As the days get shorter and the relaxing hours of summer dwindle, we naturally want to squeeze out every last drop of outside enjoyment before the weather turns harsh and unpleasant. Landscape lighting enables us to truly maximize our outdoor living spaces and experience them in a whole new way. Whether a primary design consideration or an afterthought, landscape lighting gives an alluring finishing touch and added beauty to every landscape.
Lighting sets the mood…inside and out
Just as we have task lighting in our kitchens (so we can see what we’re doing) and softer lighting in gathering spaces (so we can be comfortable during casual conversation), we can add task lighting to illuminate functional outdoor living areas such as grills, paths, parking areas, and sport courts. When mounted above on a tree or structure, downlights create a well-lit space without obtrusive fixtures or blinding glare. We approach our landscape lighting plans with the idea that the design should be about the light and what it illuminates, not the light fixture.
The subtle way we use landscape lighting can also soften the mood and highlight special features. Adding landscape downlights or backlights to showcase a gorgeous ornamental tree like Paperbark Maple (with its exfoliating bark), Japanese Maple (with its delicate leaves), or Birch (with its pretty, patterned bark) encourages us to enjoy and appreciate these plants in a different way. Tall, stately shade trees that grace our landscapes during the day take on an elegant character when lit at night. In addition, adding landscape uplights to trees further into the yard and not just near the house allows our landscapes to come alive with depth and interest rather than receding into darkness.
Added safety and security can be beautiful
We’ve all experienced utilitarian lighting – it does the job, but it’s not inviting or even enjoyable. Flood lights are the basic go-to for security lighting, though they’re typically harsh and blazing – sometimes they’re so bright it’s actually harder to see! Instead, our strategically placed landscape lights allow for safety and security without detracting from the landscape. Thoughtfully placed landscape uplights on structures – houses, garages – offer added security while complementing the architecture and landscape. Subtle landscape tread lights placed under the lip of stairs illuminate the area for safety with a soft glow. This style of recessed light also works well tucked into decks, retaining walls, and columns. Their versatile application is especially useful to gently illuminate brick and stonework around driveways, easing maneuverability for reversing cars.
Landscape path lights can be both functional and decorative. Placed intermittently along a walkway, they give instant visual clues to guests and give direction towards a meeting place. Because they rise slightly above the landscape, this type of landscape lighting has the added benefit of being seen and illuminating a route even after a heavy snowfall – an important consideration in our climate.
Know when to hire a professional!
When done correctly, landscape lighting is effective, easy to maintain, and enhances your biggest investment – your home. The added safety, security, and functional outdoor living time created with landscape lighting makes it a worthwhile upgrade. We use durable brass fixtures with long-lasting LED bulbs and include programmable timers so our clients can spend more time enjoying their landscape. The talented landscape lighting designers at Bruss Landscaping will use their experience and knowledge to create a truly custom lighting palette to enhance your landscape. To consult with one of our landscape lighting designers, visit us here: https://www.brusslandscaping.com/contact
