COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - eTradeWire -- The top 3 landscape lighting trends in Colorado Springs for 2026 show a shift toward artful, intentional outdoor illumination:

Linear LED Strips in Unexpected Places: LED strips have escaped indoors and now appear tucked under deck railings, along fence tops, in retaining walls, and even embedded in pathways. They create continuous glows that guide the eye without harsh spotlights, offering subtle ambient washes that feel like extended twilight.

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Garden Feature Lighting: Homeowners are finally illuminating their sculptures, water features, and artistic installations. Multi-angle lighting creates drama and reveals textures invisible during daytime. Submersible lights in fountains, uplighting on specimen trees, and strategic spotlighting transform these features into nighttime focal points.

Corten Steel Bollards: These 24"-36" tall fixtures with geometric cutouts are replacing traditional path lights. Made from weathered rust-colored steel, they cast dramatic patterns on surrounding surfaces while their patina adds warmth and character that improves over time. They provide functional navigation lighting at an architecturally striking height.

Together, these trends signal that landscape lighting has evolved from basic security to essential design element.