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Manicured lawn with a stone fountain and lit paver walkway at twilight in Palos Verdes Estates

Residential

Landscape Lighting for South Bay Homes

Low-voltage LED path, step, and accent lighting, designed with the landscape plan and installed before the beds are planted.

Why landscape lighting

Light the yard you'll use at night

In the South Bay, the backyard gets used after sunset most of the year, and lighting decides whether it feels like a room or a dark lawn. We design low-voltage path, step, and accent lighting as part of the landscape plan. Fixtures are placed where the planting and hardscape will be, the transformer is sized for the whole run with room to add more, and wire is buried before the beds are planted.

On a recent Rancho Palos Verdes front yard, the landscape plan, custom irrigation, and low-voltage lighting were drawn and installed together. The path lights were set along the new planting beds before the top dressing went down, so no wire was ever exposed.

LED, low-voltage, and coastal-grade

Modern LED fixtures use a fraction of the power of the old halogen systems and last for years. Near the ocean, we specify solid brass, copper, or marine-grade fixtures and sealed connections, because salt air corrodes cheap aluminum housings and splices first. Smart transformers and controllers handle dusk-to-dawn timing automatically, and can link to the pool, spa, and patio lighting.

What the work covers

  • Lighting design drawn with the landscape and hardscape plans.
  • Path, step, and wall lights for safe footing.
  • Uplighting for trees, palms, and architectural features.
  • Pergola, patio, and outdoor-kitchen task lighting.
  • Low-voltage transformers, timers, and smart controls.
  • Retrofits that replace failing halogen systems with LED.

See how lighting fits a full backyard on our outdoor living page.

From the field

Lighting on recent jobs.

Recent photos from current DECOMA jobs — in progress and finished, not stock.

  • New low-voltage path lights along drought-tolerant planting beds beside a curving lawn
    Rancho Palos Verdes: path lights set in the new beds before top dressing.
  • Front yard with new planting beds and low-voltage path lights in front of a two-story home
    Rancho Palos Verdes: lighting drawn on the same plan as the planting.
  • Turf lawn, stone retaining wall, and paver path with landscape lighting
    Palos Verdes Estates: step and path lighting along a retaining wall.
  • Lawn with a stone fountain centerpiece and lit paver walkway at twilight
    Palos Verdes Estates: the same yard after dark.

Why DECOMA

One license, three disciplines, forty years.

Family-run South Bay general contractor since 1978. We design, build, and manage — under one license — so the team you start with is the team that hands you keys and the team that answers the phone when something needs fixing in year ten.

Years building
48+
Projects delivered
3,000+
Repeat clients
300+
CSLB Class
A/B

FAQ

Common questions.

Do I need a permit for landscape lighting?
Low-voltage landscape lighting plugged into an existing exterior outlet usually doesn't need a permit. A new 120-volt circuit or outlet for the transformer does. We tell you which applies before we start.
How many lights does a yard need?
Fewer than most people think. Good lighting is about placement: lighting the path, the steps, and a few trees or architectural features, not lighting everything. We design for how you use the yard at night.
Can you replace my old halogen lights with LED?
Yes. We can often reuse the wire runs and replace the fixtures and transformer, which cuts power use and ends the bulb changes.

Service areas

Landscape lighting across the South Bay.

Born in Harbor City, working across LA County since 1978. Same crew, same license number, same shop at 25941 Frampton Ave, Harbor City.

Continue exploring

More from outdoor living.

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Talk to a contractor

Tell us about your project.

One business day for a scope, timeline, and budget range. CSLB #375508 A/B.

Request consultation(310) 418-0258