Lighting is a great way to highlight standout elements in your landscape design. Elegant Custom Images Inc provides flexibility, as you can add lights over time and scale your project as your budget allows.
Ceiling mounts illuminate entryways and outdoor structures like gazebos. They can also be used to light up trees for what’s known as a “moonlighting” effect.
Outdoor lighting enhances the beauty of your property, but it’s also a safety measure. It helps your family and guests see tripping hazards like steps, sidewalks, and pool edges. It can deter burglars by illuminating the outside of your home and making it more visible. It can even startle trespassers, causing them to reconsider their actions.
Depending on your needs, there are many different types of outdoor lighting fixtures to choose from. The type you choose will determine the lighting technique you want to use (silhouettes, shadowing, uplighting, wall washing). It can also be based on the size of your yard or the height of your home. There are wall mount lights, pendants, chandeliers, and ceiling and hanging lights. There are also spotlights, floodlights, and motion sensor lights.
Sconces are another type of wall-mount light. They’re typically installed at your front door or on a walkway. They come in various designs, including lantern, half-moon, and candle styles. These are also used in stairways and covered porches and decks.
Another option is a deck or post-mounted fixture. These are usually more decorative than security-oriented. They can be a great addition to your patio, garden or gazebo. These are available in a wide array of designs and colors. They can also match the style of your house or accentuate the architecture.
If you’re looking for a more security-oriented fixture, a motion sensor or photocontrol is better. These types of lights turn on automatically at dusk and stay on for a set amount of time. They’re great for managing energy costs without sacrificing visibility.
It’s important to keep the wattage and lumens of each fixture in mind. A bulb that is too bright can cause glare that reduces visibility and makes things difficult to see. It would be best if you also tried to spread the lights about 10 to 20 feet apart to ensure they’re evenly lit and not overly clustered. Finally, all lighting fixtures should be rated for outdoor use. This means they can withstand the weather and other elements.
A well-lit yard is a deterrent to would-be burglars. Bright lighting can make any intruder or visitor appear more visible, making it harder for them to hide. Whether they’re walking through your property or just driving by, well-lit outdoor security lights will illuminate their actions and give you time to react. Adding this level of protection to your home or business can significantly reduce crime rates and may even qualify you for insurance discounts.
Outdoor security lighting can be designed to highlight eye-catching plants, trees, or architecture, or it can create a subtle uplighting effect. This is achieved by mounting industrial pendant lights, gooseneck, or flood lights from above and directing their light downward over doors, gazebos, waterscapes, and garden beds. These lights also provide a great way to illuminate any entryways or driveways at night.
There are many options for bulbs in security lighting, ranging from high-efficiency LEDs to traditional incandescents. The key is to find a bulb that provides the right balance of brightness and energy usage. You’ll also want to consider how the fixture is powered. Hardwired fixtures are a great option because they run on electricity and don’t need to be replaced as frequently as batteries.
For maximum safety and security, consider a light fixture with motion sensor technology to activate only when movement is detected, as well as photocell technology that turns the fixture on and off according to the setting and rising of the sun. Some fixtures even offer Wi-Fi capabilities to connect to a smart home system for greater control.
Lighting is not just about safety; it can also be a great way to highlight your yard’s or outdoor spaces’ features. The play of light and shadow creates a different look than expected, highlighting textures and creating contrast to make your space feel more interesting and inviting at night. For example, a simple stone wall can take on a new character when lightly illuminated by the right fixture. Or, a garden that feels like a maze during the day can become a wonderland at night with strategically placed path lights and bollards.
A professional landscape lighting designer can help you create a well-lit space that is safe and appealing to the eye and the sense of touch. They will know how to use different fixture types and styles to highlight your space best. Whether you want to highlight a plant, a water feature, or your front door, they can show you how to use light to your advantage and create a beautiful, functional, and welcoming space at night.
To get the most out of your lighting, choose fixtures that are compatible with the look and lines of your house. Also, consider using LED lighting for the bulbs – this will save you money in the long run since LED lighting uses less energy and lasts longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
Once you have the basics down, walk around your property to pinpoint where you’d like to put your lights. It’s important to put only a few lights in one area, as it can create a busy and confusing appearance. Instead, aim to place them in strategic locations that will bring out the beauty of your landscape design at night.
Wall lights are a great way to illuminate your front or back porch without overwhelming your home’s architecture. They are durable and come in a variety of different designs. A landscape lighting expert will be able to recommend the best wall lights for your home and yard. Another popular choice for landscape lighting is spot or floodlights, which can spotlight various features, including trees, structures, and sculptural or architectural details. Lastly, inground lights illuminate pathways, driveways, and staircases. They can be aimed up or down to create dramatic lighting effects and add an upscale feel to your outdoor space.
Outdoor lighting allows you to enjoy your backyard even after the sun. This means you can enjoy your yard throughout the year, whether it’s a summer barbecue or a cozy winter night with some hot cocoa. You can sit by the fire or in your hot tub, enjoy quality time with your family, or have a romantic dinner for two. If you have the right lighting setup, your backyard can have a gorgeous scenic glow that’s perfect for relaxing or entertaining.
It also helps you navigate around your property safely at night. The illumination from landscape lighting can help guide you and your guests and deter crime and trespassing. Criminals don’t like to be seen in bright lights, so they are less likely to approach your home if it’s well-lit.
Another benefit of having good outdoor lighting is that it can highlight your backyard’s unique features. You can use it to emphasize a special tree, water feature, patio, or deck. This can make your house look spectacular at night and impress guests at a party. You can even use it to create a moonlight effect, where your home looks as though it’s lit from within by the moon.
Lastly, having beautiful outdoor lighting can add to your home’s value. This is because prospective buyers will see it as a desirable feature when comparing properties. This can lead to you getting a better price when selling your house in the future.
The best way to achieve an aesthetically pleasing backyard is to have the three main types of lighting—ambient, task, and accent. Ambient lighting is provided by hanging lights, post lights, and wall lights. Path and deck lights offer task lighting, while accent lighting can be achieved with spotlights and landscape kits.
Then, you can customize your outdoor lighting to fit the theme of any parties you host. For example, if you’re hosting a tropical-themed pool party, you can hang colorful string lights and add tiki torches. You can also get creative by using battery-powered LEDs in mason jars for a fun, firefly-like effect.