Landscape Design
15 Creative Ways to Light Outdoor Steps and Pathways
Take inspiration from these practical landscape lighting designs offering safety, style and a magical glow
When it comes to paths and steps, lighting needs to be practical to prevent trips and falls. Fortunately, there are plenty of options that look good, add ambiance and safely light the way. Fixtures can be subtle at night and nearly disappear during the day, or they can make a statement and enhance the overall design when the sun’s up.
Whether you choose hard-wired, battery-powered or solar lights, the key is to avoid fixtures that create glare, which could dazzle and disorient. It’s also worth considering timers or motion sensors, so lights turn on when needed but don’t disrupt wildlife all night.
Scroll down to see how designers on Houzz have lit steps and pathways across a range of landscapes.
Whether you choose hard-wired, battery-powered or solar lights, the key is to avoid fixtures that create glare, which could dazzle and disorient. It’s also worth considering timers or motion sensors, so lights turn on when needed but don’t disrupt wildlife all night.
Scroll down to see how designers on Houzz have lit steps and pathways across a range of landscapes.
2. Tuck them to the side. Alternatively, fit inset spots to the side of the steps, again angling the beam downward, as Innovative Design Build has done in this Atlanta yard. You may find you don’t need a spot beside each step, especially shorter ones, as the light will likely wash across a decent sized area.
With a longer flight of steps than this, alternate sides as you go up to balance the light and keep the design relaxed.
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With a longer flight of steps than this, alternate sides as you go up to balance the light and keep the design relaxed.
Find a landscape designer on Houzz
3. Define with LED strips. LED strip lights are a neat way to define steps and give a modern feel. The strips between the risers and treads on these steps by Centre Sky Architecture have been channeled into a slight groove, so only their glow at night is visible. The strips echo the clean lines of the Montana ranch house and usefully mark the boundary between the home and the wider, wilder landscape.
What to Know About Adding Outdoor Lighting
What to Know About Adding Outdoor Lighting
4. Lighten the look. For a super-contemporary take on the strip light, consider fitting LEDs under a deep lip to create the illusion of floating stairs.
SGDI - Sarah Gallop Design gave these large concrete steps in Vancouver, British Columbia, an airy feel with deep-set strips, guiding people safely up to the house and highlighting the bordering foliage. The designer paired the strips with simple posts, each topped with a downlight, that fully illuminate the steps without stealing the strip lights’ thunder.
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SGDI - Sarah Gallop Design gave these large concrete steps in Vancouver, British Columbia, an airy feel with deep-set strips, guiding people safely up to the house and highlighting the bordering foliage. The designer paired the strips with simple posts, each topped with a downlight, that fully illuminate the steps without stealing the strip lights’ thunder.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
5. Illuminate from above. While ground-level lights are always a good option, one large lamp can effectively cast light down a set of steps — a look that works nicely in traditional settings.
This Narnia-esque lamppost in a Washington, D.C., project by Four Brothers Design + Build gently illuminates the staircase and leads the eye to the classic clapboard siding house beyond.
Note that one lamp is only effective on a relatively short, straight flight of stairs — more would be needed if the steps continue or meander.
This Narnia-esque lamppost in a Washington, D.C., project by Four Brothers Design + Build gently illuminates the staircase and leads the eye to the classic clapboard siding house beyond.
Note that one lamp is only effective on a relatively short, straight flight of stairs — more would be needed if the steps continue or meander.
6. Make use of a banister. Downlights attached to the posts of this Chicago staircase by Landscape Illumination light up the steps and banisters for easy ascent, while keeping the beams focused and leaving the surrounding area and sky above in wildlife-friendly darkness.
Attaching the lights to the posts means they don’t interfere with any areas of the rails essential for holding on.
Landscape Lighting That Doesn’t Wake the Birds
Attaching the lights to the posts means they don’t interfere with any areas of the rails essential for holding on.
Landscape Lighting That Doesn’t Wake the Birds
7. Stagger slightly to spread the light. Simple inset spots can be very effective, especially on a large staircase. The trick with these is to ensure the beam is directed downward, both to avoid glare and to wash the tread with light.
