Outdoor lighting is the perfect way to create a welcoming space after dark. It highlights charming features, illuminates pathways and creates alluring ambiance, but it also serves the important safety function of increasing visibility around your home.
To plan your lighting design, first assess the areas you want to improve visibility. For example, pool areas and stairs are key zones that need to be illuminated for safety reasons. In other areas, you may wish to use uplighting to highlight plants and architectural features or use directional light to silhouette shapes that might not be readily apparent at night.
Depending on your goals, you will then be able to select the type of fixture that best supports those objectives. For example, if you need to increase visibility around your pool, patio or steps, look for fixtures that are UL damp for moisture exposure and rated UL wet for full exposure to water.
If you are using uplighting, choose bulbs that emit a warm glow rather than the blue-white light that can be harsh on eyes. The warm light will complement the colors of your landscape and the contrasting shadows it casts.
You can install the lighting yourself, or opt to work with a professional to get the best results. Keep in mind that working with electricity can be dangerous, so always hire a licensed electrician or contractor for any electrical projects. To reduce the time and cost of installation, you can purchase lighting kits that include fixtures and cables, or you can purchase the components separately.