Homeowners want functional yet stylish outdoor areas. Having such a space can increase property value and promote a happier lifestyle.
As an outdoor landscape lighting professional, you have the ability and expertise to help plan and create an outdoor entertainment area that is beautiful and practical that your clients will love.
This week’s blog will demonstrate how outdoor landscape lighting can be implemented to ensure that the fun doesn’t stop when the day turns into night.
Importance of Outdoor Entertainment Areas
Outdoor areas increase property value, as it adds more living space and provides a venue for social gatherings. It’s also a way to enjoy the benefits of being outdoors and in nature. To determine which kind of entertainment area that is perfect for your client, check out the steps below.
1. Plan the Outdoor Space with Purpose
The first thing that needs to be determined is the client’s vision. Is the entertainment area going to have food? Is it for lounging? Is it to play games? Is it going to be a mix of different purposes?
The answers can be used to ensure that outdoor landscape lighting can then be layered appropriately to enhance the entertainment area.
Next, find the foundation for the space. This could be a patio, deck, or stone pathway that creates structure and guides movement. It will serve as the main entertainment area.
Choose focal points that can be highlighted with outdoor landscape lighting. For example, clients can cook and eat with outdoor kitchens, relax with the sound of rushing water with water features, or relax under the shade of a pergola. Design an outdoor landscape lighting scheme to draw attention to these focal points and ensure that they are usable areas.
2. Build the Infrastructure with Lighting in Mind
If there is other work happening around the same time, such as hardscape, kitchen, or pergola builders, work with them. Cooperation is key and together you can help designate the best spot to integrate conduits, junction boxes, and mounting points. This ensures that the client’s overall outdoor entertainment area is seamless and harmonious in all of its parts.
When choosing outdoor light fixtures, opt for wet or damp-rated fixtures, confirm load calculations, and follow local codes. Wet or damp-rated fixtures are preferable, as they will be protected from the elements. Confirming how much the electrical load the system carries will ensure you won’t overload the circuit and damage the system or worse. Following local codes keeps everyone safe.
3. Enhance the Atmosphere Through Layered Lighting
A layered lighting design will create depth, improve visibility, highlight key features, and transform outdoor spaces into safe, inviting entertainment areas at night.
Soft light sources such as string lights, pendant lights, and integrated LED fixtures are great for ambient lighting. They provide a nice warm lighting base for the other layers.
Outdoor areas used for cooking and dining use task lighting to increase usability and safety. Step lights that are installed into risers or side walls are essential light fixtures because they keep stairs safe after dark.
Accent lighting using up lights or path lights is great to highlight focal points and pathways. It draws attention to these special pieces and adds depth and dimension to the overall outdoor space.
When layered together, you can create a stunning outdoor environment for your clients to entertain guests.
4. Entertainment & Experience Add-Ons
Once everything else is in place, you can set up the outdoor landscape lighting essentials for entertaining. For example, incorporating color-changing or dimmable outdoor light fixtures will enable your clients to have dynamic lighting that will make game nights, parties, or other events fun and truly stand out.
Outdoor theaters, fire features like a fire pit, and hammocks are perfect for a more relaxing entertainment area. Adding low-glare lighting near these areas will also improve visibility without dampening the vibes.
No outdoor entertainment area is complete without pieces for comfort and terrific outdoor speakers to play music or for those movie nights. Rugs, throws, and weather-durable cushions can make any outdoor area nice and comfy. Syncing the outdoor lights with outdoor speakers or entertainment systems can also result in energetic displays that are perfect for any event.
Your clients want an entertaining outdoor space that suits their needs and you can help give them one.
5. Details that Deliver Contractor Value
When consulting with clients, set yourself apart from the competition by showing the additional value you bring to the table.
Choosing the right outdoor landscape light fixtures includes choosing the right finish, style, and beam spread to match the architecture and already established home design. This will show that you are considerate of their design and are detail oriented enough to create an outdoor landscape lighting system that will seamlessly blend into the surrounding environment.
By properly creating and installing an outdoor landscape lighting system, you are not only enhancing the aesthetics of your clients’ outdoor entertainment areas, but keeping them safe too. Well positioned lighting along staircases, edges, and walking paths can reduce tripping hazards.
A good outdoor landscape design keeps the future in mind. Planning the right wire routes can accommodate for future additions, changes, or upgrades that may come in the future. Recommend scalable systems so clients can add fixtures as their needs evolve. It can also make it easier for you in the future to come back and make those adjustments.
By showing your value beyond installing lighting, clients can see what they are really purchasing when they choose you as their outdoor landscape lighting installer.
Outdoor Entertainment Lighting Starts Here at LightCh8in
Outdoor areas can be transformed into multifunctional, inviting, outdoor entertainment spaces that can enhance people’s lifestyles. Thoughtful placement of outdoor landscape lighting can be beneficial for the ambiance, safety, and client satisfaction of the outdoor entertainment area.
To position yourself as a full-solution outdoor landscape lighting expert, you’re going to need high-quality outdoor landscape lighting supplies. At LightCh8in, we have it all. From brass outdoor landscape light fixtures, direct burial cable, and everything in between, you can rely on LightCh8in to have your back. Log in to your LightCh8in account or register now to begin.