6 Creative Outdoor Lighting Ideas

 

We’ve all seen standard outdoor lighting. Traditional designs provide a great starting point, but sometimes an outdoor space needs a little bit of extra creativity. In addition to their eye-catching appearance, some creative designs add functionality you wouldn’t usually have. Some fixtures are lightweight and portable while others can even float on water!

“We like to keep our customers informed about the latest trends in outdoor lighting. There are some light fixtures you just don’t see every day,” said John Minor, owner of Irrigation and Lighting Specialist. “Nothing can spark a conversation at get-togethers quite like a unique outdoor lighting piece.”

To give you some ideas for outdoor lighting, our experts have put together a list of some standout outdoor lighting fixtures.

Log Seat Campfire Lights

Photo From: DesignYouTrust.com

Place these tree stump seat lights around a fire pit and watch your guest's eyes light up. During the day when not lit, these seats look like perfectly cut trees. They give a nice wooded, campsite feel to your yard.

Arching Outdoor Lighting

Photo From: 2modern.com

Have you ever seen the St. Louis Arch? It looks majestic when lit up at night. Put a (much smaller) version in your outdoor space. When placed over a table, it provides functional light while you eat and entertain friends. 

Solar Powered Globe Lights

Photo From: Fancy.com

These solar powered globe lights can be placed anywhere outside. Since they are powered by the sun, a clear day should charge the battery enough to last around 12 hours.

The globe lights even float on water, adding an element of fun for kids. Simply ensure the bottom battery latch is secured tightly and you’re ready to swim! These lights are among the most unique outdoor lighting options we’ve seen!

Umbrella Light

Photo From: Interiordesignables.com

Put this umbrella on your outdoor table or bar to stay dry and well lit. The bulbs are attached to the umbrella supports and provide a small amount of overhead light. You can also keep it open during the day to provide shade!

Shadow Design Lights

Photo From: Houzz.com

During the day, the metal exterior provides a neat design. But, nighttime is when these lights really stand out. When lit, the shadows from the metal exterior create remarkable patterns on your walkway. 

Pac-Man Lighting

Photo From: Globalgeeknews.com

Pac-Man lights aren’t intended for everyday use, but are sure to be a hit at your next outdoor party or holiday celebration. The lights are traditional round bulb lights intended for overhead attachment. Simply attach or detach the ghost piece and Pac-Man piece as necessary.

“Of course, any of these pieces will look out of place if a traditional outdoor lighting system is not installed already. These unique fixtures are intended to be accent lights and conversation starters,” said Minor. “We would love to get you started with a professionally designed and installed outdoor lighting system, so you can begin having fun adding these unique accent lights.”

To learn more about how Irrigation and Lighting Specialist can get you started with your new outdoor lighting system, e-mail John or call 704-747-0235. We look forward to bringing light to your nights this summer.

5 Best Outdoor Lighting Fixtures for 2014

2014 is a light year. No, not a space light year, but an outdoor light year. "Across all categories, 98.3 percent of respondents rated lighting as somewhat or very in-demand for 2014,” said John Minor, owner of Irrigation & Lighting Specialist. Minor continues, “followed by seating/dining areas (97.7 percent), fire pits/fireplaces (95.4 percent), grills (94.3 percent) and installed seating (89.6 percent), which include benches, seatwalls, ledges, steps and boulders."

"There are so many outdoor light fixture options in the marketplace, it can be hard to know where to begin," said Minor. Let us help you get started with some ideas. We have identified 5 of our favorite fixtures for the upcoming year.

Neptune Wet Location Wall Light

Achieve a more modern look this summer. This contemporary wall fixture will update any outdoor area for 2014 and beyond. Designed for wet environments, this wall mounted light is built to last against anything mother nature has in store. Its rugged durability and streamlined design are perfect for waterfront properties, in-ground swimming pool areas, and patios. [13" Height]

Manufactured By: 
Access Lighting 

Hinkley Lighting Casa Post Outdoor Lantern 

The curved accents crowning this piece add the right touch of understated elegance. The “olde black” finish in combination with the light amber etched glass are versatile enough to match any outdoor theme. Adding this Hinkley outdoor lantern will provide a perfect nighttime accent to any entrance, path, walkway or patio.

