When it comes to outdoor lighting in Cincinnati, the seasons sure like to keep us on our toes. One week it’s bright and sunny, and the next—snow’s back! As a locally owned and operated company specializing in landscape lighting in Northern Kentucky, we’ve designed and installed hundreds of outdoor lighting systems across Cincinnati, Dayton, and nearby areas.
Just last week, we installed a new uplighting system for a homeowner in Mason. They wanted their home to shine year-round—without being too bright in summer or too dull in winter. That job reminded me how many folks ask the same questions:
“How do I pick the right beam angle?”
“What about lumens and color temperature?”
Let’s talk about how we think through those choices when planning a lighting design that looks good every season.
What Beam Angle Should I Use for My Uplights?
When you’re designing and installing landscape lighting, the beam angle decides how wide or narrow the light spreads.
- Narrow beam (10°–25°): Best for tall trees, columns, or architectural details. These make your house pop with drama.
- Medium beam (25°–40°): Perfect for walls, shrubs, or smaller trees—soft, even illumination without harsh edges.
- Wide beam (40°–60°+): Great for lighting up large areas like your patio or outdoor living zones.
Tip from our crew: In Cincinnati, where winters are long and dark, slightly wider beams can help maintain that curb appeal even when snow’s covering the landscape.
How Do Seasonal Changes Affect Beam Choice?
We’ve noticed something after years of designing and installing lighting systems—the look of a beam changes with the seasons. Snow reflects more light, so your winter nights can look brighter than your summer ones. When we installed lights in Loveland last winter, the same uplight angle looked completely different in July.
Our advice: Pick a beam that balances both seasons. A 30° to 40° LED fixture usually gives you that sweet spot between brightness and comfort.
How Many Lumens Should Outdoor Uplights Have?
Lumens measure how bright a light is. And no, brighter isn’t always better. You don’t want your home to look like a stadium!
- Low lumen (100–300 lumens): Great for accent lighting, small shrubs, or pathways.
- Medium lumen (400–700 lumens): Best for walls, mid-height trees, and architectural features.
- High lumen (700–1200 lumens): For tall trees, rooflines, or dramatic focal points.
We just finished an outdoor lighting project in West Chester with 500-lumen uplights. It created a warm glow that beautifully illuminated their brick façade—subtle, classy, and energy-efficient.
Does Energy Efficiency Matter in Lumens?
Yes! Our LED outdoor lighting systems give you high lumens with less energy use. Low voltage and LED designs save power while keeping brightness consistent all year long. Plus, our fixtures come with a warranty, so you can enjoy worry-free lighting for years.
What Color Temperature Should I Choose for My Uplights?
Color temperature decides the “feel” of your lighting—measured in Kelvin (K). The right tone makes all the difference.
- 2700K–3000K (Warm White): Soft and cozy; perfect for homes with brick or stone.
- 4000K (Cool White): Clean, crisp, and modern—great for newer homes or metal siding.
- 5000K (Daylight): Very bright and blue-toned—usually used for commercial and residential security lighting.
When we installed a custom design for a residential landscape lighting project in Anderson Township, the homeowner wanted a soft, welcoming glow. We used 2700K LEDs to make their outdoor space warm and inviting, even in January.
What About Color-Changing Options?
We’ve been installing more color-changing LED fixtures lately, especially around patios and outdoor living areas. These let you switch from warm white for everyday use to festive colors for the holidays—right from your phone. Talk about a state-of-the-art lighting solution!
Why Does Cincinnati’s Weather Matter So Much?
If you live here, you already know—Cincinnati weather doesn’t play nice. The freeze-thaw cycle, rain, and humidity can take a toll on cheaper fixtures. That’s why at Expert Irrigation, we use professional lighting products built for year-round durability.
Every lighting plan we create is tested for both the July heat and the January frost. When you hire our lighting experts, you’re not just getting a good look—you’re getting quality work that lasts.
Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Space?
Your home deserves a lighting design that looks stunning every season. From beam angles to lumens to color temperatures, our landscape lighting installers know how to get it right the first time.
If you’re searching for “landscape lighting companies near Cincinnati”, reach out for a free outdoor lighting consultation. We’ll design and install a custom lighting system that makes your home shine bright—summer or winter.
Call Expert Irrigation today at (859) 282-8101 and let’s talk about your next outdoor lighting installation. Your home deserves to be seen in the best light.
Frequently Asked Questions About Landscape Lighting
1. Should I change my uplight bulbs for each season?
No. A good LED lighting system is built to perform all year round. Just make sure the fixture is weather-rated for outdoor lighting in Cincinnati.
2. Can I mix different color temperatures in my lighting design?
Yes. We sometimes do that to add depth—warm light for the house, cooler tones for trees or pathways. It makes the whole outdoor space look more balanced.
3. Do LED uplights use less energy than incandescent lights
Yes. LED fixtures are more energy-efficient, longer-lasting, and safer for low-voltage outdoor lighting systems.