The slightly staggered formation in this San Francisco Bay Area design by Envision Landscape Studio gives a gentler look than uniform runway lights — which suits a rustic setting — and helps to spread the light across the steps.
The slightly staggered formation in this San Francisco Bay Area design by Envision Landscape Studio gives a gentler look than uniform runway lights — which suits a rustic setting — and helps to spread the light across the steps.
Paths and Walkways
Although pathways may be less of a potential trip hazard than steps, the same lighting principles apply to ensure the whole length can be navigated safely.
8. Show off your path. Spike lights with a simple “hat” on top, like these in a design by Lake Forest Landscape in Seattle, can add just enough illumination. The solid metal tops ensure all the light is directed across the ground where it’s needed.
This style of light is a great way to highlight an interesting path, such as these rough-cut stone slabs defined by planted edges. As a bonus, the lights have a traditional aesthetic that complements the rustic stone.
Although pathways may be less of a potential trip hazard than steps, the same lighting principles apply to ensure the whole length can be navigated safely.
8. Show off your path. Spike lights with a simple “hat” on top, like these in a design by Lake Forest Landscape in Seattle, can add just enough illumination. The solid metal tops ensure all the light is directed across the ground where it’s needed.
This style of light is a great way to highlight an interesting path, such as these rough-cut stone slabs defined by planted edges. As a bonus, the lights have a traditional aesthetic that complements the rustic stone.
9. Spread light far and wide. If excellent lighting is a priority, consider illuminated bollards like these ones fitted by Nature’s Way Landscapes in Denver. The combination of height and 360-degree beams improves visibility while on the meandering paver path. The geometric silhouettes, meanwhile, add a strong design element — both day and night — that chimes with the angular home.
Check out our guide to get started on your home project
Check out our guide to get started on your home project
10. Concentrate on the foliage. In this London backyard by Shelley Hugh-Jones Garden Design, the simple path has been left unlit. Instead, illumination comes from lighting in the foliage framing the walkway, which celebrates the plants’ sculptural forms while spilling light onto the path for a beautiful, subtle effect.
11. Use planting as a cloak. You can take another approach and use foliage to hide lights in the daytime. These minimalist spike lights in a project near San Francisco by CK Landscape emit a guiding glow, then remain largely camouflaged amid the grasses after sunrise.
12. Emphasize a natural aesthetic. These granite lights in a project by NatureWorks Landscape Services in Boston aren’t hidden, but they sit comfortably in their leafy surroundings. The simple, angular design gives them a strong presence, but the rough-hewn stone feels natural in the landscape.
For other striking, naturalistic lighting options, consider designs in wood, soft olive hues or even copper, which should oxidize to green over time.
For other striking, naturalistic lighting options, consider designs in wood, soft olive hues or even copper, which should oxidize to green over time.
13. Create a magical mood. These torch-style lights create an enchanted mood while guiding walkers toward the hot tub in a Toronto backyard designed by Parklane Landscapes. The solar-powered lights have a flames-style design laser-cut into the metal and provide a gentle glow with an evocative flickering feel.
14. Suspend pendants. If you have trees overhanging your pathway — or the option to rig up a suitable rope or chain — consider suspending pretty globe lights like these from SLV Lighting Direct in Surrey, England. The floating orbs create a magical feel and throw wide arcs of light across the path.
15. Lead the way with candlelight. These smart black lanterns are the perfect finishing touch for a modern farmhouse designed by Paulina Perrault Interiors in Napa, California. The striking black metal frames hold LED candle lights that form a twinkling route to the house after dark.
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More on Houzz
Read more landscape stories
Browse outdoor photos for ideas
Find a landscape contractor
With outdoor steps, the aim is for every tread to be visible. Remember that a little light can go a long way after dark, so you can keep fittings on the sparse side if you prefer.
1. Keep It minimalist. The walk up to this house in Washington, D.C., is lit by two small downlights per step, set into the lip of the tread above. The lights create a simple runway that’s enough to guide people up the staircase after dark without dominating the design. As the fixtures point downward and emit a warm light, they’re kind to wildlife and visually disappear once the sun is up.