Manufactured By: 
Hinkley Lighting

Ball Rechargeable Light, Pearl with Remote 

Give your patio or deck tabletop a memorable look. Enjoy your summer conversations with family and friends even more with this truly unique piece. [10" Diameter]

This waterproof, durable, LED powered light can illuminate your night with traditional white light or your choice of four different colors. 

Manufactured By: 
Smart & Green 

Wikoda Sunflower Helostat

Not all outdoor lighting has to be used at night. The Sunflower Helostat
actually tracks the sun throughout the day and redirects it to any area you wish. This is perfect for areas that do not receive much natural light. The sunlight refraction system will go a long way in improving your landscaping efforts in those tricky spots.

Manufactured By:
Wikoda Inc.

High Motion Sensor Outdoor Light

Combine security with great looks. This outdoor fixture remains lit from dusk until dawn and automatically turns off during daylight hours. The attractive design makes for a great aesthetic addition to any garage or patio with the added security of a two level lighting feature that automatically brightens when motion is detected.

Manufactured By:
Point Grove 

"Any of these lighting fixtures can greatly improve the look and functionality of your outdoor space," Minor said. Let us take care of it for you. We professionally install and maintain these outdoor lighting systems. To learn more or schedule a consultation, please email John or call 704-747-0235.

Light Up the Night With These Outdoor Landscape Lighting Ideas

There is something special about owning a beautiful yard. Its charm welcomes you home. Its serenity tucks you in at night, and with the right outdoor landscape lighting - its style can set you apart.

Finding the right outdoor lighting technique for your outdoor space is more complicated than it may seem. It is more than just mounting a light over your porch or hanging a few lanterns. It takes creativity and craftsmanship. When outdoor landscape lighting is done correctly, it can unlock a world of potential and enchantment.

"When it comes to outdoor landscape lighting, there are tons of possibilities," says John Minor, owner of Irrigation & Lighting Specialist. "The key is to combine your personal tastes and try to extend it a little. Push yourself to think outside of the box. Before you know it, you will have an original design that will be the talk of the neighborhood."

Outdoor Landscape Lighting Ideas

Each yard has its own potential and its own charming attributes that need to be highlighted. Here are some ideas that you can use to find an outdoor landscaping design that is perfect for your yard. 

• Creating Shadows - With the right placement of your lighting, you can create shadows that are just as interesting as the lighting. One way you can do this is by placing your lights close to the foundation of your house or a feature you wish to highlight. The light will catch the edges and create an intricate shadow pattern. 
• Creating a Silhouette - With a mix of down and up lights, you can create a warm bath of light on your house that will show off its detail and beauty. Try adding light to the chimneys, dormers and surrounding trees to broaden your houses sense of space. 
• Creating Dramatic Doors - Instead of hanging a spotlight over your front door, try placing the lights behind pillars or off to the side. This will generate a sense of drama for the front door, especially if you have a narrow porch. If you have a wooden door that is dark, an amber lens in the light will make the door look even richer. 
• Cool Lighting - As far as outdoor lighting goes, moonlight is by far one of the most welcoming. To simulate moonlight, try using a softer, bluer lighting source. This can be accomplished by using a lighting source with a color temperature of 5500 kelvins. Doing this will create a soft, relaxing touch. 
• Adding Color and Texture - Path lights are visual aids in dark spaces, but they can also be used to add color and texture near interesting landscaping features. 
• Mix Styles- Take a walk on the wild side and try mixing up the styles of your lighting sources. Using different styles of path lights can change things up and provide an interesting flow to your yard. 
• Creating Dark Parameters - Less is usually more when it comes to outdoor landscape lighting. Try offset lights and make sure there is enough distance between them so you can lead the eye naturally through your landscape. After all, you are trying to add tranquial nuances in your yard, not land a plane.

"We take a different approach to outdoor landscape lighting than most companies," says Minor. "Our outdoor lighting designs focuses on what kind of lighting best matches the landscaping and beauty of your home, not just how you will use your home when the sun goes down. We feel that your outdoor landscape lighting should be more than a source of light; it should be a source of beauty and add style to your house." 

To get more outdoor landscape lighting ideas for your home, or to schedule an appointment, call John Minor at Irrigation and Lighting Specialist at 877-433-5833 or email John. We love helping our customers unlock the potential of their home's yard and giving them an outdoor lighting style all of their own!