Evenings are about to get a lot darker earlier. Time to replace or update your outdoor lighting.
Dusk arrives early these days and within the next couple weeks it will arrive even earlier after daylight saving time ends this Sunday. On Nov. 1st, at 1 a.m. local standard time, the clocks “fall back” an hour and we return to standard time.
The time change means we get an extra hour of sleep, which most agree is much needed. But it comes at the expense of light for outdoor activities.
Outdoor Lighting, Not Just for Security Anymore
No longer look at outdoor lighting strictly as security for your home and say bye, bye to the boring flood lights of the past. Today outdoor lighting sets the stage for the entire landscaping of your yard as well as helps to provide safety and security. When you realize this, it opens up many possibilities for your decks, patios, walkways and garden areas of your outdoor sanctuary. I mean who wants to be stuck indoors at night?
Time to Update your Home Light Fixtures for Your Walkways & Gardens
Residential yards can have a professional, architecturally designed feel without the large expense simply by adding the right outdoor light fixtures yourself. To beat the standard time blues, here are some DIY ideas for walkways and garden areas.
- To show off your garden, trees, & shrubs add direct lighting from below making shadows and textures to add drama to your grounds.
- For statues simply add direct lighting from above to bathe them in gentle yet focused lighting.
- Add lighting to your pond to make it glow from within.
- Include motion-sensor lights for added security.
- Place lights along walkways to welcome visitors, for safety, and for ambiance.
- Place auto-dimmer lights near doorway and walkways to welcome guests with a gentle glow that also provides safe passage.
What to Think About When Buying or Replacing Outdoor Lights?
- Low voltage lights vs. traditional line voltage- Easier to install and more energy-efficient.
- Overuse – Don’t overdo it. Too many lights will take away from your home’s look and feel.
- Solar lighting – Energy efficient and flexibility to move lights often.
- Make a plan – Map out your yard, determine how many lights and what type and style before you go shopping.
Finally, don’t forget, if you need to replace old can, halo or recessed lights in your outdoor living areas, The Can Converter can help!
