The right lighting can make a real difference in the overall look and feel of your outdoor space after the sun goes down. Carefully placed light fixtures can draw attention to focal points in your yard while at the same time setting the perfect mood. Unfortunately, most homeowners don’t give outdoor lighting the attention that it deserves.
If you really want to make your house stand out and dramatically improve its curb appeal, you should consider adding outdoor lighting. That way, your home will look every bit as beautiful at night as it does during the day.
The best part is, there are countless types of outdoor lighting available to choose from, making it easy to create the perfect look for your space. Every day, new types of lighting are introduced, making the options practically limitless. Whether you want to go with traditional spotlights and path lights or something a little bit more modern such as hanging pendant lights, there are plenty of styles to choose from.
The five tips below will help you create a beautifully lit outdoor space that you can be proud of.
1. Avoid bright lights, opting instead for multiple lower wattage bulbs.
At night, extremely bright light bulbs can look too harsh. You can create a much more attractive look by using multiple lower wattage bulbs to light up your outdoor space. From a practical perspective, lights that aren’t quite as bright are also far more welcoming. Imagine how off-putting it would be for visitors if they had a bright light shining in their face as they approached your front door.
Regardless of whether you are lighting a pathway or drawing attention to a focal point in your yard, low wattage bulbs are almost always the best choice. If the lights are too bright, all that they will do is create deep shadows that make it difficult to see details in whatever items you are trying to highlight.
2. Set the right mood with lighting.
Lighting can be used to create a distinct mood in your outdoor space. Think about how you want your yard and garden to feel after dark. Then, choose light fixtures and bulbs that help you create the right mood.
3. Draw attention to specific parts of your yard or garden with accent lighting.
Floodlights, overhead lights, and other types of ambient lighting can help create a broad area of light throughout your outdoor space. Path lights and other types of task lighting are ideal for lighting up walkways or other areas of your yard where good lighting is essential for safety.
If your goal is to draw attention to a specific decorative item or feature in your yard, however, accent lighting is the way to go. This type of lighting is eye-catching enough to get people to notice whatever item you want to draw attention to.
4. Use cove lighting to create a unique look.
Typically, cove lighting is reserved for indoor spaces. It can also be used outdoors, however, to create a unique and interesting look.
When it comes to outdoor lighting Houston homeowners are usually willing to take a few risks. If you want to create a one-of-a-kind look for your outdoor space, try installing cove lighting under the eaves of your porch, along with the top of your fence, or along an outdoor stairway or seating area.
5. Use timers to control your lights.
Consider hooking your outdoor lights up to timers. That way, they will turn on automatically at whatever time you designate. You can pay for an electrician to set this up for you and install a control panel so that you can set the times for the lights to change throughout the year.
This can take one more item off of your to-do list. All that you have to do is set the timers so that your lights turn on when the sun goes down. That way, even if you aren’t at home, your house will be beautifully lit after dark.
The right outdoor lighting setup can add beauty and visual interest to your home, improving its curb appeal while at the same time making your outdoor space more usable.
Author’s Bio:
Brandon loves the lighting – from studio to lawn lighting. He was an interior designer by profession but chose to practice a different job. At night, he loves watching the night sky as he believes this is the most wonderful light.
