How to Choose the Right Height for Pathway Lights: A Step-by-Step Guide
No matter how much effort you put into designing your house’s interior, it doesn’t quite look like a ‘home’ without lighting up the outdoors just right. A brilliant way to brighten up the exterior is installing pathway lights — offering both safety and aesthetics. But the real challenge lies in selecting the right height for pathway lights to create an inviting walkway.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the steps required to get those perfect-height pathway lights for your gardens or walkways. Let’s explore what it takes to create bright walkways!
See how to install pathway lights
Why Use Pathway Lights to Illuminate Your Outdoor Spaces?
Before we head on to determine their height, it’s worth exploring why pathway lights are a smart investment for outdoor spaces in the first place. According to Future Market Insights, the market for outdoor lighting is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2023 to 2033.
But for most homeowners, pathway lights stand out among other landscape light choices, and it’s easy to see why. Here’s why pathway lights are important to illuminate your outdoor spaces:
Walking safety
It’s pretty common to fall or trip once the sun goes down, especially when walking through dim-lit pathways that lead to your front door. However, path lights let you and your guests safely get through the pathways without any accidents.
Home’s Security
Unless you’ve got solid lights brightening up your outdoor spaces, it’s hard to feel fully secure. In addition to guiding your way, pathway lights also keep intruders at bay, light up any hiding spots, and let you know exactly when someone approaches your house.
Aesthetics
Above all, well-lit outdoor spaces make your house look more inviting and, of course, aesthetically pleasing. If you want a serene vibe to take over your outdoors, there’s no better option than installing ‘right-height’ pathway lights.
Steps Involved in Selecting the Right Height for Pathway Lights
Now that we’ve seen the benefits of installing pathway lights, you’re probably convinced they make an excellent addition to your landscape. But here’s where things get tricky — when too tall, these lights look out of place, and when too short, they don’t quite serve the purpose.
This makes choosing the ‘right’ height for pathway lights a more critical part of the process than buying the lights itself.
Step #1. Clarify Your Lighting Objectives
First things first, ask yourself exactly why you think it’s best to opt for pathway lights. You probably want them for decoration purposes or to light up the path for safety. In case you’re aiming for aesthetics only— Do you wish to light up the path solely? Or do you want to light up the architectural features of your home?
For instance, if creating a soft glow is your only aim, shorter pathway lights often do the job just right. But if visibility and security are the primary concerns, they guide you toward taller pathway lights!
Step #2. Know the Amount of Light Your Pathway Requires
When selecting the height of your path lights, the next step is determining the ‘amount’ of light they require. Typically, path lights come with their own spread, depending on whether you want a narrow beam or a wider glow. The thickness of your walkway also determines the amount of light it requires to fully brighten up.
Step #3. Measure Your Pathway Width
When it comes to wider paths, you’ll likely require taller lights, and vice versa for narrower pathways. Remember— the ultimate goal is to lighten up the entire path without leaving the center unlit. To get this right, measuring the path using tape will give you a clear idea of how high or tall your lights should be.
Step #4. Select the Style & Material of the Lights
Another important factor is to look for stylish lights, especially if your ultimate objective is beautifying the space. It’s best to check with your lighting brand the types of path lights they offer. Preferably, opt for the following types for maximum durability and power:
Then comes the main factor: the aesthetics. Classic path lights usually need to be 15-20 inches tall so they spread light evenly. If you want a subtle glow, shorter, decorative pathway lights will work best for you. But if you’re opting for specialty path lights, it’s best to measure your walkway to see how they fit your overall landscape to maintain the overall efficiency of outdoor lights.
Step #5. Pick a Height that Matches Your Yard
Now, it’s time to pick the correct height of lights to begin narrowing down your pathway lighting ideas. If you wish to highlight your home’s exterior well, taller path lights, i.e., 18-20 inches, will work wonders for you. They rise above the plants and lighten up your space, beautifying it every time the evening falls.
However, if your pathway is narrower, lined up with shorter plants, and your top priority is safety, shorter lights, i.e., around 10-15 inches in length, will be the best pick!
FAQs
How Far Apart Should I Ideally Place My Pathway Lights?
Ideally, taller pathway lights must be placed 10 feet apart, whereas shorter lights are recommended to be spaced around 4-6 feet apart. While most people ignore it, the right spacing is critical to avoid glares or shadows.
How To Determine the Exact Number of Pathway Lights to Install?
To determine the number of pathway lights to install, measure the length of your walkway and know how far apart you’ll place them. If you’re opting for shorter lights, you might need more of them, but opting for fewer taller lights will do the job right!
Can I Install Pathway Lights Myself, or Does it Require Professional Help?
While you can install pathway lights yourself, it takes a bit of knowledge of electrical work and safety precautions. If you aren’t equipped with the right tools, we recommend going for professional installation.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right height for pathway lights isn’t rocket science– it only requires a thoughtful and step-wise approach. Remember, you can’t just randomly handpick your pathway lights if you have clear lighting objectives in mind. Measure the width of your path, the amount of light you’re aiming for, and how you’ll space them for the best-lit walkways!
Looking for the best range of pathway lights to illuminate your pathways? Check out Gardenreet to create your own stunning outdoors!