Outdoor lighting can greatly enhance the beauty of the outside of your house. However, knowing what kind of lighting will suit your home and garden is important, because choosing the wrong outdoor lighting can detract rather then enhance. Your dream of strolling in your garden during the evening with your outdoor lights creating the perfect ambience can come true. You can also dramatically change the environment of your outdoor living spaces and lengthen the days when the days are shorter, like in spring and fall. With proper planning you can also create an inviting outside space for entertaining your guests. You just have to know what, and how, to get the right outdoor lighting for your place.

Outdoor lighting is also helpful for safety and security reasons. Safety is always important, so when you’re having that walk you can see where you are going so you or someone you love doesn’t trip over something. Security is also on our minds these days as our properties are vulnerable no matter where we live to those who have no respect for what isn’t theirs.

So here are some Types of Outdoor Lighting, it can be divided into four categories:

Security lighting: You need this for lighting up the vulnerable areas of your property. These lights are often bright and motion activated so watch where you put them and try to keep it away from the living areas so they are not distracting. You can also have a manual on/off switch for your lighting so that you can override automatic illumination.

Task lighting: You would use this type of lighting for specific purposes such as outdoor grilling or walking safely up and down steps and along paths. Task lighting should be kept between your eyes and the object that needs to be lighted. Watch though that it doesn’t glare in the eyes, as an overly bright light will blind rather than guide.

Accent lighting: These lights create a dramatic effect, or highlight an unusual feature. For example, up-lighting can illuminate an interesting piece of statuary or that beautiful tree. Silhouetting can be achieved by keeping the light between the object and your fence or wall. General or ambient lighting is an overall lighting that helps people feel comfortable and looks good.

Moonlighting or starlight lighting: You can also imitate moonlight or starlight for creating that magical lighting effect. Moonlighting can be produced by putting outdoor lights in trees. These lights should be pointing downward to create a dappled shadow effect, as if the area were lit by a full moon. A star light effect can be imitated by suspending tiny lights in the branches of a tree to create a sparkling night time canopy. It can also be created by using flickering candles, sprinkled here and there throughout the space.

No matter what type of lighting you want, remember not to over-do it, as less is more when it comes to lighting. This means don’t use lights where they aren’t necessary; you can also add subtlety by using a low watt bulb. Be careful not to send light “upward” straight into the sky. A very common error is using lights in straight lines up and down paths like an airport runway effect.

The use of yellow lights should be avoided as they are unflattering to both people and plants. Instead use blue-white bulbs or purchase daylight-blue filters for your fixtures. Don’t forget to put the lights where they are easily accessible for changing the light bulbs.

After setting up your outdoor lighting, get outside after dark and enjoy your beautiful new yard!

Continually developing “ideas for outdoor living”

1. acheter propecia Says:
   April 9th, 2010 at 8:17 pm

   Thank you! You often write very interesting articles. You improved my mood.

2. Judy Scott Says:
   April 28th, 2010 at 3:31 am

   i think these would be a fun way to light up the path of houses.

3. Vanessa Says:
   June 15th, 2010 at 9:53 am

   Thank you! You often write very interesting articles. You improved my mood.

4. how much should i weigh Says:
   June 19th, 2010 at 10:18 pm

   good information thanks for sharing it.