If you’ve ever taken an evening walk through any street in Nassau County or Suffolk County, you’ve likely observed the noticeable difference between homes with professionally installed landscape lighting and those with a few solar lights scattered around. While DIY outdoor lighting can appear to be a simple and budget-friendly solution, it often leads to disappointing results.

For Long Island homeowners who care about curb appeal, outdoor living, or security, it’s important to understand why skimping on landscape lighting can cost you more in the long run. In this blog, we’ll dive into common DIY outdoor lighting mistakes, explain why they fail, and offer practical solutions to get the results you’re looking for — transforming your home into an inviting space while increasing its value.

The popularity of DIY outdoor lighting and why it often falls short

The rise of YouTube tutorials and the availability of ready-to-install lighting kits at big box stores have made DIY outdoor lighting more accessible than ever. However, just because something is easy to install doesn’t mean it will provide the quality or longevity you need, especially in areas with harsh weather like Long Island.

Many homeowners turn to DIY lighting for several reasons:

Cost savings: They think it’s cheaper than hiring a professional.
Quick visual upgrades: A few lights seem like an easy fix to brighten the home.
A sense of personal achievement: It feels satisfying to tackle a project themselves.

But, as with many DIY projects, the reality doesn’t always live up to expectations. While DIY outdoor lighting kits may look good at first, they rarely provide lasting beauty, safety, or functionality, especially when dealing with Long Island’s unique weather conditions, varied property styles, and high expectations.

1. Cheap fixtures lead to disappointing results

One of the biggest problems with DIY outdoor lighting is the low quality of the fixtures. Most DIY outdoor lighting kits, especially solar-powered options, come with components that are designed to be inexpensive and easy to install, not to endure through years of weather exposure.

Here are a few common issues with cheap lighting:

Weak brightness: Many DIY kits feature lights that offer little more than a dim glow. For pathways or driveways, this simply isn’t enough to provide clear, safe illumination.
Inconsistent performance: Solar-powered lights, in particular, rely on sunlight to recharge, so they don’t perform as well in shady or cloudy areas. Even in sunny spots, their power can be inconsistent.
Fragile materials: Plastic housings are common in many DIY lights, and they tend to fade, crack, or break after only a season or two. Long Island’s coastal air and winter conditions make these fixtures even more vulnerable to wear.

When installed in a well-maintained home, these low-quality lights can have the opposite effect of what you intended. Instead of adding to the home’s curb appeal, they often make the property look unkempt. The result? Uneven lighting that casts harsh shadows, doesn’t complement the home’s architecture, and lowers overall aesthetic value.

2. Poor design choices can undermine your home’s appeal

Great outdoor lighting isn’t about adding more lights, it’s about creating ambiance, depth, and a sense of direction. Unfortunately, many DIY lighting designs lack a cohesive plan, resulting in uneven, harsh, or distracting lighting.

Here are a few common mistakes homeowners make in their lighting layout:

Spotlighting a single area: Instead of spreading light evenly across the landscape, many DIY setups focus on one feature, leaving the rest of the yard in darkness.
Over-lighting: Some DIYers think brighter is better, leading to glaring, harsh beams that aren’t only unattractive — they can make outdoor spaces uncomfortable to enjoy.
Clashing color temperatures: Mixing warm and cool light sources can create an unbalanced look that feels chaotic and disjointed.
Forgetting key features: In many DIY setups, important landscape elements like trees, pathways, or sculptures are overlooked, making them go unnoticed at night.

These mistakes often lead to a disjointed, uninviting look that feels more accidental than intentional. Professional lighting systems, on the other hand, use strategic placement and a consistent, warm color temperature to create a cohesive design that guides the viewer’s eye and emphasizes the beauty of the home and landscape.

3. Safety concerns and electrical issues

Electrical safety is another area that is often mishandled in DIY outdoor lighting projects. While low-voltage systems are safer than traditional wiring, they still require proper installation and attention to detail.

Common safety issues include:

Exposed wires: DIYers often trench too shallowly or fail to bury wires deep enough, leading to exposed cables.
Overloaded transformers: An overloaded transformer can cause lights to flicker or fail.
Poor waterproofing: When connections aren’t properly sealed, moisture can damage wiring, causing shorts or flickering lights.
Inconsistent voltage: DIY installations often struggle with delivering consistent voltage, which leads to lights flickering or burning out prematurely.

