Spending time outdoors enjoying the beauty of your yard is something that is usually reserved for the daytime hours. Imagine how much better it would be if you could also enjoy your yard at night. Whether you want to sit quietly on your deck after dark enjoying the soft sounds of nature or to host backyard get-together after the sun goes down, a properly designed outdoor lighting system can help.
By installing outdoor lighting Houston homeowners can get a lot more use out of their yards. Most people only spend time outdoors during the day when the sun is out. After the sun sets, however, outdoor spaces usually sit empty and unused.
Luckily, there is a simple way to remedy this problem. A few well-placed outdoor lights can transform your yard into the perfect area for hanging out after the sun goes down. Whether you want to sit and quietly read a book or gather together with friends for a late night barbecue, the possibilities are practically unlimited with the right lighting.
Outdoor lighting can also visually enhance your space, helping to create a peaceful, magical ambiance that draws you in and makes you want to stay a while. If you are ready to add landscape lighting to your yard or garden, consider all of the following tips:
Use Lighting To Highlight Focal Points In Your Yard
Typically, the best way to create a cohesive look with your outdoor lighting is by lighting up a few key focal points in your outdoor space. This gives a much more visually pleasing effect than simply scattering lights all around your yard at random.
Think about the way that large monuments are lit up from below, creating a sense of drama. You can capture that same effect in your own yard by installing lighting at the base of a plant, tree, fountain, or garden structure. Lighting a tree this way can be particularly effective since the light interacts beautifully with the tree’s branches and leaves, helping to create a dynamic effect.
Lighting up water features can also provide a lot of visual impact. As the light interacts with the water, it is reflected throughout the space, creating shadows that dance over plants and along garden walls. This can create a magical atmosphere that is perfect for nighttime entertaining.
Don’t just think about the lights – think about the shadows that they create. By considering both, you can create a lot of drama in your outdoor space.
Creating Contrast
The most beautifully lit yards are the ones that have a lot of contrast between light and shadow. If you light the entire garden with a uniform amount of light throughout the space, it can make the area look flat and lifeless. A better option is to create contrast between well-lit spaces and more dimly lit areas. Of course, you should still try to make sure that every part of your yard is adequately lit to keep it from feeling too dark or imposing.
Think About How You Want Your Outdoor Space To Function
When it comes to designing lighting for your landscape, one of your top priorities should be making sure that the space is functional. It should be designed for the types of activities that you want to do when you are outdoors. For instance, lighting up a pathway can make it easier to find your way around your yard at night while at the same time creating a beautiful atmosphere.
Activities like dining or reading usually require more direct lighting. Consider installing brighter lights around seating areas or around your dining table to make the space more usable after dark.
Lighting your outdoor space is a great way to make your yard or garden more functional. By using the tips in this article, you can create a landscape that is not only beautiful to look at but that also allows you to do a lot of different types of outdoor activities after dark.
Author 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.