We've all seen it: the house down the street with the perfectly manicured lawn, the beautiful garden with not a weed nor stray flower in sight. Then we saw it at night and our hearts sank even more! Nighttime lighting is important to a home, not only is it visually appealing, it also helps deter unwanted guests. That being said, it can be difficult to find the right fixtures and create a nighttime lighting scheme that is envy-worthy and will give your neighbor a run for their money. Here are a few tips and tricks to do exactly that.
Start with the Basics
Entry lights, garage lights and so forth, should be the first place you start with an outdoor lighting scheme. Don't forget about path lights, either! Focus first on function, then move to the accent lighting.
Add some Accents
To add accent lighting into your outdoor lighting scheme, focus on your favorite areas of the yard. Do you have a prized flower or a beloved statue? Use accent lights to highlight these areas, whether they're architectural, garden-based or something else.
Outdoor Task Lighting
Chances are, you've probably heard about task lighting indoors. So what about your outdoor space? You need task lighting there, too. Today's manufacturers have produced a variety of outdoor task lights from grill lights to hanging outdoor pendant lights and more. So keep this in mind when creating an outdoor lighting scheme. This is particularly important for outdoor areas where you'll be doing certain tasks, such as reading on your front porch or grilling. A good lighting scheme isn't all about looks!
Manual Security Lighting
Chances are, you've got a security flood light installed with a motion sensor that comes on automatically whenever something moves in front of it. While these fixtures are great, they can be distracting to an outdoor lighting scheme. That being said, they're only really beneficial if you have a dog to let out at night or you don't have any other lighting in place. Since you're here and you're looking to include more lighting into your nighttime lighting scheme, you can get away with manual security lighting.
In other words, if your flood lights are already on a switch that you can flip off, then do so! This will prevent them from overwhelming the rest of your lighting scheme but also make it so that you can turn these particular outdoor lights off during those warm summer months when you're outdoors entertaining.
If you haven't yet installed a security fixture, then consider installing it an area, such as a far back corner or elsewhere, that is most vulnerable. This will still give you the added benefit of security without detracting from your lighting scheme.
Know When to Hire a Professional
Despite all of this, it's important to keep in mind that your neighbor may have hired a professional to give their home that gorgeous post-sunset glow. If you're tried and can't seem to find a scheme that gives your home an appealing look, then consider hiring a professional. Hiring a professional isn't admitting defeat, it's just a way to ensure you don't waste time and money.
