By understanding design layout, the purpose of the space, and the different styles, you can deliver smarter and more personalized outdoor landscape lighting plans that provide better value to your clients. Outdoor landscape lighting is a key part of a well-designed outdoor living space.
This week’s blog is a crash course on the principles of outdoor design, how knowing these principles will help you design the perfect outdoor spaces for your clients, and how to enhance them with outdoor landscape lighting that will leave your clients speechless.
Understand the Purpose and Function of the Space
To design an outdoor landscape lighting plan that will truly benefit your clients, you have to identify how your client plans to use their outdoor space first. They could be interested in turning an outdoor space for dining, entertaining, relaxing, or other needs. Knowing the purpose of the space will help you determine the lighting requirements, and then you can come up with a plan that will satisfy your client.
For example, if the area is to be an outdoor kitchen, then you know you’ll need to install strong task lighting such as downlights that have a cooler color temperature. This will help make the task of cooking outside easier.
Knowing the overall purpose of the space will give you a clear game plan for how to light the space.
Consider Layout, Flow, and Zoning
Outdoor areas can be divided into different zones that serve different purposes. Good outdoor landscape lighting will enhance these zones. For example, in a large outdoor space, there could be zones specifically for cooking and dining. Installing outdoor light fixtures such as path lights and step lights can guide movement and ensure safety while moving through the space at night. Outdoor landscape lighting can also affect the space’s atmosphere. For example, warm-colored lighting can draw people toward seating areas, and cool-colored lighting can be more advantageous for zones where tasks are performed, such as outdoor kitchens.
By creating and lighting these zones appropriately, you can help your clients create an outdoor space that is personalized to their needs and desires.
Align Lighting with Existing Style and Materials
For a cohesive look, match the style and color of the fixtures to the existing themes, colors, and design of the area. For example, if there is a modern style and theme, you wouldn’t want to install rustic-looking outdoor landscape lighting fixtures. Instead, opt for sleek outdoor landscape lighting fixtures with clean lines to better fit in with the modern aesthetic. You can use up to 3 different fixture finishes to give a bit more variance and avoid an overwhelming look.
Creating a cohesive lighting design will not only ensure that an outdoor space looks good, but is functional at all times of the day or night.
Add Value with Layered and Creative Lighting
Layered lighting ensures that different types of lighting, such as ambient, task, and accent, are used in such a way that is not only cohesive, but attractive.
Ambient lighting is the type of lighting that creates the atmosphere of the space. String lights and lanterns are ways to add a fun touch to any outdoor space.
Task lighting can include installing downlights so that the area is lit enough so that tasks such as cooking can be completed without risk of harm or injury.
Accent lighting places attention on focal points such as trees or water features. Up lights draw attention to these features at night and highlight the beauty of the landscape.
By offering outdoor landscape lighting that goes beyond safety and offers a clean, nice aesthetic, you can surely turn any outdoor space into your clients’ dream paradise.
Quality Landscape Lighting Starts at LightCh8in
By considering the layout and purpose of the outdoor space, you can better create an outdoor landscape lighting design that will incorporate visual harmony with practicality. You can also rely on LightCh8in as your trusted partner for everything outdoor landscape lighting.
Log in or register for a free LightCh8in account to shop outdoor landscape lighting supplies. From brass outdoor light fixtures to mounts to direct burial cable and more lighting products, you’ll find it all at LightCh8in.