outdoor landscape lighting, outdoor landscape lighting Santa Cruz CA, patio lighting

Entertaining at Night: 9 Tips for Outdoor Landscape Lighting

Does your outdoor space need that extra something? While your outdoor areas may look great during the day, refreshing your outdoor lighting can take your space to the next level while entertaining at night.

1. Think About Your Space and Your Needs

You’re probably excited to get started picking out lights for your outdoor areas, but before you start shopping you need to consider your space and how you plan to use it.

Where will you be entertaining? How much light do you need? For example, if you have an outdoor kitchen or grilling area, you may need more light than if you just have an outdoor sitting area.

What type of gatherings do you plan to have? Will your evening be quiet and intimate or a little more lively and loud?

What features of your landscape do you wish to highlight? If you have any special plants or features, you may want to use lights to display them at night.

2. Consider the Types of Lighting and Lights

There are three main types of lighting. Each type of lighting serves a distinct purpose.

Overall Outdoor Landscape Lighting

Overall lighting refers to the lights you use to light an entire space. For an outdoor space, the overall lighting are the lights you use for your patio or entertaining space. These are the lights that allow you and your guests to see what’s going on around you.

Task Lighting

Task lighting is lighting with a specific and functional purpose. Walkway lights are a good example, as these lights serve to illuminate a walkway that your guests will use.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting highlights certain features of the landscape like plants, trees, fountains or architectural elements. These lights can enhance your ambiance.

There are many types of lighting you can choose from for your outdoor and patio lighting setup. While you don’t have to – and likely won’t – use all of the types, it’s good to know what’s available.

Types of Lights

There are many different types of outdoor lights you can use to achieve the three different types of lighting.

Floodlights

Floodlights provide a broad beam of light, allowing them to cover a large area. You will use floodlights in areas that need a lot of light.

If you do a lot of outdoor entertaining, then you may not want your floodlights to be too bright. Consider projecting them on a wall to highlight it or use them in a tree to soften the light.

Spotlights

Spotlights provide a narrow, bright beam of light. You typically use a spotlight to highlight a certain feature of your landscaping or architecture such as plants, trees, fountains and sculptures.

Since spotlights are so bright, you’ll want to ensure they’re never used in a place where they’ll be directly on your guests.

Up/Down-lights

As the names suggest, uplights are placed low and project light upward. Downlights are placed high and project light downward. By using a combination of both, you can create a lovely ambiance for your outdoor area.

You can use uplighting to highlight taller features like trees, columns or anything else you’d like to call attention to.

Downlighting is great for soft, ambient light. It can add depth and shadows to your space. You may also want to use it for certain water features or for spaces where you need added light for safety.

Garden Lights

Garden lights are mushroom-shaped soft lights that illuminate your flowerbeds. These look beautiful in your backyard and enhance your nighttime landscape.

Bollard Lights

Bollard lights are used to light pathways. They’re typically a light fixture on a post. The posts are staked in the ground at intervals.

String Lights

String lights are used to frame an entertaining area. They add a soft glow to create a warm ambiance. They come in many shapes and colors to suit your style.

Step Lights

Step lights illuminate steps for safety and appearance. Step lights may project light from the sides or may be recessed in individual steps.

3. Choose the Best Lightbulbs for Outdoor Landscape Lighting

There are four main types of bulbs you can choose from – incandescent, halogen, fluorescent and LED. While incandescent are attractive, but don’t last long and require a lot of energy. Halogen and fluorescent both last longer and consume less energy.

LEDs are the best option. They emit a pleasing light, have the longest lifespan and use the least energy. While they’re the most expensive initially, they save you in the long run.

4. Less Is (Usually) More

While it’s easy to get carried away with your outdoor lighting schemes, too many lights can be overwhelming. It can even take away from the ambiance you wanted.

Instead of going overboard with lights, use your budget to choose high-quality products that will beautifully and subtly enhance your outdoor entertaining space and landscape.

5. Think Vertically

While you’ll want to consider all of the features you’ll want to illuminate in your outdoor entertaining space, don’t forget to also think vertically. Having lighting at different levels can add depth and create a more interesting landscape. You’ll also avoid creating overwhelming light.

6. Avoid Straight Lines

If you want to create an inviting space, try to avoid using straight lines when lighting your pathways. Lines with slight curves will guide your guests through the space and will give your area and more magical feel.

7. Don’t Forget About Light Pollution

Be careful that you don’t get so focused on the lighting scheme that you forget about light pollution. Light pollution can have negative effects, like blinding your guests, shining into your home and blocking out your view of the night sky. It also wastes energy.

