A beautiful landscape by day can be transformed into a magical space after dark with the addition of landscape lights. If your outdoor living space is less than welcoming once the sun dips below the horizon, a landscape designer suggests these clever ways to utilize outdoor lighting in Wescosville, PA area.
Related: 7 Outdoor Lighting Design Ideas That Match Unique Backyard Designs in Lebanon, PA
If there’s one main rule when it comes to outdoor lighting, it’s this: less is more. You’re out there to enjoy nature and the beauty of the night, so choose lighting that is adequate for your needs (task lighting in the outdoor kitchen, ambient lighting around your patio, walkway lighting, and security lighting)... but does not make your landscape overly bright. If everything is illuminated equally with the same brightness, the space will feel flat and boring.
The idea is to add interest while keeping the space safe, and low-wattage LED bulbs to give off plenty of light without lighting up your backyard like a football field.
1. A series of staked spotlights shine light wherever you want it: on a beautiful old tree with gnarled bark; on a retaining wall; on shrubs; on a rock outcrop; or on a water feature. Again, less is more. Bring attention only to special elements to prevent an overdone look.
2. Install lights under the lip of the coping on a retaining wall, aimed at the ground, to highlight the textures while adding soft ambient light to a patio, pool area, or walkway. Privacy fences are also great locations for ambient lighting. Position lights approximately halfway up the fence: choose lights that shine both up and down so you benefit from ground illumination as well.
3. Mimic the look of candlelight for the best relaxing atmosphere. Remember the old-school flood light mounted on the house? The harsh white light lit up the immediate area, but the atmosphere was less than welcoming and by contrast, unlit areas were extremely dark. Warm lights are far more pleasing at night than an overly bright white light that comes on strong and destroys any pleasing ambiance. 2100k lighting - which mimics candlelight - is warm, intimate, and sets the mood for outdoor seating and walkways. With that said, cooler lights around 2700k can contribute to a more sophisticated atmosphere, if that’s your aim.
4. Experiment with directions. An object can be illuminated in several ways, with each technique creating a distinct look. Experiment with the direction from which you aim the light: lighting the object from the bottom, from above, or from the side. Keep in mind any glare that emanates from the fixtures. Be sure to aim them away from walkways, outdoor living areas, and widows.
5. When choosing lighting techniques such as moonlighting which require light fixture placement high in the tree canopy, beware that electrical wires will have to be run up the tree trunk to the fixture. Therefore, choose a tree where the outdoor living space doesn’t look at the part of the tree trunk where the wires are attached.
6. String lights can add a fun and festive atmosphere reminiscent of an outdoor cafe. Today you have dozens of choices, from beautiful Edison bulbs to tiny fairy lights. A single set of lights gives off more light than you might imagine so start small - perhaps hanging one set at an angle over your patio, or lining a privacy fence - and add on only if you feel the need for more illumination.
Related: How to Incorporate Outdoor Lighting Into Established Backyard Designs in Reiffton, PA Area
