With the summer months approaching at full speed,
homeowners are rushing to get the perfect summer touches added to their garden.
People are spending top dollar to install the latest ponds, fountains, flowers,
and other landscaping accessories to their garden in time for a season of
relaxation and social gatherings. Where homeowners are searching high and low
for their perfect landscape dream, there is one thing those interested in
landscape focus on, the latest lighting trends.
Lighting Trends
A
few years ago, people used light to make sitting outdoors after dusk simpler.
With the lighting trends of today, people are trying to shine a light on their
artistic side. Lighting is no longer used for basic seeing. People are using
lighting to bring out their favorite plants or shrubs. The lighting trend is
making its big debut because it is a simple and cost effective way to add nice
touches to the outdoors.
A study shows that lighting
is the most popular landscaping feature today (See figure 1.1). The chart shows that 96% of people prefer
outdoor lighting to decorate their outdoors compared to other outdoor décor.
Outdoor lighting has more benefits then cost and simplicity. Most outdoor
lights are made of recyclable material making them recyclable as well, offer
easy installation, and are now solar powered to be environmentally friendly
(Trends, 2010).
Figure 1.1 Poll Shows Lighting
to be the most popular outdoor living feature at 96%
Finding Your Light in Shining Armor
Since
there are many different types of outdoor lighting fixtures that could be used
in several different locations, one may find it difficult to find the perfect
lighting fixture to meet their needs. Each trend specifies to certain sections
of the garden. When it comes to lighting up a garden or deck lamps, torches,
and garden lamps add an illuminating touch to table talk, dining, or card
games.
For
general outdoor lighting, outdoor wall lamps can be subtle and make outdoor
living feel as comfortable as indoor living. Wall light fixtures can provide
more lighting in a doorway to make carrying things in and out of the house
easier and can make moving about outside the house safer.
The
two outdoor lighting trends discussed above are two simple and basic ways of
using outdoor lighting. Efficient for all types of activities and provides a
hand in outdoor safety. Some homeowners may prefer to go beyond basic and
dabble in a little artistic lighting.
Joe
Rey-Barreau, director of the Lighting and Design Center at the University of
Kentucky stated “the challenge with landscape lighting is that most people
don’t immediately see all the possibilities” (Landscaping America, 2012). The
purpose of artistic outdoor lighting is to highlight the focal points by
focusing on architectural features.
Using
outdoor lighting could be compared to a woman. When a woman uses light make up
to highlight her best features, it makes her look flawless, almost like magic.
This same touch could be used outdoors by lighting up a archway, putting a
splash of light on the wall of the house, or putting a spotlight on the
grilling area. When a pool is present, presenting the idea of swimming in
heaven can be an aluminous effect by adding dim spotlights in the pool.
When
using artistic lighting, it is important that the lights be subtle. Lights
should be hidden in fixtures, plants, or trees. Though lighting is used for
safety, there is no reason why it shouldn’t be tasteful. It is proven that
houses that are well lit up are less likely to be burglarized, however, this
safety feature can be done without having spotlights on every corner of the
house or leaving the Christmas lights up year round. Safety can now be done in
tastefully (See figure 2.0).
Figure 2.0 A perfect example of a home secured
tastefully with subtle lighting
Knocking out Lights: Solar vs. Electric Powering
There
are now trending ways of powering trendy outdoor lighting fixtures. This epic
battle has been up for debate since the creation of solar energy. Solar lights
are cost efficient and safe, however, electricity powered is more dependable.
No matter what ones preference is, there are new lighting modifications for
trendier solar or electric powered lights.
Thanks
to recent modifications, solar lights are now six to twelve times brighter than
traditional solar lights; they are eco friendly, and work during power outages.
Solar lights have become very popular with outdoor lighting due to their easy
installation, no wiring, and no cost to run (Lowes, n.d).
Though
solar powered lights take the top spot of trendy lighting, improvements have
been made to electric powered outdoor lighting as well. Electric powered lights
now have easy bulb replacement, new digital transformers, and easy-to-handle
connectors.
All
in all, lighting fixtures is now the most popular source of outdoor fixtures.
It is expected to stay in the most popular spot due to its new shine on
creativity, safety, and designs. Lighting fixtures are a beautiful touch to any
landscaping project that can make sitting outdoors just as comfortable as
sitting indoors. Trying these new trends will not only shine light on your
creativity, they will light up your life!
References:
Landscape
lighting ideas. (2012, March 4). Landscaping America. Retrieved May 18,
2012, from
http://www.landscape-america.com/landscapes/lighting/outdoor_lighting.html
The
Latest Outdoor Lighting. (n.d.). Lowes. Retrieved May 18, 2012, from
www.lowes.com/cd_The+Latest+in+Outdoor+Lighting_1265745146_?AID=10935405&PID=5367341&SID=skim18202X753938X26b6314794118fea7c52b598f07bb943&cm_mmc=AFF_CJ-_-Skimlinks-skim18202X753938X26b6314794118fea7c52b598f07bb943-_-2617611-_-10935405
outdoor
lighting ideas | ™ Trends Magazine. (2010, June 9). ™ Trends
Magazine | Interior. Cars. Trucks . Boats and Yachts. Jewelry.
Travel. Retrieved May 18, 2012, from
http://trendszine.com/interior/2010/06/09/outdoor-lighting-ideas.html
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