May 06 2010
Garden Light
Enjoying the beauty of the garden doesn’t have to be limited the daylight hours. The use of a garden light plan can make the garden a place of respite after the sun goes down. Garden light serves a dual purpose; it not only makes the garden a place to socialize but also adds a safety factor by keeping unwanted animals and people from sneaking up on visitors.
Selecting the lighting for a garden involves taking into account the various factors that influence the landscape. This is vital to creating a living space that is walk able while at the same time not so bright as to take away from the natural beauty of the yard.
The safety feature of the garden light plan is not one that can be ignored. Pathways, ponds and other water fixtures should be lit well enough so that there are no accidents. The lighting around these areas doesn’t have to be overpowering and can in fact add to the beauty of the water accessories and paths. Garden lights create a beautiful, reflective glow on water features while at the same time allowing them to be seen.
Outdoor garden lighting should be designed to create a mood. It shouldn’t look like New York City after dark, unless of course that is the look that is being designed. There should be enough lighting for socializing and visibility without being blinding. The use of up lighting and recessed lights will help to create different moods in the garden. Spotlights can be used to highlight areas such as flowerbeds or favorite garden pieces and create drama and beauty in the garden.
Garden lights that are stake lights can be used to line pathways, driveways or create designs that the homeowner wants to showcase. If there are night flowering plants that deserve to be highlighted, placing garden lights behind them will target them and display their beauty for guests to enjoy.
Garden lights don’t have to be designed with outdoor socializing in mind. A simple garden light plan can be the highlight of the landscape. It can be as simple as uplighting around hedges for beauty and security with pathway lighting leading to the house. The choice in garden lights should be built around the landscape and its intended uses.
When designing the garden lighting plan it is also important to take into account the various types of outdoor light fixtures available. Today there are garden lights that are modern and trendy or traditional and stylish. Homeowners can even find garden lights that are whimsical to accent their garden flowerbeds.
The bottom line in garden lights is to design a plan that flows with the design of the landscape and accents the home rather than overpowers it. Add to that the homeowner’s personal tastes and a garden light plan that is both functional and pretty will come to be.
-Sharon V. Chapman
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