enhancing existing outdoor rooms or planning a full property transformation, our design process makes it simple to upgrade your landscape with outdoor lighting that fits your goals.

Smart Controls & Energy Efficiency

Modern landscape lighting systems offer app-based dimming, programmable scenes, color-temperature control, and energy-efficient LED fixtures. These features allow your outdoor lighting to adapt to your lifestyle, whether you’re entertaining, relaxing, or improving nighttime visibility.

LED Efficiency, Longevity & Maintenance

Modern outdoor lighting systems rely on LED technology for longevity and low energy use. Benefits include:

80–90% lower energy consumption
40,000–50,000 hour lifespan
Lower heat output
No bulb changes
Options for warm or cool color temperatures
Consistent brightness over time

Frequently Asked Questions About Landscape Lighting

Homeowners often have questions when planning a new lighting system. Here are answers to the topics we discuss most often:

What’s the difference between path lights and uplights?

Path and step lights direct light downward to illuminate walking surfaces without glare. Uplights aim light upward to accent architecture, trees, or masonry for visual impact. A balanced plan uses both.
Can lighting be subtle and still improve security?

Yes. Strategic illumination along foundations, entries, and plant masses reduces hiding spots without creating a “floodlit” look. Motion sensors and smart lighting can add targeted security where needed.
Will lighting make my space feel too bright?

Not when the outdoor lighting is designed in layers. We adjust beam spread, output, and placement to create an inviting nighttime scene that suits how you use each area—dining, conversation, or play.
How much does it cost to upgrade my landscape with outdoor lighting?

Lighting plans vary based on number of fixtures, wiring needs, and property layout. Many homeowners begin with essential path, entry, and architectural lighting, then expand over time. We provide detailed pricing during consultation.
Can outdoor lighting be added to my existing landscape or hardscape?

Yes. Most systems integrate seamlessly with existing plantings, patios, decks, and pool areas. Our designers evaluate wiring routes, fixture types, and mounting options to ensure a clean installation.
Where should we start if we’re lighting in phases?

We may begin with circulation (paths/steps), then architectural accents at the entry, followed by focal trees and outdoor rooms. This phased approach delivers immediate benefits and expands gracefully over time.
Do you coordinate lighting with other outdoor features?

Absolutely. Lighting is part of a cohesive landscape plan that considers plantings, pools, patios, structures, and how people move between zones.

Why Work With Burkholder? See What Some of Our Clients Say About Us

Over the years, we have transformed countless outdoor spaces into stunning landscapes that reflect individual tastes and lifestyles. In this section, you will find heartfelt testimonials from our valued customers, sharing their experiences with our team and the incredible transformations we have achieved together.

“I cannot say enough good things about Burkholder Brothers, Inc. In Spring 2024, we hired BB to build a large pavilion with an attached pergola next to our existing pool. From the beginning they were thoughtful with the design and meticulous with the execution. The communication was excellent and all of the workers were nothing less than professional. They turned our dream of a backyard oasis into a reality. I highly recommend Burkholder Brothers for any outdoor project- I would use them again in a heartbeat!”

Melissa DiPierro
“We have been customers of the Burkholder organization for many years and selected them for our backyard project based on their reliability and skill from years of yard beautification and lawn care. We began by commissioning a plan for a multi-phase project, which our designer, Craig, completed quickly while incorporating our feedback. This included great visualizations to better understand what it would look like. Our first phase was the replacement of an aging poolhouse pavilion. Craig supervised its selection and installation, coordinating the pavilion supplier and quickly addressing the very minor punch list items. On the whole, we never had to worry and are thrilled to have a safe, beautiful structure anchoring our new backyard!”

Marc Balcer
“Burkholder Brothers installed our backyard patio with a fire pit and built-in grill. Craig worked with us with a design we liked and helped us stay within our budget. He was realistic about timing, and we didn’t have to wait very long for construction to start. The project was finished in a timely manner and looked great. We added lighting and landscaping around the patio that brings the whole look together. Everyone we worked with was friendly and responsive. We would highly recommend them.”

