Landscape lighting is "low hanging fruit”, an easy way to make a big improvement in your landscape. Instead of disappearing as the sun sets, the best features in your landscape are brought to the forefront where they can literally be in the spotlight for hours each day. I have never had a client regret investing in landscape lighting.
Obviously you can hire someone like Ross NW Watergardens to design and install a low voltage system for you (more here). But simpler systems are very DIY friendly (guidance here and here). One of the most important things is to install quality fixtures.
So, if you decide to install your own landscape lighting, what fixtures should get and where should you buy them?
Where To Buy Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Online:
Hinkley fixtures on Amazon. I really like Hinkley for a number of reasons. First, the quality is high. Second, the designs are often a step above other brands. If you are looking for modern fixtures you especially want to consider Hinkley.
Direct to consumer lights from Volt. Volt fixtures are all high quality, their warranty and customer service is top notch, and the prices are very reasonable. I especially recommend the solid brass LED fixtures, which are very similar to the ones we typically use on our installations.
CAST Lighting on Amazon. Want fixtures that will outlast you? Want fixtures that will survive the Big One? Want fixtures that look better as they age? Bronze fixtures from CAST are exactly what you want.
Where To Buy Landscape Lighting In Portland, OR:
If you want to get your lighting fixtures locally I suggest getting them from landscape supply stores. Ewing, Horizon, SiteOne, and Winsupply are all good options.
What Brand Of Low Voltage Lighting Is Best?
There are a bunch of lighting manufacturers and brands to choose from. Here are ones that Ross NW Watergardens has used and recommends:
AMP Direct to contractor only. We install these fixtures on 95% of our lighting projects.
FX Luminaire Want to be able to control your system with an app? Have multiple lighting “scenes”? Change the brightness and colors of lamps? This is the brand you want.
Hinkley If I am designing a system for a modern home I often turn to Hinkley.
Where Not To Buy Your Lighting Fixtures For You Landscape:
I recommend you stay away from the fixtures at Home Depot, Lowes, Costco, Ace, etc. Most of them are low quality and will not hold up well over time.
However, the transformers and wire carried at the big box retailers are just fine.
Who Should Install Your Landscape Lighting?
Most landscape contractors can install landscape lighting. Larger markets, like Portland, even have companies that just do low voltage lighting.
Look for someone who shows restraint with their designs and installations. If everything is illuminated, or if every feature is lit in the same manner, you won’t be happy with the results.
Disclosure: Rossnwwatergardens.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.