If you're like most homeowners, your outdoor living space is a crucial part of your home, providing an area for relaxation, entertainment, and enjoyment of nature's beauty — and the right type of landscape lighting can extend your enjoyment until way past sunset, adding a touch of magic to your outdoor spaces. However, landscape lighting isn't without challenges. Following are six common mistakes to avoid as you illuminate your way toward a perfect outdoor ambiance:
Overlooking the Power of Subtlety
When it comes to landscape lighting, less is often more. A common mistake is flooding your outdoor space with too much light, which can create an overpowering and uninviting atmosphere. Instead, focus on highlighting key features such as a stunning fountain, specimen planting, or architectural detail of your home. A few strategically placed lights can create a warm, inviting ambiance that enhances the natural beauty of your space.
Forgetting About Shadows
Remember, it's not just about the light; it's about the interplay of light and shadow. If every corner is brightly lit, you'll lose the depth and dimensionality that shadows can provide. Try positioning some lights at ground level pointing upwards, to cast interesting shadows and create a sense of depth and drama.
Neglecting the Practical Aspects
While creating an enchanting nightscape is important, don't forget about the practical aspects of landscape lighting. Ensure that your pathways, entrances, and outdoor sitting areas are well-lit to provide safety and visibility. Your landscape lighting should blend aesthetic appeal with functionality.
Ignoring the Impact on Your Neighbors
It's essential to be considerate of your neighbors when planning your landscape lighting. Avoid directing lights toward other people's homes or using overly bright lights that can create light pollution. Aim for a balance that allows you to enjoy your outdoor space without disrupting others.
Using the Wrong Type of Light
Not all lights are created equal. Using the wrong type of light can affect the ambiance of your outdoor space and even cause damage to your trees and other plants. High amounts of infrared lighting, for instance, can have a negative impact on some kinds of trees. Your landscape lighting professional can advise you on best practices to ensure that your lighting enhances your garden's aesthetic appeal without causing harm to your plants.
Overlooking Maintenance Needs
Finally, don't forget that landscape lighting requires regular maintenance. Light fixtures can get dirty or damaged, and bulbs will need replacing over time. By keeping your lighting system well-maintained, you'll ensure it continues to create the desired ambiance and remains safe to use.
Speak to a landscape service today to learn more about landscape lighting.
Share23 May 2023
About a year ago, I realized that part of the reason the plants in my yard kept dying was the fact that they were planted in the wrong places. I didn't pay much attention to which plants needed certain amounts of light, and it was costing them their lives. Several of the plants were really struggling to live, and it was really hard to see. I realized that if I ever wanted to make things right, I would need to create a landscaping plan that would work well for the natural landscape of my yard. This blog is all about understanding landscaping.
