Kichler Lighting Design Techniques
Wall-Wash Lighting
Delivers a subtle, low amount of light to a wide area, up close to the structure, with minimal hot-spots and density.
Recommended fixtures: VLO 12V LED Accent 60° 16017 & 16020. VLO Mini Wall Wash 16026. Also 120V-277V C-Series 16210-16211, 16213-16214, 16218-16224.
Cross Lighting
Using two or three beams of light, it creates 360-degree visual interest on large trees, statues or other tall features.
Recommended fixtures: VLO 12V LED Accent 15°-35° 16015-16016, 16018-16019. Also 120V-277V C-Series 15°-40° 16209-16210, 16212-16213, 16215-16216, 16218-16219.
Accent Uplighting
Shines light upward to illuminate an object or surface for dramatic, attention-getting visuals.
Recommended fixtures: VLO 12V LED Accent 15°-60° 16015-16020. VLO High Lumen Accent 15°-60° 16160-16162. Also 120V-277V C-Series 15°-55° 16209-16220.
Grazing
Adds depth and dimension to stucco, brick, stonework or architectural features of a home or building.
Recommended fixtures: VLO 12V LED Accent 60° 16017 & 16020. VLO Mini Wall Wash 16026. Also 120V-277V C-Series 40°-55° 16210-16211, 16213-16214, 16218-16224.
Silhouette Lighting
Draw attention to an interesting shape by lighting a vertical surface behind the object to accent that unique shape.
Recommended fixtures: VLO 12V LED Accent 15°-60° 16015-16020. Also 120V-277V C-Series 15°-55° 16209-16220.
Shadowing
A technique that projects the look of a tree or yard art onto a surface behind the object.
Recommended fixtures: VLO 12V LED Accent 15°-60° 16015-16020. Also 120V-277V C-Series 15°-55° 16209-16220.
Mirror Lighting
Create dream-like water scenes by strategically lighting background areas around bodies of water that reflect the landscape off of the water.
Recommended fixtures: VLO 12V LED Accent 15°-60° 16015-16020. Also 120V-277V C-Series 15°-55° 16209-16220.
Underwater Accent Lighting
Enhance and highlight flowing water in waterfalls, streams and fountains. Create a magical mirroring effect on still waters.
Recommended fixture: VLO 12V LED Underwater 16027
Moon Lighting
Placing a lower lumen fixture high in a tree catches the details of branches and leaves, emulating the look of moonlight.
Recommended fixtures: VLO 12V LED Accent 60° 16162AZT50, 35°-60° 16016-16017, 16019-16020. VLO High Lumen Accent 35°-60° 16161-16162. Also 120V-277V C-Series 40°-55° 16210-16211, 16213-16214, 16218-16224.
In-Ground Lighting
Deliver light to permanent and semi-permanent installations such as sidewalks, large mature trees, walls and flagpoles.
Recommended fixtures: VLO 12V LED In-Ground 16023-16025, 12V LED Mini All-Purpose Recessed 16140-16141. Also 120V-277V C-Series 16227-16228.
Xeriscape Lighting
Cacti, grasses and the stone used in xeriscape designs can benefit from a lower lumen illumination than traditional landscaping.
Recommended fixtures: 2700K fixtures; 12V LED Path 15811, 15821, VLO 12V LED Accent 16015-16017.
Path & Spread Lighting
Illuminate sidewalks, stone pathways and lawn walkways while adding a hint of intrigue to boulders and plant beds. Spread lighting uses a path light inside a landscape bed to illuminate the plantings.
Recommended fixtures: 12V LED Path Fundamentals 16120, Stepped Dome 15820 or Dome 15810.
Hardscape Lighting
Highlight stone features, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, steps, handrails, benches and more.
Recommended fixture: 6" 12V LED 16101.
Deck & Patio Lighting
Accentuate all of the beauty and details of decks, patios, outdoor kitchens, steps, handrails and more.
Recommended fixtures: (top) 12V LED Half Moon 15764, 12V LED Brick Light 15773, LED Surface Mount Step Lights 16171-16172.
Selecting the Perfect Color Temperature
Many of our integrated LED fixtures and LED lamps come in a variety of color temperatures – from warm white to pure white to bright white – that can enhance the colors in a home's exterior and landscape. Measured by Kelvin (K) degrees, consider these suggestions for your applications:
WARM WHITE - 2700K
- Ideal for surroundings with warmer colors, like brown and cedar
- Natural colored walls or stonework
- Foliage that is red, orange or yellow (ex: highlighting oak trees)
PURE WHITE - 3000K
- Ideal for surroundings with dark materials, like deep slate, black or gray
- Foliage that is blue or purple (ex: highlighting blue spruce trees)
COOL WHITE - 4000K
- Complements contemporary homes and structures
- Commercial applications
Beam spreads... focus light where it’s needed.
Kichler® Our integrated LED fixtures are available in a variety of beam spreads so you can tailor the light to where it's needed the most.
10°-15° Beam Spread
Tall, thin beam of light ideal for grazing trees and column features.
25°-45° Beam Spread
Medium height and width beam of light suited for general accent lighting.
55°-60° Beam Spread
Wide beam of light useful for broad trees and wide structures.
120° Beam Spread
Ideal for wall washing, grazing, and short yet wide, objects.
Accent
Deck & Patio
Hardscape
In-Ground
Accessories
Path & Spread
Bulbs
Transformers