Spending more time outdoors has taken on new meaning these days and landscape lighting can extend the time you spend there. These creative outdoor lighting ideas can illuminate your Wellesley and Lexington, MA, backyard so you can remain outside as long as you like.
Related: 3 WAYS TO SEAMLESSLY BLEND AN OUTDOOR LIGHTING PLAN INTO YOUR LANDSCAPE DESIGN IN CAMBRIDGE, MA
Patios
When your landscape designer plans a new, expanded patio for relaxing and entertaining, having them illuminate the space can allow for lazy evenings spent under the stars with those you love. When choosing the patio pavers and the unique design, discuss adding low-level flush lighting along the perimeter of the patio.
While you can change the visual features of each distinctive area of the patio, landscape lighting can help to achieve making each area within the patio its own space. Brighter lights can be ideal for those areas where you need to see more clearly such as when grilling, while other areas like the outdoor living room can have warmer, softer lighting.
By varying the light tones and placement of the lights, your patio can be as bright or dim and ambient as you prefer.
Outdoor Kitchen
There is something special about dining al fresco. Food just tastes better fresh off the grill with all the yummy sides. Having an outdoor kitchen can be what you need to bring more function to your outdoor space.
Composed of wall stone that coordinates with your patio pavers, an outdoor kitchen can have durable countertops that offer plenty of prep space for any food you wish to cook. Adding outdoor lighting to the outdoor kitchen can let you enjoy a late dinner with friends and family since there is plenty of light.
Adding pendants over-the-counter spaces gives you task lighting to ensure the preparation doesn’t result in a cut finger. Illuminating beneath the countertops can let you see to move around without running into things in the dark and the grill station needs additional lighting to make sure the meat is cooking evenly without burning.
Other forgotten areas to light can be the appliances so you can see what is inside. If you choose to add an outdoor dining space, include lighting there that can be dimmed when the meal is done and everyone is ready to relax.
Light the Retaining Wall
When you work with the landscape designer to add a retaining wall for increased privacy within the patio and kitchen areas, this is an ideal space for lighting. The landscape contractor can build the wall with LED lights that are flush with the wall stone and soft lights that illuminate the underside of the wall top.
The lighting can help you define the edges of the patio since the retaining wall has illumination in the dark landscape. Adding soft up-lights in the adjoining landscape beds also gives a glow to the entire space for quiet contemplation and peace at the end of a long day.
While the purpose of outdoor lighting is to bring the proper amount of light to impart beauty and increased time outside once the sun sets, the right landscape lighting can also increase the safety of your space. When you don’t have to worry about where you step or the path you walk, the time you spend outdoors is exponentially more pleasant.
Related: 5 OUTDOOR LIGHTING IDEAS FOR YOUR ARLINGTON, MA OUTDOOR KITCHEN
