Outdoor Lighting Ideas for Your Home

As more and more homes are incorporating outdoor living areas into their homes, outdoor lighting has become more sophisticated. It has also become in high demand to extend the usability of the outdoor space. After all, who wants to have an outdoor party with guests awkwardly navigating dark pathways?

Why is Outdoor Landscape Lighting Necessary?

For one, it is a safety issue. One cannot have elder family members or friends take a nasty spill because they could see where they were going. Lighted pathways help guide visitors and family members to where the action is.

Another reason for landscape lighting is to provide security. Well-lit properties deter criminal activity. It also will keep unwanted wildlife from going to town on your vegetation.

Finally, outdoor lighting adds curb appeal. It also gives your family an outdoor area that they can enjoy any time of the day.

What are My Outdoor Lighting Options?

As technology progresses, so do the various outdoor landscape lighting fixtures and features available. Many of which have become very affordable to homeowners nationwide. In fact, with so many options, it can be overwhelming when designing an outdoor lighting plan.

Pathway Lighting: While there are still the traditional options of pathway lighting, there are a number of ways that lighting engineers are using traditional fixtures in a novel way. Check out this article by YLighting on ‘Path Lighting Ideas’.

7 Great Ideas for Creating an Outdoor Living Space

LED Technology: LED lighting is perfect for outdoor lighting as it allows you to adjust your CCT (correlated color temperature). That way you can create the ambient lighting for one area, while creating brighter lighting for safety or security reasons. The outdoor spaces where you want to entertain could be a warmer temperature for more intimate feel, while those areas you want to light up for security reasons could be set at a cooler temperature.

Discreet Fixtures: With LED lighting technology there has come some innovative ways to light the landscape and your home’s exterior. Now that the light does the work, the fixtures are smaller and no longer the focal point. This allows for a variety of effects; up lighting, silhouetting, shadowing, moonlighting, grazing, washing and path lighting.

Color Changing Lights: These are becoming popular, as color changing lights caste a full spectrum of hues. They are great for adding an accent for showcase trees or structures.

Smart Technology: Homeowners can control their outdoor lighting from anywhere there is Internet. Landscape lighting experts are capable of designing lighting plans. They can establish zones of lighting so that you can turn on, off and dim certain sections of your lighting from anywhere.

Outdoor Lighting Ideas

String Lighting: These are an easy and affordable way to add light and ambiance to your outdoor living area. Many homeowners switch up their string lights to reflect the time of year or most current holiday.

Lanterns: Lanterns are easy source for outdoor lighting and are very  mobile, allowing you to change up the ambiance depending on the needs and mood of your event.

LED Strip Lighting: Strip lighting along the base of stairs or furniture is a simple way to light up areas to keep safety front and center. It is a more modern look than tradition outdoor lighting solutions.

Up lighting: Lighting tree bases, sculptures, shrubbery and focal pieces is an effective way to make your outdoor lighting more dramatic and cozy.

Orbs and Spheres: Hanging single or a series of round fixtures will create an ethereal look, adding the ambient effect many are looking to achieve.

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