Autumn, with its deep oranges, yellows and reds, is a gorgeous season. Apples are fresh for picking and there is pumpkin spice everything. While we enjoy the cooler temperatures after a hot Richmond summer, there is one thing that always surprises us: the darkness. Nighttime sneaks up on us and the sun comes out just little later than we’re used to; it’s no wonder why people start to pack up their outdoor furniture and move inside. But you don’t have to!
Fall is a great time to be outdoors. Yes, it’s a little cooler at night, but bring out a blanket or huddle around a fire feature and it is one of the best times to stay outside. If it’s the darkness that forces you inside, we can help! Outdoor Lighting Perspectives can design and install a deck or patio lights system to properly illuminate your outdoor living spaces.
Deck and patio lights not only extend the time you can spend outdoors, but they also improve the safety of your spaces. Two popular outdoor elements we keep a look out for as we design a system to increase safety are elevation changes and hard surface features.
Take a look at this backyard for example. It has it all: a deck, patio, pathways, a pool and more. When you look at the picture you can see the elevation changes. During the day they create a sense of definition, creating transitions from space to space. At night, however, they become a safety hazard. People can trip and fall as they navigate the area. Not anymore! Outdoor Lighting Perspectives was brought in to illuminate the space with backyard lights. A combination of path lights, step lights and down lights were installed throughout the space to increase visibility and minimize any risk of falls. 
This next example has a few hard surface features: a fire pit and an outdoor kitchen. Both are lovely outdoor elements, but when it’s dark out, and the fire pit isn’t already on, they both can create a hazard if someone accidentally walks into them. It was important that both could be seen at night. A series of deck lights were places on the underside of the kitchen and around the edge of the fire pit for easy visibility.
If you’re interested in increasing the use and safety of your outdoor space with light, please call us at (804) 353-6999.
