As the days grow longer and the weather gets warmer, the air becomes more humid. You can start enjoying your backyard without having to worry about the chilly winds and frostbite! You hopefully have your landscape lighting set up again during this time of the year, but perhaps it’s not as brilliantly illuminating as last spring and summer. Winter can erode and damage outdoor lighting systems regardless of how well they’ve been protected. It may be time to refresh your landscape lighting equipment if you want the best results this summer.
It’s almost summertime, so chances are you enjoy the comfortable weather and spending most of your time outdoors—and often that may include entertaining friends for a meal outside. Just because your outdoor lighting needs some revamping doesn’t mean the party must stop when the sun goes down.
Designing outdoor lights isn’t the same as with string lights or a wall light, nor can it be done in one day. A light fixture is essential for creating an ambiance in your backyard. It’s wise to contact a professional light fixing company like Washington Outdoor Lighting, (who gave us tips for this article) as they review the different types of outdoor lighting. These professionals will explain how to calculate lighting needs, how to place fixtures, and much more.
Using these tips, you’ll find it easier to have fun on a spring or summer night:
- Reassess Your Outdoor Lighting
If you are doing more entertaining outdoors as the weather warms up, think about hosting backyard BBQs, roasting marshmallows around the fire pit, and swimming by the pool. While you may be excited about the longer days, you should still consider the quality of your outdoor lighting. You can also instantly improve the curb appeal of your home by adding the right lights to it.
Check existing lighting fixtures to ensure they cast enough light to let guests see their way up the driveway and along any paths leading to the front door. If you entertain, eat, or relax outdoors after the sun has set, make sure your patio is well-lit.
- Calculate Costs
The first step is to determine the exact amount of light you need. For a rough estimate of the wattage required to light a specific space, multiply the area’s square footage by 1.5 to obtain the required wattage. A 100 square foot space, for example, requires 150 watts.
- Plan Ahead When Choosing Lighting Fixtures
Make sure you take measurements of your space so that you don’t pick too large-scale fixtures. Test the size and placement of a fixture in advance by scaling and drawing them on a rough draft.
The placement of the paper template will allow you to get an exact idea of the size before purchasing. A wall light should be approximately a third of the height of the door, whether it’s installed on the front porch or back patio.
In addition to choosing harsh lighting, you’ll want to select a weather-resistant and durable model. Check out this video to understand more of the different installation know-hows: https://www.youtube.com/embed/5ue8eyHdUWY
- Use Quick Fixes Like an Outdoor Lighting Kit
Landscape lighting kits can be a quick fix for lawn issues. If you have an outside outlet nearby, try a plug-in kit. Many spotlighting kits will have multiple lamps strung in one line. Make your garden cool using landscape lighting or turn your patio festive while designing it flexibly. Solar landscape lighting can also be a time-saving option, as they are available in different numbers of light sets. They operate automatically dusk-to-dawn.
Lighting for a waterfall in your garden can be an excellent effect and can be used as a complement to your regular outdoor lighting. It’s time to consider upgrading your landscape lighting.
The lifetime warranty of saltwater-rated lamps may imply that they will last for a long time without peeling, flaking, or discoloration. Now is an excellent time to begin the substitution process. Replace regular light fixtures with saltwater-rated light fixtures. Several producers recommend saltwater-rated fixtures for applications near the sea or ocean. This is specifically important for customers who live on the north or south shore!
- Clean Up Lighting Fixtures
You know that salt damages your car and that landscape lighting should not be exempted from the same fate. Keep your fixtures free of salt by cleaning them off to prevent corrosion or scratches. Light fixtures that are salt-filled will dramatically decrease the quality of the light they provide. On the fixture, use a soft glass cleaner and a clean cloth and gentle soap with warm water.
While you’re cleaning up the salt, make sure you pick up any leaves and debris that have accumulated throughout your landscape lighting. The glow of your outside lighting system will be obscured by debris, and the benefits will be reduced. You should buff away any scratches from your landscape lighting that have been accumulated all through winter. Winter can also be harsh on both the fixtures and lenses.
- Use Subtle Lighting for Entertainment
A bright spotlight will hurt your guests as they dine outdoors, so opt for lighting that emits a soft glow. A subtle, indirect illumination helps to help create a relaxing mood, especially in outdoor dining areas. Many homeowner clients are increasingly using outdoor lamps, pendants, and ceiling fans equipped with lights to regulate illumination in seats and dining areas. You can dim them when you’re dining or relaxing or turn them on the whole light whenever you need to.
- Apply These Three Lighting Strategies
Despite the same product with everything else staying in place, the way light is aimed changes how it appears. Various lighting effects can be achieved based on the way that the light fixtures are pointing relative to one another.
- Downlighting
Typically, designers promote the use of tree lighting for romantic, moonlit effects. Designed to mimic moonlight, it fosters a soft lighting effect. Providing a romantic atmosphere is what downlighting does. Update your patio with downlighting, and you have the perfect spot for a date night. Not only can you enjoy a romantic dinner every day with your loved one, but this also puts you in a calm mood after a long day of hard work.
- Uplighting
An illuminated surface displays the form and shape of the object that’s being illuminated with. Tree branches are the perfect objects for uplighting in a landscape lighting scheme, as they provide more appeal. This enhances the existing features of the trees. Additionally, uplighting is a great way to emphasize your house’s structural features like pillars and piled stone. It can be great to highlight the textures on your pavements too.
- Cross-lighting
It’s a noticeable visual effect that makes it nearly impossible to ignore. Light artists employ this technique to remove shadows from both sides of a central point. For oddly shaped objects, such as a stone or a cacti bed, cross-lighting is best. Ask your professional lighting specialist, and see if you need to involve cross-lighting to highlight some parts in your outdoor area.
- Consider Installing a Ceiling Fan
The summer days and nights will soon be upon us, and it will be humid and sultry. Although this next tip may not be directly related to illuminating the outdoors since it could be an interior lighting idea, too, it’s indeed competent to hit two birds in one stone by investing in a ceiling fan for your outdoors. This will enhance the humidity and airflow and sustain lighting to your patio or veranda too. It can be installed on the balcony or somewhere which is already open-air.
- Prioritize Safety and Security
Lighting outside can not only create an atmosphere, but it can also protect your property. All entry points should have adequate lighting. The wall lanterns can be installed either on the garage sides or above the door. Use spotlights on your eaves or wall lamps near walls, windows, doors, and fences if you wish to add security to the house in the shadows.
- Lay Out Your Lighting
In addition to being practical and safe, landscape lighting can be design-oriented, as well. You can make your home’s landscape more enjoyable at night by placing lights to highlight it.
- Choose Focal Points
You cannot make the whole landscape stand out with lighting, so you need to pick key points in the scenery to highlight. Choose critical objects and plan your space around them, whether it’s an attractive tree or an exciting water fixture.
- Add Depth
You can add considerable depth to your landscape even after the sun goes down by creating lines of light throughout your yard. Lighting patterns should be targeted at pathways, home edges and flower potteries, or even shrubs.
- Create Ambiance
Ambient lighting is so named because a well-designed lighting scheme can create a meaningful feeling whether you’re designing for romance or your backyard. Before you decide on the placement of the lighting, think about how you wish for your landscape to feel. If you’re planning on having a rockin’ pool party, you’ll need a different lighting strategy than if you’re seeking a romantic vibe.
Conclusion
Take advantage of our outdoor lighting tips for spring to make your home the shiniest on the block! Would you like to install new lighting in your outdoor space? Apply all these tips, and you’re on your way to having the most beautiful, relaxing, and enjoyable outdoor fun with your family and guests this spring and summer season.
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