Make Your Backyard Shine Using Outdoor Lighting
Creative outdoor lighting can transform a boring backyard or patio into a private, nighttime oasis. Wall sconces, deck lights and deck step lights provide the perfect illumination for quiet evening conversations or midnight stargazing. The soft glow and stylish designs can make your deck a favorite place to relax and enjoy warm summer breezes.
Landscape lighting is growing in popularity and has become very affordable. In this article, we’ve got some great tips about installing and placing landscape lighting to enhance the beauty of your home.
When choosing the fixtures and accessories for your outdoor lighting, get the highest quality equipment and materials that your budget will allow. The fixtures will last longer and offer more options. However, don’t be afraid to use beautiful ornate pieces that suit your style.
Always conceal the light sources when garden lighting, either with a glare guard or by tucking them behind shrubs, large branches, walls or rocks. Ideally, you will be unable to see where the exterior lights originate. Outdoor chandeliers can be stunning on a patio or deck. You can also use wrought iron chandeliers or glass chandeliers on a covered patio.
Correct positioning is essential for an effective lighting out-of-doors. When planning, be sure to consider the impact the brightness may have on the neighbors. If you’re a stargazer, then select light fixtures designed to direct light and minimize light pollution. When arranging your outdoor lights, it’s best to avoid installing them in the undergrowth of low shrubs or tall grasses unless you want to create a silhouetted effect.
Usually, the beam of light should be unobstructed from the fixture to the focal point so there are no distracting spots of reflected light. For maximum effect, keep your lawn mowed, trim shrubs and bushes, and remove dead tree limbs.
Light the walkway to your front door and add up lighting aimed at trees to make the front of your home more interesting. Down lighting is the same idea only the fixture is up high and shines down.
This highlights flower beds, paths or steps. Spotlighting creates a focal point by illuminating an object, like a fountain. One of the most dramatic techniques you can use is back lighting. By placing the light behind a subject it will appear in silhouette. This can be an extremely effective technique with dramatically shaped trees, shrubs or garden ornaments.
Installing outdoor ones can be dangerous so if you don’t have the knowledge to work with electricity safely, then get an electrician to do the work. Solar lights are a popular choice because they are easy to install, require no wiring and won’t increase your use of electricity since sunlight charges a solar panel that powers the lights at night.
Shop around since solar ones can often be found on sale and at discount stores. If your landscape lighting is complicated or expansive, then consider hiring a landscaper or professional designer to help.
The downside to outdoor lights is that they often attract bugs. To maintain the attractiveness of your fixtures, clean away ugly cobwebs and dead insects. That’s a small price to pay for the beauty of good outdoor lighting. What is comes down to is choosing practical, stylish fixtures, bulbs that glow softly but still emit enough light, and the correct placement of the lights to maximize their effectiveness.
Since outdoor lights should be an extension of your style and taste, use decorative pieces like outdoor chandeliers, iron chandeliers and even contemporary chandeliers made out of sturdy materials that are weather resistant. You’ll love the beauty that outdoor illumination can add to your home.
By: Michael Selvon
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July 15 2009 02:01 pm | Home and Garden
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