subject: Landscape Lighting - Enhance Your Environment [print this page] You can make your home distinctive with outdoor lighting on your property. It doesn't matter if you have a small or large plot of land, well placed lighting can provide the touch that makes your home stand out, even at nighttime. You put a lot of money into your residence. You are proud of it and want to showcase it. Special lighting may provide the impressive dimension you are seeking. There are definite advantages to planning the outdoor lighting before the house is built. If that hasn't been done, it is important to plan the entire scope rather than portions at a time.
What does landscape lighting provide? Safety and mood come to mind immediately. Safety should play a prominent part in your consideration. Do you have a pool in the back yard or walking paths in the garden? These demand lighting for safety reasons. Use low voltage lighting to add to safety features. What mood do you want to set? Do you entertain in your yard? Do you want the mood to be romantic or dramatic, party-like or peaceful? Give proper thought to what you need and like, since the project and installation can be a time-consuming undertaking.
Don't forget that lights can attract insects. In order to keep pest levels down around deck lighting or flood lights, position your lighting to shine indirectly on the areas where people are likely to gather. You may want to place your outdoor lights in inconspicuous locations around shrubs and flower beds. With proper lighting, you can also highlight architectural features, flag poles and lawn decorations. Take care to make sure your residential lighting and landscape lighting complement each other. They should not be working in opposition. Put your outdoor lighting on separate circuits. This will allow you to choose what specific areas you want lit at any given time.
Planning is supremely important. Don't skimp on this facet of your project. You won't regret the extra time and effort you put into planning. Plan for a romantic mood in the garden with a minimum of lights, enhanced by natural moonlight. None of the lights should be overly bright, and remember that light shone on the ground makes the mood more romantic. If you're attempting a party mood for entertaining, bright lights are the things to use. Light the whole area where people will spend leisure time. Make the area festive and full of life with lighting that provides high visibility. Again, remember to put your lights on separate circuits so that you can turn them on as needed.
