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Outdoor lighting can be used in a landscape to provide safety, security, accent, and character. The specific design of a lighting system will be influenced by a variety of things, including the site characteristics. Outdoor lighting may be generally divided into the following categories:
- Outdoor lighting - general illumination
- Spot lighting (up, down, etc)
- Accent or specialty lighting
About the solar lighting trend ...
Solar outdoor lighting is a new and popular way to power low voltage outdoor lighting. Many solar outdoor lights come with darkness sensors which automatically turn them on at night. This renders them incredibly low maintenance.
Along with there being no need to worry about turning them on or off, there is also no need to worry about paying for the cost of fuel or electricity. They are completely free to run. This is one of the most valued features of solar outdoor lighting.
Light Placement:
Uplights - Lights placed at ground level with the lights aiming upward to highlight focal points in the landscape, such as specimen trees, signs, and architectural features.
Downlights - Lights designed for placement above an object or area and aimed downward to imitate natural light such as simulating moonlight, or for providing security to an area, such as at back entrance.
Pathlights - Lights designed to be placed just above grade level along sidewalks, driveways, or informal paths in the landscape to safely lead a person from one location to another. Path light fixtures are generally low to the ground and cast a spreading light. Malibu is the most well-known brand of path lights.
Specialty lights - Lights which are designed to that add accent to a space, especially in the evening. Their purpose is to set a particular mood or create atmosphere. Examples of specialty lights include string lights, lights that resemble patio torches, and colored or changing lights. |
Ways to install and use your lighting:
- Down Lit – accomplish this by hanging a light from a lamp post or the eaves of a house and shining it down. This is often used more for security purposes than for decorative ones.
- Cross Lit – by positioning two separate lights at the base of a garden feature it can be attractively highlighted. The use of multiple lights works to soften the shadows.
- Back Lit - Lights placed behind artistic objects or plant material to cast a silhouette on a wall for a striking effect. As with downlights, care should be taken to place the fixtures so that they are hidden from view. Lights of this type may include spot or flood lights as well as in-ground fixtures.
- Silhouette Effect - by lighting up a tree, statue, or fountain from behind, a dark and dramatic silhouette is created.
- Shadow Effect - lighting up the same garden feature from the front will cast its elegant shadow on a garden wall or other surface.
Most of the above mentioned outdoor lighting techniques work best with solar spot lights, since they tend to be the brightest. However, if there is little other ambient lighting, other solar light options may work as well.
Hanging solar lights and adding step lights can both make a path more visible and therefore less treacherous. On top of this, they often act as interesting garden accents in and of themselves. |
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