Taking advantage of beautiful weather means enjoying the outdoors in an outdoor room. To elevate the outdoor room experience, adding the right type of exterior lighting can make all the difference.
Just like indoor lighting, outdoor lighting can be easy, convenient, and affordable if done right. Here are some helpful tips for transforming an ordinary outdoor room into a beautiful outdoor living space.
Enhancing an outdoor space with lighting can be achieved in many ways. For example, installing a unique conversation piece such as a chandelier can accentuate the tall or pitched ceilings of an outdoor room.
Different types of lighting can create different atmospheres, with candle-type chandeliers producing a warm and gentle glow for those who want to dine outdoors in a romantic setting. There are also plenty of other lighting ideas to consider.
Outdoor lighting options include path lighting, spotlighting, shadow and reflection lighting, deck lighting, and string lighting. Path lighting creates an elegant and safe environment to navigate throughout the yard and outdoor room, while spotlighting or landscape lighting can highlight the most beautiful features of the yard.
Shadow and reflection lighting can enhance the outdoor features, and spotlighting can be used to introduce shadows and reflections to parts of the yard. Warm and subtle cool colors can be utilized in the spotlight, while reflections can accent lawns, water features, rocks, and even the floor, creating a breathtaking design for all to enjoy.
Uplighting and downlighting spotlights can also be used to illuminate fountains, trees, sculptures, and lower portions of the yard's ponds, gardens, and bushes.
Deck lighting is another helpful safety feature that can also accentuate important objects surrounding the deck, such as gardens and trees. String lighting can provide a romantic atmosphere with warm colors accenting the peaceful outdoor relaxing areas, such as a table, backyard picnic, pool, or chairs. Different types of LED lights can change colors while giving off a calm, peaceful, and romantic atmosphere.
In addition, incorporating dimmers into outdoor lighting fixtures can create a more customizable atmosphere, allowing for a brighter setting during social gatherings or a softer ambiance during intimate moments.
Another important consideration is the type of bulbs used in outdoor lighting fixtures. LED bulbs are a popular choice due to their energy efficiency, durability, and long lifespan. They also come in various colors and intensities, allowing for greater flexibility in achieving the desired outdoor ambiance.
It's also essential to ensure that outdoor lighting fixtures are weather-resistant and able to withstand various weather conditions. Investing in high-quality outdoor lighting fixtures can help prevent damage, prolong their lifespan, and ultimately save money in the long run.
Exterior Lighting Design offers professional installation services for various types of outdoor lighting that can be customized to suit different occasions. They can install different circuits to provide myriad lighting effects throughout your outdoor space or landscape. For example, brighter lights can be installed for outdoor parties, while dimmer lighting can be used for more intimate and romantic settings.
In addition to accentuating different fixtures and areas, Exterior Lighting and Design also offers outdoor lanterns and other task lighting options that can create an enjoyable atmosphere for outdoor entertainment or simply for relaxing outside. For instance, lanterns can be installed on railing posts to provide soft lighting for patios or decks. Task lighting and indirect lighting can also be combined to accent gardens or create a warm ambiance for summer nights.
Exterior Lighting Design also specializes in deck lighting and safety lighting installation, which can help make your deck usable at night by providing sufficient lighting for safe navigation. Safety lights are low-level and sensor-activated, so they provide just enough lighting to prevent accidents without being too bright or glaring.
Outdoor garden lights and post lighting are other options that Exterior Lighting and Design offers to add appeal to your outdoor space. Post lighting can serve as a specific design feature and decoration for your yard, and Exterior Lighting and Design offers a range of sizes and design options to choose from. Overall, Exterior Lighting Design's outdoor lighting installation services are customizable, affordable, and easy to maintain.
Outdoor Wall Lighting
When designing your outdoor space, don't overlook the importance of wall lighting. Wall lighting can serve as a stunning design feature for your outdoor room, and at Exterior Lighting and Design, we offer a variety of options to suit any housing style, whether modern or historical.
Consider Grazing and Washing Techniques
When selecting your wall lighting, consider using grazing and washing techniques to achieve different effects. Grazing is best for textured walls such as popcorn walls and stone columns, while washing is ideal for plain and untextured walls, especially lighter, matte walls. Washing eliminates shadows, providing an illusion of depth that makes the room appear larger.
Avoid Damaging Light
When selecting outdoor lighting, avoid overly bright or "cool" lights with white and blue hues. These can be damaging to your eyes, especially for children whose eyes are still developing resistance to blue light. Warm lighting with deep yellow or red colors is less harmful to your eyes.
Avoid Oversized Lighting
Do not install massive lighting fixtures that do not fit the size and layout of your yard. This can detract from other landscape features and create potential hazards. Similarly, avoid solo lighting that does not provide enough illumination for safe movement.
Choose the Right Lumens
Select lighting with appropriate lumens for your wall height, typically ranging from 100 to 150 lumens for walls up to ten feet and up to 300 lumens for walls up to thirty feet. Avoid using excessively bright or dim lighting that will flatten or obscure wall textures.
Consult with Lighting Experts
When selecting your outdoor lighting, consider consulting with professionals like Exterior Lighting Design to achieve the best design for your property and needs.
Additional Recommendations
Although there are certain things to avoid, don't be afraid to experiment and explore different lighting options. You can try out a variety of colors, contrasts, and brightness levels. However, it's important to be mindful of the intensity of bright lights you choose. There are plenty of outdoor lighting colors available beyond simple yellow and white lights. Red, blue, and violet are becoming increasingly popular hues, and there are many other colors to choose from as well. Colored lighting can provide excellent shading and reflective lighting for your yard features, creating a unique and artistic yard style. For example, slightly bright pink or red lighting can beautifully accentuate plants, lawns, and garden areas.
Don't worry about completely coordinating your lighting. While coordinated and organized lighting can add beauty to your landscape, it's not always necessary. Sometimes, having separate lighting in different areas throughout the yard can create the illusion of a larger and more in-depth landscape.
Outdoor Room Lighting Experts
In today's modern world, outdoor room lighting is more affordable, safe, and easier to install than ever before. Although some homeowners may choose to do this type of work on their own, it's best to seek the skills and knowledge of an experienced exterior lighting expert. Professionals with extensive experience can quickly and efficiently install walkway lights or enhance the nighttime lighting of a tree or bush. With so much to offer, it's clear why yard lighting experts typically produce the best results.
Contact Exterior Lighting Design today to learn more about modern outdoor lighting in Atlanta.
Comments