Neighbor’s lights are shining in my windows: How to avoid light trespass

A client recently told me that she hates her neighbor’s lights across the street.

Why?

The same reason most of us hate our neighbor’s lights: they shine in our windows at night.

Light trespass isn’t fun for people on the receiving end.

What is light trespass? 

Light trespass occurs when glaring lights trespass onto your property and keep you from enjoying your own space.

Lights that distract, bother, or otherwise cause you dismay would be considered trespassing light. 

We’ve all experienced light trespass to some capacity.

An example of light trespass would be when your neighbor’s back porch/security light is left on all night and the glare shines in your bedroom window when you’re trying to sleep.

Pro lighting designer tip: effective security lighting can be accomplished without trespassing light into your neighbor’s property. For more on security lighting, click here. 

Storytime

Our client told us how terrible her neighbor’s lights have been for her and her husband to deal with.

A year ago, the neighbors had new permanent Christmas lights installed under their soffit.

Their permanent Christmas lights are on almost every single night.

It’s understandable that she and her husband would be frustrated with these lights.

She confided that the worst part about their neighbor’s lights is that they flash and dance between different colors. 

Our goal here isn’t to bad-mouth permanent Christmas lights.

In truth, permanent Christmas lights really are a lot of fun when they are used during the Christmas season and designated holidays.

Unless you’re the Grinch, the Christmas season is the one time of year when light trespass caused by holiday lighting is deemed socially acceptable.

Most other type of light trespass isn’t appreciated by the neighbors. 

Avoiding light trespass

Being responsible with your lighting can be a challenge, but it is well worth the effort.

When lighting your property, it’s important to think about your neighbors and the effect your home’s lighting is going to have on the people living around you.

This is one of the reasons why LED landscape lighting can be of such benefit.

When done right, your outdoor lighting can provide your home with beautiful and functional illumination without causing eye sores. 

Lights need to be shrouded and aimed in such a way that the neighbors won’t be bothered. 

Illuminating your home with soft landscape lighting can also make your home feel well-lit without needing large powerful flood lights that shine out into the street or neighbor’s windows. 

If you have an upcoming lighting project and want to be a responsible steward of light, get in contact with your local landscape lighting designer.

They have the knowledge and experience to help you ensure that your lights aren’t going to bother the neighbors. 

When it comes to illuminating your property, remember that we want to experience the effect the light creates: we don’t want to see the source. 

Landscape lighting makes all the difference

At Landscape Lighting Pro of Utah, the art of outdoor illumination is a real passion we work to perfect.

Designing elegantly bespoke landscape lighting systems is simply all we do.

For over 20 years, our award-winning team of designers and craftsmen have striven to bring the best outdoor lighting experience possible to people’s homes and businesses across the Wasatch Front & beyond. 

If you have an upcoming project you’d like help with, call (801)440-7647 for more information, schedule a free consultation, or feel free to simply fill out a contact form on our website.

Located in Midvale, Landscape Lighting Pro of Utah installs, maintains, and repairs lighting systems throughout Utah’s residential areas, including Salt Lake City, Park City, Draper, Davis, and Utah Counties.