Outdoor Landscape Lighting Choices

When it comes to your walkways and sidewalks, you will find the possibilities are limitless for decorating your outdoor living space. You can choose from lampposts, hanging lights, or a full canopy over your walks. However, each walkway lighting choice has different pluses and minuses. You will want to consider the amount of light you require and the safety of look of each style before making a choice.

Lamp Posts Can Be Very Efficient

Lampposts can provide an excellent source of light for your walkways and paths. This type of outdoor landscape lighting often puts off a larger amount of light than lights that are placed along the ground. In addition, lampposts can be found to match just about any style or outdoor décor. If you prefer a patina finish that will appear to have weathered for centuries, this can be found in most landscape design stores. However, if you prefer a shiny metal finish, those styles are easy to find as well. You will also find a variety of lamppost globes are available for your outdoor yard or garden. Whether you prefer a frosted glass globe or a stained panel for your post, there are many different colors and styles.

Ground Lighting Provides a Soft Glow

Outdoor landscape lighting that is placed along the ground can be used to put off a very soft or romantic glow. If you are trying to create a soft ambience to your garden path, these small lights can be perfect. Ground level lighting does not put off light that is as bright or harsh as light poles. However, it can be effective for a small space or sitting area. Ground level lighting also comes in a variety of styles and shapes that can accentuate any outdoor décor. You can choose hanging lights that are attached to small poles, or another choice would be to use stake lighting that can easily be moved form place to place.

When you set up a gathering space to be used in your yard at night, you will obviously need outdoor landscape lighting. While your landscape design will have a lot to do with the lights you choose, you will also want to consider what you will want to use the space for. If you plan to intricate activities such as puzzles or playing cards, you will obviously need more light than you would for a simple sitting area. However, if you plan to have large gatherings, such as late night bar-b-q's, you will need a large area lit up so that your guests can enjoy themselves. After all, you don't want to have everyone gathering around the only source of light.

Lighting Your Sitting Spaces

If you are using outdoor sitting spaces for your gatherings, you can install lights on poles, posts, or in the trees of your yard. Since hanging lights put off a larger amount of light, they will be better for large areas. However, if you have several tables that you set up for guests, you may want to place lighting on each table as well. This will provide an intimate area where your guests can converse and enjoy one another's company. If you do decide to hang lights in trees, canopy lighting is a great option. You can find lighting similar to that of a net that can be strung frum limb to limb.

Lighting Your Pavilions and Gazebos

Ceiling fans with lights can be a great asset for any outdoor room or pavilion. During hot summer months, the fan will provide a source of air, while the light feature can be used after dark. There are several ceiling fans that are now designed specifically for the outdoors. On the other hand, a track lighting system can be great for permanent fixtures. You can use track lighting to illuminate specific areas of your structure. For example, you can point one set of lights on the buffet line and another set over each table.

In addition to gathering and walking places, most people like to illuminate water features within a yard. This may be something as small as a birdbath or fountain, or something as large as a waterfall. Underwater lighting can also be very appealing for ponds. This is especially true if there are fish you like to look at after hours. Because water features produce such lovely sounds, many people enjoy gathering around them at dusk and after dark. Consider the following options for lighting major water features in your yard.

Lighting Ponds

Ponds look especially beautiful when there are a variety of lights around the feature. Using lights on the edge of the pond, as well as under the water, will be very appealing. However, underwater lights will need to be taken care of or checked each time you complete your landscape maintenance. If you have a large intricate water feature in your yard, you may consider hiring landscapers to maintain the area. Since faulty lighting can cause a short when exposed to water, you will want to keep a close eye on the system.

Lighting Waterfalls

Waterfalls generally look best when you use outdoor landscaping light such as spotlights. Spotlights can add a wonderful appeal to any waterfall. This is especially true if you accent areas where the water flows over unique rocks or true the vegetation. You can also hide outdoor landscaping lights behind the waterfall for additional accent. These lights can be placed in areas where the water runs over a rock or ledge and placed to shine out through the water. The water will add a shimmering effect to the light and produce a very beautiful design at night. This can be especially true if you use colored lights throughout the water feature.

AestheticGardens.com is at the forefront of the outdoor landscape lighting industry. If you are in search of the latest styles and design options Aesthetic Gardens is the company to contact today.