Landscape lighting can make any yard look amazing. There are many benefits to installing landscape lighting, so it is easy to see why people invest in this project. In this blog post we will discuss how investing in landscape lighting now can have a huge impact on your property value later and help you enjoy the outdoors more at night!
Outdoor lighting is a great way to add some ambiance and romance to your nighttime outdoor activities. Not only do they provide a warm glow for you and your guests, but they also improve safety by making it easier for homeowners or passersby to spot potential dangers in the dark of night. There are many different options when installing landscape lighting that can be used as features like “paintings” on the walls outside or simply accent pieces designed to mark things like walkways, gardens, driveways etc.
So you’ve finally finished your new landscape design. You have a beautiful, well-designed space where people can enjoy themselves and relax after a long day at the office or school. However, there is one thing missing—well maybe two things: music and lighting! Landscape lighting will set the mood for any outdoor gathering just like an indoor party with lowlights would. Follow these easy instructions to get yourself on track towards having that perfect summer evening without electricity (or expensive electrical work).
Benefits of Installing Landscape Lighting
Landscape lighting is an excellent way to enhance the exterior appearance of any property. It can make a seemingly dull space look more alive and inviting, which could be what your home needs! It also helps with nighttime visibility so you won’t have trouble finding things outside in the dark or getting up from a chair on the patio. A well-lit yard will feel much safer than one that’s not lit at all and it makes for a better mood during gatherings like outdoor parties.
There are many benefits to installing landscape lighting, but some homeowners might still find this project cost prohibitive given how expensive new house construction has become in recent years.
Choosing the Right Landscape Lights
There are many things to consider when choosing the right Landscape lighting. For example, you need to know how much light your plants need for photosynthesis and what kind of lights work best in varying weather conditions.
12 volt lights are the best type of lights for in-ground or above ground systems because they work well with solar power, don’t require wires and can be installed any place you need them.
LED bulbs are great for landscape lighting because they use less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs and cast a bright clean white light. They cost more up front but last far longer so there’s no bulb replacement costs!
If installing your own LED Landscape Lighting is not an option then many landscaping companies now offer their clients to have professional installation done which will help ensure that everything is set up correctly from the get go. It also means that these professionals know where all of the most effective places to put our landscape lighting should be without having to guess.
- Pathway lights offer more focused light along a specific path, whether it’s leading up to your front door or lining the walkway around a pond
- Outdoor floodlights illuminate an entire outdoor space such as patios and decks
Where To Place Landscape Lighting
The placement of the lights is very important to creating a successful landscape lighting design. You will want to place the lights where you spend most of your time, or where guests and family members are likely to stay for long periods. The best way to do this is by placing them on paths throughout your yard; whether that be walking paths, casual seating areas, or gathering spaces.
Lighting should also be placed in places that provide safety like around steps (especially those leading down from decks) and poolsides as well as major hazards such as trees with low branches which could fall without warning during storms. Once you have installed these fixtures it’s time to add some accent light! This can come in many shapes and forms but I prefer
Low profile lights only need two or three inches of clearance above them for installation, so they’re perfect for flower beds where plants might grow taller than traditional low voltage fixtures
You should also consider installing lighting on trees and bushes for added effect; this would cause some parts of the plants to appear darker than others but overall have an even look about them. Place these near paths or walkways too so that when someone walks through the backyard, their journey feels like its own little adventure!
Consider size as well when buying your lamp or string of lamps so you don’t end up with an awkward looking area where there isn’t enough coverage. It may look better if you position one light at each corner while using two smaller ones instead of just one larger one to fill in any gaps between corners/walls and areas near trees/buildings which may obstruct natural lighting from coming through
Another great spot for these lights is just outside an outdoor kitchen area, so guests can have their hands free while they cook dinner!
One last thing: try not to overdo it…
Landscape Lighting Bulbs
There are many different types of bulbs available out there but they all fall into three basic categories: colored, white light emitting diode (LED), color changing.
- Colored: these are the easiest to install as they don’t require any wiring or switches. They can be used in pots, urns and even your outdoor furniture! The most popular colors for landscape lighting bulbs are white with blue and green tints but you’re limited only by what’s available at your local store.
- White Light Emitting Diode (LED): These use less electricity than traditional incandescent lights which is a bonus because these lights will last much longer–upwards of 20 years if properly taken care of. The best thing about LED lights is that many come equipped with motion detectors so all you have to do it set them up where ever you need light then walk away without having to worry about them being left on
- Color Changing: These are a great choice for those who like to have the latest in patio furniture or an outdoor living space that’s always changing colors with the seasons. They’re also perfect if you want your plants and flowers lit up too! For this type of lighting, you’ll need something called a controller which is basically just another light fixture but has different settings on it so that you can change what color lights come out when they’re turned off. These controllers often take batteries as well which means there’s no wires necessary either!
