Exterior landscape lighting can be an intimidating subject to many. The truth is – you do not have to be a professional to be able to light up your outdoor landscape as you see in the movies. You can get help from professional blogs and vlogs on lighting up the outdoor just the way you want. You can dress up your front yard, garden, backyard, gazebo and deck with pretty lights to keep the fun on even after the sun goes down.
Uplighting and downlighting to highlight your favorite landscape features
Each feature of your garden and each fixture need particular attention. Outdoor landscape lighting does not have to be an overwhelming task. You can treat it as your family DIY project. You just need to know which fixture goes where and how to install your landscape lighting fixtures most efficiently. You do not want your backyard to light up like a Vegas Casino. You need something more tasteful, subtle and elegant. Your yard must-have features you want to show off. Start with uplighting the select trees and shrubs. You can choose plain LED fixtures to light up the path.
Always choose a handful of features for lighting. It will keep your project small and affordable. You can start with your favorite spot under the tree or the pergola. Choose downlighting fixtures that light up features over your shoulder. To create a minimal summer outdoor experience for your guests and your family, you can make a small amount of light go a long way. In a DIY landscape lighting project, you often have to experiment with a few positions before you achieve the ideal dramatic effect of light and shadow.
Relevant facts about landscape lighting you need to know
According to an expert landscape lighting designer, always find out about color temperature of light before investing in illumination. Color temperatures above 3500K are excellent since they generate a somewhat cool-ish blue light. That is what most landscape lighting designers use to create a “moonlight” effect. If you want to create a slightly warm tone, you should select a temperature below 3000K. These produce an amber hue, and their light is much warmer. The warmth of light increases with the decreasing value of color temperature. Expert landscape artists opine that 2700K is optimal for outdoor lighting. They generate a beautiful warm hue that mimics a campfire glow. It invokes a feeling of security, happiness, and coziness that is otherwise absent in the stark blue lighting seen above 3500K.
Let this season be colorful with RGB LEDs
This color temperature gradient is applicable for white light only. It is utterly different for RGB LED lighting. In fact, RGB LED fixtures are quite new in the realm of outdoor landscape lighting. They bring with them, the possibility of lighting up your yards, gardens, and pergolas in different hues during different seasons. They can impart a temporary party ambiance to your gazebo just from the flick of a switch.
Since LEDs are usually 80% more energy efficient as compared to incandescent lighting fixtures, more American households are opting for outdoor landscape lighting right now. It is your chance to usher in a positive change to your outdoor living space and embrace the true transforming powers of landscape lighting.
