The fun doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down—that is, if you have professionally installed outdoor lighting at your home in the Beverly Hills and Farmington Hills, MI, areas. When it comes to having lighting implemented in your outdoor space, there are many design options to choose from. Here are six of the outdoor lighting ideas that we love.
Related: 5 Benefits to Including a Retaining Wall in Your Backyard in Bloomfield Hills & Orchard Lake, MI
LED Bulbs
One of the most important choices you can make with your outdoor lighting is the type of bulbs that are used. LED bulbs are a great choice because they help save energy. In fact, they require 75% less energy than a traditional bulb. LED bulbs also produce a brighter light than traditional light bulbs and tend to last a lot longer.
Walkway Lighting
Having lighting installed along your walkways would create a beautiful effect. Not only do these lights brighten up the walkway, but they help extend the use of your outdoor living areas. Light fixtures along a walkway don’t have to light the entire walkway. They can be installed about 10 to 15 feet apart so that pools of light illuminate the way forth. To add style to your outdoor space, brass, stainless steel, copper, or aluminum fixtures can potentially be used.
Paver Lights
If your outdoor living space will include a paver patio or retaining wall, you may want lights installed directly in the pavers. There are also options for solar paver lights that help save energy, making them an eco-friendly option. Paver lights are also known to withstand harsh weather conditions and are known to be especially sturdy. They can be a great option for landscape lighting.
Underwater Lights
When you have a water feature such as a pond or water fountain in your front yard or backyard, you will want to be able to enjoy their beauty even in the dark evenings. Underwater lighting can be installed to follow the flow of the water or to illuminate a special feature, such as a waterfall. If your pond has fish, the underwater lighting will allow their shiny colors to be seen at any hour of the day.
Uplighting
Uplighting involves placing a light at the base of an object and shining the light upward. This helps draw the eye to a particular feature. The uplighting technique is often used at the base of a tree, which creates a magical glowing effect and highlights the unique features of the tree such as the leaf shape and branch structure. Uplighting is also used on columns, which helps draw attention to the beauty in the details of the architecture. In instances where uplighting is placed at the base of a stone wall, it can create shadows that make the wall appear more dramatic.
Downlighting
Downlighting is a lighting technique that involves placing a light at a high location and shining the light downward. This method appears like moonlight and can be especially magical when a light is placed towards the top of a tree. When the wind blows, the tree will cast shadows upon the ground. Downlighting is often used on the exterior walls of a home itself. They can be attached to the soffit or gutter and illuminate the area below. This type of landscape lighting makes a home look more warm and welcoming to all who visit.