The acceptance of outdoor lighting by the average homeowner, however, has been hampered by flimsy kits that break down soon after they are installed and the marginal performance of low-voltage solar-powered outdoor lights. In recent years, though, there has been steady improvement. Better-quality fixtures at lower costs, longer-lasting bulbs and easier installation techniques are just some of the reasons that low-voltage outdoor lighting is catching on.

Another change that has helped is an industry wide shift in design philosophy. Chris Primous, product manager for low volatage outdoor lighting says that in the past only the light was meant to be visible, while the fixtures were hidden or unobtrusive. “Today many fixtures are made to be seen,” Primous says. “They can be playful. For example, there are turtle fixtures with Tiffany glass shells and flower fixtures with leaves that blow in the wind.”

Regardless of the design, installing landscape lighting enables a homeowner to enjoy his yard at night-entertaining on the deck or viewing it from the family room. A lighting kit also increases safety by making darkened steps and paths more visible and, when equipped with motion sensors, it can improve a home’s security by revealing intruders.

Best of all, many installations can be handled by a novice do-it-yourself homeowner. For $300 to $500, you can install the system we show: six to eight path lights, a wall washer, a floodlight, a transformer, a 12-volt cable and wire connectors.