Installing outdoor lighting can add beauty and security to your home or business. But it’s important to be aware of the proper spacing between each light fixture so that you get the maximum benefit from them. The number of fixtures and their placement depends on the size and type of area you are lighting.
For smaller areas, such as walkways, patios, decks, or gardens, a spacing of 8-10 feet between each light is generally best. This provides adequate coverage while avoiding an overly bright appearance or creating excessive glare. You can also choose to cluster two or three lights together for extra illumination in particularly dark areas.
When lighting larger areas like driveways, parking lots, yards, or recreational fields, the ideal spacing will increase depending on the size of the area being lit and the wattage of each light fixture. Generally speaking, you should place lights 10-15 feet apart for low wattage fixtures (50-80 watts), 12-20 feet apart for medium wattage fixtures (100-200 watts), and 15-25 feet apart for high wattage fixtures (250-400 watts).
It is important to keep in mind that too much light can be just as detrimental as not enough. If lights are too close together they may create glare that makes it difficult to see clearly. On the other hand, if they are spaced too far apart they may not provide enough coverage to effectively illuminate the area. With proper planning and consideration of your needs and goals, you can ensure that your outdoor lights are placed at just the right distance from each other.
Conclusion:
How far apart should you place outdoor lights? It depends on factors such as size and type of area being lit, wattage of each fixture being used, and desired level of illumination.
Lights should be spaced 8-10 feet apart for smaller areas like walkways or gardens; 10-15 feet apart for low wattage fixtures; 12-20 feet apart for medium wattage fixtures; and 15-25 feet apart for high wattage fixtures in larger areas like driveways or parking lots. It is important to remember that too much light can be just as detrimental as not enough.
