If you live in Orlando or anywhere in Central Florida – from Winter Garden to Lake Nona, Oviedo to Clermont – you already know how beautiful your home can look at sunset.
Think about it – warm light filters through palms, shadows stretch across the lawn, and the whole neighborhood feels calm and golden. But once the sun drops? That glorious view is gone.
Our hot take is this: Your curb appeal shouldn’t disappear.
Table of Contents
- Why Landscape Lighting Matters for Your Central Florida Curb Appeal
- Types of Landscape Lighting Designed for Florida Homes
- How to Design Landscape Lighting for Homes in Orlando
- Solar vs. Wired Lighting: What Central Florida Homeowners Should Know
- How Lighting Increases Home Value & Security
- Frequently Asked Questions About Landscape Lighting in Central Florida
- Get Professional Landscape Lighting Installation in Orlando
That’s where professional landscape lighting comes in. With smart placement and low-voltage fixtures built for Florida weather, you can highlight your home’s best features, brighten pathways, enhance security, and make your property stand out night after night.
And because the Central Florida environment is so unique (our beautiful sandy soils, strong UV exposure, humidity, and frequent rain), having the right lighting system matters even more.
This updated guide breaks down everything Orlando-area homeowners need to know about landscape lighting for curb appeal, including fixture types, smart design principles, and whether solar lighting can survive Florida’s climate (spoiler: not really).
Why Landscape Lighting Matters for Your Central Florida Curb Appeal
Florida homes, like those in Orlando, Winter Park, Baldwin Park, Windermere, and beyond (you get the gist here), look dramatically different after dark when they have a well-designed lighting plan.
Professional landscape lighting enhances:
- Architectural features such as stucco facades, columns, stonework, and entryways
- Large palms like Sylvester, Canary Island, and Washingtonia
- Mature live oaks and ornamental trees
- Pathways and front walkways (especially useful in neighborhoods like
- Winter Springs, Lake Mary, and Horizon West)
- Driveway entrances and landscape beds
In a region where outdoor living is practically a year-round activity (one of the many benefits of the Central Florida lifestyle), illuminating your front yard extends its usability past sunset.
And unlike in northern states, where lighting is mostly seasonal, Central Florida homeowners enjoy year-round benefits.
Curb appeal matters here, especially in high-value areas such as Lake Nona, Windermere, and Winter Park, and landscape lighting routinely boosts perceived home value by making your property appear more polished, welcoming, and secure.
The Benefits of Low-Voltage Lighting in the Florida Climate
We're big on low-voltage systems, and here's why. In our opinion, low-voltage systems are the best choice for Central Florida homes.
The heat, humidity, irrigation overspray, and sudden rainstorms can quickly ruin cheaper fixtures. But commercial-grade low-voltage systems are designed to withstand Orlando’s environment.
Our Top Reasons Why Low Voltage is the Right Choice
Energy efficient: Lighting systems operating at 12 volts use significantly less power, which is great for Florida homeowners running their systems year-round.
Safer around pets, kids, and irrigation: With frequent soil moisture and irrigation zones near beds, safer wiring is essential.
Built for heat and humidity: Professional LED fixtures won’t cloud, warp, or corrode in the intense sun or daily thunderstorms common in areas like Apopka and Saint Cloud.
Long-lasting: High-end fixtures can withstand sandy soils, mulch, and harsh UV exposure better than big-box-store kits.
Better design control: You can adjust brightness, beam angles, color temperature, and placement as your landscape matures — a major advantage in fast-growing areas.
Types of Landscape Lighting Designed for Florida Homes
It's never as simple as just saying, "OK, so, I need lighting – let's do that!" And that's because different parts of your property need different types of lighting.
We've put together a little cheat sheet on the most effective types of landscape lighting for Florida homes.
Uplighting: An excellent option for palms, oaks, architectural columns, and specimen plants. Central Florida is known for its large palms and ornamental trees, and we think they look incredible with uplighting.
Pathway Lights: Great for walkways, courtyards, garden beds, and driveways. Pathway lighting improves safety and adds resort-style ambiance. They’re especially helpful in neighborhoods with deeper front yards, like Winter Garden or Longwood.
Downlighting: A must for pergolas, large oaks, and outdoor living areas. Mounted overhead, these fixtures cast gentle, moon-like shadows — perfect for mature oaks in areas like Maitland, Sanford, and College Park.
Wall Wash Lights: An easy yes for stucco homes, stone facades, and entryway walls. These lights soften wide surfaces and enhance the architecture of Florida homes without creating harsh hotspots.
Spotlights: An excellent option for statement plants, statues, signage, or fountains. This adds drama and draws attention to high-value features.
Hardscape Lighting: Don't skip out on hardscape lighting for steps, pool decks, outdoor kitchens, or even retaining walls. These low-profile fixtures integrate seamlessly into modern Central Florida landscapes and enhance nighttime safety in high-traffic areas.
How to Design Landscape Lighting for Homes in Orlando
We've been doing this whole landscaping in Central Florida thing for a long time, and one of the most common questions homeowners ask is: How do I design landscape lighting that looks professional?
It takes experience, some know-how, and a flair for design. But we do think there are core design principles to know, and we use them every time we design landscape lights for our Central Florida properties.
Layer Your Lighting for Depth
It's all about the layers, you know? When designing landscape lighting, start with vertical features (palms, architectural elements), then add path lights, and finally accent lighting. Work in layers so there's no single level of illumination – think of it as a multi-level experience!