You can minimize light pollution by being careful about where you aim the lights. Use shades and lower wattages to keep them from being too bright.

8. Safety Is Important

If you’re going to entertain guests outside at night, you need to consider their safety. You’ll want to make sure any walkways, steps and anywhere else they may stumble.

Path lights are a great addition to any walkway. If you have steps leading down into your backyard, you can use small LED lights. They’re subtle and can even add to the ambiance of your space.

9. Get Creative

Finally, don’t be afraid to get creative. Your entertaining space and landscape are a reflection of you and your tastes. Use your instincts for what will work best. Throw in a few creative, unexpected features to make your space truly unique.

Are Your Ready to Make Your Outdoor Space Magical?

If you’d like to enhance your outdoor space and are looking for outdoor landscape lighting in Santa Cruz CA, The Home Lighter, Inc. can help. Visit us in Pacific Grove and we can explore your options. We’re happy to help you take your outdoor entertaining to the next level.

 

Your patio is an outdoor sanctuary where you can relax, drink wine and entertain guests. To make it a truly magical place, you can put some thought into the details of your patio lighting and decor. With the perfect choices of furniture and accents, you can transform your patio from a mundane outdoor space into an enchanting world of endless potential. For stylish lamps, bulbs and LED string lights, you can turn to a trusted outdoor lighting store in Santa Cruz CA.

The five most important patio decor elements are the furniture, flooring, greenery, accents and lighting. In most cases, the lighting will make the biggest difference in your patio’s ambiance and visual appeal. Whether you prefer your patio lighting to be attention-grabbing or understated, it’s important to find the right balance of elements to complement your backyard landscaping. The most successful patio designs blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment to create a naturally beautiful living space within a back garden or xeriscape.

1. Patio Lighting

When it comes to lighting your patio, it pays to match your design choices with the overall effect you’re going for. A minimal design may call for recessed or wall lighting whereas a more eclectic design may call for a string of globe lights or multicolored lamps. Combining layers of complementary lighting is a great strategy for creating a highly adaptable outdoor environment.

Decorative Lighting

Designing your patio lighting scheme gives you a chance to turn your patio into a work of art. Your patio lighting can serve dual roles as landscape illumination and outdoor ambiance. Many people like multicolored LED lighting for their backyard and patio lights, but white lights can also be a fitting choice. Decorative patio lighting can consist of globe lanterns hanging from ceiling rafters or gas torches lining a walkway. Combining outdoor lights with green plants or flowers can lend your patio a striking appearance.

Functional Lighting

Functional Lighting can illuminate your patio without the clutter of decorative lanterns and lamps. Wall lights with a dimmer switch offer convenient illumination with an understated appeal. An outdoor fire pit or fireplace can double as a source of heat and light, and some fire pits provide a flame hot enough for outdoor cooking. The choices of functional patio lighting may be sensible, but they’re far from boring.

2. Furniture

Patio furniture is a matter of personal preference, but a professional decorator can help you find outstanding items that you might not have otherwise considered. As with outdoor lighting, patio furniture can create a synergy that adds up to more than the sum of its parts. Whether you’re looking for a funky chic or a uniform elegance, your choice of furniture will be the cornerstone of your design.

Tables and Chairs

For dining and entertaining guests, tables and chairs will be the mainstay of your patio’s decor. From wrought iron to rattan, outdoor tables and chairs come in a range of styles to suit any taste. By mixing and matching various types of outdoor tables and chairs, you can create a layered look that accommodates many occasions. Whether you’re designing your patio for everyday gatherings or special events, the materials and upholstery of your tables and chairs will make the defining impression on your guests.

Sofas and Loveseats

Outdoor benches and loveseats are perfect for conversations over wine and hors d’oeuvres. With patio furniture, you have the choice of fixed or moveable items. A landscaper can install a permanent wood, concrete or metal bench on or near your patio. Alternatively, a structure such as a gazebo or tiki hut can offer cozy bench seating. Your imagination and decorating budget are the only limits.

3. Greenery

No outdoor space is complete without foliage. Patio decor can especially benefit from the right choice of plants. Whether you prefer flowers, aromatics or succulents, greenery is an essential element in any back garden. Decorative foliage serves multiple functions as an accent to your patio. With the right choice of flowering plants and herbs, you can keep biting insects at bay and create a protected perimeter for your guests.

