Lighting the Way: Outdoor Spaces Exude Beauty with Lighting

July 17th, 2015

Follow the light — it’s an idea humans have clung to since our humble beginnings. Light can make or break a space. Without the right kind of light, a space can be bland, uninviting, and even scary. But, with truly inspired and thoughtful lighting, a space can exude warmth and beauty. Lighting outdoor spaces can be tricky, because light direction and shadows greatly alter our perception. However, we think with our simple three step plan, you’ll become a pro at outdoor lighting:

Source: TMS Architects

Be as safe as possible. You’ll likely fall if you try to navigate through a pitch-dark garden at night without a light in your hand. And, if you don’t want to reach for a flashlight every time you want to relax outside in the evenings, you’ll need to include adequate safety lighting in your exterior lighting plans. Tweak your lighting plan around safely getting from point A to point B, and your guests will thank you!
Secure your property with lights. Dark corners are unattractive, but they can be unsafe, too. Subtle path lighting is a great way to achieve stylish, outdoor security, and there are endless elegant options on the market these days. Staggering lighting — setting some lights high and some low — achieves a softer effect without being overbearing.
Express yourself with artistic, sexy lighting. Whether its an unusual tree, rustic stone wall, or artistic sculpture, highlighting focal points is the fun part of lighting design. Uplighting, downlighting, and directional lighting can all be used to achieve different nighttime effects. Casting light from different directions adds drama and creates a striking look. For outdoor dining areas, hanging lanterns are particularly demure. Put one or two lanterns above your table or furniture groupings to create an intimate atmosphere for a gathering of friends.
Source: TMS Architects