Outdoor Lighting
Don’t let the beauty of your yard disappear at sunset—outdoor lighting brings it to life, day and night.
One of the most overlooked parts of a home’s outdoor design is also one of the most impactful: lighting. It’s the finishing touch that adds safety, warmth, and atmosphere to your entire yard. At ALD, we design and install custom outdoor lighting systems that do more than just light a path—they enhance your home’s architecture, improve visibility, and extend the use of your space well into the evening.
Whether you want a subtle glow across your stonework or a fully programmed system with zones and timers, we’ve got the tools, experience, and team to make it happen.
What Is Outdoor Lighting—and Why It Matters
Outdoor lighting refers to the installation of permanent low-voltage lighting fixtures that illuminate patios, pathways, steps, retaining walls, driveways, decks, and other key features around your home. It’s not just about visibility—it’s about mood, safety, and highlighting the structure and beauty of your space. The right lighting design can:
• Improve nighttime curb appeal.
• Make walking paths and steps safer.
• Highlight your favorite architectural or garden features.
• Provide security around dark entry points.
• Create an inviting ambiance for entertaining after dark.
Our lighting systems are energy-efficient and durable, designed to blend effortlessly with your yard and hardscapes. Enjoy safety and style that enhance the beauty of your space.
Outdoor Lighting Projects We’ve Installed for Minnesota Homes
Over the years, we’ve completed a wide range of outdoor lighting installs—from simple pathway setups to full-property systems. Here are a few recent examples:
- Patio lighting with hardscape-integrated fixtures for nighttime dining and gatherings.
- Stair and step lighting for safer transitions between deck levels and walkways.
- Uplighting on trees and stone columns to create depth and visual focus.
- Zone-controlled lighting for ¾ season porches and decks, with adjustable brightness.
- Driveway and entryway lighting tied into home automation systems
We design every lighting system with your home’s structure, finish materials, and usage patterns in mind. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution—we tailor each layout to how you actually live in and use your space.
Common Outdoor Lighting Mistakes (and How We Avoid Them)
Lighting might seem simple, but installing it incorrectly can cause more harm than good. We’ve had to step in to fix many poor installs over the years. Here’s what can go wrong if it’s not done right:
- Overexposed or underlit areas that ruin your yard’s balance.
- Visible wires and poorly mounted fixtures that take away from the look.
- Fixtures that burn out or fail due to cheap components or improper setup.
- Noisy transformers or flickering lights from overloaded systems.
- No plan for future expansion or zone control, limiting flexibility.
Outdoor lighting requires more than plugging in a spotlight. It takes careful planning, professional installation, and ongoing support—exactly what we provide.
How We Design and Install Outdoor Lighting: Step by Step
When you work with ALD on an outdoor lighting project, you’re getting a team that does it right from the start. Here’s how we approach each job:
- Site Evaluation & Consultation: We start by walking your property and discussing how you use it. Where do you entertain? What features matter most? What areas need more visibility?
- Lighting Design Plan: Based on your goals and layout, we map out a custom lighting plan. This includes fixture types, light temperature, beam angles, and suggested placements.
- Fixture & System Selection: We work with trusted, high-quality lighting brands that offer durability, low-voltage safety, and efficient LEDs. You’ll get the look you want with the performance you need.
- Installation & Wiring: Our crew installs everything neatly and professionally, hiding wires, mounting fixtures cleanly, and adjusting each light for the best effect.
- Programming & Fine-Tuning: For systems with timers or zone controls, we program everything to your preferences. We’ll walk you through how it all works before we leave.
- Final Walkthrough: Once it’s all lit up, we do a full check at night to ensure angles, brightness, and coverage are just right.
From design to installation, we handle everything in-house—no third-party electricians or separate contractors required.
Why Choose ALD for Professional Outdoor Lighting Installation
We’ve been building outdoor living spaces for decades, and we know that lighting is what brings everything together. Here’s why homeowners choose us:
- We are outdoor design experts.
- We care about design.
- We only use proven materials – We don’t cut corners.
- We integrate lighting into the full project
- We customize every system – we make it personal.
- We support what we install.
Your outdoor lighting system shouldn’t be an afterthought—it should be a feature that works as hard as the rest of your home. That’s what we deliver.
Get a Custom Outdoor Lighting Plan for Your Home Today
If your backyard disappears after sunset, let’s change that. Whether you’re looking to highlight your stonework, light a path, or bring your patio to life after dark, we’re ready to help you build a lighting system that fits your home perfectly.
Request a free lighting consultation today and let’s bring your yard to life—one light at a time.