7 Outdoor Lighting Trends That Aren't Worth the Investment, Experts Say

Outdoor lighting can completely reshape how you experience your backyard. The right fixtures will highlight textures, draw attention to key features, and make evenings safer and more inviting. However, not every form of illumination delivers on these promises—some will end up costing you in the long run.

Here, we asked experts to share the types of lighting choices that often disappoint, and what to focus on instead. Read on to learn how you can make smart investments and enhance your outdoor space for years to come.

Rope and Strip Lights

Rope and strip lights might look fun on Instagram, but designers say they often fail in practice.

“Backyard patio lights strung everywhere don’t actually provide enough light, and they’re constantly falling down,” says Brittny Button, founder of Button Atelier. “Plus, they look really tacky.”

Strip lighting can also look outdated. “[It] can make a space feel more commercial than residential,” says Isabel Clune, principal of Isabel Clune Design. It’s also prone to weathering, and dirt or debris can make it look messy.

Instead, Button suggests layering your lighting—light trees and add sconces and overhead fixtures. Multiple light sources allow you to adjust the brightness and create a more balanced, inviting atmosphere.

Glass Pendants

Glass pendants are beautiful, but outside, beauty comes at a cost. “They’re impossible to keep clean from bugs, cobwebs, and dirt,” says Button. When placed over a front entry, or in a covered balcony, what starts as a statement piece can quickly become a frustrating eyesore.

Instead, consider durable materials when purchasing outdoor lighting. “Unless you’re happy with constant upkeep, it’s better to choose fixtures designed to withstand the elements,” she says. Sometimes, practicality wins over perfection.

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Color-Changing LED Systems

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) LED lighting became popular because it promised instant customization and a wow factor for any backyard. Homeowners can use them to change the color of their patios, gardens, and architectural features at the touch of a button, or even sync the lights to music. It feels magical during the holidays, but the novelty fades quickly; for the rest of the year, it can make your backyard look like a theme park.

A smarter alternative is dimmable, warm-white LEDs. “They create a welcoming, flattering light that works with your garden, rather than competing with it," says Clune.

Solar Stake Lights

Solar stake lights may do the job in the short term, but they topple in storms, and they rarely provide enough light.

“They cheapen a garden,” says Clune. Instead, she recommends investing in hard-wired, low-voltage landscape fixtures. “They provide consistent light, subtle placement, and control over the ambience. It’s a small investment that makes a big difference in the overall feel of a garden."

Oversized Lighting

Big outdoor fixtures can make a bold statement, but only if they’re properly balanced. “They can look like the wrong size if the rest of the furniture doesn’t match the scale,” says Button. Placement is key. When done right, oversized lighting can anchor a patio or deck, but if it's off, it can feel awkward and out of place.

Blanket Floodlighting

Blanket floodlighting might seem like a practical way to brighten a yard, but Anita Yokota—a designer, licensed therapist, and author of Home Therapy—says it does more harm than good. It’s expensive, harsh, and visually overwhelming. “It wipes out subtle depth, erases shadow patterns, and interrupts the natural nighttime experience,” she says.

A better approach is targeted, shielded accent lighting that highlights one or two features at a low intensity. Shadow and restraint will always be more beautiful than broad, high-output illumination.

Uplights

Uplights might look dramatic in photos, but they're far less appealing in a real backyard. They create glare, cast harsh shadows, and make the whole space feel overly staged. “They wash out plant texture and disrupt the calming nighttime environment you actually want,” adds Yakota. They also add to light pollution.

Soft, shielded downlighting or low-level path lighting creates a gentler approach that guides movement, while also preserving the quiet, restorative feel of the landscape.