With summer right around the corner and barbecue season rapidly approaching, a beautiful, well-planned outdoor lighting system ensures you get as much time as you can to enjoy your outdoor space. After all, one of the best things about owning a home in Queensland is the indoor-outdoor living possibilities it gives you, and landscape lighting definitely enhances the experience! In this article, we will discuss the fundamentals of landscape lighting design along with some garden lighting ideas to spruce up your space.
How to get landscape lighting right
Landscape lighting is a form of illuminating an outdoor garden space for accessibility, safety, and aesthetic purposes. Done right, it can turn your outdoor space into a welcoming haven. However, if you ignore the basic rules, you’ll end up with a space that is unwelcoming, and potentially dangerous at night.
To get your outdoor lighting right, the key questions to ask yourself is: what do you want to highlight and what do you want to hide? You can highlight the unique architectural features of your home, your garden pond, and some trees. You can also play with shadow and light to add drama to the scene. Walk around your backyard and think about the function of your spaces. Where will you entertain guests? Which paths should always be lit? Make sure to look at your outdoor areas from different angles and check your indoor lighting too to see how it contributes to the ambiance.
Lighting ideas you can follow
1) Pathway lighting – you can use lighting along pathways to light up your backyard. This will make your yard look beautiful even when not in use, and when you are using it, the lighting can help guide you to your favourite nook or cranny.
2) Garden light fixtures – garden lights can be easily installed, and are available in a wide variety of styles and designs. You can install garden lights around a swimming pool or pond or along patio furniture to highlight the aesthetic qualities of your garden design. Garden lighting will also illuminate large areas at night so that you can safely navigate through your backyard.
3) Spotlighting or accent lighting – in this instance, you want to highlight an area of interest or a particular feature. You will want to use lights that are bright and crisp so that they cut through the darkness effortlessly. You can also use smaller lights in a row to create arcs or vignettes across walls, fences, trees, and other features.
4) Deck lighting – Add lighting to your deck and stairway. This is not only great to install for safety measures but creates a clear walkway for guests in your yard. That way your beautiful deck gets the light and attention it deserves.
In conclusion, there are a number of lighting options that you can use to spruce up your outdoor space and give it an amazing look. By setting the right tone and ambience, you can transform your outdoor space into a place where friends and family members will never want to leave. For more advice on landscaping, garden design, and patio design, contact us today!