Potted Plants

The simplest choice is to set up a few potted plants around your patio. Choices such as citronella, lemon eucalyptus and rosemary are effective at warding off mosquitoes and flies. Another good choice is catnip, which gives off a pleasant aroma that confuses and repels insects. Best of all, choosing potted plants for your patio is easy and fun. It’s almost impossible to go wrong with any combination of aromatic flowers and herbs.

Bedded Plants

Your landscaper can plant a flower bed within or around your patio. Bedded plants make a memorable addition to any back garden, and the most creative applications can look stunning. Whether your taste is minimalistic or extravagant, a plant bed can complement your patio decor. A Zen garden can accommodate a peaceful bed of flowers or raked pebbles. Some people like a more maximalist look, though. With bold colors and a unique design, bedded plants can enhance your overall experience.

4. Decor

From candles and vases to lily ponds and brick ovens, patio decor can bring the whole ensemble together. The best part of outdoor decorating is changing the look of your patio when it suits you. When the seasons change, so can your patio decor. You can easily redecorate your patio with a new look for every gathering. Outdoor ornaments and accents are the perfect finishing touch for any patio design.

Outdoor Installations

Big installations such as ovens and fireplaces are permanent fixtures, so your seasonal decorating will have to work around these large items. Although a large installation is a long-term commitment, it can be worth the investment for an outdoor structure that looks great all year long. Permanent installations can provide a place to hang lights or grow ornamental vines. A patio wall can accommodate recessed lights or a wood-fired pizza oven. Installing a large structure on your patio is a big decision that requires careful consideration, but using smaller items can also be worthwhile.

Patio Accents

Accents such as votive candles, glass vases and throw pillows can dramatically change the look of your outdoor living space. Battery-powered or conventional candles can also add a nice accent to your patio lighting. When you feel the urge to redecorate your patio, the upholstery is a great place to start. You can achieve a striking look with complementary colors and textures on your seat cushions and pillows. An outdoor rug can provide an elegant accent while anchoring all the elements of your patio. Umbrellas, fans and stools also make easy, eye-catching patio accents.

5. Flooring

It’s easy to overlook the importance of quality flooring in patio design. Flooring is the most functional element in any patio, and it can also be just as fun and fabulous as the rest of the decor. Whether you use concrete, wood, stone or a combination, you can make your patio a haven of creativity with the right flooring.

Stained Wood

The most popular and versatile outdoor flooring material is stained wood. From pine and walnut to hickory and oak, wood flooring comes in many styles and varieties. Stains can add color and richness to your flooring while providing a smooth surface that’s free of splinters.

Choosing the Best Flooring

Most types of flooring will match any style of decor, but some materials will accentuate certain styles while clashing with others. Because flooring is a relatively permanent fixture of a patio’s design, it’s important to plan carefully for future renovations.

When it comes to patio design, you can begin the process with a visit to an outdoor lighting store in Santa Cruz CA. Come to The Home Lighter, Inc., in Pacific Grove for assistance with all your patio lighting questions and ideas. We’ll be happy to help you get the ball rolling.

Outdoor patio lighting refers to artificial illumination in areas that are not roofed. Illuminating these areas improves visual performances for the persons working in them. Visual performance is the speed and accuracy in which a visual task is executed. Outdoor patio lighting ideas differ with preferences. The various outdoor patio lights are used for:
Generally, a small patio requires 600 to 700 lumens to look well illuminated, while a considerably large patio requires 1200 to 1600 lumens. Lighting is divided into three categories, i.e.:
  1. Overall; it illuminates the whole space
  2. Task; illuminating a specific place, e.g., a pathway
  3. Accent; illuminating to draw attention, e.g., by using spotlights or floodlights
Various types of bulbs are used in outdoor lighting. They include:
With the above considerations, you can now illuminate your outdoor much straightforwardly. Outdoor lighting is equally important, just like indoor lighting. It should functionally provide a safe, relaxing atmosphere while impacting the look of your patio. This article discusses the various patio lighting ideas you can use to improve your outdoor entertainment space.

Outdoor Patio Lighting Ideas for Improving Entertainment Spaces

Enhancing beauty is one of the most typical purposes of adding outdoor patio lights to your space. If your space has a dining table, then outdoor pendants will be an excellent choice for you. If you have a spacious outdoor seating area, you might also want to check out the table and floor lamps.

The key to using outdoor patio lights for beauty is adding just enough lighting without overdoing it. Generally, outdoor entertainment spaces require less energy than indoors. Too much light will detriment your outdoor space enjoyment. Typically, the eyes will dilate to allow more light in after you move to a darker space. Similarly, a bright glare will make seeing in a nighttime environment harder. When creating an outdoor patio lighting plan for enhancing beauty, glare should be your primary concern.

