Hamptons Landscape Lighting Glossary

A complete guide to the terms, techniques, and systems used in luxury landscape lighting, outdoor lighting design, and modern outdoor environments.

A – C

Accent Lighting: Focused lighting used to highlight specific landscape or architectural features, adding depth and visual interest.
Ambient Lighting: Soft, general illumination that establishes overall mood and visibility in outdoor spaces.
Analog Timer: A mechanical timer that controls lighting on/off cycles using a rotating dial and physical pins.
AOLP Certification: A professional credential from the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP) signifying advanced training in outdoor lighting design and installation.
Architectural Lighting: Lighting integrated into building structures such as facades, walls, and architectural details to enhance form, texture, and visual impact. Learn more
As-Builts: Final documentation showing the exact fixture locations, wiring paths, and system specifications as installed.
Bullet Lights: Directional landscape spotlights used to accent trees, structures, and focal points.
Circadian Lighting: Lighting that changes intensity or color temperature to align with natural day-night rhythms.
Curb Appeal: The visual attractiveness of a property as seen from the street, enhanced through thoughtful exterior lighting.

D – F

Daylight Harvesting: Adjusting artificial lighting output based on available natural light to improve efficiency.
Design-Forward: An approach that prioritizes aesthetics, architectural harmony, and user experience while integrating advanced lighting technology and controls. Learn more
Facade: The exterior face of a building, often highlighted with architectural lighting to reveal form and texture.
Functional Benefits: Practical advantages of lighting such as improved safety, navigation, and nighttime usability.

G – L

Glare Control: Techniques used to minimize harsh brightness and improve visual comfort, including shielding and precise aiming.
Grazing: A lighting technique that places fixtures close to textured surfaces to emphasize material detail through light and shadow.
Integrated Lighting: Lighting that is coordinated with landscape, architecture, and control systems to function as a unified design element.
Landscape Accents: Targeted lighting elements used to highlight trees, plantings, sculptures, or architectural features.
Landscape Lighting: Outdoor illumination designed to enhance property features, improve safety, and extend nighttime usability.
Landscape Lighting Designer: A lighting professional who specializes in planning and specifying outdoor lighting for landscapes and architectural exteriors. A landscape lighting designer focuses on aesthetics, fixture placement, beam control, and long-term performance. Learn more
Layers of Light: A lighting strategy that combines ambient, task, accent, and decorative lighting to create depth and balance.
LED Lighting: Energy-efficient lighting technology that delivers long life, low heat, and precise control.
Low-Voltage Lighting: Lighting systems powered at 12–24 volts, commonly used in landscape applications for safety and efficiency.

M – P

Modern Lighting: Contemporary lighting characterized by clean lines, minimal forms, and refined materials. Modern lighting emphasizes performance, subtlety, and seamless integration with architecture and landscape design. Learn more
Moonlighting: A naturalistic technique that places fixtures high in trees to cast soft, downward light resembling moonlight.
Outdoor Audio: Weatherproof speaker systems designed for patios, pools, gardens, and outdoor living areas. Learn more
Outdoor Entertainment Lighting: Lighting designed for dining, lounging, and social gatherings outdoors, balancing function and atmosphere.
Outdoor Illumination: The application of lighting to exterior spaces for safety, usability, and visual enhancement.
Outdoor Lighting Systems: A coordinated system of fixtures, wiring, transformers, and controls designed for exterior environments.
Outdoor Living Spaces: Patios, pools, terraces, and gathering areas designed for everyday outdoor use and nighttime enjoyment. Learn more
Path Lighting: Low-level lighting used to illuminate walkways and driveways for safe navigation.
Pool Lighting: Lighting designed for pools and surrounding areas to improve safety and nighttime ambiance.
Precision Aiming: The careful adjustment of fixtures to ensure light is directed exactly where intended.

Q – R

Residential Technology: Integrated systems that enhance comfort, security, and entertainment within a private residence.

S – Z

Sculptural Lighting: Lighting that emphasizes form and three-dimensional qualities of landscape or architectural elements.
Security Lighting: Lighting intended to improve safety and deter unwanted activity by increasing visibility around a property.
Seamless Integration: Coordinating fixtures and controls so lighting blends naturally into architecture and landscape.
Shadowing: The intentional use of light and darkness to create contrast and visual drama.
Smart Outdoor Lighting: Exterior lighting that incorporates automation, scheduling, and remote control for flexibility and efficiency.
Spatial Storytelling: Using lighting to guide movement and create an emotional or visual narrative throughout a space.
Spotlights: Directional fixtures that focus light on specific objects or landscape features.
Strategic Fixture Placement: The intentional positioning of fixtures to maximize impact while minimizing glare and light spill.
Uplighting: Lighting installed at ground level to project light upward onto trees, walls, or architectural features.
Visual Impact: The overall impression created by lighting through brightness, contrast, and composition.
Wall Lighting: Fixtures mounted on walls to illuminate vertical surfaces and adjacent outdoor areas.
Wash Lighting: A technique that evenly illuminates surfaces such as walls or fences with smooth, uniform light.
Water Lighting: Lighting used in or around water features like ponds, fountains, and pools.
Winterproofing: Design and installation practices that protect lighting systems from harsh weather and freeze-thaw conditions.

Ready to light the way?

Let’s Design the Perfect Nighttime Experience

Request Your Complimentary Design Consultation Here

Peace of Mind, Professionally
Designed

Let’s talk about how we can design a custom outdoor lighting plan for your home, tailored to your lifestyle, your architecture, and the natural beauty of your property.

Let's Get Started!