When you’re designing the lighting plans for your property, its easy to fall into the me-too trap. Because of the availability of products at your local hardware store, you end up with the same tiered lights running up your driveway in the same places as your neighbors do. Instead of having your lights set your house apart from your neighbors, it actually makes it blend in. It doesn’t have to be this way. Instead of shopping at your local hardware store, try shopping online for some unique lights. You can also try to set a unique theme or mood or try emphasizing unique aspects of your lawn and garden. But whatever you do, don’t fall into the conformity trap.

The first key to finding extraordinary outdoor landscape lighting is to look for it in unique places. If you go down to your local hardware store to find lights, the lights they stock are going to be the same lights that all your neighbors have been using for years. If you want to set yourself apart, you’re gong to have to find different lights, and this means going to different places. Try to find some stores on the web that specialize in selling unique lighting fixtures. Don’t be afraid to use lights made out of different materials like copper. Just make sure you don’t get tacky and install too many frogs, deer, or other animals with light bulbs in them.

Another route you can take to installing standout lighting in your yard is by trying to set a theme or mood that is different from anything you’ve seen. The island theme, complete with tiki torches is a staple on my decks, and for good reason. But if you want to set yourself apart you need to move beyond this and install something else. Possibly an arctic theme with blue or white accent lighting, or accent your deck with red lighting and candle lights to create a more romantic atmosphere. The possibilities are endless and up to you. You can even light your deck and yard up match one of your favorite sports teams. Just choose a theme not many, if anyone, has chosen yet for their lighting and you’ll be on your way.

Finally, to create truly unique and beautiful garden lighting, you should try to accent the unique aspects of your property and showcase them with the lights. Even if you live in a cookie-cutter suburban neighborhood, there is a least something that is unique about your home. It could be a fence, which can be lit with lights leading away from where you expect people to be or a large tree, which you can use floodlights to backlight and cast ominous shadows on your lawn. Whatever the case is, find the different strengths, weaknesses, and unique aspects of your property and show them off or conceal them with your lights.

Putting up unique landscape lighting is easier than you may imagine. You don’t need to hire a professional designer or go to exotic lengths to find them. All that is necessary is that you think a little outside the box and adapt any plans you find to fit the uniqueness of your property.

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