With summer in full swing, you’re probably spending most of your time enjoying the great outdoors — and that likely includes relaxing in your backyard, or hosting friends for a dinner alfresco. Don’t let the fun stop once the sun goes down just because your outdoor lighting is nonexistent or inefficient.
Not all outdoor lighting is created the same, and it requires more than just putting up a wall light or some string lights and calling it a day. To create ambiance, it’s all about choosing the right type of lighting fixture for your backyard. Luckily, Michael Murphy, director of marketing and business development at Lee Douglas Interiors, is here to help. Here, Murphy breaks down the different types of outdoor lighting, where to place fixtures, how to calculate how much lighting you need and much more. Use his tips and you’ll be able to enjoy those fun summer nights even more.
1. Include These Three Types
Make sure to incorporate the three basic types of lighting: ambient, task and accent. Ambient lighting can be achieved through hanging lights, post lights and wall lights. Task lighting includes pathway lights, plus deck and security lights. And you can get accent outdoor lighting with landscape kits and spotlights. “For a small patio and a modest budget, consider string lights, solar spotlights or LED candles,” Murphy says.
