Satisfying all of the goals of landscape lighting may seem daunting, but the right fixtures and expert design help make it easy. Proper lighting reveals safety hazards, enhances curb appeal and highlights important plants and structures.
Uplighting is a simple technique that shines light upward to highlight features such as statues or a tree’s branches. It’s also an effective way to create drama and atmosphere. Click Here to learn more.
Pathway lighting is one of the most common types of landscape lights installed by homeowners. It’s easy to see why – these outdoor light fixtures are affordable, relatively simple to set up, and can create a beautiful effect that defines walkway areas at night. But it’s important to remember that there are many factors involved in pathway lighting design and installation, which can have a major impact on both the aesthetics of your space and the safety of your guests.
Path lights should be installed in a way that provides adequate illumination and highlights landscape features and garden elements without creating unattractive, overpowering pools of light. This is best accomplished by arranging the lights in an even grid and staggering them slightly apart. Typically, experts recommend that path lights be placed 10 feet apart. Considering that the brightness of pathway lighting can vary, it’s also important to consider the spread or coverage of each fixture when determining how far apart to install them.
It’s also important to think about the color temperature of pathway lighting fixtures, which can dramatically alter the mood and ambiance of your yard at night. Warmer colors are generally preferred because they’re less harsh and easier on the eyes than brighter shades. In general, it’s best to let professionals handle the pathway lighting installation process so that each outdoor fixture is perfectly positioned and set up to provide optimal illumination.
Another great use for pathway lights is illuminating the edges of walkways and defining their borders. This can help guests safely navigate your property and avoid tripping hazards while also keeping plants and other landscaping features protected from accidentally being trampled.
Postmount Lights
Post-mount lights illuminate walkways and outdoor seating areas, adding safety and style to your space. They are available in a range of designs, from traditional to modern, to suit many aesthetics.
Post mount lights are ideal for illuminating walkways or for use around garden features, including plants, trees, and statues. These lighting fixtures typically feature a rounded or oval base that fits onto a purchased post or pole, and the fixture is mounted above it. Post lights can be installed on short posts to create a subtle look, or longer posts for added height and visibility. These fixtures are also available in an assortment of finishes, making them easy to match with existing landscape architecture or home design.
The rounded shape of these lights helps to soften the overall appearance, giving them a more subtle appeal than other types of outdoor lighting. This makes them an excellent choice for enhancing the style of homes that have a more rustic or natural appearance, as well as providing a subtle and inviting feel to gardens and other outdoor spaces. These light fixtures can also be used to highlight the entryway of a home or other building, creating a welcoming and inviting feel for visitors.
Post lights are also a great option for illuminating the area surrounding an outdoor staircase, helping to improve safety and visibility at night. They can be used to extend the usability of poolside areas into the evening, and can be integrated into the landscape to help highlight nearby plants and landscaping.
When choosing a post-mount light, it is important to consider the size and style of your outdoor decor, as well as the intended function of the light. For example, a more modern design can work well with contemporary outdoor decor, while a more traditional design is often a better fit for Victorian-style homes. It is also important to consider the light output and energy consumption of these fixtures, as this can affect the overall cost of ownership.
The Visual Comfort Studio Urbandale outdoor post mount light is a stylish and energy-efficient lighting solution. This light features a simple silhouette with a classic antique bronze finish that adds a sophisticated touch to any space. The energy-efficient LED bulb uses a fraction of the power of incandescent bulbs and offers the same amount of brightness to illuminate walkways and other outdoor areas.
Hardscape Lights
Hardscape lighting adds beauty and functionality to your outdoor spaces. It can highlight steps, stairways and walkways, make your backyard pool area more usable at night, highlight a statue or other focal point, and more. Hardscape lighting can be trickier to install than softscape lighting since it involves drilling or otherwise working into concrete, stone and other hard materials. However, the result is well worth it!
While many people are aware that they need to light up their flower beds, lawns, bushes and trees at night, less attention is paid to the areas around outdoor living spaces. These areas often need lighting for safety and usability reasons. This can include paved paths, driveways, and patios, but also fire features like outdoor fireplaces and sitting walls, retaining walls and other structures.
When designing your outdoor living spaces, it is a good idea to work in hardscape lighting before the construction begins. This way it can be built into the plans and more easily installed. However, you can also retrofit your landscape with low-voltage hardscape lighting after the fact.
There are many reasons why homeowners choose to add hardscape lights to their outdoor living spaces. For one, they provide a level of safety that is not available with natural light alone. It is also a great way to extend the time spent with family and friends outdoors, even after sunset.
Depending on the desired look, hardscape lights can come in several different styles. Wall sconces and lanterns can be used to illuminate walkways, allowing for safe passage after dark. They can also create a warm and inviting ambiance, which is perfect for extending the time that you spend outdoors.
Another common hardscape lighting option is postmount lights. These can be used to light up stairs, pathways or decks and are typically recessed into the ground so they blend in with the surrounding landscape. They can also be used to highlight vertical features like the pillars of an outdoor fireplace or the edges of a water feature.
For those who prefer a more discreet lighting solution, Lumengy offers hardscape paver lights that are less than 0.4 inches wide and can be mounted under stepping stones, fountains, retaining walls, decks and other structures. They feature a 45deg downward beam angle to eliminate glare and CRI of 90+ to display true color. They are also designed to be easy to replace and have a solid brass body for durability in wet locations.
Ambient Lighting
When you want to create intrigue and drama in your outdoor space by highlighting shapes, colors, textures and other elements that might not be readily apparent during the day, the right landscape lighting design can really shine. Using lighting methods such as up-lighting, down-lighting and cross-lighting can draw attention to the shadows and contrast in your yard while bringing out the best features of your garden, trees and other hardscape or softscape elements in your backyard.
A great way to start with your landscape lighting is by lighting up areas that you use for entertaining or dining. This will help keep you safe and provide a comfortable place for your guests to hang out after dark. You’ll also want to consider lighting up walkways and other pathways, especially if you have a lot of steps or uneven surfaces in your yard. Properly lit walkways will show your guests where they’re going and help you avoid potential injuries to family members or guests.
Other popular uses for landscape lighting include lighting up planters and flower beds, as well as illuminating the eaves and fascia of your home or other structures on your property. Landscape lighting can even be used to illuminate walls, flagpoles and other architectural elements on your property. This type of lighting can really make your home stand out in a nighttime environment.
Choosing the right light bulbs for your outdoor lighting system is also important, and it’s always a good idea to stick with fixtures and bulbs that are specifically designed for outdoors. This will ensure that they’re able to hold up to the elements and that they won’t be damaged by harsh sunlight or inclement weather.
When planning your lighting layout, it’s always a good idea to consult with a professional to get the most out of your investment. They’ll have years of experience designing and installing landscape lighting systems, and they can offer expert insight into what types of light fixtures will work best with your yard. They can also help you create a plan that will highlight key features in your yard, so you can enjoy the beauty of your landscape at night.