Illuminating landscapes, gardens, and outdoor recreational areas is a growing trend that has proven to be increasingly innovative. Landscape lighting is the perfect way to compliment the features of your property. With so many options on the market today, knowing what features are most important to you is helpful when shopping for landscape lighting.
The Main Purpose of Your Landscape Lighting
There are many versatile options when it comes to lighting your home or business and accenting architectural and property design. Would you like to showcase the front of your home with the purpose of creating nighttime aesthetics and added security? Do you love to entertain and wish to bring your outdoor living space to life? From different types of lighting fixtures to varying system technologies, the possibilities are endless.
What Type of Lighting Best Suits Your Needs?
Consider what features are important to you depending on the dynamics of your project. Understanding where you would like your lighting to be placed and the purpose you would like it to serve will benefit you in the design process. If your lights will be exposed to the elements with minimum coverage, we recommend choosing a brass or aluminum finish. Opting for LED lighting will give you fixtures that last longer than regular bulbs and save on electric costs over time. Depending on these factors there are several types of landscape lighting products to consider.
- Up/ Down Lighting: Perfect when used on a 1 to 2 story home and small/medium sized trees.
- Pathway Lighting: Create a safe, wandering path of light to guide guests to the door and throughout the property. Path lights make a yard seem larger by framing it. Inviting and effective, path lights increase security and safety while maximizing charm and appeal.
- Capstone and Step Lighting: With these sleek indicator lights, not only can you set the perfect mood for any outdoor gathering, but you can ensure your guests’ safety at the same time.
- Bistro Lights: These lights can add a fun or classy element to your landscape lighting. There are several different designs that can be used as a temporary or permanent fixture to enhance your outdoor space.
Do You Prefer Color Changing Options or a Classic White Lighting System?
Whether you opt for classic white lights or color you can transform your space into a showplace with landscape lighting. As market awareness grows, so has the interest in full color landscape lighting. There are a variety of color options available, which make a full color system the perfect choice to celebrate holidays and occasions throughout the year. No more weekends untangling Christmas lights! The beauty of this is that your home can go from classic white to color with the touch of a button using advanced Smart technology that some systems offer.
The Advantages of Choosing a Smart Lighting System
Imagine the ease of being able to control your landscape lights from your phone utilizing a smart lighting system. These smart systems allow you to escape the limitations of outdated lights sensors and manual timers. Many landscape lighting products on the market today utilize Bluetooth or Wi-fi. There are also systems that use cloud-based control and scheduling. The main benefit of a cloud-based system is that it allows for consistent communication between the lights through wired communication allowing you to control your lights from anywhere!
Depending on what smart system you choose, many also provide home automation capacities with user friendly control systems that allow for setting preferences and ease of making changes within the system.
Deciding Whether You will be Installing Yourself or Using a Professional Installer
The scale and complexity of your project can be a deciding factor on whether you choose to DIY or hire a professional installer. There are several informational videos that can be found online, but keep in mind your skill level and expertise. Being ambitious is great, but if you are taking on a landscape lighting project to be budget conscious sometimes it will end up costing more in the long run.
If you choose to go the DIY route, make sure you are prepared and do your research and ALWAYS remember safety comes first! If you decide to hire a professional installer, there are many reputable companies out there. Check out their qualifications, reviews and even ask for references to ensure you are being provided quality service. Several companies will even offer a nighttime demo, so you can see what your lights will look like before you have them installed.
Regardless of the options you choose, it is amazing how adding landscape lighting can transform the look of your property. With several customizable options, you can select a few accent lights or a whole system based on the look and technology you are searching for. Installing landscape lighting allows you to enjoy the beauty of your home and your outdoor living areas even after the sun goes down!
About Author:
Chris McCoy is the founder of Haven Lighting. Haven Lighting is a leading manufacturer of smart Wi-Fi enabled landscape lighting systems, featuring unique LED products with unparalleled brightness, vivid color and white temperature adjustment.