There has been one constant throughout the history of lighting. Inventors and manufacturers were always looking for different materials. They used them to create the most stylish hardware.
It often included the use of wood, brass, bronze or forged, or cast iron. Complementary adornments included crystal, blown and stained glass, and ceramic. All cut and cast to create intricate designs.
Today there are still many options when choosing landscape lighting. New technology now allows you to beautify your home with energy-efficient landscape lights.
But having many choices can make choosing the right landscape lighting for your home difficult. This article can help. It reveals this year’s top five outdoor lighting trends.
The Importance of Exterior Lighting
Landscape lighting can enhance the exterior of your home. But it has practical purposes as well. Here are a few of the benefits of exterior lighting:
Deters Intruders
There are many instances when exterior lighting acts as a deterrent to intruders. Most burglars prefer breaking in when no one is at home. Keeping lights on may no longer be as effective as once thought.
Having lights operate in the same way as when someone is at home might. You can achieve this with smart lighting that you can control remotely. Lights with motion sensors can also illuminate the entryways of your home.
Prevents Accidents
Landscape lighting is also a safety mechanism. You can light pathways to ensure family and friends can see where they’re going.
This is much more effective than relying on street lights. Your neighbor’s exterior lighting may also not be strong enough to light your home too.
Increases Curb Appeal
Curb appeal can increase the value of your home by 7%. Your landscape lighting contributes a lot to this. Lighting highlights your well-cared for lawn and landscaping.
If you’re not selling your home this may not be relevant. But great curb appeal allows you to enjoy your home’s surroundings as well. If you do decide to sell, it’s an added bonus.
Adds Warmth to Your Home
An unlit home isn’t very inviting. Strategically placing lighting can brighten your pathways, landscaping, and exterior walls. This makes your home feel warm and welcoming for guests.
Facilitates Evening Entertainment
Landscape lighting gives you the option of entertaining guests at night as well. It creates the perfect ambiance for an evening barbecue. A bonus during the times of the year when it gets darker earlier.
Defines Your Exterior Layout
If you’ve taken extra care to upgrade your outdoor area, you’ll want to proudly show it off at any time of day. Lighting helps you define the various areas in your exterior layout.
You can use one type of lighting around your pool, another on your deck or seating area. This can also make guests feel more comfortable when occupying these areas.
Enhances Your Landscape
You don’t only have to admire your beautiful landscape during the day. Well-placed lighting can blend with the greenery of your yard.
This allows you to enjoy it in the dark as well. It can even give your architectural features a dramatic look.
Top 5 Outdoor Lighting Trends for 2022
You can achieve some of the effects mentioned above with the right lighting. There are many types of landscape lighting to choose from. Here are some of this year’s trendy landscape lighting ideas:
1. Deck Lights
This type of lighting not only creates a greater ambiance in this space. It’s also practical as it can illuminate your deck stairs and railings. With the correct placement, they can also highlight your architectural features and landscaping.
2. Path Lights
Also known as pathway lights, these are perfect for illuminating your walkways. Placing these lights in a downward facing can help provide direction. This positioning also eliminates any glare.
They’re also great for a driveway or stairs leading up to a patio or deck. The key lies in their placement.
If they’re too close to each other your yard can look cluttered. The right distance will depend on each bulb’s strength.
3. Bollard Lights
Bollard lights provide another type of pathway lighting. You can also use them along your driveway. They’re usually placed on posts. They can create a natural division between your pathway and landscaping.
You can choose from various designs, shapes, and sizes. Ideally, you should base your choice on where you’ll be placing the lights. There’s an option for any location.
4. Well Lights
Well lights provide lighting at the ground level. But they’re a great way to illuminate fountains, statues, and even your mailbox. Simply place them at the base of these structures. They’ll provide upward illumination.
They’re also a great addition to gazebos or any type of pillar or post.
5. Spot Lights
You can use spot lights to illuminate your front door and other entryways. But the new trend involves placing them at equal distances along your exterior wall. It creates a beautiful effect on patios and porches.
There are a variety of designs you can choose from. You can also use spotlights on the lower section of your exterior walls. It will highlight interesting shrubs or water features that are against the wall.
Lighting Your Path to Enjoyment
The practical purpose of lights is to brighten an area. But you can also use them to create interesting effects around the exterior of your home. There are a variety of landscape lighting options.
These can enhance the many features you have in your front garden, backyard, or patio. They can also guide your path and provide a deterrent for intruders. The amount of fun you have choosing them may surprise you.
A lighting expert like Sunrise Irrigation can also help. We’ve been bringing the vision of many homeowners to life. We can do the same for you. Contact us to let us know how we can brighten your day!
