These days, your yard has become an extra room of your house for you to design. From patios and pergolas to fountains and ponds, the only thing left to tie your space together is lighting. There are many options for outdoor lighting design to give you the look and feel you want for your space. String or hanging lights, in-ground, and portable lighting can enhance the atmosphere and add a touch of character to your backyard. Power saving LED’s, color changing bulbs, and lights synched with home automation are additional innovative options that can take your backyard space to the next level.
In-ground and step/path lights
In-ground lights can be used to spotlight a fountain, statues, or trees in your backyard. Be sure to surround the light with rocks or mulch to keep the light focused on the object and to keep it from blinding guests. These spotlights can really add drama to your yard, but many lights will have cords that need to be hidden either underground or within your plants so it’s helpful to have a professional assist you. Lights can be installed to illuminate the steps or pathways as decoration but also for safety.
Innovative Options
Energy efficient light bulbs such as halogen incandescent, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can all have a positive impact on the lighting in your backyard. These light bulbs typically use less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. They come in a variety of colors and can save you money in the long run.
Color changing lights and lights synched with smart home automation now make lighting your space even easier. You can change the color of your lights to go with your mood or to bring attention to a specific area of your backyard. Setting your lights on a timer can help enhance security around your home.
Porch Lights
Many porch lights have motion sensors right now, but technology is advancing and your light can do so much more than that! Porch lights can play a large role in the safety of your home and can turn on when they sense movement, take photos, or even send live video of your front door to your phone. The light can allow you to speak to someone standing on your porch without having to come outside. If the video feed sent to your phone reveals someone you don’t know, you can have your porch light sound an alarm.
App-Controlled Lighting
It should be no surprise now that you can control all of your backyard lighting with your phone! Dimming or brightening the lights, controlling different areas of your yard, or even changing the colors of the lights can all be controlled from your phone, meaning you don’t have to get up from your lounge chair. You can also swap out your regular light switches with smart ones to control them from anywhere with your phone, or incorporate them with voice-activated assistants such as Alexa. Ask your landscaper about installing a lighting system that can be controlled with an app.
Outdoor lighting comes in all shapes and varieties. Give Alpine Gardens a call today at 970.226.2296 to help you with your backyard lighting design options.