Kerry Ann Mai

Want to See More Testimonials?

Why Choose Burkholder for Landscape Lighting

Design-driven approach. Lighting is a core design element that enhances safety, architecture, and gardens with purpose.
Custom plans for your property. We tailor placement, fixture styles, and controls to your preferences and budget.
One team, start to finish. Consultation, design, material selection, and installation are handled in-house.
Built for full outdoor living. We integrate lighting with patios, pools, pavilions, fireplaces, and gardens.
Local expertise. We design for Main Line Pennsylvania properties, planting palettes, and year-round living.

Next step: Schedule a consultation to see how a tailored lighting plan can elevate your home’s evening curb appeal and usability.

Landscape Light Ideas & Inspiration: Lighting Zones That Deliver ROI

Front-of-house welcome: Accent lighting for entry columns, pathway lights for walks, and uplight specimen trees for curb appeal and wayfinding.
Entertaining core: Layered pavilion, kitchen, and dining lights for comfortable gatherings.
Pool serenity: In-ground lights, wall caps, post lights, and surrounding canopy accents for resort-style nights.
Garden features: Fountains, statuary, and masonry washed with gentle accent lighting for depth and dimension.

Watch Our Video for Inspiration

Your Lighting Project, Step by Step

Design consultation: Walk-through with a lighting specialist to discuss goals, styles, and budget.
Concept & fixture selection: Choose beam spreads, finishes, and mounting methods for each zone.
Installation by our team: We handle electrical work, ordering, and integration with your existing landscape.
Evening aim & adjust: Final on-site fine-tuning for perfect light levels and effects.
See what’s possible: Browse our portfolio to view completed lighting projects and get ideas for finishes and effects. https://www.burkholderlandscape.com/portfolio/outdoor-lighting-portfolio/

See Our Portfolio

Burkholder Designs Customized Outdoor Lighting Solutions to Meet Your Needs

Ready to upgrade your landscape with outdoor lighting that brings out the best in your home after dark? Burkholder designs and installs custom lighting solutions tailored to your property, style, and outdoor lifestyle. Contact us today to see what’s possible with professional outdoor lighting!

Contact Burkholder to Get Started on Your Dream Outdoor Space!

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front of home lit up at night- Benefits of Outdoor Lighting - Burkholder Landscape

The Benefits of Outdoor Lighting

Written by Burkholder on September 30, 2024. Posted in Landscape Ideas & Design.

When days get shorter and nights are a little longer, homeowners start thinking about adding landscape lighting around their homes. When we meet with Main Line homeowners, we talk about their biggest needs and what they hope to accomplish with added lighting. One of the potential benefits of outdoor lighting is safe illumination of all the natural beauty, like vibrant plants and landscape features, on their property.

View Outdoor Lighting Portfolios!

4 Benefits of a Landscape Lighting System

Of all the benefits of residential outdoor lighting in your landscape, here are four on the top of our list.

1. Safety First

One of the big benefits of outdoor lighting is improved safety. Of course you want a safe outdoor living space, but darkness obscures tripping hazards, such as uneven ground. Landscape lighting increases safety by allowing you to see the area you are walking on, and illuminating any tripping or falling hazards. The improved safety is especially important during the winter months when the days get dark quicker, and icy patches are more prevalent. Many lighting solutions can address this problem, such as post lights and flood lights. These types of lights can illuminate large areas of your home and property to deter crime and keep you and your loved ones safe.

Another way of improving safety through lighting is by adding path lighting. Garden lights, downlights, stair lights, and flush or in-ground lights add soft illumination to walkways. Stairs and steps, in particular, are areas where homeowners appreciate increased safety due to outdoor landscape lighting.

