When the days start to get shorter, the darkness may drive us inside from our porches, patios or decks. Don't despair - outdoor lighting can lengthen the day and dramatically extend the possible of our outdoor living spaces.
The first step, as with any project, is to plan. How do you want to use this space after dark, and what lighting will you need? Lighting can be summarized in four categories:
- Security lighting is needed in very vulnerable areas of your property. Because it is fascinating and often appeal activated, keep it away from the living areas so that it's not distracting. Alternatively, have your safety lighting on a by hand on/off switch so that you can override self-acting illumination.
- Task lighting is for performing specific activities such as grilling or walking safely up and down steps and along paths. You should place task lighting between your eyes and the object that needs to be lighted and should take care that it does not glare. An overly fascinating light will blind rather than guide.
- Accent lighting adds drama or can feature an unusual feature. Uplighting, for example can illuminate an fascinating piece of statuary. Silhouetting, achieved by placing a light between an object and a fence or wall, dramatically displays an unusual tree or bush.
- General or ambient lighting provides widespread illumination so that people feel comfortable and look good. The most magical of lighting imitates what is found in nature - moonlight or starlight. Moonlighting is produced by hanging lights in mature trees, pointing downward to produce a dappled effect, as if the area were lit by a full moon. The look of starlight can be achieved straight through the use of flickering candles, sprinkled here and there throughout the space, or by suspending tiny lights in the branches of a tree to create a sparkling night time canopy. Of course, there are many other fascinating types of light - some just plain fun!
No matter what type of lighting you choose, it will be powered by one of these sources.
- Fire is the oldest source of light and thought about by some to be the most romantic. Flames, produced by candles or oil-burning lamps, are warm and flattering to faces, and have a hypnotic succeed that induces calm and relaxation. Firelight on reflected surfaces such as ponds, mirrors and even gazing balls is a particularly productive way to create atmospheric lighting and enhance the impression of light.
Try snaking a row of candles along a orchad path or suspending them in glass jars from branches. An array of tiki burning torches can add an exotic touch to your patio area. Although torches are designed to withstand a inexpensive whole of wind, it's best to contribute as much safety as possible to any open flame and never leave one unattended.
- Solar-powered lights are an easy and transportable option for outdoor lighting. Some lights have a accumulator panel that can be concealed behind shrubbery, while others comprise their own power cell and suck up the sun's rays even on a cloudy day.
- Battery-operated and rechargeable units are also wireless and very transportable while in use.
- Line-powered or hard-wired lights are connected to the electrical theory of your home. Weatherproof lamps may be plugged directly into an outdoor socket. Wire for lighting that is supplementary from the house runs straight through buried conduits. The most permanent of outdoor lighting, it is also the most expensive, sometimes costing in the tens of thousands of dollars. It should be installed by a licensed electrician.
- Low-voltage units also associate to the electrical theory of your home, but are fitted with a transformer that reduces the electrical current from 120 volts to a safer contribute of 12 volts. Although they are less durable than line-powered fixtures, they are also a lot less costly and are ideal for a small exterior space where only short cable runs are required. They are designed for an easy do-it-yourself installation.
Whatever your light source, keep these tips in mind:
- Less is more in lighting. Be subtle: try to hide lights where possible and use a low watt bulb.
- Avoid setting lights in right lines up and down paths, drives or patio edges. This "airport runway" succeed is a very coarse error.
- Yellow lights are unflattering to both people and plants. Where possible, setup blue-white bulbs or purchase daylight-blue filters for your fixtures.
- Position exterior lights where they are really accessible for changing light bulbs. Investing in long-life outdoor bulbs will make the maintenance even easier.
- With any unit requiring electricity, use the safety of ground fault circuit interrupters (Gfci) on all outdoor circuits.
Don't let the sun dictate the use of your outdoor space. Get exterior after dark and light up the night!
Light Up the Night! Quick Facts about Outdoor Lighting