For the homeowner that desires to maximize the enjoyment of their garden no matter the time of day, lighting is not only a necessary but mandatory enhancement. In today's hustle and bustle society when time is a commodity of more value than money, evenings are the only time many of us are able to just sit, relax, have a nice cool drink and enjoy that garden we work so hard to grow. Adequate garden lighting is a must for not only the enjoyment of your garden after night fall, but for the safety of your family and guests as well. You do not want to wander the garden without proper outdoor lighting as you could possibly trip and fall injuring yourself or damaging some treasured garden feature.
Many backyard landscapes today are meant to provide entertainment for family, as well as friends since our busy lifestyle does not always allow a weekend get away. Thus many homes are professionally landscaped and equipped with backyard swimming pools meant to be enjoyed long after the sun has set. Without proper garden lighting, those special features on which you spent so much money to install and time to maintain will appear as a dull shadow in the moon light. A swimming pool provides a great opportunity for the reflection of lighting into your backyard landscape.
When considering a lighting plan for your garden, keep in mind you are not looking to provide a place for wayward aircraft to land. Keep your lighting in the garden area more quaint and subtle in order to set a mood of calm and maybe even romance. While some function areas such as the cooking and food prep areas will require lighting that is somewhat brighter, most of your garden lighting will provide just enough illumination to provide for the safe movement around the grounds and highlighting of special features.
While lighting your garden for safety and security is a necessary thing that you should address. Remember that you are also wanting to highlight unique architectural and natural features of your landscape as well as maybe a specimen tree that truly stands out in your yard. Also, as you devise your garden lighting plan, keep in mind that you do not have to keep things entirely serious. Consider adding some character to your garden with whimsical lighting such as cartoon characters, chili peppers or any type fixture that tickles your fancy. Your lawn is an open palette that provides you with the opportunity to have fun and show the uniqueness of your personal taste as you carry out the lighting plan of your dreams.
Showing posts with label garden lighting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label garden lighting. Show all posts
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Outdoor Garden Lights Add Pizazz
All the work that is done in a garden can easily go unnoticed after dark if you fail to put the finishing touches on your garden with outdoor garden lights. I came across an interesting article that will provide some information that can help plan for the use of lighting in our gardens.
In the winter, sparkling snow and glittering icicles invite us to join them in the quietness of late evening. It is fun and calming to walk through freshly fallen snow and watch the moonlight glow against the whiteness of the snow. Or perhaps you have children who are eagerly begging to run out and throw a few snowballs or make a snowman. All this can be made more possible with the addition of a few garden lights. This will make you feel more comfortable and help you enjoy being able to see your surroundings more.
Do you own a terrace or patio that needs some evening lighting? Garden lights will perfectly create an intimate atmosphere for that dinner date or create a twinkling array for a celebration party or family gathering. Why should a party end before the evening does? Lighting creates mood, and this can be very helpful when entertaining, especially around the holidays.
Garden lighting also adds an element of safety and protection to your property and to you personally. It is a known fact that having lighting around the outside of your home is a deterrent to crime. If people are worried about being seen, they will not attempt to do things that they would easily do in darkness. Lighting with motion sensors are another type of lighting you may want to consider, especially if you live in a crime prevalent area.
No matter what the season or weather, garden lighting can improve your late nights or evenings at home. It will be well worth the investment and time you put into it to see all the enjoyment and security your family receives from it. It will also enhance the appearance of your home and make it more attractive when garden lights are installed around it. So outdoor lighting is practical and fashionable.
Many outdoor lighting systems work with a low voltage, a safe and economical way to install garden lighting. However, it does require some work and thought when considering the placement and installation of the cables. If you are not ready to deal with this hassle, a simpler and even still more cost-efficient solution would be solar lighting. Solar lighting has become much more popular in modern days and is constantly being improved and reinvented to be better and more effective. Candles and lanterns are good for short-term use such as parties, but are not meant to be left on for long periods of time and require you to be vigilant in case of a fire.
If you are not worried about the hassle of low voltage lighting, but are just not sure which route you want to take concerning outdoor lighting. You can visit your local garden supply centre for some ideas. They will have many different varieties available for you to examine. Another option you have is to drive around local neighbourhoods and observe the lighting systems others have put to use. This will help you determine what looks you like most and where you would like to install your lighting. There are several commonly used lighting techniques to consider which will help you receive the maximum benefit from your lighting investment.
You may wish to do a little experimenting to help you determine what looks best with your particular home and garden. Solar lighting makes it very easy to do this as there is no attached wiring to worry about. Keep in mind that lighting systems look best when they do not overlap one another and are not too harsh.
