Types of Landscape Lighting Fixtures and How to Use Them in Good Outdoor Design

Why Fixture Type Matters in Outdoor Lighting

The fixture you choose isn’t just about looks — it shapes the entire feel and function of your landscape lighting. A floodlight and a downlight might look similar, but they create completely different effects.

At Ecotek Outdoor Lighting, we use a combination of fixture types to create depth, safety, and drama across your property. Here's a breakdown of the most common low-voltage fixture types and where they shine.

Common Landscape Lighting Fixtures and Their Uses

  • Wash Light

Wash lights produce a wide, soft beam ideal for illuminating walls, hedges, fences, and architectural features. They create an even “glow” across surfaces instead of focused spots.

Best For:

  • Exterior walls

  • Privacy hedges

  • Garden backdrops

  • Fencing

Design Tip:

Use 2700K or 3000K to keep walls warm and inviting without glare.

  • Flood Light

Flood lights cast a broad, powerful beam that covers a wide area. They’re typically brighter than wash lights and used for both safety and feature lighting.

Best For:

  • Tall trees

  • Facade lighting

  • Large signage or monuments

  • Commercial security areas

Design Tip:

Floods can be harsh if overused — aim them carefully to avoid light pollution.

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  • Spotlight

Spotlights have a narrow, concentrated beam. They’re used to draw the eye to a specific feature like a statue, fountain, or focal tree.

Best For:

  • Tree uplighting

  • Flags and sculptures

  • Pillars and stonework

  • Entryway columns

Design Tip:

Vary beam angles for depth — 15°, 24°, or 36° depending on distance and size of target.

  • Well Light (In-Ground Light)

Well lights are recessed into the ground and shine upward. They're perfect where you want a light source to disappear visually — like in turf or pavers.

Best For:

  • Driveway lighting

  • Tree uplighting

  • Wall grazing without visible fixtures

  • Poolside integration

Design Tip:

Use well lights around large palms or canopy trees for a dramatic trunk-to-canopy effect.

  • Downlight (Moonlight Effect)

Downlights mimic natural moonlight by casting light from above. We typically install them high in trees or on roof lines to create beautiful shadowing on the ground.

Best For:

  • Patios

  • Walkways

  • Lawns and garden beds

  • Driveway aprons

Design Tip:

Use cool white (4000K) sparingly for a true “moonlight” feel — or 3000K for a warmer glow.

  • Path Light

Path lights are a staple of any outdoor lighting system. They cast a soft, downward glow that illuminates walkways and beds without glare.

Best For:

  • Front walkways

  • Garden paths

  • Driveway edges

  • Transitions between outdoor zones

Design Tip:

Use staggered spacing and avoid the “runway look.” Less is often more.

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  • Hardscape Light

Hardscape lights are small, linear fixtures installed in or under stonework. Think under capstones, retaining walls, steps, or outdoor kitchens.

Best For:

  • Seat walls

  • Outdoor kitchens

  • Step treads

  • Firepit seating areas

Design Tip:

These are subtle but powerful — especially for patios and dining zones.

  • Marker Light

Marker lights are compact, low-output fixtures used to indicate edges or hazards. They don’t light an area — they just say “Hey, this is here.”

Best For:

  • Steps and grade changes

  • Dock edges

  • Driveway entrances

  • Decorative boulders

Design Tip:

Often used in conjunction with path or wash lighting for layered safety.

Track lighting in landscape lighting refers to permanent RGBW systems mounted under eaves or along rooflines. They allow year-round control of color and brightness.

Best For:

  • Holiday lighting

  • Celebrations and events

  • HOA entry monuments

  • Brand visibility for businesses

Design Tip:

Use RGBW track systems that offer true white diodes — not just mixed color whites.

  • Bollard Light

Bollards are vertical post-style fixtures that provide architectural flair and wide-area lighting. Available in solid or louvered designs.

Best For:

  • Commercial walkways

  • Modern home entryways

  • Community common areas

  • Formal gardens

Design Tip:

Bollards can double as artistic elements. Use them to anchor visual symmetry.

Why a Balanced Design Matters

Great lighting isn’t about one type of fixture — it’s about how multiple fixtures work together. We layer wide wash lights with tight spotlights, downlighting with path lights, and integrate hidden well lights for clean visual results.

When we design your landscape lighting system, we think about contrast, safety, glare control, and visual balance — not just wattage and placement.

Want to See These in Action?

During your design consultation, we’ll bring real demo fixtures so you can see the difference between a flood, wash, and well light before you commit.

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