2. Home Security

Homes that lack exterior lighting during nighttime are prime targets for burglars because shadowy areas make moving around undetected much easier. Having a well-lit house at night tells any would-be burglars that someone is home and makes trespassers easier to spot. Some lights have motion detectors that activate via movement in your yard, which can deter trespassers from entering your property. Smart landscape lighting even allows using zones and timers that can be controlled with your smart phone. Even landscape lighting designed to highlight architectural or landscape features (like trees or water features) will help prevent deep shadows in your yard.

3. Visual Appeal

Each house is unique, and your home may contain distinctive features you would like to show off! Besides the practical benefits, outdoor lighting is a great way to highlight certain areas of your home, as lights can be decorative in nature or built to blend in with a currently existing material. You may want a ceiling fan with an attached lighting fixture if you want to illuminate your covered porch, or you may opt for festoon lighting.

Another example is using accent lighting to accentuate your landscape’s individual plants or architectural features of your home. You can highlight special features on the exterior of your home or stately trees, even in the dark. Swimming pool areas and walkways often feature path lights to guide people along certain areas.

By lighting certain areas or landscape features, you create a welcoming, inviting atmosphere, add ambiance, and make your outdoor space more livable during all hours.

4. Expanded Time to Enjoy Your Outdoor Living Space

Outdoor landscape lighting enhances the beauty of your home while extending the time you can spend outdoors. Why should your deck or patio go unused once the sun goes down? With the right outdoor lighting design, these spaces can be transformed into inviting areas for evening barbeques or quiet conversations with friends and family. This extended use of outdoor living spaces means homeowners get more value from their property.
Another example is using accent lighting to accentuate your landscape’s individual plants or architectural features of your home. You can highlight special features on the exterior of your home or stately trees, even in the dark. Swimming pool areas and walkways often feature path lights to guide people along certain areas.

By lighting certain areas or landscape features, you create a welcoming, inviting atmosphere, add ambiance, and make your outdoor space more livable during all hours.

Types of Outdoor Lighting Options

Residential outdoor lighting continues to grow in popularity as more and more homeowners incorporate lighting into their landscape design. Common options include:

Festoon Lighting

These are strands of lights used to illuminate larger outdoor spaces. This photo shows that the light strands can hang from supports built as a garden structure or strung from existing site features that extend overhead. Festoon lighting provides a fun ambiance to outdoor gatherings.

Under-cap Wall Lights

Under-cap lights have several purposes. These lights provide a light source to bring attention to seat walls and patio floors for guests without overwhelming a space with too much light. In addition, under-cap wall lights highlight textures and surfaces in a dark evening setting.

Up Lighting

These outdoor light fixtures are typically set beneath specimen trees to flood the canopy of branches with light. The light highlights a tree’s structure from spring to winter—something often unnoticed but frequently beautiful. Many of the trees we use are known for their distinct “habit” or structure, and we use them in our designs because of the benefits their form and habit bring to a garden.

Path Lights

While all outdoor light fixtures provide aesthetic appeal to a garden, path lights may be the most functional. Path lights highlight areas where people are expected to walk in the evenings.

Path lights illuminate the walkway and the textures, borders, and direction all provide a sense of welcome. These types of lights also give a sense of security to visiting guests where walkways are unfamiliar. Walkways used frequently at night, generally closer to

the home or patio, should be illuminated well so that everyone is comfortable reaching their destination in all kinds of weather.

While path lights can be used as a string, one path light after another often gives the walkway the look of an airport runway. To avoid this effect, we use path lights at essential points, places where the path changes direction, or where people should be aware of a step in the path.

Other lighting fixtures can be used to illuminate points of interest along the path. Small up lights on attractive shrubs and flood lights illuminating architectural features of the home combined will cast ambient light on areas of the walkway not directly covered by the path lights.

We use different fixtures for different purposes. A garden is multi-dimensional, and a lighting system should be as well. Whether you seek to prevent accidents, accentuate a particular feature of your home, or increase your property’s value, installing outdoor home lighting can ensure that your home will increase in safety, functionality, and curb appeal.

