I recently visited a beautiful hotel in Maine. It had several walkways that led to different outdoor living spaces throughout the property. A few friends of mine had gathered in one of these spaces, but when it was time to leave, we noticed that we could no longer see the walkway that got us to the space in the first place. It seemed like all the other guests moved indoors as the sun went down.
This hotel property made an unfortunately common mistake; they created beautiful outdoor living spaces but forgot to add lighting. Without lighting, the spaces get less use as guests are forced inside when it gets dark.
At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, we design and install commercial lighting systems to increase the safety and security of properties and allow the entire spaced to be used all the time. As we evaluate a property there are four key components we pay particular attention to:
Entrances. Oftentimes commercial properties have beautiful entryways with retaining walls and expensive signs. It’s their way to welcome clients and guests. When creating a lighting system, this is one of the first things we look at. If an entryway is dark, it could be passed by without ever being noticed. By adding a few spotlights, it can clearly be seen at night.
Walkways. Walkways guide clients throughout the entire property. When they’re dark, different areas can’t be used as people aren’t sure what is available. Dark paths are also a safety concern for clients and guests. Installing path lights and bollard lights provide enough illumination to make it safe for guests.
Common areas. More and more commercial properties, especially hotels, are creating outdoor living common areas be it a patio, deck, pool area, gazebo, bar or other space. To ensure that they can be appreciated and used night and day, lighting is a must. From down lighting and up lighting to string lights and spot lights, there are so many different outdoor and landscape lighting options for common areas.
Stairs. Stair lighting is an absolute must when lighting a commercial property. Without it, stairs can be very unsafe for guests and clients.
Commercial outdoor lighting increases the use of your outdoor spaces, but it also makes the entire space more beautiful and welcoming. If you have questions on outdoor lighting, please contact your local Outdoor Lighting Perspectives office.