The Best Outdoor Lights for Your Garden

Just because the sun goes down does not mean you stop enjoying your favorite outdoor activities like barbecuing and swimming. 

By installing ideal outdoor lighting, you can boost the ambiance, keep the party going after dark, and even protect your home from unforeseen threats. 

But what does outdoor lighting entail? Well, this is any kind of illumination that serves the purpose of providing light, safety, visual orientation, and decoration for your property’s exterior. 

It entails the strategic placement of varying lighting styles in the yard, along pathways, driveways, sidewalks, patios, decks, and by the poolside. 

Different outdoor lights are designed for specific purposes, which include highlighting appealing features in the garden, brightening dangerous spots such as steps, doors, and water features, and even flooding light across outdoor entertainment areas. 

You can use a combination of the varying lighting ideas such as outdoor wall lighting to enhance your yard or garden and accentuate the look of your property. 

This will not only help impress your neighbors and loved ones but, ideally win the admiration of your guests during get-togethers and parties organized in your well-illuminated garden. 

When it comes to picking outdoor lights, you should have a good idea of how and where they will be installed. 

Carefully consider the areas that you want to light as well as the theme that you want to bring across. 

Some of the main types of outdoor lights include flood, lawn, accent, and balcony lights. In this post, we are going to delve into some of the various garden lighting ideas and types that will best suit your outdoor space. 

Types of Lights Perfect for Every Yard

Accent Lights

As the name implies, accent lights are used to emphasize or accentuate an area, item, or particular focal feature or point in your yard. 

They come in a wide array of colors and can set the mood or theme that you want. 

A patio or garden with appealing furniture and surroundings can become even more elegant with just accent lighting. 

That’s because particular features can be brought to life when the sun goes down.

Most accent lights come in the form of halogen lights, but in recent years, solar-powered and LED options have dramatically gained popularity. 

Solar-powered and LED bulbs are more energy efficient, thus saving you money in the long run.

It is usually advisable to use small and subtle lamps that blend in during the daytime and set the right mood after dusk. 

Patio Lighting

Patio lights are essential if you want to use this space in the evening or at night. Patios are valuable spaces that are excellent for entertainment. 

However, it can be particularly challenging to find illumination that will set the right ambiance and provide light for good vision simultaneously. 

The secret is to pick at least two different types of outdoor lights- maybe wall lanterns for normal illumination and fairy lights for lending an appealing and welcoming atmosphere. 

Path Lighting

Path lights are one of the most important aspects when it comes to outdoor lighting. 

They are generally used to light driveways, stairways, and walkways. 

They provide increased safety to dark spots while enhancing the ambiance, and  come in both LED and low-voltage solar-powered forms, and it is up to you to pick the right one to complement your taste and style. 

Those that take advantage of LED technology are the best for two major reasons. 

First, LED bulbs do not emit heat and, thus, energy efficient. Second, they require little to no maintenance and don’t need regular replacing. 

Balcony Lighting

A balcony is a space that everyone enjoys spending their time, whether it’s during the day or night. 

It is primarily an excellent spot to relax and enjoy the late evening outdoors, indulging in your pastime, such as listening to music or reading a book. 

When it comes to balcony lighting, rope lighting is the winner as it creates the best ambiance for the space. 

You can use your creativity and personal tastes to make your balcony an appealing place for your loved ones and guests. You can use tabletop lamps or candles to make the balcony more elegant. 

Again, LED and solar-powered bulbs are the most popular for balcony lighting as they save energy while keeping the space stylish. 

Flood Lights

Floodlights are usually used to illuminate a large space. 

They are often affixed to walls or the ground and can ideally add light to a specific space like a flower bed or patio. 

Floodlights come in a vast array of finishes such as plastic, steel, bronze, and much more. 

Floodlighting your exterior is one of the best ways of creating a well-illuminated and safe environment. 

Since most of the floodlights are designed to be tamper-proof and weather-resistant, you can expect them to serve you for years to come. 

Lawn Lights

These are specifically made for homeowners who want to create an instant decorative and illuminating effect, without having to spend too much money, time, and effort. 

When it comes to lawn lighting, proper placement is the most crucial aspect. One great idea is to put small lanterns symmetrically all through the garden to create an appealing effect. 

Recessed Lighting

This is an outdoor lighting style that has gained popularity in recent years. 

Recessed lights have the benefit of being discreet but effective sources of light. They are built into a structure of your choice, like a wall, pathway, or staircase. That being said, it is crucial to carefully plan where you’ll locate them as they are not easily moveable after installation. 

Choose Your Outdoor Lights Wisely

As with anything in this world, outdoor lighting has its advantages and disadvantages. 

While it lends a safe and appealing area in your home and garden, if you do not pick the lights wisely, it could result in energy wastage, leaving you with huge electricity bills. 

This is one of the primary reasons to always consider LED outdoor lighting or solar-powered bulbs. 

Similarly, it is advisable to avoid low-quality products as they won’t last long and will call for regular replacements. 

Choosing high quality, weather-proof, and tamper-proof lights will go a long way in saving you money in the long haul.

To get ideas for your yard lights or outdoor post lights, call us at Big Easy Landscaping. You can also see more of recommended landscape enhancements.