Outdoors: Lighting Design Basics

Spaces like the garage, entry way, wash room, storage, and mud room are all very important to consider. Its up to you if you want to keep the existing lighting fixtures, install new ones, or simply update them. Keep these factors in mind while you are creating your outdoor lighting design.

Click here to shop outdoor lighting products

Think inside & outside

In other words before installing or mounting any light fixture try to locate all your original switches and outlets. After locating your existing power systems sometimes they may not be convenient for your landscape lighting design. This might create challenges and additional power lines, transformers, and conduit might have to be put in different locations to accommodate your lighting needs.

Consider location of switches for convenience

Especially for spaces like the garage, mud room, wash room, and any outside storage. You don’t want entering a space to be a challenge, your switch should always be near entry ways. Another great idea is to have a switch available from the inside of your home that can control some of your central lighting from the outside. Maybe a switch in your master bedroom will help prevent making a trip outside to shut off any un-used lights and inconvenience:

• Use your Resources: If your just looking for answers to your questions or want a professional to step in to design your outside experience consult with different kinds of professionals. Designers, landscapers, contractors, electricians, and possibly customer service representatives that you buy a lighting fixture from, all can help you.
  
  
• Fixtures, fixtures and more fixtures: Choosing lighting fixtures should not be difficult. Once you have shaped out a plan, purchasing lighting fixtures can be enjoyable. Design concepts, themes, and how you will use your lights are all key things to consider while purchasing your lighting fixtures. A good rule of thumb is to choose fixtures that will compliment and serve their purposes for your patio, pathways, and entries, etc. Try to stay away from too many styles and too many lighting fixtures. (refer to first two tips) Stick with a theme of your choice and then use this to make it a complete experience. If you have an option to highlight specialty exterior doors or architectural features, don’t hesitate, but don’t over illuminate either. Wall sconces are a great way to accent your exterior doors. Remember a well executed landscape lighting design should nave everyone want to enjoy the outdoors more comfortably, safely, and conveniently.
  

Try to stay away from dimmers and incandescent lamps

An incandescent that is dimmed outside is not a pleasing source of illumination. Consider using alternative lamps/bulbs that won’t create an uncomfortable light source. Try using more of a daylight-blue color tone, or color-correcting filters. In today’s lighting industry you have many more options. Remember try to avoid direct lighting because it will cause glare. Path and spread lighting fixtures are also a good start to light up any pathways.

The lighting layer technique may also be applied to your outdoor lighting scheme. When considering the yard and porch try applying overall/ambient lighting techniques. For the your entry doors task lighting is a good way to light up your entrance. Accent lighting might include strip lights, spotlights, and water feature lighting.