One of the best tips that you should remember about outdoor lighting ideas is to think about lighting as an accent feature. You don’t want too much light, but you want just enough light, to brighten a safe path, showcase a water feature or invite guests to join you on a back patio or out near a swimming pool and spa. A little bit of light goes a long way – especially in a darkened backyard. Your eyes will adjust quickly to little bits of accent light, allowing you to take in all of your surroundings rather than just being bathed in a bunch of bright whiteness. When you go to plan your Providence outdoor lighting, it is best to consider low voltage landscape lighting and learn how best to accent landscape with light.
Getting Started
Before you start browsing outdoor lighting ideas or go shopping for materials, it is best to think about your outdoor living area and the parts of it that you will want to highlight. Different parts of your backyard will get used during the day than at night, so this must be considered. Different types of lighting will be used to light up pathways than to provide security for your garage or tool shed, so it is important to choose wisely.
There are two things that define the brightness and quality of outdoor lighting:
- INTENSITY – The amount of light that gets emitted from the bulbs will play a big role in the type of materials you choose to accent landscape with light. The wattage of the bulb will be visible right on the package and your choice in this area will depend upon the type of energy-saving low voltage landscape lighting you purchase. Different bulbs and intensity levels will be required, depending on the type of lights you decide to use.
- COLOR – Yes, that’s right, there are a variety of colors available for Providence outdoor lighting. Choose from a very red tone, which is in the 1800K (kelvins) range on up to a higher 7500K, which displays as a bluish-white tone. The color that you choose will depend on the area that you are trying to highlight and whether or not your goal is to accentuate a certain feature or provide a illuminated pathway for you and your guests.
Different Types of Light Fixtures
There are three primary types of light fixtures that you should consider for your low voltage landscape lighting. Each will determine the intensity, color and placement of your new outdoor lighting ideas and allow you to effectively accent landscape with light.
The three different types of fixtures for Providence outdoor lighting include:
- Task Lighting – This is a specific type of light that is used for a specific purpose. For example, pathway lighting is used to light up a pathway. Choose lighting fixtures that are expressly designed for the purpose of completing the task that you will be using them for in your landscape design plan.
- Overall Lighting – This type of lighting will illuminate the entire space. While the goal of this exercise is to accent landscape with light, there are also times when you will want your backyard area completely illuminated, such as parties, gatherings, sports, games or other activities.
- Accent Lighting – This type of lighting is used to draw the attention of you and your visitors to a specific object or area of your landscaping. Floodlights, spotlights and other similar attention-getting light fixtures are often used for this purpose.
Outdoor Lighting Ideas
Sometimes the best places to put your Providence outdoor lighting is in the most obvious of locations. Other times, unique ideas that will help you accent landscape with light are best. Knowing which type of lighting will work best in each situation will help you to achieve your goals.
- Entry Areas – Lights near the front, back and side doors should always be considered for safe entry into your home. Lights near garage, shed or other types of storage areas, should be considered as well.
- Driveways – Another great use for your low voltage landscape lighting is to line your driveway all the way to the edge of your property or up to the garage. It will look elegant and provide a safe guide for pulling into the driveway at night.
- Steps or Stairs – You should always light up steps and stairs to provide safe entry for you, your family and your guests. Either provide illuminating light for the entire area or light up each step individually.
- Patios and Decks -While you will most likely enjoy looking up at the stars without benefit of Providence outdoor lighting, there are times when you will require light. Reading a book, playing board games or just hanging out with the family are some of those occasions where light would be beneficial.
Where to Get the Best Providence Outdoor Lighting
If you are looking at trying out some outdoor lighting ideas and are in need of low voltage landscape lighting, look no further than J&J Materials. With a wide variety of lighting products that will help you to properly accent landscape with light or provide security for you and your guests, J&J Materials is the place to be for the best selection in outdoor lighting ideas and materials.