4. DIY outdoor lighting doesn’t add real value to your home

Many Long Island homeowners invest in home improvements to increase the value of their properties. However, DIY lighting doesn’t provide the same return on investment as professional installations.

Real estate professionals in Nassau and Suffolk Counties frequently note:

Curb appeal is crucial: A home’s exterior appearance plays a significant role in making a positive first impression, especially during evening showings.
Buyers notice professional lighting: Buyers can easily distinguish between a cheap, DIY setup and a professionally designed lighting system.
A quality lighting system can increase home value: A well-lit property is more attractive to buyers, which can increase its selling price and reduce time on the market.

A poorly executed DIY lighting setup often doesn’t improve curb appeal, and it can even decrease the perceived value of the home. Buyers will quickly spot mismatched solar lights or flickering, broken fixtures. On the other hand, a high-quality, professionally installed system can contribute to a $10,000 or more increase in home value, thanks to its ability to enhance safety, functionality, and visual appeal.

So, what does a professional outdoor lighting system offer?

If DIY lighting is a shortcut, a professional lighting design is a smart investment. Here’s how it’s done right:

1. Intentional design based on your home’s features

A professional lighting company doesn’t just slap up lights; it takes time to design a plan tailored to your home’s specific needs and features. The goal is to enhance the unique qualities of your property, including its architecture, landscaping, and outdoor living areas.

Here’s what a professional design may include:

Accent lighting to highlight unique architectural features like columns, fountains, or sculptures.
Path lighting to ensure safe walkways that lead guests from the driveway to the door, without over-lighting the area.
Uplighting to highlight trees or tall structures, creating visual height and interest in the landscape.
Zone lighting to illuminate outdoor spaces like decks, patios, or outdoor kitchens, providing the perfect atmosphere for relaxation or entertaining.

Learn more about all the types of landscape lighting for your home.

2. High-quality fixtures built for Long Island’s weather

Long Island’s harsh winters, salt air near the coast, and unpredictable weather can quickly deteriorate cheap, low-quality lights. A professional lighting system uses durable materials, such as brass fixtures that resist corrosion, fading, and cracking, ensuring the system will last for years to come.

3. Energy-efficient, smart technology

Professional systems often incorporate the latest energy-saving features:

LED lights provide bright, crisp illumination with minimal energy use and low heat output.
Smart timers or app-based controls allow homeowners to set schedules, adjust lighting levels remotely, and control lights automatically.

These features not only save energy but also make it easier to maintain your system in the long term.

4. Expert installation and proper wiring

A professional installation ensures that every wire is carefully laid, every fixture is securely mounted, and every connection is waterproofed and sealed. The team takes care to avoid tripping hazards, prevent flickering, and ensure that the system runs safely and efficiently for years.

5. Ongoing maintenance and adjustments

Your landscape and lighting needs will change over time. As trees grow, patios expand, or you make changes to your outdoor spaces, a professional lighting company can make necessary adjustments, providing on-demand support and maintenance to keep your system looking great.

For a more in-depth look, check out our blog post: "Landscape Lighting: Wired Low Voltage LED vs. Solar.”

DIY vs. Professional Landscape Lighting: A real cost comparison

At first glance, DIY lighting might seem like the more affordable option, with most homeowners spending between $800 and $1,500 on kits and materials. However, these savings often don’t last long. DIY systems typically last just 1 to 2 years before weather damage, poor installation, or cheap components cause them to break down.

In contrast, a professionally installed system costs anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000+, depending on the size of the property and the complexity of the design. However, this higher upfront cost is more than worth it. Professional systems can last over 10 years with minimal maintenance, and their durability and aesthetic appeal contribute significantly to your home’s value.

Conclusion: Illuminate your home the right way

If you’re a homeowner in Nassau or Suffolk County looking to improve your home’s exterior appearance, safety, and value, professional outdoor lighting is a smart investment. While DIY options may seem appealing initially, they often end up costing you more in the long run — both in terms of replacements and in how your property is perceived by others.

Check out this gallery of pictures to explore best practices in landscape lighting and find inspiration for your home's outdoor lighting design.

If you have any questions or need assistance with landscape lighting services for your property, we're here to help. We offer professional design and installation services on Long Island, NY (Nassau County and Suffolk County), and the surrounding areas. Contact us today, and we’ll connect you with one of our expert lighting designers to discuss your needs and provide a custom design proposal for your home.

Why DIY outdoor lighting fails (and how to do it right)