Software
Houzz Logo Print
ltdesign1

What color for landscape lighting?

6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

I am about to order a bunch of lighting for my backyard and I need help choosing the light color.

There are a number of step lights that are embedded into a concrete wall and steps, a couple sconces and 3 spotlights that will uplight some plants in a planter. On the Y Lighting website, I am supposed to choose a light color. The choices are Amber, Warm White and White and I have no idea which color to choose.

I called and spoke to a sales rep but he wasn't all that helpful. He kind of said all 3 would work and didn't help me make a decision.

Additional question: I am supposed to also choose a voltage:120V or 277V. I am not sure which to choose.

Any advice?

Thank you!

Comments (15)

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    You want a warm light. Made up names like "warm white" are meaningless, look for a color temperature of 2700K.


    I'm a little lost re: the voltage choices. Is there a reason you're doing these with line voltage and not low voltage?

  • 6 years ago

    Amber (yellow) will attract the fewest insects.

  • 6 years ago

    Thank you for the help! It sounds like the amber light is the way to go. I don't know why it asks for me to choose a voltage but I can't order the lights without choosing a voltage first. The sconces are also asking me to choose CRI (85 or 90) and I don't even know what that means.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    CRI refers to color rendering index, it refers to the lamps ability to evenly produce visible light wavelengths. If you want to light up something and have its color accurately revealed, choose the higher CRI. I am guessing the voltage depends on the electric supply voltage you have, probably 120V. Are you having an electrician install these? Probably best to ask the installer which voltage to get.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I would not think you'd want "amber" for general yard lighting. Why would it matter that it temporarily didn't attract insects to the far side of the yard. Amber is useful for bright, near lights, such as porch lights that will be left on for awhile. But to look out onto the yard, what is commonly known as "warm white" (the incandescent, old fashioned look), or "daylight" (which doesn't even sound like it's a choice, but looks like daylight ... so modern) would be the best two choices. Cool white is a bit spooky, other-wordly looking and amber is, well, yellow ... so you'd feel like you're in a bowl of pee. The high voltage sounds like it's for a commercial situation ... like if you need lighting for your warehouse, but 120 is what everyone has at home.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    IMO amber would attract insects more than white 120 is what you need for voltage . I have white exterior lighting but I love modern and pure daylight type lighting in my house too.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I'd recommend following Dark Sky principles in designing your lighting plan. Basically, you should light only the areas that need it, don't overlight, and don't shine any lights upward or outward to help avoid light pollution.

    -----------

  • 6 years ago

    I used Philips Hue low voltage landscape lighting products. They’re great because you have the full range of colors and brightness settings. You can also put them on a dusk to dawn schedule so that they come on automatically or schedule them for certain hours.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    No one uses colored lights. The concept is to illuminate landscaping and architecture to its best appearance. You don't want to change the color of anything.





  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    BeverlyFLADeziner- Where I live, loads of people use colors. Granted I live in a neighborhood made up of modern architect designed homes. So, it's not a traditional 'hood. Another benefit of Hue is that you can adjust the white color range from cool to warm to find the perfect tone.

  • 6 years ago

    The above are examples of why you can't see the stars in the night sky anymore. Whaddya bet those lights are on all night, every night.

  • 6 years ago

    I'll take a stroll and get some pics tonight.

  • 6 years ago

    Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Just wanted to update. So I ordered the WAC Step Lights from Y Lighting in "Amber". I am sad to report after they were taken out of the box and installed (all 13 of them), the color was bright orange. Just awful. I think it would have been the right choice had the actual color not been cartoony, clownish orange, but it was.


    Fortunately, my contractor was able to remove the colored lens which is actually what gives the light its color. He replaced it with plain clear glass that he cut to size. It is a bit brighter than I would have wanted but the color at least looks normal and not like some weird disco.


    I am disappointed in Y Lighting and in WAC...I can't imagine anyone thinking the color looked nice. I hope this helps someone.