Landscape Lighting Orlando, FL is a high-demand feature that increases your home’s value and can help you sell it down the road. A professional lighting designer will understand how to light your space in a way that highlights its best attributes.
Landscape lights are typically low-voltage systems that run on 12 volts, stepped down from your standard house power via a transformer. Mixing and matching fixtures along one transformer line is possible, but wattage must be carefully calculated to prevent overloading the system.
One of the primary reasons homeowners invest in landscape lighting is to add a dramatic curb appeal that makes their home stand out from other homes in the neighborhood. Well-placed lights highlight architectural features, ornamental plantings, water or garden areas and even trees, making them the focal point of your landscape. With a little creativity, lighting can also be used to illuminate an area for safety or entertainment purposes such as a deck or patio.
A great way to illuminate the exterior of your home is with flood lights that provide a broad swath of light to brighten the entire front or back of your house. Spotlights can be positioned to illuminate a trellis, fountain or statue, or placed in the ground to illuminate your favorite garden plant. Uplights can be placed in a tree to bring out its beauty and cast shadow patterns on the surrounding foliage. Downlights can be mounted in the eaves to light up your front door, windows and porch railings.
Most landscape lighting systems run on low-voltage power, stepped down from your home’s standard 120 volts by a transformer. This eliminates the need for risky electrical wiring and allows greater flexibility in design and installation. Low-voltage landscape lighting uses bulbs that are more energy efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, which reduces your electricity bill.
A professional landscape lighting installer will be familiar with all the different lighting techniques that can be used to achieve your desired look. For example, LED spotlights can be used to make a plant or statue stand out and create visual drama with minimal hot-spots. They can also be aimed at your stucco, brick or stonework to add dimension and depth.
Illuminating walkways and stairs can help avoid trips, falls and injuries that may occur after the sun goes down. Landscape lighting can also be used to light up deck stairs or a walkway to the front door, eliminating the need for guests to use flashlights or lanterns. With a little thought, you can create a beautiful evening environment that will enhance your living space and keep your family outside long after the sun goes down.
Safety
You might not think of landscape lighting as a safety feature, but it can be. When the lights are on, your home looks occupied and can deter burglars or unwanted guests from approaching your property. Landscape lighting also illuminates your walkways and driveway to prevent trips and falls, which can be dangerous for the elderly or those with mobility issues.
Path lights are placed on the ground to illuminate your driveway and walkways at night. The lights can be set up in a zig-zag pattern to guide people through your yard and help avoid turning your pathway into a runway. This helps your guests see where they are going so they can avoid obstacles, such as rocks and roots, while walking through the yard.
In addition to providing safety, the right type of landscape lighting can help your yard look beautiful at night. The light can highlight your trees, shrubs and flowers, which makes them more appealing to visitors. Lighting can also be used to showcase your architectural features, such as a stone facade or columns, and show off your home’s character after the sun goes down.
When you have your lighting installed, it is important to maintain it regularly to ensure everything is functioning properly and looks great. A few simple maintenance tasks can keep your lighting looking like new for years to come.
Regularly check for signs of damage to the fixtures, wires and connections. This includes repairing or replacing bulbs that have burned out and adjusting the position of your lights to account for plant growth or other changes to your landscaping.
You should also trim plants and brush around the lighting to prevent debris from building up and blocking the fixture. It’s also a good idea to check the power source regularly for any signs of wear or corrosion, especially after severe weather.
Low voltage landscape lighting is not without its dangers, however. The wires carry 120 volts of electricity and can be harmful to children or pets if exposed. A transformer can be installed to reduce the voltage to twelve volts, which is less dangerous if the wiring becomes damaged or exposed by weather elements.
Entertainment
A well-manicured garden is stunning by day, but it can fade into darkness once the sun sets. Landscape lighting is the perfect way to illuminate your property and turn it into an entertaining space for you, your friends, and family. In addition to serving all kinds of practical purposes, landscape lighting can also create fun and exciting decorating opportunities.
Illuminating your outdoor spaces with the right lighting setup allows you to use these areas after dark, and it also makes it easier for guests to navigate around your home. This helps to enhance your overall curb appeal and ensures that your home is always well-lit, making it less of a target for burglars.
Adding landscape lighting to your outdoor living space can allow you to host dinner parties, cocktail hours, or even poolside get-togethers after the sun goes down. This can help set a festive mood, and it will also make your property more appealing to potential buyers. This is because lighting can highlight the unique features of your home, such as a water feature or ornamental landscaping, and it can help to create an inviting ambiance that can put potential buyers at ease.
Safety is another benefit of landscape lighting, as it can help to prevent accidents by illuminating dark spots on your property. This can include walkways, stairs, and other hazards that can be hard to see in the dark. In addition, lighting can be used to highlight your driveway and entranceway, making it easy for guests to find their way to your door without getting lost.
A good landscape lighting system can also be easily controlled using a timer, photocells, or smart home integration systems. This allows you to customize the brightness of your lighting and control when it comes on and off. In addition, the newer LED lights used in today’s landscape lighting are much more energy efficient, which can save you money on your utility bills.
Memories
There’s no denying that landscape lighting instantly increases curb appeal, making your home the envy of the neighborhood. It can accentuate features like trees, water fountains, gardens, and architectural details. Whether you prefer a soft, warm glow or a dramatic, eye-catching statement, there is an extensive variety of fixtures available to help you achieve your desired effect.
If you have plans to sell your home in the future, landscape lighting is a smart investment that can increase your property’s value. Properly lit walkways and entry points make it safer to navigate the property after dark, while well-lit exteriors deter burglars. Additionally, a well-lit home is much more appealing to prospective buyers who enjoy outdoor living and entertaining.
During your initial consultation with a professional landscape lighting designer, go over your list of “needs” and “wants.” While you’re familiar with the layout of your garden, your designer may have some ideas about focal points that you might not think about. Take this opportunity to tell them about the heirloom rose plants that have been in your family for generations or the stunning pool you spent your family’s life savings on last summer (it would be a shame not to be able to use it at night!).
Once your system is installed, you’ll have everything you need to enjoy your beautiful garden at night. Whether you’re hosting an elegant dinner party, a backyard barbecue, or a poolside bash, landscape lighting will create the perfect ambiance to entertain and impress your guests. There are many ways to incorporate lighting into your party planning, including a variety of colors and settings for each fixture. Plus, a lighting control system allows you to change the scene and set a mood with just the push of a button. You can even set a schedule for when you want your lights to turn on and off.