Your yard and exterior facades can come to life with the help of outdoor lights. Installing fixtures will allow you to illuminate the surrounding area, provide security, or add drama to your outdoor area. Even though such an installation could seem rather simple, the complexity of what it requires puts it in need of a skilled landscaping architect.
Think about working with a specialist who is familiar with integrating outdoor lighting into buildings and their surroundings. Not only must the ideal balance between light and darkness be identified and utilized, but shadows and contrasts must also be utilized to produce unique lighting effects that give rooms a dynamic appearance.
Working with a well-thought-out design will help you get off to the correct start by guiding your decisions and ensuring you get the desired results. Remember that the lighting fixtures you install will make surfaces and things stand out by adding drama to them in addition to lighting them.
For instance, the security lighting can illuminate the driveway and other access points to the property, but it can also be used to draw attention to your home's distinctive architectural details. Decide which locations you can illuminate, and then select the best lighting options for each. In order to create the ideal lighting design, try to comprehend the numerous types of fixtures that are available and compare them to one another. Consider their degrees of security as well as the maintenance requirements.
These concerns are addressed in the following advice, which seeks to make the process of deciding what to choose and how to light your outdoor space easier for you.
Outdoor Lighting Types
Task Lighting: The task lighting in your design should come first because it will illuminate the entrances and walkways. Installing these lights will improve the security and safety of your outdoor space. Deck illumination, step lighting, and more options are available. Consider purchasing fixtures with a high wet-rating if they will be placed in an area that will be exposed to the weather. Additionally, confirm that the light fixture is appropriate for the outdoor lighting you require.
Ambient Lighting: These characteristics are essential for your total outdoor lighting system. However, stay away from using too-bright bulbs. Choose lights with lower brightness or wattage levels because they provide ample illumination for dimly lit areas during the day. The best possibilities are post lights, wall lights, and anything else that emits a pleasant amount of brightness without glare but still enables people to see where they are walking.
Accent Lighting: Accent lights may add some flair to your outdoor space. They aid in generating aesthetic appeal that draws attention to a surface or object. Plan how you will illuminate your doorway, pathways, landscaping, and any other elements you may have, such as trees, water features, or planting spaces.