When properly installed and maintained, outdoor lighting is an effective way to make a landscape more attractive at night and increase safety. It can also add to the ambiance of a home and increase property values. But what makes a good lighting design? This article will walk you through the basics of creating a lighting plan that’s right for your property.
Begin by mapping out your goals for the space. Fixtures designed to improve safety and security differ from those that highlight features of a garden or landscape, and they should be positioned accordingly.
Once you know what your goals are, select a type of lighting fixture to support them. For example, spotlights can help sculpt visual accents horizontally or vertically, and they can draw attention to specific features while leaving others in silhouette. They can also be used to illuminate a seating area for evening entertainment, but you should always angle them so their glaring light isn’t directly overhead.
Other types of lights include cross-lighting (where a fixture is placed in front and behind a feature) and uplighting (ground-mounted spotlights that shine upward). Different wattages can help create contrast as well. For example, a higher wattage bulb can cast more of a blue-tinged light and look different from lower wattage bulbs that have a more yellow-tinged color.
Remember that all electrical connections need to be properly insulated to prevent moisture from entering and causing damage to the fixture or wiring. If you’re not comfortable working with electrical wiring and installations, contact a professional installer to handle the installation for you.