Now that warm weather and long summer evenings have finally returned, it is time to get the most out of your outdoor space. With the right landscape lighting, you can expand your outdoor living space and continue to enjoy the outdoors well after the sun has set. The following lighting ideas will help you highlight areas of your landscape while also setting the right mood and improving visibility for a beautiful and functional patio space.
Pathway Lighting
If your outdoor seating area is located away from the house or you have garden paths that wind through the yard, pathway lighting will be a great addition to your landscaping. These accent lights will illuminate the way back to the house and provide an added measure of safety with a subtle light that isn’t overpowering. You can choose from LED and and solar powered options that are environmentally friendly.
Rope Lights
Delicate rope lights can be strategically wound around nearby trees for additional light. You can attach them to trees around the perimeter of your property or concentrate the lights in certain seating areas to help create a sense of separate spaces and boundaries. There are a variety of different bulb sizes and wattages available depending on how much light you want to provide.
Cafe Style String Lights
This lighting option has become extremely popular in recent years because of their beauty and versatility. Cafe lights can be strung across trellesses, between the house and trees and other architectural points to create a web of overhead lights. If you are looking to really brighten up your outdoor space, then cafe style string lights might be the best solution for illuminating your outdoor patio or deck.
Paper Lanterns
Hanging paper lanterns from trees adds a touch of magic to any yard and provides a soft light that is warm and inviting. With battery powered options, you won’t have to worry about running cords to the lights. You can simply place them throughout the yard and turn on them on for a welcoming ambiance that will have guests lingering well past sundown.
Uplights
More permanent uplights can also be installed throughout the yard to highlight architectural focal points and create a dramatic effect. This style of lighting is often placed at the base of the house and directed upwards to illuminate the home’s facade. They can also be installed around trees for a soft, indirect source of lighting.
Recessed Lighting
If you have hardscape structures, such as retaining walls, planters and terrace steps, these areas provide a ideal place for installing subtle recessed lighting. Small lights can be placed under step ledges for an unobtrusive lighting solution that improves safety and visibility. Circular, adjustable lights can also be installed in brick and stone walls. The possibilities are practically endless and with recessed options, the lights will blend in seamlessly with your existing structures.
You may be surprised to see how adding lighting solutions to your landscape can transform your outdoor space and make it more functional and inviting. Implementing the right lighting ideas could mean that you spend a lot more time entertaining outdoors this summer. To learn more about available outdoor lighting ideas, contact JT’s Landscaping and get your yard ready for the summer months.