For best results combine white LED lights with colored changing where needed (to highlight trees, bushes and shrubs) or use them all around your home at night time to create ambiance
Solar Powered Landscape Lights
Every homeowner who has ever had to stumble around in the dark with a flashlight understands how important it is to have good outdoor lighting that lasts a lifetime. One of the best ways to combat this problem, and make your yard glow forever, is by installing solar powered landscape lights. These days there are many different types of solar-powered landscape lighting available which can be both stationary or movable; one that will last years before needing replacement batteries.
Many people wonder what the best place is to install solar powered lights. The answer depends on a few factors like where you spend most of your time and if there are any obstructions. One good option would be to put them in areas near walkways or driveways, which are usually the places that need more light at night than anywhere else around the house. For those who don’t want to worry about constantly trying new batteries, solar-powered landscape lighting offers all day exposure during daylight hours without needing electricity or additional infrastructure cables. Plus with many models including motion sensors, it’s possible to enjoy never worrying whether
The best type of solar-powered landscape lights are the ones that do not have to be wired into your house, but instead can run off a panel. Solar panels charge up during the day so they will last longer throughout the night without any fear of it going out in a storm or rainstorm . These types should also never burn down because there is no wiring involved. If you need to move them for some reason, simply pick them up and set them back where they were before on their own stakes – they’re really easy!
Another great thing about these solar powered lights is that even if one goes out (or more), as long as it’s still plugged into its power source then all other lamps within range should stay lit. If they’re not, it’s best to check that the lamps are still plugged in and have a good charge on them.
Tips for Selecting Landscape Lighting
- Know your needs: Do you want lights that illuminate the yard, or do you need them for security purposes? Do you want to be able to walk in a path at night without tripping on things while still being able to see where you are going? Are there particular areas of your property—such as patios, decks, and sidewalks–that require more light than others? All these questions will help determine what type of landscape lighting is best.
- Consider safety first: Yard illumination may seem like it would only serve one purpose when in reality it should also provide added benefits such as making children feel safer playing outside after dark. Safety features to look out for include motion sensors and timers so that no one runs into an active electrical
- Stay on theme: What is the environment like? Is it a serene, natural space where you want to create an atmosphere of tranquility and peace or does it feel more utilitarian for working around your property all day? You might also have plenty of landscape lighting with solar panels that charge during daylight hours but need something extra at night.
- Pick placement wisely: It may seem as though putting lights everywhere would be best but there are factors such as line-of light visibility, how much power they use, and whether they’ll get enough sunlight throughout the course of the day to work efficiently. There’s no one perfect solution because every yard is different so talk with professionals about what will suit your needs best
- Solar panels work best for some: If you’re looking to save money or don’t have much of a budget, solar powered landscape lighting is the way to go. You’ll need batteries but they’re cheaper in bulk and it will keep your lights running all day long without costing too much.
Colored Landscape Lighting
It’s hard to imagine a home without any lights, and the same goes for outdoor spaces. Recently we’ve seen an increase in colored landscape lighting that will give your yard some pizzazz! If you’re looking to spruce up your backyard with color, there are many available options.
There are different ways you can incorporate color into your outdoor space – as well as how much light is best suited for each location on the ground level of your house: trees or gardens at various levels may require more subdued illumination while those areas near the ground floor window might need brighter colors so they stand out against darker surroundings (i.e., shrubs) .
There are many different color options for landscape lighting, and even if you have a specific hue in mind you can find the perfect option. Some people like to coordinate their outdoor lights with their interior decor. If your house is white and blue maybe tone down some of that electric-y feel by opting for warm colors such as amber or yellow? Or do just the opposite and live dangerously! With so many choices there’s no wrong way to go about it – experiment until you’re satisfied .
How to Install Landscape Lighting
Landscape lighting can be tricky to install. There are some pitfalls that you can avoid if you follow these simple instructions: .- Get help from a professional electrician. Hiring one will make sure the job is done right and save time in the long run. You should also hire someone who has experience with landscape lighting because they know what kind of cable to use and where best place it for maximum effect. Your landscaping might even require underground wiring so your contractor knows how to handle this, too .
- Check local codes before starting installation on any property – especially public spaces such as parks or schools where there could be height restrictions on fixtures (like trees) or proximity requirements between lights and structures like buildings or street lamps .
- If you’re looking for a professional, go with a company that is certified by the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) or has some kind of certification.
- Look at what lights are available and design your own custom layout to get the best effect. For example, if there’s an open area in your yard where kids can play basketball outside during dusk hours but it doesn’t have any lighting installed yet, consider putting up light fixtures on both sides along one end so they shine down onto the ground .
- Start from inside out – install outdoor floodlights before installing smaller accent lights like pathway lights because these will be brighter than most other exterior lights and therefore easier to see when walking around outdoors late at night
- If you have a very large property or find yourself needing to illuminate an area of your yard that’s so big it feels like one giant abyss, consider installing landscape lighting poles.