Think About Using Warm Light – It Complements Florida's Colors
Florida has a warm palette, and as such, a warm light really tends to make it pop. Consider options for warm white (around 2700K–3000K), as it pairs beautifully with features like:
- Orange-toned stucco
- Neutral/beige pavers
- Tropical green foliage
Focus on Key Sightlines
Don't just think about lights on your lawn – think about how your home appears from all sorts of angles. Think about balance as your home appears from the street, the driveway, the front door, and the sidewalk. It's not just about being bright; it's about creating a balanced, beautiful look.
Account for Our Good Ol' Central Florida Environment
Remember, Florida is a special breed. You're not just setting up a lighting system in any old state – you're setting one up in Florida. Which, as a reminder, has pretty wild and tropical weather. You'll need to make sure your lighting system is:
- Wet-location rated
- UV-resistant
- Corrosion-resistant
- Strong enough to handle sandy soil and irrigation overspray
Make Sure it Adapts to Fast-Growing Landscapes
It's no secret that Florida plants grow fast – much faster than in northern climates, thanks to the wet, humid, and subtropical growing zones.
Professional designers plan for this, so fixtures don’t disappear into overgrown beds within 6-12 months. If you're planning to DIY your lighting, you should plan for this, too!
Solar vs. Wired Lighting: What Central Florida Homeowners Should Know
The debate of solar lights versus wired lights often comes up. Everyone always asks, "Aren't solar lights just as good as wired lights?" And while preference does matter here a bit, the ultimate truth is this: Our climate makes solar lights a bit of a struggle.
Solar Struggles in Central Florida: Here's Why
Ultimately, what you decide for your lighting is up to you. But after being in this business for a long time (and being the local pros), we know that solar lighting can struggle to keep up with our climate. And, of course, there are a few reasons for that:
- Humidity clouds solar panels
- Frequent afternoon storms reduce charging
- They’re dimmer and inconsistent
- Batteries degrade quickly in heat
- They topple easily in sandy soil
- They rarely look polished
Solar lights work for temporary or decorative use, but for true curb appeal and reliability, wired low-voltage is the only option that holds up.
How Lighting Increases Home Value & Security
Landscape lighting doesn’t just improve aesthetics (though it does that, for sure). Designing and installing landscape lighting can also enhance your home's functionality and security.
Here's what we mean.
An Increase in Home Value
Real estate data consistently shows that homes with professional lighting sell faster, attract more buyer interest, appear more luxurious, and are more attractive during evening showings (a big plus in Florida’s hot daytime summers).
In hot markets like Winter Park, Lake Nona, and Clermont, polished nighttime curb appeal is a major selling point.
An Uptick in Home Security
Lighting is one of the most effective and low-cost deterrents for unwanted activity. In short, lighting can dramatically improve your landscape's security.
Think about it – adequate lighting means that your landscape is easier to see. Lighting up your landscape can deter crime and injury for a few reasons:
- Fewer dark areas along the sides and back of the home
- Better camera visibility
- Improved pathway safety
- A more secure overall property
With Florida homes often having multiple access points (side garages, pool enclosures, back lanais), lighting significantly improves nighttime visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Landscape Lighting in Central Florida
A few of our most-asked landscape lighting questions – answered!
What are the best types of landscape lighting for curb appeal in Florida?
Uplights, path lights, wall-wash lights, and hardscape lights are the most impactful. In Central Florida specifically, uplighting palms and oaks is one of the quickest ways to elevate nighttime curb appeal.
How much does professional landscape lighting cost in Orlando?
Most homeowners spend between $2,000 and $8,000 on new landscape lighting systems, but it depends on the size of the property, the number of fixtures, and the complexity of the design. Larger homes in Lake Nona, Winter Park, and Windermere can fall on the higher end.
Can landscape lighting handle Florida rain and humidity?
Yes – if you choose professional-grade fixtures. Cheaper lights corrode quickly in Central Florida due to moisture, sandy soil, and intense UV exposure.
Are solar landscape lights good for Florida homes?
They typically don’t perform well here. While solar has its benefits, frequent storms, cloud cover, humidity, and heat shorten its lifespan and reduce its brightness.
Does landscape lighting help with home security?
Absolutely. Lighting around pathways, entryways, and the sides of the home increases nighttime visibility and deters unwanted activity – especially important in neighborhoods with multiple access points.
Do I need a professional to install outdoor lighting?
It all depends on the job you're trying to do, the outcome you're chasing, and the value you want to bring to your home.
While small solar lights are DIY-friendly and can usually be set up on your own, investing in professional low-voltage lighting offers:
- Better design
- Longer-lasting fixtures
- Correct installation
- Ongoing maintenance
- Safer wiring (important when you consider irrigation!)
Get Professional Landscape Lighting Installation in Orlando
At Ground Source, we design and install custom landscape lighting systems tailored to Central Florida’s climate – from Orlando and Winter Park to Lake Nona, Windermere, and Clermont.
Our team handles everything from design to installation, ensuring your home looks incredible and stays safe year-round.
Whether your goal is better curb appeal, improved pathway safety, or a dramatic architectural lighting design, we’ll help you bring your property to life after dark.
Ready to transform your home’s curb appeal? Contact Ground Source today to schedule your landscape lighting consultation.
