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There are plenty of ways to decorate your yard and walkways with outdoor lighting fixtures that enhance the aesthetic appeal and increase safety. Learn more about the different styles and degrees of illumination so you can choose the right ones for your property.
First, determine which type of bulb you prefer for the landscaping section you’re adding light to. LED and low-voltage bulbs are popular choices for illuminating important elements of your outdoor spaces, with each featuring distinctive characteristics. Consider the differences:
LED: Light-emitting diodes are a specific type of low-voltage bulbs that are energy efficient. Although they are generally more expensive than other low-voltage selections, they last for over 50,000 hours and emit little heat. Common power options range from 3-9 watts (equal to 25W standard bulbs), which produce 12V of a warm white glow. There are also 3W Pin LEDs with 360° angling, that are equivalent to 15-20W halogens, and last approximately 30,000 hours.
Low-Voltage: MR16 halogens, typically in the 20-50W range, are another type of low-voltage bulbs. Although they have a shorter lifespan of approximately 2,000 hours, they also emit a warm white color through their UV filter. Alternatively, 36W and 50W PAR36 flood bulbs, which angle at 30°, last for about 3,000 hours, and are designed with fire-sealed technology. Low-voltage options also include 10-50W JC Bi Pins that produce high-intensity light for about 2,000 hours and fit in mushroom and step style fixtures.
It’s easier to select outdoor lighting fixtures when you know whether you’re placing them in a particular area for decorative emphasis, as a safety feature, or a bit of both. The styles you choose and how you arrange them also make your yard more inviting for company, complements neighborhood ambiance, and amplifies potential curb appeal. Picture how you can highlight:
Gardens: Directional lights elevate garden designs, set a mood for evening entertainment and relaxing in the yard, and cast a comfortable glow to follow while walking in the dark. Select brass or black powder-coated cast aluminum staked fixtures in hat, pagoda, and mushroom styles for a practical accessory that also looks great near your plants.
Walkways: The above-mentioned fixtures are also ideal for outlining front and backyard paths, steps, and driveways. They cast warm lighting in an umbrella effect that creates the right balance of being pleasing to the eyes and showing where to walk. For greater illumination, staked flood lights add a level of security to your yard at night, whether lounging outside, taking the dog out for a late walk, or simply, to keep your landscape well lit while you sleep. Along with directional bullet lights, they have heat-resistant, tempered glass, and efficiently create a defined line to follow.
Patios and Decks: If you prefer just a hint of illumination near sitting areas, step deck lights subtly blend into the landscape. Frosted glass inside a rust or antique brass frame project at 90° and can be set on the ground or attached to deck posts.
Pool/Pond: Underwater lighting is a lovely effect that adds visual depth to your pond, pool, or waterfall. The fiberglass spotlights swivel at 180° and create a striking effect when placed at the bottom of the structure. Inground well lights and LED well lights, with adjustable bulb holders also work nicely on land, along pool perimeters and rock formations. They can be used in conjunction with tiki torches and other lighting to help illuminate getting in and out of the pool.
How do you have your outdoor lighting arranged? Tell us in the comments section below!
