Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about outdoor lighting, architectural lighting, landscape lighting, and more. If you have any additional questions about lighting your Nashville home, contact us using the button below or call 615-788-0101.
Design Standards, Planning & Design
1. What is the difference between landscape, architectural, and hardscape lighting?
● Landscape Lighting: We focus on organic elements like trees and gardens to create depth and highlight foliage.
● Architectural Lighting: Simple Life Outdoor Lighting experts mount fixtures to accentuate your home’s textures, peaks, and columns.
● Hardscape Lighting: We integrate fixtures into built structures like stone walls and deck rails for safety and ambiance.
2. How do I choose the right lighting style for my Nashville neighborhood?
Our designers at Simple Life Outdoor Lighting match the vibe of your area. Whether it’s sleek lighting for The Gulch, subtle warmth for Belle Meade, or classic path lights for Brentwood, we tailor the design to the local aesthetic.
3. Will the installation damage my existing lawn or garden?
Not at all. The Simple Life Outdoor Lighting crew uses specialized tools to minimize disruption. We bury cables in narrow trenches that are immediately closed and covered so that your lawn looks untouched within weeks.
4. Do I need a design consultation first?
Absolutely. We provide a professional on-site consultation to assess dark spots and architectural features. This ensures Simple Life Outdoor Lighting creates a cohesive “scene” rather than just placing lights randomly.
Cost & Value
5. How much does professional outdoor lighting cost with Simple Life?
While projects vary, Simple Life Outdoor Lighting follows the Middle Tennessee industry standard, which typically ranges from $300 to $375 per fixture installed. This price covers our custom design, professional-grade brass/copper fixtures, LED bulbs, wiring, and expert labor.
6. Will my electric bill increase significantly?
No. Simple Life Outdoor Lighting uses high-efficiency 12V LED systems that consume up to 75% less energy than older halogen systems, costing only pennies a day to operate.
7. Does lighting increase my property value?
Yes. “Nighttime curb appeal” provided by Simple Life Outdoor Lighting is a major factor
in property value and acts as a significant deterrent to crime for Nashville homeowners.
Technical & Performance
8. What color temperature does Simple Life Outdoor Lighting recommend?
We primarily use 2700K to 3000K (warm white). This aligns with International Dark-Sky
Association guidelines and Metro Nashville’s recommendations, providing a welcoming
glow without the clinical look of cool white bulbs.
9. Why choose low-voltage (12V) over line-voltage (120V)?
Safety and flexibility. Our low-voltage systems are safe for pets and children, and they allow Simple Life Outdoor Lighting technicians to adjust your system easily as your landscape matures.
10. How long do your LED bulbs last?
Our professional-grade LEDs are rated for 25,000 to 100,000 hours. With standard use, a Simple Life Outdoor Lighting system can go many years before needing bulb replacements.
11. Can I control my lights with my phone?
We can make your system as hands-off as you prefer. We can set it up on a photocell that automatically detects nightfall to turn the system on and daylight to turn it off. Alternatively, we can provide full control via a Wi-Fi controller linked directly to your smartphone, allowing you to manage schedules from anywhere.
Hardscape & Specific Applications
12. What is hardscape lighting best used for?
It’s perfect for entertaining areas. We commonly install “lip lights” under retaining wall caps and recessed deck lights for safe movement on Nashville patios and walkways.
13. Can Simple Life install lights if my patio or wall is already built?
Yes. While it’s easier during construction, Simple Life Outdoor Lighting specializes in retrofitting existing masonry with specialized drilling techniques to hide all wiring, so that you can get the most enjoyment possible out of your outdoor living area and make
entertaining safe and inviting. Our lighting truly completes the build.
14. Do you offer permanent holiday lighting?
Yes, we provide permanent LED track lighting that is invisible during the day but allows you to change colors for the holidays or Nashville Predators games with one tap on your phone.
Maintenance & Durability
15. How do your fixtures hold up to Tennessee weather?
Simple Life Outdoor Lighting exclusively uses solid cast brass or copper fixtures. Unlike cheap aluminum alternatives, our materials won’t corrode or crack in Nashville’s humidity and temperature swings.
16. What kind of maintenance is required?
We recommend a bi-annual service. Simple Life Outdoor Lighting offers maintenance plans to clean lenses, replace fixture waterproofing o’rings if damaged, replace bulbs, trim blocking foliage, and re-aim fixtures to keep the design perfect as your plants grow.
17. What happens if a wire gets cut by a lawn mower or aerator?
Don’t worry. Simple Life Outdoor Lighting can quickly locate the break and perform a waterproof splice to restore your system.
18. What warranties does Simple Life Outdoor Lighting provide?
We offer a lifetime warranty on our brass fixtures and transformers and a 5-year warranty on our best-in-the-industry bulbs. Crucially, our labor warranty includes our wire connections, a standard that far surpasses others in the industry, ensuring your system remains reliable for years to come.
Regulations & Design Quality
19. What makes a “Simple Life” design superior to a standard installation?
We utilize advanced lighting techniques to ensure every aspect of your home, plant beds, and outdoor living areas is lit perfectly. We layer light to accentuate features and textures, create ambiance, and provide both safety and security through strategically placed architectural highlights.
20. Is the design “Dark Sky” compliant?
Yes. Simple Life Outdoor Lighting prioritizes responsible design by using downlighting and shielded fixtures to prevent light pollution and glare while maintaining a high level of safety and security for your family.