Lighting is an often overlooked aspect of a home’s design, but it can make all the difference in how a space functions after dark. Whether you’re hosting an outdoor birthday party or a family gathering, or just enjoying a cozy evening by the pool, the right lighting can make your yard and home come to life after sunset.
For a well-lit landscape, start by mapping your property and determining the key areas you want to highlight. Then, consider the effects you’re looking to achieve. For example, if you’re trying to create depth and dimension in planting beds, garden lights can help you achieve these effects by creating pools of light that guide your eye from one plant to the next. According to FX Luminaire, you can also use garden lights to highlight trees and other architectural features on your property.
In addition to aesthetics, proper outdoor lighting can increase safety and security. It helps illuminate walkways and stairways, which can reduce the risk of accidents and deter criminal activity.
A good outdoor lighting system can also help to preserve natural resources by reducing the need for artificial lighting. However, the use of lights can result in “light pollution,” which is when more light is used than necessary. To avoid this, it’s important to only use outdoor lighting when it’s actually needed and to minimize the amount of shorter wavelength (blue-violet) light being emitted from the fixtures. Using shielding and careful aiming can help ensure that only the intended area is lit up.