An often oversight in residential and commercial landscaping is lighting. People tend to focus more on which color flower to plant or where to plant the biggest tree. While plant selection is a major part of designing the perfect landscape, lighting can change your look from well done to absolutely amazing!

Outdoor Landscape Lighting Basics

How light is seen during the night is very different from how it is seen during the day. This is particularly important when it comes to lighting pathways and other outdoor spaces. Certain lighting principles however, remain true. Light has intensity and color. The color of a particular lightbulb can be found printed on the packaging. It is a number that ranges from 1800 kelvins (K), which is very red in tone, to 7500 K, which is a bluish white hue. A variety of bulbs such as incandescent, halogen, flurescents and LED are suitable for outdoor fixtures. Incandescent bulbs emit pleasing light but tend to have a shorter lifespan and consume more electricity. Halogen bulbs are more efficient versions of incandescents, and typically have a longer life and less energy consumption. Fluorescents are now available in a more pleasing color range, last much longer and consume less energy. While LED bulbs are initially more expensive, their declining costs combined with their extraordinarily long life and extremely low energy consumption make them a viable option. Landscape lights that are located near a building with electricity such as a home or office can easily be integrated into the building’s wiring system.

Ambient Task, Accent & Overall Illumination Lighting

Whether indoors or outdoors, lighting is generally divided into three categories based on function.
▪Overall: Overall light provides illumination for a whole room or space.
▪Task: Task lighting is used for a specific purpose, such as to light a pathway.
▪Accent: Accent lighting draws attention to an object or area. This is usually accomplished with spotlights or floodlights.

Lighting Position & Direction

Down Lighting – Deciding the direction of your lighting is the first step. Down lighting requires the installation of high lights that focus their gaze down on your landscaping. This type of lighting can have a beautiful effect on plants such as low growing flower beds, under benches or along garden walk ways. Down lighting is also excellent for illuminating large outdoor living spaces. Down lighting gives a natural look as it creates playful shadow patterns on the ground.

Up lighting – This is when lights are mounted below or at ground level, shining the light upward. Trees, architectural columns and garden features benefit greatly from up lighting. This will add a beautiful look to your garden. Tall, dramatic plants are best suited for up lighting.

Combination – Not all landscape requires one type of lighting or the other. Using up, down and natural moonlight together can accentuate every aspect of your garden. The important thing is to have your landscape looking its best. Commercial landscape lighting can make your future clients feel impressed while they walk up to your office building. Home landscape lighting will have your neighbors feeling jealous of your perfect garden at your next barbeque.

Professional Interior & Exterior Lighting Consultants in Boca Raton & South FL

Burley Electrical is the perfect choice for lighting up your landscape and creating an outstanding result. We have the skills of turning your drab flower bed into a decadent floral display. If your office building is lacking attractive outdoor attributes, Burley Electrical will give your place of business the perfect outdoor look it needs to attract more customers and make you proud of where you work.