Designing with Light: Elevating the Garden after Dark
Thoughtful garden lighting can transform an outdoor space long after the sun has set. At Nathan Burkett Landscape Architecture, we often say that lighting is an architectural element not an accessory. When placed with intention, it extends the life of the garden, enriches its atmosphere, and invites people to engage with the space in a completely different way.
Why Garden Lighting Matters
Garden lighting is about more than visibility. It’s about mood, depth, and experiential design. When light skims across a sculptural tree trunk or grazes a stone wall, textures come alive. Pathways, entries, and outdoor rooms feel inviting rather than receding into darkness.
“In our approach, lighting is considered early in the design stages, not added at the end. The goal is subtlety, lighting should support the landscape, not shout over it,” said Nathan Burkett, Director of NBLA.
“Every light should earn its place. We choose fittings based on what they illuminate, the branching form of a tree, the edge of a pathway, or the architectural rhythm of a façade.”
A well-lit garden becomes a natural extension of the home, allowing dining, entertaining, and quiet reflection to continue into the evening. Interior rooms gain “night-time outlooks” when the garden is softly illuminated, turning what would otherwise be a black void into a living composition. Path and entry lighting adds reassurance and creates a gentle transition as people move between indoors and out.
NBLA often specify lighting from Gardens at Night (GAN), their spokesperson said, “Considered layered lighting enhances both safety and atmosphere in your landscape, from path, step, and wall lighting that guide movement, to linear lighting that defines edges and adds a soft ambience. Accent, overhead, inground, and underwater lighting further elevate the space by highlighting trees, sculptures, textured walls, and water features.”
Good garden lighting is never harsh. Hidden fittings, baffles, and careful angles help ensure light is felt rather than seen. Plants change seasonally and grow over time. We specify lighting that adapts, so the garden feels beautifully balanced year after year.
Most importantly, our clients often share that garden lighting becomes one of the elements they appreciate sometimes unexpectedly so. Families often find themselves spending far more time outdoors because the garden feels comfortable and alive after dark.
Ultimately, lighting makes a garden feel resolved, intentional, and deeply personal.