Garden Lights to Make Your Backyard More Attractive

A person who would want to make their backyard or garden attractive may want to use garden lights. These not only help light these areas up but they may also accentuate certain parts of the backyard or garden. These may be placed also not only outside but also inside the house which you'll have to be careful about. These are helpful products to help you decorate these places. They are very helpful in such a way that it will make a statement in your garden if you decide to use it.

If you are planning to use garden lights for your backyard or garden, it would help if you consult with the one who helped you design it so that you can get a better idea of how and where you'd like to put these. That person could also help you pick out the design, color, and style which may appeal to what you want. Also, you can request for her to let you know if what you want will complement the theme you your garden. It doesn't hurt to do this because you care about your home and would want to make it to how you want it as close as possible. This person understands that which is why they would be happy to help.

Garden lights may be used inside the house if you have something like a mini-garden in-house like near your living room and you know that it would look better illuminated. These would definitely help but consider to put it in a strategic safe place. This means that the wires are not just left lying around but tucked away nicely to one part of the mini-garden so that no one would trip on it. It is for your safety and for the people in your home because this will help avoid accidents or injury. Since these are mostly electric, then consider not putting it near the water because it might short-circuit or cause a fire if water and electricity become in contact.

Think about these things when you buy your garden lights. Remember these will definitely help you decorate and make your home more beautiful. Try not to over-decorate because you'd also want this to complement your house. It is definitely important because you'd like to have these complement each other so that people who would be coming over your home would also think that it is beautiful.

Installing Landscape Lighting into Your Garden

Installing landscape lighting, luminaries and fire features can transform even the dullest garden into something original, exciting and functional. The investment in landscape lighting for your garden or landscape will amply repay the time, effort and expense involved.

Lighting and fire features outside the house have a positive effect on the interior by integrating the two areas. Flowing seamlessly between inside and out and without abrupt changes in intensity, landscape lighting will harmonize the two spaces and will increase functionality of your garden oasis.

Flood Lighting

Cleverly positioned flood lights can define one area with a wash of light. If positioned high up in a tree or wall, a flood light can create a moon glow effect. Placed upward, a flood light will illuminate a statue or majestic tree. Careful selection of color and position is the key. Lamps with a blue hue are best positioned high up to give the moon glow effect. Remember to carefully select placement while installing flood lights in trees. It is difficult to reposition the lamp once in position. Flood lighting can also act as security lighting. With motion sensors, flood lighting can add extra protection to your home.

Spot Lighting

Spot lights can be used to highlight a particular area or plant. Use spot lights so their narrow beam focuses on the surface of a plant or bush. Often times a spot light can be used to highlight a particular plant, bush or tree at a specific time of year. Japanese Maple trees are an example. When their foliage turns a bright, beautiful red in the fall, a spot light can highlight this unique specimen. Be sure to conceal the source of the spot light so as not to attract attention to the source but to highlight the subject.

Functional Lighting

Functional lighting is designed to identify features such as doorways, walkways, steps and pathways. This type of lighting is fixed permanently in the most effective location. Lighting for a gathering area needs to be set at a low intensity to exude a relaxed atmosphere. Walkway lighting should be positioned to illuminate the path but not distract from the other lighting features. In the same sense, step lighting should focus on the steps and should not distract from the other lighting features of the landscape.

Special Occasion Lighting

Special occasion lighting, which includes luminaries and torches, looks particularly attractive in night setting. They produce a warm, gentle glow when dotted in a gathering area or pathway. Luminaries that use eco-friendly denatured alcohol as a fuel produce a beautiful, warm blue dancing flame. The best part about denatured alcohol burning luminaries is the byproducts of the flame are only heat, water vapor and carbon dioxide. If you are interested in green living, this type of luminary is a good choice.

Fire Features

Fire features (stone fireplaces, fire pits, fire rings and chimineas) have become very popular in landscape settings. Fuel sources for fire features can be a combination of natural gas or propane, wood or glass and rock media. Often times fire features are placed in the landscape as a focal point in a gathering area. Providing warmth, dancing flames and illumination, a fire feature can focus attention on one specific area of the landscape. Careful attention to available horizontal and vertical space is necessary. Size, shape and venting of the fire feature are constrained by these factors. Local building codes may also affect your choice of fire features.

Putting Landscape Lighting All Together

Harmony is the key to a magnificently illuminated garden oasis. Choosing the right elements to illuminate while providing your guests with a warm and inviting spot to enjoy is the trick. Start with the big picture like a gathering spot with a fire feature, or a dining or conversation area. Accent the pathways or walkways between each area. Throw in a couple of unique accents with flood lights or spot lights. Once in place, your illuminated garden oasis becomes a functional space throughout the year.