Spring Time – Dress Up the Outdoors

If you are like millions of other Americans, you are discovering that spending more vacation time at home can actually be fun. It can also save money, time and the headaches of traveling. If home vacations are in your future, rest assured it’s easy–and not as expensive as you might think–to transform your existing patio, deck or pool area into a mini retreat you will love.

When creating a resort-style backyard, you might think the place to begin is by adding costly designer patio furniture or lounge chairs that quickly lose their luster by the following season. However, investing in a good lighting scheme can actually enhance your existing furniture and amenities and create an evening “mood” that is relaxing and comfortable.

Start by defining your priorities. Rather than illuminating everything in your yard, decide what areas you want to focus on like paths, seating and ornamental landscape. Perhaps you have a grand oak tree that is the centerpiece of your yard that you would like to highlight, or you need good lighting around your pool for evening swims. Generally, you should begin your lighting plan close to the house where most of the action is and move outward. It’s also important to remember that a little light goes a long way. Too many lights are not cost effective and aren’t necessary. A lighting professional can help you decide where to place your lights based on the effect you want to achieve.

Creating a beautiful, well-lit landscape doesn’t have to be expensive, and no lawn is too small. A few well-placed, low-voltage lights can have a huge impact on your landscape, and this type of lighting is inexpensive, safe and relatively easy to install. You can also add to it in the future if you start with a transformer that is large enough. If you plan to expand your lighting scheme at some point, choose a transformer that is two to three times the amount of wattage you need at first. You will only pay for the energy consumed by the fixtures you have installed, but you have the option to increase your usage as you add features, like a fountain or new flower bed.

Nowadays, you have plenty options when choosing outdoor fixtures. Taking cues from the design scheme of your indoor spaces, look for light fixtures that support your home’s style. Also, choose the best quality and well-constructed fixtures that you can afford. Outdoor lighting can actually last for decades if you select quality products. If not, you may end up having to replace lights every couple of years, which will cost you more in the long run.

There are other ways to save money on outdoor lighting. Lights with photocells sense daylight, so they turn on and off automatically in relation to sunlight. A timer can be used to set the lights to turn on at specific times, and can even be combined with a photocell to make sure you always have light even on darker days. Low-voltage halogen lighting and LED light sources are less expensive to operate than a typical incandescent line-voltage system. The average lifespan of a well-made LED light source can exceed 12 years of average nightly use.

If you really want a lighting scheme in which every evening feels like a vacation, enlist the help of a professional. Their knowledge of light output, fixtures, transformer wattage and energy saving products will help you become the envy of all your neighbors.