Outdoor yard lights are commonly installed for safety or to enhance security. When planning outdoor lights, safety should be a primary concern. Light areas with stairs or paths where people are most likely to walk when entering or leaving your home. Parking areas and your house number should also be illuminated at night. Swimming pools, outdoor kitchens, and eating areas need to be well lit.
Outdoor lights deter vandalism and break-ins. A few well-placed outdoor lights will make your home more secure. Light up those dark corners of your yard especially if they are close to windows or doors. Put up a couple motion detector lights that will come on if anyone enters the area. Your garden lights can be set up on a timer or use a photo cell to come on automatically when the sun goes down.
After you have allowed for safety and security, it is time to explore the aesthetics of outdoor lighting. Think of yourself as an artist and the brush you use to paint is light. Consider the best features of your yard and light them. Rockwork, water features, or an interesting tree can be enjoyed night and day if they are illuminated. A few tasteful colored outdoor landscape lights can turn the yard into a completely different landscape after sundown. Uplighting is an effective technique used in placement of solar yard lights to highlight specific features. The light is placed at ground level and shines up through the foliage. Make note of beautiful outdoor lighting you see at resorts and think of ways to get the same results in your own space.
With proper planning and thought, outdoor garden lighting can be very inexpensive and a beautiful addition to your home. The wiring can be run before your yard is finished. You could devise a plan using LED’s or solar to keep costs down as well. Make sure you have separate switches for areas you want to turn off when they are not in use.