Up lighting is usually placed at the base of an object and angled upwards to highlight certain features. Down lighting gives a shadow effect from behind an object. This technique is often used to highlight a fence, a wall, or plants. Path lighting is much as the name suggests. This type of lighting is used to create light around stairs, paths, and walkways. Lighting can be placed on one side of the walkway or on both sides to produce the desired effect. Highlighting is often achieved by using one or two lights to place emphasis on an object such as a sculpture, plant, or water feature. There are also several other forms of specialized lighting such as underwater lighting and pond lights.
Depending on the size of the project you are attempting and how much of a handyman you are, you may wish to consult the help of an electrician. You will need to determine how many lights you can safely be attached to the system you have in place. Your transformer, wire thickness, and available wattage can help determine this.
You may also need help if you are not planning to place your garden lighting in traditional style on the ground of the surrounding area. You may wish for some of your lighting to be hung or placed upon a wall. This will require a little more experience and know how.
It is always a good idea to put your plan onto paper before actually implementing it. This will help you when you are determining exactly what you want and it will also help you when you need to seek the advice of others.
Outdoor lighting will beautify your home and garden and make your evenings at home even more treasured and desirable. You will soon find yourself spending every free moment outdoors as you enjoy those evening hours more and create fun family memories you will cherish for a lifetime.
The Advantages of Garden Lighting
By Paul Shipway
In the winter, sparkling snow and glittering icicles invite us to join them in the quietness of late evening. It is fun and calming to walk through freshly fallen snow and watch the moonlight glow against the whiteness of the snow. Or perhaps you have children who are eagerly begging to run out and throw a few snowballs or make a snowman. All this can be made more possible with the addition of a few garden lights. This will make you feel more comfortable and help you enjoy being able to see your surroundings more.
Do you own a terrace or patio that needs some evening lighting? Garden lights will perfectly create an intimate atmosphere for that dinner date or create a twinkling array for a celebration party or family gathering. Why should a party end before the evening does? Lighting creates mood, and this can be very helpful when entertaining, especially around the holidays.
Garden lighting also adds an element of safety and protection to your property and to you personally. It is a known fact that having lighting around the outside of your home is a deterrent to crime. If people are worried about being seen, they will not attempt to do things that they would easily do in darkness. Lighting with motion sensors are another type of lighting you may want to consider, especially if you live in a crime prevalent area.
No matter what the season or weather, garden lighting can improve your late nights or evenings at home. It will be well worth the investment and time you put into it to see all the enjoyment and security your family receives from it. It will also enhance the appearance of your home and make it more attractive when garden lights are installed around it. So outdoor lighting is practical and fashionable.
Many outdoor lighting systems work with a low voltage, a safe and economical way to install garden lighting. However, it does require some work and thought when considering the placement and installation of the cables. If you are not ready to deal with this hassle, a simpler and even still more cost-efficient solution would be solar lighting. Solar lighting has become much more popular in modern days and is constantly being improved and reinvented to be better and more effective. Candles and lanterns are good for short-term use such as parties, but are not meant to be left on for long periods of time and require you to be vigilant in case of a fire.
If you are not worried about the hassle of low voltage lighting, but are just not sure which route you want to take concerning outdoor lighting. You can visit your local garden supply centre for some ideas. They will have many different varieties available for you to examine. Another option you have is to drive around local neighbourhoods and observe the lighting systems others have put to use. This will help you determine what looks you like most and where you would like to install your lighting. There are several commonly used lighting techniques to consider which will help you receive the maximum benefit from your lighting investment.
You may wish to do a little experimenting to help you determine what looks best with your particular home and garden. Solar lighting makes it very easy to do this as there is no attached wiring to worry about. Keep in mind that lighting systems look best when they do not overlap one another and are not too harsh.
Up lighting is usually placed at the base of an object and angled upwards to highlight certain features. Down lighting gives a shadow effect from behind an object. This technique is often used to highlight a fence, a wall, or plants. Path lighting is much as the name suggests. This type of lighting is used to create light around stairs, paths, and walkways. Lighting can be placed on one side of the walkway or on both sides to produce the desired effect. Highlighting is often achieved by using one or two lights to place emphasis on an object such as a sculpture, plant, or water feature. There are also several other forms of specialized lighting such as underwater lighting and pond lights.
Depending on the size of the project you are attempting and how much of a handyman you are, you may wish to consult the help of an electrician. You will need to determine how many lights you can safely be attached to the system you have in place. Your transformer, wire thickness, and available wattage can help determine this.
You may also need help if you are not planning to place your garden lighting in traditional style on the ground of the surrounding area. You may wish for some of your lighting to be hung or placed upon a wall. This will require a little more experience and know how.
