It’s almost September, and it won’t be long before the days start getting shorter – it will be dark earlier, which means Kansas City homeowners may want to consider exterior lighting to light up the outdoors. Many homeowners think about the visual appeal of their outdoor spaces, even spending significant amounts of money on patios, spectacular walkways, flower gardens, and more. Landscape lighting is one more way to beautify the outdoors, and highlight all of the elements of your yard so that even in the dark, your landscaping efforts are visible.
It’s important that passers-by notice how beautiful your landscape is even in fall and winter months, but what about you, as a homeowner? With properly placed lighting, you can enjoy the effects even from inside your home. When place properly, lighting can highlight focal points, light up paths, and even create a moonlight effect! The right lighting also lights up patios, decks, and other outdoor spaces you may want to use if you have an outdoor fire pit or fireplace.
What are the major goals of landscape lighting?
Properly designed lighting can provide security, enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home, and ensure your family members or those visiting your home can safely make it to the door by lighting up walkways and other areas. The most critical element in landscape lighting is the actual bulb or light source, although the fixture also adds to the appeal.
What are the design principles in landscape lighting?
Cohesion, depth, focal points, balance, and visual comfort. While many homeowners who choose to do the lighting themselves simply line the sidewalk or outline a flower bed with lights purchased at a home improvement store, there is really much more to it than that to achieve the most beautiful effect. What are the most distinctive features in your landscape (the focal points)? Is there cohesion in the design, or in other words, are the lighting techniques designed in a way that uses the landscape and architecture to create a look that makes sense to those who see your landscape? Balance is also important; lighting can be done in a way that is unbalanced, and fails to illuminate structures, plants, and other elements of your landscape in a way that is properly proportioned. Last, your lighting should illuminate the beauty of your yard and make it comfortable for the viewer; what you want to avoid is glaring light or bulbs that are too bright, as this can be a distraction rather than enhancement.
At IDL Company, we know that many homeowners take a do-it-yourself approach when it comes to landscape lighting. Are your efforts producing the desired effect, or could your home/lawn and features be even more beautiful at night, providing your home with added security and safety? For more than 15 years we have served clients in Lee’s Summit, Overland park, Leawood by providing professional Kansas City landscape lighting services that go beyond your expectations. Give us a call today, and let us light up your night!