The best way to do outdoor patio lighting is to direct the light just where it is needed. Overhead lighting, e.g., outdoor pendants or string lights, is an excellent option for ambient lighting. A sturdy string light zig-zagged over an entertaining space brings about a tremendously soft, overall light and creating an ideal entertainment atmosphere.

If you need a fan, there are plenty of fans for outdoor activities, and they offer light. This lighting fixture is ideal for environments that have high temperatures, even at night. However, the fans may not provide attractive light options. If the entertainment space is covered, you can choose outdoor pendants, flush mount ceiling lighting fixtures, or recessed lighting.

Sometimes, the entertainment spaces are used for playing games or even reading. These activities require more direct and bright lighting. Ensure you use overhead lights that have enough output for these activities to be carried out. You may also use the portable table or floor lamps instead of overhead lighting. There is a wide range of rechargeable table lamps that will last longer before exhausting energy. Plug-in floor lamps are also becoming popular in outdoor lighting since they provide a polished high-end impression. If your entertainment space has activities like grilling, check out for targeted options like barbeque lights to give the ideal light needed.

Always remember accent lighting to complete the entertainment outdoor space lighting layer. Low-level accent lights can be used to define areas and highlight spots where missteps are likely to happen. Step and small deck lights can highlight stairs or defining a boundary. Spot and floodlights will create a visual entertainment space and also expand your patio to a landscape.
More lighting ideas include:

Up-lighting

Popularly known as spotlighting, it is a standard-voltage landscaping lighting used to illuminate high-intensity beams upward. They are installed ideally above the ground level, just below the trees, making them look more statuesque. Bullet-shaped lights are best for places with tall trees, while short vegetation like shrubs requires well-lights to give the entertainment space an impressive look.

Lanterns

Lanterns produce soft low-voltage accent lighting in small areas in outdoor walls or decors. Most lanterns are made of glass and metal and are installed atop windows or arches. They are ideal when playing board games or when having snacks and beverages. Unlike clear lanterns, translucent lanterns will create a diffused glare-free lighting without distracting other backyard lighting fixtures.

Path Lighting

Some entertainment spaces may have several paths. Paths should be well illuminated to avoid simple injuries. The illumination fixture used in the space might be inadequate to light up these paths, and path lighting will be necessary. Path lighting fixtures are usually installed on the ground on both sides of the pathway.

There exist many path lighting options, including solar LED options. However, solar-powered path lighting fixtures are not recommendable since they have low light output and low lifespans.

Kitchen Lighting

Kitchen lighting fixtures are used when you are preparing your dinner outside the house. With proper lighting, your family and guests will be able to see what they are eating. Barbecue lights are also an excellent option for grilling activities.

Fire Pits

Fire pits look great in entertainment spaces in cold environments. They tend to cast a decent light amount on everything around them. However, they are likely to cast a lot of shadows and darken some places. It would be better if you are cautious when sitting around the fire pits so that you do not trip over other people’s feet.

You can place under cap lights around the fire pit to illuminate the foot traffic area. This way, you will illuminate the over-shadowed places to avoid mere injuries.

Security Lighting

Apart from choosing a lighting fixture solely for enhancing beauty, the fixture should also provide security to you and your guests. Since the night is young and full of terror, your guests are likely to feel much safer when there is just enough light to assist the see around. Security lights will scare off intruders and destructive animals, thus providing you with safe entertainment.

Outdoor Wall Lighting

Outdoor wall lighting is a safe and accent lighting fixture used to illuminate small recessed areas on shadow-lurking yards. They can be mounted on vertical surfaces like above stairways or around sunken seating areas.

An excellent example of outdoor wall lighting fixtures is wall scones. Wall scones are great options for enhancing the ambiance of your entertainment space. The perfect wall scones for an entertainment space should puddle the light on the ground and not aim it out into space. However, wall scones are generally designed to be used in spaces with limited depths. You might want to incorporate other outdoor patio lighting fixtures to spread light evenly if your patio is deep despite using wall scones.

Beam Lighting

Designing impressive beams over the dining area will also add to the beauty of your entertainment space. This outdoor patio lighting idea is used to create a sophisticated vibe. It can be used alongside an intelligent table and chic chairs to add to the ambiance.

Conclusion

Utilizing the above outdoor patio lighting ideas guarantees an impressive look on your entertainment space. Most of these ideas are DIYs, but you might also hire an expert if you feel you cannot deliver what is required. If you are a Santa Cruz resident, check out The Home Lighter for outdoor landscape lighting in Santa Cruz CA.