Best Landscape Lighting Design Ideas for Large Chicago Properties

Large properties on the North Shore — in communities like Highland Park, Winnetka, Glencoe, Kenilworth, and Lake Forest — offer incredible opportunities for dramatic landscape lighting design. Here are the techniques that make the biggest impact.

Uplighting Mature Trees

Nothing transforms a property faster than uplighting large, mature trees. A well-placed fixture at the base of a 50-year-old oak casts dramatic shadows and highlights the canopy structure. On North Shore properties with multiple specimen trees, a series of uplights creates depth and dimension that’s visible from the street.

Pro tip: Use warm white (2700K) for a natural look. Multiple fixtures around a large trunk create cross-lighting that eliminates flat shadows.

Architectural Uplighting

Stone facades, columns, chimneys, and architectural details come alive with uplighting. On the North Shore where homes feature limestone, brick, and natural stone, uplighting accentuates texture and creates a warm, inviting glow.

Moonlighting from High Canopy

For properties with large trees, mounting fixtures high in the canopy and pointing them downward creates the effect of moonlight filtering through branches. The result is soft, natural-looking light with beautiful shadow patterns on the ground below. This technique works especially well over patios, seating areas, and garden paths.

Path and Walkway Lighting

On large properties, the walk from driveway to front door can be significant. Path lighting guides visitors safely while adding elegance. For long driveways common in Barrington, Lake Forest, and Long Grove, evenly spaced path lights create a welcoming approach.

Design tip: Stagger fixtures on alternating sides of the path rather than lining them up symmetrically. This creates a more natural, less commercial look.

Water Feature Lighting

Fountains, ponds, and waterfalls become stunning focal points with the right lighting. Underwater fixtures and strategically placed spotlights make water features the centerpiece of your outdoor space after dark.

Outdoor Living Space Lighting

Patios, decks, outdoor kitchens, and pool areas need layered lighting — ambient light for atmosphere, task lighting for cooking and dining, and accent lighting for visual interest. Integrating fixtures into seating walls, steps, and railings creates a cohesive look.

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Part of our Complete Guide to Landscape Lighting.