Landscape Lighting in Boise, ID

It’s one of the most underrated ways to boost curb appeal and atmosphere, especially here in Boise, Idaho, where home styles range from modern farmhouse to craftsman to contemporary mountain builds. If you’ve never thought much about architectural lighting before, now’s the time.

Let’s dig into what makes architectural lighting unique, how it works in Boise’s climate and building styles, and why it’s one of the best-kept secrets in exterior home design.

What Is Architectural Lighting, Exactly?

Architectural lighting is about showcasing your home’s structure—not just illuminating walkways or gardens. It focuses on walls, peaks, trim lines, textures, and key architectural features.

Done right, it’s clean, subtle, and deeply intentional.

You won’t see a bunch of glaring bulbs. Instead, you’ll notice:

Gentle uplighting on columns or stonework
Smooth wall washing that adds depth
Downlighting from eaves to highlight entryways
Subtle glows that define the home’s shape at night

It’s the lighting equivalent of turning on the perfect filter—elevating what’s already there.

Why Boise Homes Are Perfect for Architectural Lighting

Boise homeowners tend to care about design—but not in a flashy, over-the-top way. The vibe here is more about intentionality and natural beauty, which is exactly where architectural lighting shines (literally and figuratively).

Here’s why architectural lighting fits right into Boise life:

Diverse Home Styles

From modern homes in Harris Ranch to traditional builds in the North End, each architectural style can benefit from tailored lighting that enhances its best features.

Scenic Backdrops

When your home is framed by foothills or trees, a softly lit exterior at night feels like a curated view. Architectural lighting helps your house stand out without overwhelming the landscape.

Cozy, Warm Evenings

Instead of flooding your whole front yard with light, architectural lighting creates a soft, ambient glow that feels inviting after dark—perfect for that Idaho “cozy modern” aesthetic.

Where to Use Architectural Lighting

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all system. A good lighting designer will walk your property to identify structural features that could shine at night.

Here are common targets:

Columns & Pillars

Uplights at the base of stone or wood columns can add height and drama.

Rooflines & Peaks

Subtle lighting under eaves draws attention to your home’s shape, especially when combined with shadow play.

Stone, Brick, or Siding Textures

Wall washing techniques bathe a surface in even light, revealing textures you can’t see during the day.

Garage Doors

Framing garage areas with narrow-beam fixtures makes them stand out as architectural elements—not just storage space.

Entryways & Windows

Soft lighting around your front door or even second-story windows creates balance and symmetry.

What Makes It Different from Landscape Lighting?

Great question—and it’s easy to confuse the two.

Landscape Lighting

Illuminates plants, paths, and features

Usually lower to the ground

More decorative or whimsical

Often changes with the seasons

Architectural Lighting

Highlights walls, trim, texture

Mounted or aimed at the home itself

More structural and minimal

Designed to be evergreen and timeless

The best outdoor lighting plans blend both—but architectural lighting is your foundation. It’s what gives your home presence after dark.

Tips for a Successful Setup in Boise

Boise’s four-season climate and mix of architectural styles create a few special considerations. Here’s how to get the most from your system:

Use Warm Color Temperatures

2700K to 3000K lighting adds elegance without feeling sterile. It flatters stone, brick, and wood in natural, golden tones that look amazing in Boise’s dry climate.

Think About Snow & Shadows

Lighting installed under eaves can bounce beautifully off snow in winter. But avoid placing fixtures where snow piles up and blocks light completely.

Protect from Hard Water

Boise irrigation systems and sprinklers can leave residue on lenses. Choose fixtures with sealed glass and plan positioning to minimize exposure.

Be Subtle

Less is more. Good architectural lighting isn’t supposed to be bright—it’s meant to reveal form and detail. Focus on balance over brightness.

Why Work with a Pro in Boise?

Architectural lighting takes a designer’s eye. It’s not just about aiming lights at a wall—it’s about sculpting light and shadow.

A local lighting expert will know how Boise’s elevation, sun angles, and neighborhood guidelines affect your setup. They’ll help you:

Select weatherproof, durable fixtures
Plan for proper spacing and angles
Install low-voltage systems discreetly
Fine-tune everything for maximum visual impact

Plus, with Boise’s growing emphasis on dark sky compliance, a pro can help ensure your lighting looks incredible without contributing to light pollution.

130+ Satisfied Customer Reviews

We pride ourselves on offering five star service and products. If you're one of our satisfied customers, we'd love for you to leave a review and let others know what you think.

Every time we hire After Dark for some relatively small lighting job, we're so thrilled with it, we end up hiring them to do another little job. They're always so prompt, efficient, and friendly and never seem to mind that we're on the "add a few lights" program.

M. A. Boone

Great company to do business with. Excellent product, great team of installers. This company knows what they are doing. High quality lighting material. Scott, the owner answers all o four questions, showed up on time for the estimate, installed the lights on the day that worked for both of us and the guys cleaned up after themselves.

Tom Rodrigues

After Dark Landscape Lighting are true professionals. They handle both project work and service calls with the same approach: customer service and expertise. They are prompt, knowledgeable and always responsive. I recommend them to all my friends and neighbors.

Paul Gray

Our lighting couldn’t have turned out better. Thanks Scott for the placement suggestion, and Joey and team for a seamless install! We love our lighting. All of it provides such a nice ambiance in our front and backyard.

Lauren Goodman

I’ve been a longtime customer. My original lights were placed approximately 20 years ago. I recently noticed that one of the light fixtures had been broken by the landscaper and called after hours to come take care of this. They came in a very prompt manner. I had two other light fixtures that I had forgotten existed because they were buried in the shrubs.

Mitzi Cieslak

We have recently completed a landscape lighting project with After Dark Lighting and could not be happier. We contacted them after seeing their truck in our neighborhood. We selected them over another competitor because of their professionalism, experience and customer involved process.

girth

We are thrilled with our new landscape lighting! It is simply beautiful and our yard looks like a park! I am happy to recommend Scott and his company After Dark Landscape Lighting.

Rich Jarvis

I first use after dark over 10 years ago and just recently had them upgrade my lighting The product Quality is consistently outstanding Exceeding my expectations every time. I was completely impressed with the professionalism and customer service. I totally recommend them and give them a five star rating

Terry Robb

Scott and his After Dark team were extremely professional, detail-oriented, communicative, creative, and offered multiple design options. Would highly recommend to anyone considering landscape/exterior light work.

Scott Delphey

After Dark lighting has been our outdoor lighting expert for years. They fix what they say they will, they are quick to come when called. We would highly recommend them for your outdoor lighting needs.