Illuminate Your World: The Art and Science of Outdoor Lighting
Steve Maurer, IME
As I pondered this topic, I was relaxing in our side yard, gazing at the garden in the dark. Well, not totally in the dark. The garden was delightfully illuminated by flickering tiki torch lamps … lit by LEDs, charged by the sun. Spotlights shone on my miniature windmill as it lazily spun in the evening breeze.
Further down the street, neighbors were gathering for a party under a veritable umbrella of festive lights. Next door, the neighbor lady fumbled through her purse to find her keys, a bag of groceries slung on her arm.
As the sun dips below the horizon and the sky is painted with hues of twilight, the world around us becomes cloaked in darkness. However, we don't need to surrender our outdoor spaces to the night. With strategic outdoor lighting, we can not only regain control over our surroundings but also create a haven of safety, security, and beauty.
In this article, we’ll delve into the transformative power of outdoor lighting and explore how you can use it to enhance your property in more ways than one.
And, just as importantly, that of your lighting customers.
What is Outdoor Lighting Used For?
Outdoor lighting is a broad term that refers to any type of lighting that is installed outside of a building or structure. Outdoor lighting can serve many purposes, such as enhancing the beauty, safety, security, and functionality of outdoor spaces.
Outdoor lighting can also extend the use of outdoor spaces into the evening hours, allowing people to enjoy them more often. Outdoor lights for activities can include wall lights, ceiling lights, pendant lights, ceiling fans, string lights, lanterns, candles, and more.
A third reason why outdoor lighting is beneficial is to complement the style and design of a home or office building. Outdoor lighting can highlight the architectural features and landscaping elements of the property, creating a stunning visual effect at night.
Outdoor lighting can also reflect personal taste and preferences, as there are many styles and finishes from which to choose. Landscape lighting is a type of outdoor lighting that is specifically designed to accentuate plants, trees, flowers, water features, statues, and other outdoor decorations.
Landscape lighting can include spotlights, floodlights, path lights, deck lights, step lights, well lights, and more.
How to Choose the Best Outdoor Lighting
Now that you know some of the uses and benefits of outdoor lighting, you may be wondering how to choose the best outdoor lighting. Here are some factors to consider:
Power and performance: Outdoor lighting can be powered by different sources, such as electricity, solar energy, or batteries. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, installation, maintenance, and reliability. You should also consider the type of light bulbs you want to use for outdoor lighting, as they vary in brightness (lumens), color (temperature), energy consumption (watts), and lifespan.
Landscape lights should be placed in areas to showcase your plants or decorations. You should also consider the size and shape of the outdoor spaces when choosing outdoor lighting fixtures.
Style and aesthetics: Outdoor lighting should match or complement the style and aesthetics of the home or office building. You should choose outdoor lighting fixtures that suit the architectural style and color scheme of the property. You should also consider the mood and atmosphere you want to create with the outdoor lighting. For example, warm white light can create a cozy and romantic ambiance; cool white light can create a bright and modern ambiance; colored light can create a festive and playful ambiance.
Outdoor lighting is a great way to enhance the beauty, safety, security, and functionality of any outdoor space. By choosing the right outdoor lighting for their needs, your customers can enjoy their property more at night and impress guests with a stunning exterior design.
And as an electrical or landscape contractor, an architect or designer, you might make a starship load of money from helping your clients and customers light up their night life.
Hey … the sun’s going down. Time to head out to the yard.
Care to join me?
Further down the street, neighbors were gathering for a party under a veritable umbrella of festive lights. Next door, the neighbor lady fumbled through her purse to find her keys, a bag of groceries slung on her arm.
As the sun dips below the horizon and the sky is painted with hues of twilight, the world around us becomes cloaked in darkness. However, we don't need to surrender our outdoor spaces to the night. With strategic outdoor lighting, we can not only regain control over our surroundings but also create a haven of safety, security, and beauty.
In this article, we’ll delve into the transformative power of outdoor lighting and explore how you can use it to enhance your property in more ways than one.
And, just as importantly, that of your lighting customers.
What is Outdoor Lighting Used For?
Outdoor lighting is a broad term that refers to any type of lighting that is installed outside of a building or structure. Outdoor lighting can serve many purposes, such as enhancing the beauty, safety, security, and functionality of outdoor spaces.
One of the main reasons why homeowners and business owners opt for outdoor lighting is to provide security. Outdoor lighting can deter potential intruders and vandals by making your property more visible and less inviting at night. Security lights are usually bright and motion-activated, and they can be installed on walls, fences, or poles around your perimeter. Security lights can also help people feel safer when walking around the property at night, as they illuminate dark areas and potential hazards.
A third reason why outdoor lighting is beneficial is to complement the style and design of a home or office building. Outdoor lighting can highlight the architectural features and landscaping elements of the property, creating a stunning visual effect at night.
Outdoor lighting can also reflect personal taste and preferences, as there are many styles and finishes from which to choose. Landscape lighting is a type of outdoor lighting that is specifically designed to accentuate plants, trees, flowers, water features, statues, and other outdoor decorations.
Landscape lighting can include spotlights, floodlights, path lights, deck lights, step lights, well lights, and more.
How to Choose the Best Outdoor Lighting
Now that you know some of the uses and benefits of outdoor lighting, you may be wondering how to choose the best outdoor lighting. Here are some factors to consider:
Power and performance: Outdoor lighting can be powered by different sources, such as electricity, solar energy, or batteries. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, installation, maintenance, and reliability. You should also consider the type of light bulbs you want to use for outdoor lighting, as they vary in brightness (lumens), color (temperature), energy consumption (watts), and lifespan.
LED bulbs are a popular choice for outdoor lighting because they are bright, energy-efficient, long-lasting, and durable.
Location and function: Outdoor lighting should be installed in strategic locations that serve a specific function or purpose. For example, security lights should be placed in areas that are vulnerable to intruders or vandals; activity lights should be placed in areas where you want to entertain or relax.
Landscape lights should be placed in areas to showcase your plants or decorations. You should also consider the size and shape of the outdoor spaces when choosing outdoor lighting fixtures.
Style and aesthetics: Outdoor lighting should match or complement the style and aesthetics of the home or office building. You should choose outdoor lighting fixtures that suit the architectural style and color scheme of the property. You should also consider the mood and atmosphere you want to create with the outdoor lighting. For example, warm white light can create a cozy and romantic ambiance; cool white light can create a bright and modern ambiance; colored light can create a festive and playful ambiance.
Outdoor lighting is a great way to enhance the beauty, safety, security, and functionality of any outdoor space. By choosing the right outdoor lighting for their needs, your customers can enjoy their property more at night and impress guests with a stunning exterior design.
And as an electrical or landscape contractor, an architect or designer, you might make a starship load of money from helping your clients and customers light up their night life.
Hey … the sun’s going down. Time to head out to the yard.
Care to join me?
Photo courtesy of Kichler Lighting
