Outdoor Lighting Ideas
Installing outdoor lighting is a brilliant way of revamping your curb. Not only does it make the property and its landscape a magnificent site to behold, but it also increases the safety and market value of the asset. If you are a homeowner looking for outdoor home lighting solutions here are a few ideas to get you started.
Clarify why you want the lights
Before you dash off to purchase any outdoor lighting solution, you should determine why you need them in the first place. That is because the lamps come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and functionalities. Hence, by identifying why you want the light, it becomes easy for you to determine the right solution for your property. For instance, if you want to cast an enchanting romantic mood, you should get appropriate lights that produce the moonlight effect. But if your concern is enhancing the security of the place, then using downlights will suffice.
Design a lighting sketch
Once you know why you want to light up the property, you need to decide where to position them. To effectively do that, you should draw an original sketch of your property. On the drawing include all the features that exist. These are buildings, trees, shrubs, benches, garden decor and any outdoor lights if you have any. Even though this exercise might seem like an unnecessary waste of time, it is not in futility. The plan will come in handy when determining where to position the lights.
Decide where to mount the lights
How you place your lights has a high impact on the final look that you get. You must put them where you will get the greatest impact. Some of the locations you should highlight include the drive, pathways, patios, water features, and any existing unique architecture. If you want to produce a romantic mood, for instance, you can conceal the landscape lighting fixtures under a shrub. Similarly, if you want to enhance the aesthetics of the water features like ponds and waterfalls, placing a spotlight around its perimeter will suit.
Set a Budget and Buy the Lights
Are you adding lights for your own home? Are you adding lights to make your rental property marketing efforts easier? lights Once you know where to put the lights, you need to determine how much it will cost. The outdoor home lighting solution prices vary depending on many factors. The important determinants here are the quality, quantity, and voltage of the equipment, as well as the electrical contractor’s fee.
Take the time to shop for the best deal your money can get you. If you realize that the costs exceed your budget, weigh the value of getting external funding versus the benefits of installing the lights. If the advantages are superior, then go for it. But if the financing costs outweigh the merits it might be prudent for you to adjust your budget. You can substitute the pricey lighting equipment with affordable ones, or you could look for a competitively priced contractor.
Install the lights
After purchasing the home lighting equipment, it is time to fix them. Stick to your sketch plan and position the lights where you had initially identified. Remember, the light should actuate whatever outcome you want.
If you want to highlight the architectural designs of the building such as rock works, pillars, and dormers, then up-lights are the perfect solution. They are available in both plain and fancy models.
The down lights, on the other hand, are excellent picks if you want to actuate a moonlight effect. Just place the lights facing down, on a tree or high structure. If you do it well, you will obtain an enchanting simulation of the moon.
Lastly, if you want to highlight the landscape features, use cross lights. These type of outdoor lighting will help you to silhouette the striking elements. These lights can also come in handy if you want to enhance the safety of the property by eliminating shadows.
Use LED outdoor lighting
If you want to get the most out of your outdoor lighting, consider investing in LED lights. These lights are durable enough to withstand various types of weather. Subsequently, you will not need to keep changing your bulbs frequently. The LCD bulbs are also versatile, and they come with a broad array of electrifying possibilities. They can change color, brighten, dim or create exciting lighting effects.
Install outdoor lighting at night
The quickest way to ensure a perfect outdoor home lighting installation is to do it at night. It will give you a real impression of how the different objects will cast shadows on the property.