A Different Way To Think About Patio Lighting

On 08.27.10, In Patio, By Stevie Wonder

Today I’d like to talk about a different way to think about patio lighting.  Most people who have patios usually have simple, one bulb light fixtures installed on them.  What usually happens is that the patio is adequately illuminated directly under the patio light fixture but the rest of the patio is somewhat dim.  With a little bit of creativity, you can really make quite an impact on how your patio feels during the evening hours.

Since patios come in many shapes and sizes, it doesn’t make sense to simply install a one bulb patio lighting fixture.  A better solution would be to install a patio lighting fixture that has multiple bulbs.  A good example of this would be an outdoor flood light.  Outdoor flood lights don’t have to be overpowering with very powerful light bulbs in each outlet.  The reason that outdoor flood lighting would be perfect for patio lighting is that there are several rececticals for light bulbs and they can be strategically aimed in just the right location. 

You can aim each light bulb in the direction that will give you light in just the right locations of your patio.  It’s a good idea to use less powerful light bulbs so you don’t overpower people on your patio with an outdoor flood light. 

Another thing that you can do to improve your outdoor patio lighting is to install dimmer switches on your patio light fixtures.  With a dimmer switch, you can tone down the lighting if it happens to be a particularly bright night.  It makes sense that you would need more lighting on a night where the Moon isn’t visible than you would need on a night with a full moon.

By installing the right type of patio lighting, you can really change the atmosphere and the feeling that you get when you spend time on your patio at night.

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How To Choose Garden Patio Lights

On 05.26.10, In Uncategorized, By Stevie Wonder

If you are the proud owner of a garden or patio then you have probably at one time considered installing some type of lighting.  You may be ready to do so but just really have no idea where to start. Hopefully this short guide can shine some light on the subject for you!

When choosing the right garden patio lights for your home you first want to consider using either low voltage lighting or solar lighting. Both work very well and will not require the use of a professional to install them. Low voltage lights use only 12 volts not the standard 120 volts that is used by a regular household current.  The fixtures can be added and moved around easily while the lights are plugged in and on.  They are easily installed and can be bought in kits which are sold at most hardware or building centers. Solar lights are the latest trend to the hit the market. They are so easy to install and require no electrical hookup or plug in.  Each fixture has a photocell that charges during the day and lights up at night.  Solar lighting has become more and more popular with homeowners.

There are twelve basic types of lighting that you need to consider when choosing the effect you want for your patio area. They are: ambient lighting, down and up lighting, moonlighting, diffused lighting, spotlighting, shadowing, grazing, silhouetting, cross lighting, floodlights and washing.

Ambient lighting basically lights the overall area. Down and up lighting are pretty self explanatory in that down lighting has the light placed downwards toward the focal point and up lighting has it placed upwards toward the focal point. Moonlighting is very similar to down lighting in that it is placed high up and casts the light down to display a moonlight effect. Diffused lighting creates a more circular pattern and can be used to display shrubs or flowerbeds. Spotlighting focuses on a particular focal point. Shadowing is used to portray or cast an object’s “shadow” on a wall or surface. Grazing is used for texture lighting. Silhouetting is similar to shadowing in that it beams the light through a particular focal point. Cross lighting uses more than one light on a focal point. Floodlights create lighting in a large area and washing is when you position a light toward the base so that the light “washes” across the focal point.

Whatever garden patio lights you decide on you can rest assured that they will add ambiance and attraction to any area for years to come.

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Practical Advice for Choosing Outdoor Patio Lights

On 02.23.10, In Patio, By Stevie Wonder

Before you head out to the store and shop for outdoor patio lighting, always take time to assess your needs and particular specifications. This is extremely important to ensure that you won’t be wasting your time and money. Keep in mind, that every home has unique lighting requirements therefore you have to choose accordingly. When buying patio lights, you always have to keep safety in mind. But aside from that, you also have to consider quality, functionality, and overall design.

To help you make the right choice, here are some vital parameters that you have to carefully look into.

Determine how you are planning to use your patio. Will it be used for occasional family parties and gatherings? Or would you like it to be a place where you can hang out after a tiring day from work? It is important that you are certain on the activities that you want to do in the area to ensure that you will be able to satisfy your desired outdoor lighting requirements.

Identify particular areas in your patio that are at risk of tripping accidents. This is important so you’ll know where you need to integrate the lights. Doing so will help you avoid tripping or falling accidents especially when elevated steps are present.

Make sure to select lights that will boost the ambience of your patio. Lights do not only need to function as a form of illumination. In fact, lighting has been widely used to enhance the visual appeal of any room. On that note, be sure to select one, which will be able to bring out the beauty of your patio.

Take note of the existing theme and color scheme on your deck or patio. It is critical that you maintain balance and harmony on your patio to create a more appealing atmosphere.

Figure out how bright you would want your outdoor patio lights to be. To decide the amount of illumination that you want the lights to offer, you have to consider the type of ambiance that you want to create. For instance, if you want to introduce a cozy environment, then soft-glowing garden patio lights would be an ideal option.

Choose patio lights that are easy to install. If you are planning to do the installation on your own, it will be more convenient for you to find lights that are easy to setup. Of course, those who have existing electrical outlets in the patio will certainly have an easier time to install the lights.

Just take time to shop around so you can carefully sift through viable outdoor patio lighting options to ensure that you will be acquiring the one that will meet your lighting requirements and best help you to enjoy your outdoor space.

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