Renovating Your Outdoor Area: How to Choose the Right Lighting
Taking on a big project like an outdoor renovation entails many moving parts. From landscaping to pouring concrete to building structures, there is a lot to think about. Sometimes with all of the other things going on, people forget about one of the most important parts of an outdoor space: the lighting. If you want an outdoor space that transitions perfectly from a daytime relaxation space to a nighttime entertaining space, then you have to find the perfect lighting. If you don’t know where to start, check out the tips below for choosing the right lighting for your outdoor space.
Contents
Consider The Vibe Of Your Space
Whether you are renovating a backyard, a front yard, or anything in between, you have to think about the vibe that you want. If your outdoor area is more focused on activities like swimming or any other sports, then you may want to look into fluorescent lighting. This type of lighting allows you to see everything that’s going on in the area, even once the sun has gone down. The bright lights give the space a vibrant feeling and are perfect for areas like tennis courts, swimming pools, and soccer pitches.
If you are looking for a calmer vibe for hosting dinner parties or relaxed evenings, then string lights might be more your pace. They offer a warmer vibe and don’t illuminate the entire area from corner to corner. These types of lights can be strung up around a pergola or an awning to add visibility to an area, but.
Pick The Perfect Pool Lights
The shining feature of any good outdoor space is a swimming pool. If you are renovating your space and adding a pool as the centerpiece, then you have to make sure that it has the best lighting possible. There are many types of lights that you can put in and around a pool area, but the best pool light or ‘zwembad verlichting’ is the one you put inside of the water. There is nothing like the thrill of turning on the pool lights once the sun has gone down, especially if you get ones that can change colors or flash.
These kinds of lights are fun for the whole family and for guests and make long summer nights last even longer. They are not only fun to play with but are also great for safety. Playing in a body of water can be dangerous after dark, but parents can have peace of mind once the pool lights are switched on because they can light up the entire inside of the pool. Once you have your pool lights installed, you will be ready for countless nights of fun in the pool.
Check The Reach of Your Lights
If you live in a residential area or you have neighbors who like to complain, it is important to consider these factors before you purchase lights for your outdoor area. The level of brightness and the distance in which the light can reach may affect others around you. If you are interested in a fully lit-up outdoor area but you are worried about bothering your neighbors, try installing a main light fixture in the high-traffic areas like seating areas and dining areas, and then have lanterns scattered throughout the rest of the spaces. This will add ambiance and keep brightness to a minimum while also still allowing visibility in the areas that need it the most.
Pick a Design
Whether your outdoor space is big or small, it has to have a certain lighting design to match the aesthetic of the space. An outdoor area dedicated to eating should have a main light fixture like a chandelier that can be switched on and connected to the house’s main electricity. A lounging area where guests can gather for a drink or a chat should have a central light source like a fire pit to add to the ambiance and keep people warm.
If your outdoor area is more private, with trees and shrubs surrounding the main hosting spaces, then fairy lights add a nice charm to the area. You can also consider adding a path of lights along common walking spaces to illuminate paths and keep guests safe as they walk around and explore your newly renovated outdoor space. Lighting up the perimeter of your swimming pool if you have one is also a good idea so that guests do not accidentally go for a swim.
Landscape Lighting
If you are renovating your outdoor area, it probably means that you have spent a lot of time and money on landscaping and gardens. These areas are beautiful and really make the yard pop with color during the day, but why not continue the admiration into the nighttime? Placing little lights around the shrubbery in your outdoor area brings the plants to life at night.
One of the best ways to do this is to purchase little solar-powered lights that soak up the sun during the day and then automatically turn on once the sun goes down. You can choose to place inconspicuous lamps that lay flat on the ground or pick little lanterns that turn your regular garden into a fairy garden. If you place them just beneath trees or bushes, then they illuminate the entire plant and make the landscaping look gorgeous after the sun goes down.
You can also practice your landscape lighting skills during the holidays and wrap string lights around all of the trees in your outdoor space in order to create a winter wonderland. This kind of lighting display will bring your yard to life at night in the wintertime and will totally transform the way it looks from day to night.
When choosing the lighting for your outdoor space, all it really comes down to is your taste and the level of safety you want to have. The party doesn’t have to stop once the sun goes down and that’s why outdoor lighting is essential for those who are renovating their outdoor spaces into illuminated entertaining spaces.
