What should you consider when designing outdoor lighting?

Good outdoor lighting design starts long before selecting a fixture. The amount of light, where that light is directed, its colour, the materials used and the surrounding environment all influence the final result.

The aim is therefore not simply to add enough light. It is to find the right balance between function, atmosphere, landscape and surroundings.

When designing lighting for an outdoor space, these five considerations provide a useful starting point.

1. Light level: how much light is actually needed?

A good lighting plan starts with a simple question: what does the space need to do after dark?

A pedestrian path, entrance, car park, recreational area and public square all have different requirements. Before choosing an output or fixture, consider who uses the space, what activities take place there and which areas need visual guidance.

More light is not automatically better. Using more light than necessary can increase energy consumption,

create glare and illuminate areas that do not need to be lit. The required level should therefore follow from the function and context of the space.

For professional public-space projects, applicable lighting requirements and standards may also influence the design. A detailed lighting calculation can be made in DIALux, where Timberlab products are available for use in project calculations. This allows lighting designers to assess the required light levels and distribution for a specific location.

For a quicker first impression, the Timberlab Light Calculator lets you upload a site plan and position Timberlab street and path lighting without specialist lighting-design experience.

2. Light distribution: where should the light go?

The amount of light tells only part of the story. Where the light ends up is just as important.

For a path, for example, the objective may be to illuminate the walking surface while keeping adjacent vegetation relatively dark. Around an entrance, vertical illumination may be more relevant. In another situation, the priority may be avoiding light entering windows or spilling into a nearby natural area.This makes light distribution, optical design, mounting height and positioning important parts of the lighting plan.

Good light distribution helps place light where it is useful, while limiting spill light into areas that do not need to be illuminated. This is especially important near homes, vegetation and natural areas, where unwanted light can affect both comfort and the surrounding environment. The CIE recommends addressing obtrusive light through careful design choices such as direction, positioning and light levels.

At Timberlab, different optics can be used to adjust the light distribution of LED modules for

the application. Explore Timberlab light technology.

A useful design question is therefore not only: “How much light does this fixture produce?” but rather: “Where do we actually need that light?”

3. Light colour: what should the space feel like?

Light colour influences the way an outdoor environment is experienced. A warmer light can create a different atmosphere from a cooler white light, but colour temperature should never be considered in isolation. The function of the location, surrounding materials, architecture and ecological context all play a role.

For environmentally sensitive projects, light colour and spectrum deserve extra attention. Depending on the location and ecological requirements, warmer light or amber light can be considered as part of the overall lighting strategy. Timberlab offers different light colours, including 2200K, 2700K, 3000K and amber options for selected applications.

Light colour is only one part of the design, however. The final impact also depends on factors such as light level, direction, operating time and the characteristics of the surrounding habitat.

So instead of asking only “Which colour temperature should we choose?”, it is better to ask: “Which light characteristics suit this particular location, its users and its surroundings?”

4. Material: how should the lighting fit the landscape?

Outdoor lighting is not only functional after dark; it is also a visible element in the landscape during the day. That makes material choice an important part of the design.

Wooden lighting can help a fixture blend more naturally into parks, recreational environments and public spaces. Timberlab works with several timber species, including oak, chestnut, Accoya®, Nobifix®, Douglas and Cumaru. Each has its own appearance, durability, origin and technical characteristics.

That makes it possible to choose a material that fits the specific priorities of a project. Accoya®, for example, is particularly suitable where dimensional stability and long-term durability are important. Other timber species can be selected for their natural appearance, local character or balance between performance and budget.

Material choice also affects practical aspects such as ground contact, ageing, maintenance and service life. For that reason, Timberlab does not approach wood as a purely aesthetic choice, but as part of the complete technical design of the lighting element.

The result is lighting that can support both the visual identity of a place and the practical requirements of the project.

5. Ecology: what should remain undisturbed?

Good outdoor lighting is not only about what should be illuminated, but also about what should remain dark. Especially near vegetation, water, ecological corridors and natural habitats, limiting unnecessary artificial light can be an important part of the design.

Timberlab can support this in several ways. Different optics help direct light more precisely towards the area where it is needed, while warmer light colours and amber options can be consi

dered for environmentally sensitive locations. Dynamic control can further reduce unnecessary illumination by lowering light levels when an area is not in use.

With systems such as Adark®, path lighting can operate at a lower base level and increase when movement is detected. For street lighting, dynamic control can also be used to adjust light output according to activity and project requirements.

Ecological lighting is therefore not based on one single feature. The impact of artificial light depends on a combination of factors such as light level, direction, spectrum, timing and the local environment. The CIE 2025 position statement likewise stresses that reducing obtrusive light and light pollution requires an integrated approach rather than focusing on just one parameter.

This makes it possible to create outdoor lighting that remains functional for people while reducing unnecessary impact on the surrounding environment.

Good outdoor lighting is about balance

These five considerations are closely connected. Changing the mounting position can affect light distribution. Changing the light level can influence both visibility and environmental impact. Material affects how a fixture becomes part of the landscape during the day, while colour and intensity influence how that same environment is experienced at night.

That is why good outdoor lighting is rarely the result of one isolated decision. It is about finding the right balance between the different requirements of a specific place.

A lighting plan brings these choices together before the project is installed.

Need help turning your outdoor lighting requirements into a well-balanced lighting solution?

Timberlab combines lighting expertise, natural materials and smart control options to create solutions that fit both the function and character of a place. From light levels and optics to colour temperature, material choice and dynamic control, our team is happy to think along with you. We invite you to contact us for tailored advice on your next project. Together, we can create outdoor lighting that feels right for people, place and surroundings.

Frequently asked questions about outdoor lighting design

What should you consider when designing outdoor lighting?

Start with the function of the space and then consider light level, light distribution, light colour, materials and the surrounding environment. These elements should be considered together rather than selecting a fixture first.

How much light is needed outdoors?

There is no single light level that is suitable for every outdoor space. The required level depends on the function, users, layout and applicable project requirements or standards.

Why is light distribution important?

Good light distribution places light where it is useful while reducing unnecessary spill light, glare and illumination of surrounding areas.

Which colour temperature is best for outdoor lighting?

The appropriate colour temperature depends on the location, atmosphere, function and ecological context. Colour temperature should therefore be selected as part of the complete lighting design.

How can outdoor lighting reduce its impact on nature?

Start by determining where lighting is genuinely required. Then consider light level, direction, operating time, spectrum and possibilities for dimming or dynamic control.

Can outdoor lighting be controlled dynamically?

Yes. Outdoor lighting can be dimmed or adjusted according to time, movement or other control strategies. Timberlab offers dynamic solutions for both path and street lighting.