Around this time every year people appreciate the design options of their outdoor lighting. The days get shorter, and they are turning on their outdoor light earlier every day. Many people have both lights for security as well as those for decoration and fun such as outdoor party lights. The results are a beautiful display of outside lights that they can still enjoy well into late September or October.
During the summer months, many backyards are functional and safe places to socialize and relax using any outdoor lighting. Some regions of the United States have sun well up until 9pm every night. Usually during the mid summer months, the skies become dark late at night, and people turn on the outside lighting.
One way many people start recognizing and thinking about outdoor lighting is by seeing the many beautiful displays that many of their local establishments have such as restaurants and cafes. They realize how simple and elegant these lighting schemes are, and start to think about them for their yards and gardens. Many restaurants, coffee houses, and sidewalk cafes use LED outside lights not only for lighting, but to create the ambiance that reflects the theme of their restaurant.
When you start experimenting with many different variations of outdoor lighting designs, you find a variety of options that work with your outdoor environment. You can also change the lighting scheme according to different holidays such as the 4th of July and Christmas. Many people choose the white lights and will add colored outside Christmas lights to bring the joy of Christmas to their back yards. Of course this happens more so in warmer climates since not many people use their decks and patios in December in Minnesota! 
The best thing to do when planning your outdoor lighting, is to create a lighting environment that also serves as security lighting for your yard and surrounding area. The pathways and the doorways should be properly lit to prevent any unexpected stumbles or falls. Make sure entrance ways are properly lit including back alleys that may be on the edge of your property. The best way to determine if you have sufficient lighting, is to have at least 60 to 80 watts of light at each door, set of steps, and other places you may need to go during the night such as an alley,or to your garbage cans.
Once you take care of the safety part of lighting you outdoor areas, you can create a mood or ambiance. The one that is the most popular is the softer type lighting that is light enough to see where you are walking, but dark enough to add a few torches or candles.