People like to go outdoors, and warmer weather gives them more chances to do so. Your fun shouldn’t have to end just because the sun goes down. Fortunately, there are several ways to light up your backyard, so you can keep enjoying yourself as the moon rises high.
1. Security Lighting
This might not be your first thought if you’re thinking about entertaining, but it’s still a good idea for any homeowner. These lights are powered by a standard 120-volt current. Since they’re designed to keep burglars, raccoons and bears at bay, they should be installed in a high spot that allows light to shine down on your doorways, sidewalks or fence gates. You should install LED flood lights with motion sensors that’ll light up as soon as something appears. For maximum effect, make sure that your choice has a three-bulb housing and a brightness rating of at least 2000 lumens.
2. Path Lighting
Pathway lights give off low to moderate brightness. They can serve as both safety and landscaping lights, and they’re best used along both sides of your sidewalks, around flower beds and along any stepping stones heading to water features. Low-voltage options exist, but you’ll need to have a separate transformer installed to ensure they work. Alternatively, there are solar-powered lights, which either have rechargeable batteries of their own or a solar panel that you can place somewhere with full sun. After dark, these lights will continue to shine for several hours.
3. String Lighting
Old-fashioned string lights provide soft light that still manages to brighten your backyard. All you have to do is install them wherever there’s activity. Make sure that you choose waterproof fixtures that can handle indoor-outdoor bulbs. If you choose conventional string lighting, you’ll need an extension cord designed for outdoor use. On the other hand, you can choose battery-powered or solar-powered lights with LED bulbs. Unlike traditional lights, you won’t have to worry about bringing these in when it rains.
4. Outdoor Wall Lighting
As the name implies, this type of lighting should be placed on walls or other vertical surfaces. You can stick them around swimming pools, on pergolas and on staircases. It provides moderate brightness and serves as both safety and accent lighting. Install these lights in areas where shadows tend to crop up.
5. Lanterns
Lanterns can be used for more than your front door. They can’t serve as primary lighting for your backyard, but they can provide extra visual interest to the space. A good option is a battery-powered tabletop lantern, but make sure that it has a translucent covering. Clear glass will lead to unnecessary and unattractive glare.
6. Deck Lighting
This type of lighting is designed to make sure you can climb on to and off of your deck without tripping over any steps. Consequently, it tends to be high intensity lighting that uses standard voltage. They’re also LED lights, so you can walk right over them without feeling a thing. On top of that, they can stand up to the elements quite well. Not only can they go below grooves in the surface, but you can also install them along stair railings, between stairs or around the deck’s perimeter. In addition, you won’t need the extra headaches that a new transformer can bring.
7. Spotlighting
If you have a lot of plants to showcase, this is a good option. It’s standard-voltage and comes with round or bullet-shaped lights. Both give off moderate- to high-intensity light, and both can be stuck in the ground near your garden. If you want to showcase shrubs or flowers, choose the round lights that will cast light upwards at a short distance. If you’re showing a tree off, the bullet-shaped lights cast light much further upwards. You can push round lights into the ground, but you’ll need stakes for the bullet-shaped ones. Make sure to choose LED lights when you can.
At Oregon Outdoor Lighting, our professionals can help you determine the right types of lighting for your backyard. We can help you install fixtures and transformers, or we can point you to good wireless or battery-powered options. Contact us to learn more.
Be sure to also read: How can I make my yard look more expensive?
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