6 Tips for Choosing Essential Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting is an essential part of any home or property, providing both functionality and aesthetics. It can create a warm and welcoming atmosphere while also providing safety and security. But with so many options available, choosing the perfect outdoor lighting can be overwhelming. Here are six tips to help you choose the perfect outdoor lighting for your home or property. If you’d like some professional help choosing and designing the perfect outdoor lighting system in Tampa Bay, call Decorating Elves at 727-474-2628 or contact us online.
1. Determine Your Goals
The first step in choosing the perfect outdoor lighting is to determine your goals. Ask yourself what you want to achieve with your outdoor lighting. Do you want to create a welcoming ambiance on your outdoor patio? Highlight your landscaping or architectural features using the latest lighting techniques. Improve safety and security on pathways or stairways? Once you determine your goals, it will be easier to select the essential outdoor lighting options.
2. Consider the Functionality
When choosing outdoor lighting, it’s important to consider the functionality. You should consider the purpose of each lighting fixture and how it will be used. For example, pathway lighting should provide enough illumination for safe navigation, while floodlights should provide bright, powerful lighting for security purposes.
3. Think About Style
Outdoor lighting comes in a variety of styles, from traditional to modern. Consider the style of your home and landscaping when selecting your outdoor lighting. You want your outdoor lighting to complement your property’s aesthetic, rather than detract from it. You’ll want to go with a white light display for elegance and an upscale feel. For a fun, modern look, consider multicolor LEDs. Or have the best of both worlds with a system that can do it all! With all the style options available today, the options are endless!
4. Look at the Placement
Placement is key when it comes to outdoor lighting, even for lights that aren’t serving a safety or security purpose. Think about where you want to place your lighting fixtures and how many you need (or let the professionals at Decorating Elves handle the design details for you!). You’ll want to place fixtures near entrances, pathways, decks, or patios…anywhere people commonly come and go. You’ll also want lighting fixtures near architectural features or landscaping focal points. We use the most popular lighting techniques to highlight exactly what you want guests to see while obscuring anything you’d rather hide.
5. Choose the Right Lighting Type
Outdoor lighting comes in various types, including incandescent, LED, low-voltage, and solar-powered. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. LED and low-voltage lights are energy-efficient and long-lasting, while solar-powered lights are environmentally friendly and easy to install. Consider the type of lighting that will best suit your needs and budget.
6. Consider Your Budget
Finally, it’s important to consider your budget when choosing the perfect outdoor lighting system. Outdoor lighting can vary in price, from inexpensive to high-end options. Determine how much you want to spend and select the lighting fixtures that fit within your budget. Our professional lighting system designers can help you figure out the difference in cost for each lighting type we offer.
Beautiful Outdoor Lighting Systems in Tampa Bay
Choosing the perfect outdoor lighting system requires careful consideration of your goals, style, placement, and budget. By following these tips, you can select the right outdoor lighting system with the options you want to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere while also providing safety and security for your property. At Decorating Elves, we offer full-service lighting packages, including gorgeous and functional design, professional installation, and preventative maintenance, all from one locally-owned and operated business right here in Tampa Bay. Contact us at 727-474-2628 to schedule a free estimate for your outdoor lighting project today.