The Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP) is highlighting key trends influencing modern landscape lighting design, including tunable white technology and the resurgence of matte black finishes. Expert insight from three AOLP members — Todd Goers, director of sales at WAC Lighting; Kevin Smith, national technical support and trainer at Brilliance LED; and Ryan Williams, director of product marketing at FX Luminaire — offer input on the latest emerging trends.
These emerging trends are gaining momentum in the market, sending a positive shift toward more personalized, design-forward outdoor spaces reflecting evolving consumer preferences, according to the AOLP. As product offerings expand and controls become more user-friendly, technologies like tunable white and finishes like matte black are anticipated to play a larger role in future landscape lighting designs.
Tunable white
Tunable white is a technology that originated in indoor applications and is making its way into outdoor lighting. It offers designers more flexibility to adjust color temperatures and create varied highlighting effects across a landscape.
“Lighting is subjective,” said Smith. “What one person finds relaxing, another may find too bright or too dull. Tunable white allows designers to cater to these individual preferences by adjusting color temperatures to suit different moods or architectural features.”
“We’re finding that clients appreciate being able to fine-tune lighting based on the season or even the time of day. Warmer tones in the evening can create a calming atmosphere, while cooler tones during the day can make architectural features pop,” said Goers.
“Tunable white offers exciting flexibility for layering effects in high-end or dynamic environments. In most residential landscapes, where lighting tends to be more functional or ambient, it may remain a more specialized tool. But the ability to fine-tune the warmth or coolness of a space can absolutely elevate mood and ambiance,” said Williams.
Tunable white technology gives designers and homeowners more creative control over the atmosphere and appearance of a space throughout the day or for different occasions. This lighting can shift to match natural light patterns, highlight architectural features or create mood-driven scenes.
“In landscape lighting, it’s not just about what looks good, but how it makes the client feel,” Smith added.
Matte black
Matte black finishes have experienced a significant resurgence in outdoor lighting, particularly in modern and transitional design categories.
“Black is a timeless color in lighting. It can blend in and let the light be the focus, or it can stand out as a striking design element,” said Smith.
“Matte black is incredibly versatile, especially for modern designs,” said Goers. “It’s a finish that’s not just about looking good—it’s about creating a sleek, sophisticated atmosphere without drawing attention to the fixture itself.”
The popularity of modern farmhouse design has helped fuel the matte black trend.
“Matte black is great for modern farmhouses because it ties into the black accents seen in the windows, door hardware and other exterior elements. It’s a finish that can either pop or disappear, depending on the context,” said Smith.
“It’s a finish that can either pop or disappear, depending on the context—making it incredibly versatile. It may show a little more wear than some patinaed finishes, but its design appeal and visual impact continue to make it a go-to choice in modern outdoor lighting,” said Williams.
Matte black continues to gain traction in outdoor lighting design, and its versatility allows it to either make a bold statement or blend seamlessly into the landscape, depending on the design intent. As minimalist and contemporary palettes continue to be popular, matte black is proving to be a lasting, in-demand finish for residential and commercial outdoor spaces.
