There are a few things to keep in mind when selecting landscape lighting. Safety and beauty are obvious goals, but highlighting a water feature or raising the profile of your home’s architecture are also common reasons to install landscape lights.
A few other considerations include bulb type, energy efficiency, and installation type. LED bulbs are preferred because they consume less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Contact Elegant Custom Images Inc for professional help.
A home’s exterior is its first impression. If your house is dark, it can feel foreboding and inhospitable to guests. With well-planned landscape lighting, you can highlight the features of your home and the beauty of your landscaping to create an inviting sight for guests and neighbors alike.
Whether you want to draw attention to a particular plant, accent the shape of your home’s architecture, illuminate a garden feature or add a splash of color with a fountain or statue, the possibilities are endless. Before making a final decision on which type of lights to purchase and where to position them, take time to sketch the layout of your yard. This will help you match the purpose of each fixture with its location in your landscaping. For example, pathway lights are ideal for illuminating walkways and steps that lead to the door, while downlights can be placed high on trees or structures to simulate natural moonlight.
If you are unsure about the placement of a particular light fixture, it may be helpful to install some inexpensive clip-on lights or strands of holiday lights just to get an idea of how they will look at night. This will also allow you to make any changes that may be necessary before investing in an entire lighting system.
Curb appeal is not only important for you, but it can also make your property more attractive to potential buyers if you plan on selling in the future. Studies have shown that homes with well-lit outdoor spaces are more appealing to buyers than those without any illumination.
In addition to boosting the visual appeal of your property, landscape lighting can be used to improve safety and security by highlighting pathways and stairs. This will keep you, your family and guests from tripping or falling and will ensure that they are able to move around safely. It can also help to deter burglars by eliminating shadowy areas that may attract criminals to your home. By illuminating your yard, it will be more difficult for them to hide in the darkness and their activities will be easily visible to neighbours.
Mood Lighting
Landscape lighting can be used to create a variety of moods in your outdoor space. Mood lighting can help set a festive tone for evening entertaining or highlight your favorite garden accents. Lighting techniques are also effective for highlighting architectural features in your home’s exterior, bringing attention to your water feature or ornamental landscaping. Using the right type of lighting can make your home and garden glow with beauty and class.
Adding lighting to your landscaping will not only improve the safety and security of your property, but will also bring new life to your outdoor spaces after dark. Creating a dramatic nighttime display of your gardens, walkways, or even your prized trees can transform your house into something special and magical. The lighting you choose should be a natural extension of your landscape and compliment the elements of your home.
The lighting you choose for your landscaping will depend on the function of your space, the look you want to achieve and your budget. Low-voltage lighting is the easiest and most affordable way to get started. This type of landscape lighting only needs an outdoor receptacle and a transformer to operate. This system will not only be safer, but will save you on electricity costs in the long run.
LED landscape lights are a popular choice for both residential and commercial applications due to their durability, energy efficiency, and long life. They are also available in a variety of color temperatures to match the color of the object they’re lighting up. Warmer colors are better suited for oak tree trunks and brown siding, while cooler whites work best with stone, brick, or pine facades.
Path and Area Lights
These landscape lighting types focus their beams down and to the side, illuminating pathways or other hardscapes. These fixtures are usually the most visible of all the landscape lighting options. Step lights can illuminate the top of stairs and are commonly found on sidewalks or patios. They are also effective for lighting up planters and other retaining walls.
Grazing and Washing
When a wide-beam light is aimed at a wall from a few feet away, it creates shadows on the surface of the wall for a textured effect. This technique is also known as “washing” and can be done with a variety of fixture styles including spot, well, or low-voltage flood lights.
Safety
Besides enhancing the visual appeal of your home and garden, landscape lighting provides safety for your family, friends, and guests. Well-lit walkways and paths are essential for preventing accidental trips and falls, especially after sunset. During the holidays, when there are extra people in your home or visitors strolling around your property, proper lighting is even more important for keeping everyone safe.
In addition to illuminating pathways, outdoor lighting can highlight important features like fountains, ponds, statues, or walls on your home. Choosing the right lighting fixture and beam angle can enhance these features.
A common lighting technique is uplighting, which creates drama by highlighting the underside of a structure or tree. It’s a great option for illuminating statues, sculptures, and tall trees in your yard. It also works well to highlight architectural features on your home’s exterior, such as columns or an archway.
For walkways, it’s best to use fixtures with a directional beam that casts a narrow light onto the surface being illuminated. This produces fewer hot spots and more focused light for increased visibility. For areas with a lot of foliage, a wider beam spread is usually better to minimize shadows on the ground and surrounding plant life.
Adding security to your landscape lighting can be as simple as installing motion sensors. These devices turn on your lights when they sense movement in the yard. They can deter robbers who might see your home as an easy target in the dark and discourage predatory animals from prowling around at night.
It’s also important to use lights and bulbs rated for outdoor use. Using a bulb that is not rated for outdoor use can damage the finish on your fixture and lead to a short lifespan. You’ll want to also make sure your wiring is buried properly to prevent tripping hazards and overloading circuits.
A dark house and yard are a tempting target for thieves and other criminals who may feel that it’s easier to steal or vandalize properties that are well-lit. Proper landscape lighting will help first responders and delivery drivers find your property and avoid tripping or falling, which could compromise their safety.
Energy Efficiency
A well-lit outdoor space can add significant value to your home. However, landscape lighting can consume a lot of energy and create high electricity bills if not optimized. Thankfully, there are several ways to make your landscaping lighting more energy efficient and reduce energy costs.
One of the most popular ways to improve energy efficiency is by switching to LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs. These bulbs use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, last 25 times longer, and come in a variety of color options for a wide range of lighting effects. In addition, they emit minimal heat, minimizing fire hazards. Another way to save on energy costs is by setting timers to turn on your lights only when they’re needed. You can also set up daylight sensors that monitor the sun’s rise and set to automatically switch your lights off at the right time each day.
Another way to lower your energy bill is by installing low-voltage bulbs. These bulbs are ideal for landscape lighting because they produce a natural-looking glow while using a fraction of the power of high-intensity bulbs. They can be used in a variety of landscape lighting fixtures, such as pathway lights, tiki-style torches, garden lights, and more. Regardless of the type of bulbs you choose, it’s important to keep them clean and maintained to avoid wasting energy.
Finally, solar-powered landscape lighting systems are a great way to cut down on your energy usage while also contributing to a greener environment. These types of lighting systems use sunlight to power the bulbs, eliminating the need for electrical energy.
With proper care, you can maximize your landscape lighting’s energy efficiency while still enjoying the benefits of a beautifully illuminated outdoor space. By making the switch to LED bulbs, optimizing your lighting layout, and using motion sensors, you can ensure that your lights are only being used when they’re required. With these simple tips, you can create a visually stunning and functional landscape lighting plan that’s sure to impress your guests.