Adding outdoor lighting transforms your property into a welcoming night-time space that makes it easy for family members and guests to enjoy activities after dark. It also provides safety, as well as a deterrent against crime.
The design of your light fixtures should match the overall style of your home and landscape. This is especially important for highly visible lights like wall mount exterior lights beside your front door or bollard lights that stand on your property.
You can also create visual accents using spotlights that shine upward and highlight specific areas or structures. Use them to draw attention to specific garden features, or to highlight architectural elements in your home and landscaping. However, you need to be careful not to over-light an area, and consider the amount of blue-violet light emitted (on the Kelvin scale) when selecting a spotlight.
When you install your lights, keep in mind that they’ll need maintenance on a regular basis. Make sure that you plan for this in your budget, and if you have any concerns about working with electricity, ask a professional for help.
Lastly, consider what the cost of electricity will be for your lighting, and factor this into your decision. It’s important to remember that constantly running lights can increase your energy bills. You can minimize this by installing motion sensors and timers, and choosing lights that are rated for outdoor use.