I have a pretty big backyard and I'm thinking of adding some lighting, but I'm worried it’ll either look like a stadium or not be enough. I want it to feel cozy but also functional for evening gatherings. Any ideas on how to find the right balance?

Lighting really depends on your layout and purpose. Sometimes it’s best to highlight just a few key areas.

That’s a tricky balance, especially when you’re dealing with a lot of space. The key is to avoid uniform lighting and instead layer it with intention. You could focus on illuminating walkways, accenting trees or garden features, and softly lighting the seating areas oakshs.ca/landscape-lighting/ gives a good breakdown of how to plan zones in a yard using different types of fixtures and levels of brightness. I started by adding low-voltage lights along the path, then uplights under a few trees for atmosphere, and it made a big difference. I also used dimmable string lights for the patio area to keep it flexible. The goal is to create contrast and mood, not light everything equally.