It is always a good idea to put your plan onto paper before actually implementing it. This will help you when you are determining exactly what you want and it will also help you when you need to seek the advice of others.
Outdoor lighting will beautify your home and garden and make your evenings at home even more treasured and desirable. You will soon find yourself spending every free moment outdoors as you enjoy those evening hours more and create fun family memories you will cherish for a lifetime.
If you are looking for some garden lighting for your home, you should try the Blinkingsun.co.uk website. The site features a wide variety of solar lights and water features to enhance your living space. All the garden lighting products are available for immediate delivery throughout the UK.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Shipway
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Advantages-of-Garden-Lighting&id=3312739
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Landscape Lighting Shows off Those Plants
It's beyond dispute that today's residential architecture is a true beauty to behold. Considering this fact, it would be a disgrace to not show off that beauty once night falls. That's why many homeowners enhance the curb appeal of their property with well planned landscape lighting. In addition to the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the lighting, it also makes your guests safer around unfamiliar landscape features such as pools, spas, decks and tiered walkways. Thus, providing you with peace of mind and in our litigious society, less liability.
There are many inexpensive ways to utilize landscape lighting that will add style and charm to to your property. Unfortunately, there are just as many ways for you to do a less than stellar job in the design phase of the project. If it starts bad, I assure you it will end bad. So, I suggest you consider a landscape designer for the overall development of your landscape or garden lighting plan. Once you have your plan, then you can decide if you would like to perform the installation yourself. DIY installation is definitely doable if you utilize a low voltage system. If you are using any regular high voltage lights in your design these will be best left to a professional to install.
While I recommend using a landscape designer, you should also familiarize yourself with the type lighting available and have some ideas of what you would like to see on your property when you have your initial meeting with the designer. The best way to start is to take a good flashlight and hit the yard after dark and try out some different effects. You won't achieve perfection with this method but you can see what some of the individual effect the lights will display.
There are some different types of basic lighting effects that you can achieve.
- Uplighting: Lights are aimed upward to accent trees, statues or wall textures.
- Downlighting: Fixtures are mounted high and aimed downward to cast broad illumination over wide areas for entertaining and also security.
- Spotlighting: Lights focus a narrow beam on small shrubs, statues, flowers or other focal points in your landscaping.
- Crosslighting: Utilizing two or more fixtures from different directions to reveal a three-dimensional form for a striking perspective.
If you are using high voltage electric fixtures as part of your landscape lighting, consider colored bulbs for the different holiday seasons. Pastel colors in the spring for Easter and reds and greens at Christmas time provide some fun, easy decorating ideas.
Finally, use lighting controls such as timers and photocells to turn your landscape lighting on and off automatically. Keep in mind that there is little advantage to having all the lights stay on all night. Few people will see your property in the wee hours of the morning. Have a few low level lights stay on all night for security. Any more is just a waste of energy and a source for higher utility bills.
There are many inexpensive ways to utilize landscape lighting that will add style and charm to to your property. Unfortunately, there are just as many ways for you to do a less than stellar job in the design phase of the project. If it starts bad, I assure you it will end bad. So, I suggest you consider a landscape designer for the overall development of your landscape or garden lighting plan. Once you have your plan, then you can decide if you would like to perform the installation yourself. DIY installation is definitely doable if you utilize a low voltage system. If you are using any regular high voltage lights in your design these will be best left to a professional to install.
While I recommend using a landscape designer, you should also familiarize yourself with the type lighting available and have some ideas of what you would like to see on your property when you have your initial meeting with the designer. The best way to start is to take a good flashlight and hit the yard after dark and try out some different effects. You won't achieve perfection with this method but you can see what some of the individual effect the lights will display.
There are some different types of basic lighting effects that you can achieve.
- Uplighting: Lights are aimed upward to accent trees, statues or wall textures.
- Downlighting: Fixtures are mounted high and aimed downward to cast broad illumination over wide areas for entertaining and also security.
- Spotlighting: Lights focus a narrow beam on small shrubs, statues, flowers or other focal points in your landscaping.
- Crosslighting: Utilizing two or more fixtures from different directions to reveal a three-dimensional form for a striking perspective.
If you are using high voltage electric fixtures as part of your landscape lighting, consider colored bulbs for the different holiday seasons. Pastel colors in the spring for Easter and reds and greens at Christmas time provide some fun, easy decorating ideas.
Finally, use lighting controls such as timers and photocells to turn your landscape lighting on and off automatically. Keep in mind that there is little advantage to having all the lights stay on all night. Few people will see your property in the wee hours of the morning. Have a few low level lights stay on all night for security. Any more is just a waste of energy and a source for higher utility bills.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
