Architectural Outdoor LightingWhether you own a home or a business, the exterior of your building is the first impression people will have of you. Therefore, it is critical to establish curb appeal from the beginning. When most people think of landscaping, they typically picture pathways, plants, trees, and even water fountains, but most people overlook one crucial element, architectural outdoor lighting. This is an essential part of creating appealing landscaping. Without the proper illumination all of your hard work and money will disappear under a veil of darkness after the sun goes down. Fortunately, you can easily create an architectural outdoor lighting plan that will give your landscape the attention it deserves.To establish a plan for your architectural outdoor lighting, you should begin by selecting the features of the building and landscape that demand prominence. These are typically the items that stand out during the day, such as windows, trees, flowerbeds, entranceways, and bushes. Another element that should be lit up at night is pathways. This will provide a safer walk to your entrance, and a more attractive, cohesive appearance to your landscaping. Once you have determined what should be illuminated, it is time to choose the architectural outdoor lighting fixtures to use. Path lights are available in a multitude of styles to brighten up dark walkways, and add interest to your landscaping. These architectural outdoor lighting fixtures are available in low and high voltage options. High voltage path lights require a more complicated installation process that should include an electrician. Low voltage fixtures are easy enough for the average “do-it-yourselfer” to tackle. Path lights require a transformer to operate them in most cases; however, you can avoid this step by using solar powered products that can simply be put into place. If you decide to go with traditional path lights, be sure to purchase a transformer that handles more watts than you currently require, and don’t forget to include any other fixtures that will need to use it. This small step could save you a bundle down the road if you choose to add on to your existing architectural outdoor lighting plan. Regardless which option you go with, remember to space them evenly along your path to provide adequate illumination for pedestrians. Your architectural outdoor lighting plan should include up-lights, down-lights, and spotlights, which are an excellent way to accent certain items within your landscape or details of your building. Up-lights focus illumination onto trees, signs, or structural elements that would otherwise be lost in darkness. They provide a soft even glow. In contrast, down-lights are hidden within tree branches or anchored in other areas above the landscaping. These architectural outdoor lighting fixtures shower down beams of artificial moonlight for a more natural appearance. Spotlights are an excellent source of architectural outdoor lighting for enhancing security. They provide a large amount of illumination over a wide area, creating a deterrent to would be criminals. Other unconventional architectural outdoor lighting options can add a bit of whimsy and interest to your landscaping. Items, such as LED and rope lights are versatile selections that require very little electricity, but can really spice up the landscape. LED, also known as light emitting diodes, is a great way to liven up any area. These fixtures emanate a rainbow of colors. They can be used with water features or any other area needing architectural outdoor lighting. Rope lights can be wrapped around trees, decks or a variety of other areas to provide a distinctive accent. Regardless of the architectural outdoor lighting you incorporate within your landscaping, your efforts will result in a building that will sparkle both day and night. |
