How to Design Exterior House Lighting
Exterior lighting can provide a safe environment around the home and an attractive addition to landscaping. Place the lights so that they will illuminate heavy-trafficked pathways and around the driveway for maximum visibility. You can also place lights next to ornamental plants like palm trees, shrubbery or container-grown flowers to cast interesting shadows across your yard at night. Design your own exterior house lighting to be both functional and decorative. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Draw a diagram of your landscape and include all immovable objects, pathways, the driveway, trees and garden beds. Indicate on the diagram the measurements of each object or area. Use the diagram to get an overview of the landscape and give you ideas of where you want to place lights.
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Use lights to highlight attractive architectural elements of your home. You can place lights to accentuate your home's facade, patio or deck. Consider using lighting that complements the home's historical background, such as lanterns. Gas lights come in a variety of styles that range from a contemporary look to a design reminiscent of when they were introduced in the late 1700s.
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Highlight trees and ornamental plants with lighting. You can place a light that will wither or install a high beam that shines upon the plant.
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Place lights in outdoor entertainment areas. For those who enjoying cooking in outdoor kitchens, place enough lights to shine on grills, prep areas and dining tables.
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Install lights for safety by placing them along pathways, driveways, the front and back door, patio areas and along the perimeter of the lawn. Have an electrician set a timer on your lights, so that they leave the impression that someone is home even when you are out of town.
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Tips & Warnings
Use mercury vapor bulbs in your lighting because they can be used for six years before burning out.
Avoid using any lighting that was not intended for the outdoors to reduce the risk of electrocution.
References
- Photo Credit gas lamp image by Rob Hill from Fotolia.com
