Designing and installing an outdoor lighting system is an art form. Done right, it can accent the landscaping and beauty of your home, increasing your home’s safety, curb appeal, and value. Done wrong, it can become an expensive eyesore.
At Irrigation & Lighting Specialist, we use subtle and unique lighting design methods to help your home stand apart from others. In order to do this we focus on how you will use your home during the darker hours and what kind of lighting best accents the landscaping and beauty of your home.
“Designing outdoor lighting perspectives is a skill that takes a good eye for details,” says John Minor of Irrigation & Lighting Specialist. “Properly placed lights can bring a natural blending of functionality and beauty to your home and landscaping.”
Below are a few tips to help guide you through the outdoor lighting design process.
Less Is More
Outdoor lighting is a subtle art form. This lighting is meant to create drama through subtle overtures and nuances. Rather than lighting up your backyard like a sports stadium, the idea is to create an effect that is simple, yet elegant.
“Overdoing the lighting is probably the number one mistake we see do-it-yourselfers make when creating their own lighting systems,” says Minor. “It’s important to understand the principle that less is more and follow it.”
Energy Saving
Outdoor lighting may seem like a sizeable expense to add to your electricity bill but this doesn’t have to be the case. With a little research and planning, the cost can be minimal.
First, you can use solar power. These outdoor lamps are relatively inexpensive and charge themselves during the day. The only cost associated with using solar is the initial cost of the lamps. The only downside of using this type of lighting is that they must be placed in areas with direct sun exposure.
Another option is to use LED outdoor lighting. These lights use much less energy than traditional light bulbs and they are more durable. If you already have a lighting system, LED lights can work as a great compliment or replace the entire system.
“LED lights have become really popular,” says Minor. “The combination of the economy and people becoming more environmentally conscious has caused the demand for LED lights to soar.”
Additionally, you should consider not leaving your lights on all the time. Leaving your outdoor lighting on during the day, for example, is a waste of energy and would cause a needless increase in your electricity bill. This is perhaps the easiest way to save money.
Now is the perfect time to add a custom outdoor lighting system. With fall quickly approaching and days getting shorter, outdoor lighting would be the perfect way to add an aesthetic to the night landscape or make your entertainment area functional after dark. For more information please call John Minor with Irrigation & Lighting Specialist at 877-433-5833 or email John. We look forward to helping your home stand apart from others with a unique and elegant outdoor lighting design.
