Rethinking security lighting

By Dani Sheehan. 

Learn how you can integrate both safety and style into your outdoor lighting projects. 

For years, security lighting has meant one thing to homeowners: big, bright floodlights that blast on when motion is detected. But as homeowners become more design-savvy and safety-conscious, professional lighting designers are in a unique position to shift the conversation. By integrating flood and security lighting into a holistic landscape lighting plan, you can deliver both the peace of mind your homeowners want and the curb appeal they didn’t know they needed. 

David Lockey, president of Landscape Lighting Specialists Inc., took this approach during a project in West Palm Beach, Florida. What began as a homeowner’s concern about neighborhood theft became a full-scale transformation that proves security lighting doesn’t have to be an eyesore. Here’s how his success illustrates the new rules of security lighting design, with tips and trips for how you can apply them in your own projects. 

1 – Security lighting needs to be purposeful, but it doesn’t need to sacrifice aesthetics. 

When a rash of burglaries swept through an upscale Palm Beach County neighborhood, a local security camera company fielded dozens of requests for better lighting. They reached out to David Lockey’s company thanks to a client referral. 

Rather than relying on stark, motion-activated floods, David’s team designed a seamless lighting plan that made the property feel secure and look spectacular. Nearly 200 fixtures, including floodlights, uplights and in-ground well lights, were chosen for their specific function and aesthetic compatibility. 

Your takeaway: Security needs should be viewed as an entry point into the conversation, not the endpoint. The same lighting can beautify a home and deter intruders. 

2 – Professional lighting design begins with understanding the property and the people. 

From his first visit, David prioritized getting to know both the property and the couple who owned it. He walked the site, took photos and asked questions to understand what mattered to them, including a previously unlit fountain that was visible from their dining room window. He also asked about budget early on, not to limit creativity, but to guide realistic solutions. 

Your takeaway: Always start with a discovery phase when you take on a new project. Ask what your clients value most. Whether it’s protecting entrances, lighting footpaths or highlighting landscape features, these answers will drive a smarter, more personalized design. 

3 – Fixture selection is strategic. Secuity isn’t about brightness alone. 

One of the myths of security lighting is that more lumens equal safety. Glare-heavy lights can create blind spots, disrupt the landscape and make a home look harsh. David avoided this by choosing each fixture based on what it needed to do, rather than on how bright it could be. 

For wide-canopy trees, he used floodlights to illuminate width, not just height. In-ground well lights allowed lawncare to continue unobstructed. He even explained to the homeowners why he recommended two fixtures for their palm trees instead of one: to avoid hot spots and fully light all three trunks. 

Your takeaway: Flood and security lights are tools, but they are not always one-size-fits-all solutions. The trick is using the right fixture, in the right place, for the right reason. 

4 – Education and visualization build trust and justify investment 

Many homeowners have only experienced low-cost lighting options from big box stores. They may balk at spending the amount it takes to create a custom lighting system, unless they understand the value behind it.  

David overcomes this hesitation with a mobile showroom built into his van. Outfitted with real fixtures, artificial turf and live demos, it helps clients see, touch and understand their options. He explains everything, from lighting angles to wire gauges, to ensure his customers know what they’re getting. 

Your takeaway: When it comes to higher-end security lighting, education is the best sales strategy. Show your customers the difference between basic and professional systems and explain why it matters to their safety and satisfaction. 

Design for safety, deliver with style 

The future of security lighting is not brighter, it’s smarter. When you blend function with beauty, you will win client trust, increase property value and offer your homeowners the peace of mind they’re looking for.