Outdoor landscape and path lighting share one rule with interior design. It’s the art of the edit. Editing is one of the most important things you can do to enhance your space whether your project is an interior or exterior room. One focal point that makes your room pop will be way more effective than a bunch of competing elements without a place for your eye to rest.
This is especially critical when working outside. The landscape is vast and there are a lot of things that can be highlighted. It is important to choose and emphasize those elements that will help create the space you envision.
Too many times shiny object syndrome can take over when we are excited about a project. I see this often when people have unlimited budgets. They want to include every trend out there. What ends up happening is nothing stands out and the effect is ho hum at best. Don’t make that mistake. I will walk you though a way to methodically select what to highlight and offer some excellent products that will help you achieve the look you are after.
Identify Your Elements to Highlight
Pick a fountain, a beautiful tree, a seating area, or a textured stone wall that you love. This will also help you to carve out multiple rooms if your outdoor space is large. Each space can have a purpose.
For example, spotlights used here to effectively emphasize the trees framing an entrance are complimented by lanterns and additional lighting on the stone walls.
Lighting Styles That Will Create Mood
String Lighting is one of the most magical ways that you can create ambience for your outdoor space. You can create a boundary around your deck space with string lighting to highlight entertaining areas, even small intimate seating areas. You will need support either by attaching them to your house, an overhead arbor, or nearby trees. If you need additional support on one or more sides you can install poles made to support string lighting where no overhead or side supports are present.
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Decorative String Lights in floral, butterfly, or bee designs can also be draped over topiaries, ivy beds, and outdoor plants to create a really festive atmosphere, especially great for a garden party.
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Even in winter, decorative string lighting can create the most beautiful ambiance.
A single spot light can light up a beautiful tree with stunning and dramatic results.
Spotlights used with path lighting can also accent annuals and perennials for stunning results at night.
Function and Safety
Path lighting to guide sidewalks and driveways can prevent injury from unseen objects in the path. It also creates a nice structure to your overall landscape design. There is so much to choose from and you can really find every design aesthetic you have in mind. If you have lots of natural sunlight, solar powered options are available. If your space is shady there are great new options in LED low voltage lighting that can be purchased in warm white and cool white depending upon your preference.
Path lighting can also be used to outline the perimeter of your yard. Both spot lights and path lights work to accent a stone or brick wall that defines the boundaries of your outdoor space. When the perimeter of your yard is visible it can really transform the look at night as your eye travels beyond the small area visible without landscape lighting.
Stone steps and boulders can benefit from lighting to make them more visible for safety and structure. A simple way to back light boulders is to lay rope lighting behind them. It will cast an amber glow that is subtle and effective.
Security
In addition to expanding your outdoor space, it is always a good idea for security to keep your perimeter vertical structures well lit at night to prevent dark places that could be a haven for unseen intruders be they human or animal.
Lighting your vertical walls is also a great opportunity to highlight the beauty of artisan crafted natural stonework and brickwork.
Hardy Island LED Landscape Path Lighting
Lighting a brick or stone path can also do the same while inviting you to explore the landscape you have created in a new and really delightful way after the sun goes down!
This is part 3 of a series about exterior lighting. Click here to start the series with Part I Exterior Uplighting Can Transform Your Home.
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