Residential Outdoor Lighting Adds To Exterior Living Space
One of the more popular features of outdoor decorating is lighting and with the options of residential outdoor lighting available, there is going to be something to please everyone. From small spot lights and floods lights to area lights and pathway markers, residential outdoor lighting can provide enhancements to the landscape or provide lighting for functional purposes as well as offer additional safety and security.
When looking to add residential outdoor lighting the homeowner should walk the yard in the daylight and at night to come up with a plan of where lighting is going to enhance the residence. Look at the property at night to see dark areas of the yard by large shrubs and trees that can benefit from additional lighting. Look at the front yard, any porches and steps that may be hazardous and consider path markers in the residential outdoor lighting design.
Consider combining different types of lights such as using downward soft lights on walkways and possibly an small flood or spot light pointing upwards into a tree to create a unique look to the residential outdoor lighting. Placing small lights behind a row of shrubs or bushes near the house to eliminate potential hiding places as well as providing a line of light to mark the home’s design.
Put The Lighting Design On Paper
Make a sketch of the yard on paper, including all landscape features such as planters, sidewalks and stairs. Knowing the type and number of residential outdoor lighting fixtures needed will help when the fixtures are purchased and planning on where they will be installed will aid in developing a wiring diagram.
Some communities have codes concerning the installation of residential outdoor lighting fixtures so checking with local officials is a must to avoid any conflict. If the electric lines are to be buried be sure to check the location of any utility lines such as existing buried wires, gas lines and plumbing lines. Most communities have a number to call to have a representative point out any buried utilities, and the service is usually free.
For most effects of residential outdoor lighting, soft lights work best, but there may be areas of the property in which brighter lighting is better suited. Low voltage lights powered by a 12 Volt transformer will probably work for most designs, but for brighter lighting 120 volt lights may be required. There is a difference in wiring requirements for these two types of installations so following installation instructions is mandatory.
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