Add security and ambiance to your outdoor spaces with the right lighting design. Properly placed lights can help prevent trips and falls at night, deter crime and showcase elements of your landscape. From simple lighting with a focus spotlight to more decorative and rustic lighting options, the possibilities are endless.
The best place to start when planning an exterior lighting design is by determining the purpose of your outdoor space. Do you want to use light to highlight features of your home or landscape, or do you need the lighting to create a safe environment for walking and moving around in the dark?
Once you’ve determined your purpose, you can decide what kind of fixture to use. Pathway and stairway lighting are a great way to create safety, while pin lights and wall sconces can be used as accent lighting to highlight architectural features on the house or stately trees in your yard.
Another important factor to consider when choosing your lighting is if you’d like to control it manually or through an automated system. Lighting with a motion sensor can be a good deterrent to intruders, while timed lights can be very effective for lighting up walkways or patio areas after dark.
Also, if you live in a coastal area it’s a good idea to choose fixtures that have been tested for salt corrosion and resistance to harsh weather conditions. Finally, if you’re interested in dark sky compliance, look for fixtures that have been certified to minimize blue light waves which can interfere with natural darkness.