Adding a lighting system to your yard is about more than security. You can create a mood, a style and an ambiance that will lead to glowing reviews of your home!
There are almost as many options for outdoor ambient lighting as there are ways to personalize your landscaping. The possibilities include a use of spotlights, strip lights, outside fixtures and water-feature lighting to make your nighttime design more pleasing on the eye.
Need some help getting started? You may want to start by installing guide lights along pathways in your garden or leading up to your doorstep. You can get creative with this simple task by not placing all of the lights in a straight or uniform line, which can sometimes seem more like a runway than a path for walking.
You also may want to avoid a harsh, maximum-security look by avoiding lights that casts a harsh glare. Layers of light and interesting shadow can be a good thing. You simply want to avoid lights that make people feel like they’re under an interrogation lamp while trying to visit your home.
If spotlights are your thing, try using one to highlight a focal point like a great old tree. The lights will accentuate the texture of the bark and cast dramatic shadows with the foliage.
One thing that worries homeowners is the cost of electricity. But there is a way around that. You may want to consider “green” solar lights. They require no wiring, but can add a decorative flare to your home once the sun sets. For another low voltage option try stringing smaller rope lights throughout your garden for a soft glow.
We’ve talked about a lot of ways to make your home look nice from the outside, but lighting can also be used to make an outdoor space more livable and inviting. A popular trend is to take indoor lighting outdoors with unexpected fixtures, such as a chandelier, in outdoor patio. Candle light, lanterns, tiki lighting and underwater lighting in any water garden can complete the effect.
Can’t picture it? Get inspired by this this stunning photo gallery from Better Homes and Gardens. There’s even a video included to learn more about adding outdoor lighting to your space.