People will spend a lot of time, money, and effort to make their gardens or outdoor living spaces more attractive and lively, especially at night. Many homeowners will install outdoor lights and lamps to create the right look for their home. Unfortunately, some tend to make outdoor lighting mistakes that distract from their original purpose. Thankfully, there are landscape lighting experts like us who can offer guidance on how to fix these common mistakes.
The first of these mistakes is not starting with a sufficient design plan. Frank Crandall writes about landscape lighting at the news portal GoLocalProv. He says that the design should come first because it is crucial for homeowners to identify what they will need to get their desired outcome. Crandall suggests that they pre-plan details like the number of bulbs and wires, the placement of light sources within the landscaping, and the kind of lighting techniques that will be used.
Aside from a lack of planning, another big mistake is selecting inadequate light sources. Some homeowners will simply pick the least expensive option available without considering how it will help them create their desired effect. Although there are cheap solar lights on the market, they don’t effectively brighten up a walkway. Crandall points out that LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights are quickly gaining in popularity and are probably the perfect choice for your landscaping. Although LEDs may be more expensive, they are also smaller, consume less energy, and last longer than conventional bulbs.
A third mistake is not making the most out of your lighting controls. Planning what light sources to use, deciding where to position them, and determining how you will control them are all essential elements of an outdoor lighting project. Rich Young from Outdoor Lighting Perspectives suggests that homeowners use a timer-control system to turn the lights on during certain periods of time during the day. By setting the outdoor path lighting to turn on from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., homeowners can see any objects in their path when they leave for work or arrive home afterwards. This will also allow them to control their household’s energy consumption.
By keeping these three common mistakes in mind, as well as the ways to fix them, homeowners can ensure that they have the right lighting for their property. Crandall and Young both also recommend that homeowners seek an experienced landscape designer to help with the planning, choosing, and installation of an outdoor lighting system. It is the easiest way to make sure you are getting the most effective outdoor lighting for your home.