Low voltage landscape lighting serves several important functions. First, it makes your home safer by making it less attractive to thieves.
Second, it makes your yard a lot more fun! It gives you the opportunity to enjoy your outdoor spaces even after night has fallen.
These 4 tips will help you get the best results out of your landscape lighting.
#1. Don’t Overdo It!
The object is not to make your yard look like a Christmas tree. Too much lighting will actually make your landscape uncomfortable and unpleasant at night.
Besides, can you imagine the drain on your electric bill? Carefully choose the location of each light to get the best possible results.
#2. Pay Attention to Key Zones
It’s best to focus on the following key zones:
- Entryways
- Walkways
- The driveway
- Key landscape features you might want to highlight such as a pergola, gazebo, or pond.
By focusing on the most important areas of your yard you can minimize the temptation to light up everything in sight. You can also create a more dramatic look and feel for your yard.
#3. Plan Ahead with a Flashlight
Though the effect won’t be exactly the same, walking your yard with a flashlight can help you develop a solid landscape lighting plan.
Use the flashlight to simulate each bulb that you want to place in your yard. See what happens.
Did you create a glare in your own window? Did you shine a light directly into your neighbor’s living room? Did you try to light something that ultimately has no purpose?
Document your plan on a sketched map of your yard and share it with the electrician who comes to install your landscape lighting. If your plan creates wiring issues you’ll be able to work together to find solutions.
#4. Use Colored Lanterns
Clear white light can be very harsh. You can tone it down by placing colored lanterns over each bulb.
Don’t go too dark–you don’t want to reduce the safety benefits of your lighting. But a soft yellow, for example, can give your yard a nice, romantic glow.
If you live in Pittsboro, Hillsborough, Carrboro or anywhere else in the Raleigh-Durham area, call us! We’ll be happy to help you install your landscape lighting. Contact us today for a free estimate.