Outdoor lighting can really enhance the look and feel of your home. Today, with more and more homeowners expanding their living space to include the outdoors, we’ve been installing a wide variety of outdoor lighting. From landscape lighting in Mission, KS to flood lights in Merriam, our electricians have been busy lighting up the night all over town. There are hundreds of styles available from path lighting to accent lighting to decorative lighting. If you’re thinking of adding outdoor lighting to your home, it is important for you to choose the right type of outdoor lighting before deciding on the style. Here is a brief summary of the kinds of lighting to consider for the different areas of your home.
Decorative Lights Add Ambiance
If you are looking for lights to set a mood or add some ambiance to a backyard patio or deck, decorative lights are perfect. They give off a warm glow without being overpowering. The light they provide is just enough to be inviting but not bright enough to complete a task or to add any security benefits. Decorative lights come in a wide variety of styles and include string lights, rope lights, tiki torches, and hanging or sitting lanterns.
Accent Lights Highlight Specific Features
Accent lights are used to draw attention to specific areas of your landscaping. You can highlight a tree, an outdoor statue or fountain, an arbor, or even an architectural feature of your home. Accent lights can be placed on the ground to point upward (perhaps into a tree) or placed in a tree to point downward highlighting something on the ground. While they provide a beautiful glow to your yard, they are generally not used for security purposes.
If you’d like to read more about outdoor lighting ideas visit our blog 4 Ways to Make Your Outdoor Kansas City Space Amazing After Dark
Path Lights Ensure Safe Walking
If you want to ensure a well-lit path to walk on, path lights should be your choice. These are low to the ground and offer a dim, diffused light. You can use path lights in a variety of places, and they are available as solar or electric lights. They offer a nice ambiance, but if you are looking for safety, they are not the best option. Since they are low to the ground, the light stays near the ground and while it does illuminate the path, making it safer to walk on, it doesn’t provide enough light to dissuade intruders. These lights come in a variety of styles that can also add a decorative touch to your landscaping.
Flood Lights Add Safety and Security
If it’s security you are most concerned with, flood lights are the type of lights to add. Flood lights, like their name implies, flood the area with bright light. These are best placed near doors and entryways to discourage anyone from trying to gain unwarranted access to your home. The brighter your lights, the more likely they are to be seen by neighbors or passersby and the less likely they are to risk getting caught. Flood lights can be motion activated as well. They are typically mounted on the corners of houses or garages for the best coverage.
So, you can see there are many choices when it comes to outdoor lighting. First decide which type you need and then choose the style you like in the price range you prefer. Then, call Fusion Electric for help when you need an electrician in Merriam, Mission, or any part of town to install your outdoor lighting professionally and safely.