Contact Burkholder Brothers to Get All the Benefits of Outdoor Lighting

Get the benefits of outdoor lighting with Burkholder Landscape’s team of experienced, passionate landscapers and designers. We have served Main Line area residents for over 25 years, providing a one-stop shop for comprehensive services, such as outdoor residential lighting, outdoor kitchens and pool installation, landscaping, and more. Our team works with you to create a beautiful, immaculate landscape and ensure that your landscape will be maintained and continue looking great. If you want to add custom landscape lighting to your home, contact Burkholder Brothers today!

Burkholder Brothers Highlights 2021 Landscape Lighting Trends

Written by Burkholder on September 28, 2021. Posted in Landscape Ideas & Design.

People love to spend more time outdoors in the summer and fall, having a refreshing swim in a pool or hosting an outdoor barbeque. With outdoor lighting, homeowners can create a pleasing atmosphere to enjoy their outdoor space day or night. Thanks to new and advancing technologies, your outdoor lighting can be more customizable, atmospheric, and safer than ever. Here are a few of the 2021 landscape lighting trends that can enhance your landscaping.

See Our Outdoor Lighting Portfolio!

Top 2021 Landscape Lighting Trends

These 2021 landscape lighting trends highlight new landscaping technology developments and homeowners’ changing interests. For example, smart lighting gives homeowners more control over their lighting, while LED bulbs save money.

Smart Lighting

Outdoor lighting has gotten “smarter” over the years. Smart lighting gives you greater control of how your property is lit through control systems in your home or on your mobile phone. With a few smart bulbs and switches (or an app for greater convenience), you can create a unique atmosphere and mood in your backyard by doing the following:

Dim or brighten specific lights as needed
Sync the lights to music for a pleasant party atmosphere
Use motion sensors to create unique lighting effects

You can also program smart lighting systems to activate at certain times. For example, you can turn them on while away from home for added security. This feature is handy when the house has lighting zones that you can control individually.

LED Lights

LED lights have become another of the more popular landscape lighting trends. LED bulbs are energy-efficient and long-lasting, saving you money and maintenance in the long run. You also have a variety of bulbs to choose from.

Color-changing bulbs: Color-changing bulbs help create atmosphere for any event, such as a romantic dinner, backyard sports party, or a family get-together.
Retro bulbs: If you prefer the glow of halogen lights but still want the efficiency of LEDs, some LED lightbulbs can provide a vintage glow like incandescent bulbs.

LED lights can be used in a wide range of lighting designs, such as festoon or string lighting (especially popular with structures like pavilions or decks), accent lighting to draw attention to particular landscape features, and other outdoor light fixtures.

Pathway and Stair Lighting

A common outdoor lighting use is pathway lighting. Pathway lighting helps illuminate paths to make them safer by highlighting tripping dangers such as icy patches or uneven ground.

New exterior lighting designs around entryways or stairs have been growing in popularity in 2021. One specific trend is hiding lights in plants or underneath entryway stairs and pathways, or even built into the ground. Installing lights under the stairs or in stair walls provides enough light for safety while giving your house a contemporary look. Also, hiding the lighting sources keeps the landscaping feeling natural while maintaining safety and aesthetics

Other kinds of outdoor lighting that have become popular trends over the past few years include the following:

Outdoor lanterns for walls or entryways
Various wall lights
Pendant lights or string lights
Floor lamps for decks, patios, and gardens

All of these options are great ways to add character to a home while also getting all of the other benefits from outdoor lighting.

Contact Burkholder Brothers for Outdoor Lighting Services

Enhance your outdoor residential lighting with Burkholder Brothers. Burkholder has a team of experienced, passionate landscapers who have served Main Line area residents for decades. We provide a comprehensive set of services, such as outdoor lighting design, outdoor kitchen and fireplace installation, landscaping, and more. Our team works with you to create a beautiful, immaculate landscape and ensure that your landscape will be maintained and continue looking great. If you want to implement landscape lighting trends into your home, request a free consultation with Burkholder Brothers today!

610-558-2678