Outdoormoon lighting fixtures

If your goal, for example, is to light the length of a driveway, then you need a number of lights mounted in trees. Each light (when mounted 20 ft. high using a 60º lamp) will project an oval region of illumination with a diameter of about 20 ft. Ideally, you will use this number to plan the amount of space between the light sources. For example, an 80-foot driveway will need four lights spaced 20 feet apart. A time saver would be to mount 2 lights in each tree, one pointed to the left – the other to the right. In this example, you would only need to mount lights in two trees (spaced 40 ft. apart). The downside to that approach is that you will have light coming from two directions. This method is slightly less natural-looking than having all light pointing in one direction, which closely resembles naturally occurring moonlight.

Moon lightingtrees

Nothing is more beautiful than the dappled light effect that occurs when a fixture is mounted high in the trees allowing the light to shine naturally through branches and leaves. This is the most sought-after effect when lighting driveways, lawns, patios – really any area that needs low-level illumination. There are some key considerations before you embark on moonlighting.

Moonlighting landscapelighting

If we were given a choice, we would all light our nighttime landscape with moonlight. But since we can’t control the moon, we find another way. Downlighting is that way.

Solarmoonlight outdoor

MoonCeiling Light Projector

With downlights, we simulate the light of the moon. We create the feeling of moonlight. Of course, we know it’s not real, but we chose to suspend our disbelief – a term from the theater. When we immerse ourselves in a play or a film, we know it’s not real, but pretend it is – we suspend our disbelief. This is the secret of landscape lighting. We create lighting that appears to be natural, that feels natural, but is (in reality) luminaires skillfully placed and aimed.

Many houses come with downlights already installed under gutters, soffits, or other overhangs. These are usually 120-volt fixtures cut into the surface and wired into the house’s electrical system. These lights typically project downward and create nice cones of light illuminating the house siding. Unless you are an electrician, you should not attempt to service or change these 120-volt fixtures.

If downlights are not already present in these locations, then you have a choice of other fixtures you can mount to the siding or underside to achieve the same (or different) effects.