Top Landscape Lighting Mistakes to Avoid in Nashville

Done right, landscape lighting elevates your curb appeal, enhances safety, and extends your outdoor enjoyment. But done wrong? It can look harsh, uneven, or even downright useless.

If you’re planning a DIY lighting project or reviewing a past installation, watch out for these common landscape lighting mistakes—and learn how to avoid them with help from the pros at LightTN.

1. Over-Lighting or "Hot Spots"

Too much light can be just as bad as too little.

What goes wrong:

Glare from overly bright fixtures
Washed-out features
Loss of ambiance

Fix it: Use low-lumen fixtures and adjust beam angles to softly highlight features. Layer lighting with different intensities for depth.

2. Poor Fixture Placement

Placing lights in the wrong spots creates shadows, uneven coverage, or wasted light.
Common mistakes:

Lights pointed at blank walls

Path lights spaced too far apart

Uplights too close to trees or architectural features

Fix it: Design your lighting layout with intent. Use spacing, height, and angles to direct light where it’s needed—not just where it fits.

3. Mismatched Color Temperatures

Mixing cool and warm light creates a chaotic, disjointed look.
Mistake examples:

Cool white (5000K) floodlights next to warm path lights

Inconsistent tone between front and backyard zones

Fix it: Stick with warm white (2700K–3000K) for residential properties. It’s more inviting and consistent with Nashville’s classic home aesthetics.

4. Using Low-Quality Fixtures

Cheap solar lights or budget fixtures won’t last long in Nashville’s variable weather.

Problems:
Rust or corrosion within months
Dim, uneven light
Poor energy efficiency
Fix it: Invest in professional-grade, weather-resistant LED fixtures. At LightTN, we use trusted brands that last for years—not months

Worried your current lighting setup isn’t working?
Schedule a design review or upgrade consultation with the experts at LightTN and bring your yard back to life.

5. No Layered Lighting Strategy

Many DIY installs use the same type of light throughout, leading to a flat, uninteresting effect.
The result:

Everything looks the same

No contrast or focus

Missed design opportunities

Fix it: Use a combination of uplights, downlights, path lights, wash lights, and specialty accents. Design each zone with purpose.

6. Skipping a Transformer or Wiring Plan

Lighting requires planning—especially with power.
DIY mistakes:

Underpowered transformer

Running too many fixtures on one circuit

Tangled, exposed wiring

Fix it: Have a licensed installer size your transformer correctly and ensure all wiring is safe, waterproof, and buried where necessary.

7. No Maintenance Plan

Even a perfect system needs upkeep.

Consequences:
Bulbs fail without you noticing
Fixtures shift due to soil movement
Overgrown plants block light

Fix it: Schedule a seasonal check-up with LightTN. We’ll realign, clean, and optimize your system year-round.

8. Ignoring Light Pollution

Bright, misdirected lights create glare and disrupt neighbors.

Mistake signs:
Flood lights pointed toward windows
Yard lights shining onto the street
Unshielded fixtures causing night blindness

Fix it: Use shields, downward angles, and beam spread controls. A professional design minimizes waste and maximizes impact.

Avoiding common lighting mistakes means more than just placing fixtures—it’s about thoughtful design, reliable products, and proper installation. At LightTN, we make sure every Nashville lighting project is done right the first time. Contact us today to fix problems or start fresh.