Lighting gives a peaceful glow to the area and helps you relax in the evening. Especially if you have any children, it may help make their life easier. When it comes to choosing the proper lighting for your outdoor garden, there are plenty of possibilities out there. But how do you decide? Here are the Tips for Choosing the Right Outdoor Garden Lights:
- Include These Three Types
Consider the three basic types of lighting: ambient, task, and accent lighting. Wall lights, post lights, and hanging lights can all be used to create ambient lighting. Pathway, deck, and security lighting are all examples of task lighting. Furthermore, you can get accent outdoor lighting with spotlights and landscape kits. If you have a large garden, use a spotlight or chandelier. Consider using ambient lighting or a wall-mounted light if you only have a small area to work with.
- Calculate
Calculate how much lighting you need before you start shopping. Try this fast calculation to calculate how much light a place needs: To roughly calculate the total brightness required, multiply the space you want to light by 1.5 times its square footage. For instance, 100 square feet would need 150 watts.
- Plan Ahead When Choosing Fixtures
Observe your room and collect measurements to avoid selecting too large-scale fixtures. Use a paper template to identify the precise placement to check the size before purchasing. Whether for the front porch or the back patio, the size of an outdoor wall light should be around one-third the height of the entrance. You must make sure you are choosing sturdy lighting, one made of high-quality and weather-resistant materials.
Use a landscape lighting kit to fix your lawn quickly. Consider a kit that you can plug into any outside outlet. Typically, these kits consist of several ground spotlights connected by a single wire. Place them around the edge of a patio to create a festive atmosphere, or arrange them in a garden to create dramatic shadows. You can also try solar-powered outdoor lighting.
- Use LEDs
Compared to halogen or incandescent bulbs, LEDs consume a lot less energy. You will find that LED lampshades are easier to install than incandescent ones. Additionally, they are almost maintenance-free, so you won’t have to change bulbs.
- Take a Look From Inside Your Home
Before you go out and buy a new outdoor light, take a look from inside your home. Try to visualize what type of lighting would be best for your property. You might want a spotlight or floodlight that shines into where people usually gather or play outdoors. Consider using a downward-pointing lamp so that it doesn’t cast shadows on your lawn or ground cover plants like shrubs or flowers.
- Use Subtle Light for Entertaining
Most people think that bright lights are better, but they are not. They can be a real distraction when you are trying to enjoy an outdoor party with friends and family. The best way to keep people from being distracted is by using subtle light. If you want to use light to entertain, use softer light bulbs that are less intense than usual. It is best to start with a lower-wattage bulb, such as 60W or 75W, and work your way up from there.
- Think About Security
Outdoor lighting is a great way to add ambiance and security to your property, but you must be careful where to place it. If you don’t think about the security aspect, it can lead to more problems than you realize.
Ensure all entry points of the home are well-lit. Outside the garage, mount a wall lantern on each side of the entrance or install a single fixture above. Use wall lanterns at side entrances, windows, and garages for additional security, or install spotlights on your eaves to brighten any shady side of the house.
Final Words
The main purpose of outdoor garden lights is to create a beautiful atmosphere. It can be used as a setup for you and your friends or as a humble way to entertain your guests. The idea behind creating such surroundings is to create a harmonious atmosphere and improve people’s moods. To ensure that the lighting effect is in your favor, you must be aware of the proper steps.