Outdoor lighting can breathe new life into your home’s patio, entryway and pathways. Stylish and functional, they can increase visibility, deter crime, and improve safety.
Add a beautiful touch to your landscape and garden by illuminating specific plant features, or spotlight stately trees. Alternatively, use flood lights to create dramatic light effects with the nighttime beauty of a pool or water feature.
Brighten dark nooks and crannies around your property to deter unwanted visitors, reduce crime and make it easier for guests to find their way. The right fixtures also make your home a safer place for family and friends to visit, by reducing tripping hazards and making steps and walkways more visible.
Using lighting effectively is an art, and the following tips will help you get started.
1. Silhouetting (Pointing the light at something from afar): This is an effective technique when you want to illuminate your landscaping features without casting direct shadows on them. Try aiming the light from about half-way up a tree to wash the branches and ground below in light.
2. Moonlighting (Pointing the light downward): This works well with large, open-branched trees like evergreens. It uses two spotlights positioned about half-way up the tree to both highlight and wash the foliage in light.
3. Avoid glare: Angle your lighting such that its rays do not hit the seating area directly. This will reduce glare on your furniture and create a more pleasing evening experience for you and your guests.