Patio & Garden Lighting Ideas

Thinking of purchasing a mini chandelier or a couple of outdoor sconces to amplify the beauty of backyard or deck but don’t know whether to believe the salesman or not? Are you wanting to buy some new outdoor fixtures but don’t know if an outdoor sconce or mini chandelier is the right light fixture for you? If this sounds anything like what you are thinking about or going through this you are in the right place because today we are going to be going over some of the basic pros and cons of outdoor sconces and mini chandeliers.

The first light fixture that we are going to be discussing is the outdoor sconce. This type of light fixture is a great addition to any porch or deck entry way, as well as any garden path way or walk way. These lights are relatively cheap and provide great indirect lighting to the areas surrounding them. If you are looking to add some nighttime curb appeal then add a couple of these light fixtures to the your walk way heading up to your front door and put one on each side of your door. Another great thing about these lights is that they sometimes come as solar models; this is a huge benefit because they are self powering which means no more running messy wiring and no more pulling power from your home which costs you more money when bill time comes. There are few cons to installing these outdoor light fixtures but one of the main ones is the actual installation. This can be a time consuming and annoying thing if you are having to anchor the lights to stone or brick work and then run the wires to the panel or junction box at the house.

Mini chandeliers are our next topic in our conversation or outdoor lighting. Mini chandeliers are great in places that need large amounts of relatively bright light without being too bright, some examples of these places are under canopies, awnings, gazebos, and under decks. These are great for fitting in places that other large light fixtures such as outdoor fans would otherwise have a hard time being installed in. the cons of owning these light fixtures is that it can sometimes be a chore to install new light bulbs as these can have up to twenty on one light fixture, other than that they are relatively easy to install  and maintain.

There’s almost no other way to add great beauty, security, and safety to your property than with landscape lighting.  However, as with anything at some point during or after your installation, something is going to go wrong that will require a fix.  Here are a few of the most common problems you can run into with your garden lights and how to fix them.

It makes sense to start your check with the easiest thing, so start your check with the landscape lighting transformer.  Make sure that the transformer is still working and hasn’t tripped the circuit breaker at all.  The transformer should still be plugged in and have its power light on.  Also check the connection between your power cables and the transformer.

If the power is still at the transformer, the next thing to do is to take a look at the cable you installed that connect the lights to the transformer.  Make sure that the cable hasn’t been injured in any way.  Obviously a cable that lost a battle with the lawn mower won’t provide any power, but cables that have frayed or bare wires may also cause problems in your power system.  This is because the extra wires will cause more voltage drop.  In a power wire that’s already running on the bare minimum power, any frayed or bare lines could cause enough voltage drop to make the lights at the end of your line dim or not turn on completely.

Finally, check the connections between the wire and individual lights that you are having problems with.  The connection may have been broken loose or it may have gotten dirty in some way, shape, or form.  Try removing, cleaning, and reattaching the power cord.

If this still doesn’t work, try referring to your light fixture’s owner’s manual for extra help.  Otherwise you may need to seek professional advice, like the kind that you can find at the Garden Lights Guru.

Summer evenings are special; magical even. With the sun setting later and the warm summer air, it is easy to enjoy time outdoors late into the evening. Optimize your patio time by installing patio lights, which would allow you to remain outdoors even after the sun has set.

Patio lighting is not only functional, it is also an attractive design choice. Installing outdoor patio lights will add dimension and warmth to the appearance of your home, and the atmosphere that the lights create while one the patio can be romantic, festive, or cozy, depending upon the styles and functions of lights that you choose to install.

In order to choose what type of patio light is appropriate for you, consider the way in which you use your outdoor space, and what your priorities are. Two popular styles are the string variety and solar patio lights.

Patio string lights are a series of smaller light sources that are attached to a string, which serves as their electricity source. String lighting is versatile and fun; it can be installed in a varity of ways, and is not a permanent setting, implying that you can change their location to work with the given situation. They are primarily decorative in function, providing atmospheric light, but not as much concentrated light for specific purposes such as reading.

Solar patio lights are extremely versatile because they come in a great variety of styles. These lights are powered by the sun, whose energy is captured by a solar panel and converted into electricity that is stored in rechargeable batteries. If you are new to solar power, your outdoor lighting is an ideal place to start, since the lights will not be in use during the day, allowing them the opportunity to be fully charged for use once the sun sets.

You had the beautiful swimming pool installed and it looks really nice out there in the backyard with all the pool landscaping. Yet something is missing, what could that be? You have the lounge chairs, tables, umbrella, pool accessories and toys. Something is missing, and I think I know what it is. You need to include landscaping and swimming pool lights into your design.

If a fence is a legal requirement for your area, use that fence as part of your landscaping design. Plant flowers in front of the fence and vines that can grow up and over and soften the look of the area.

You can decorate the landscaping around your pool with fountains, gazing balls and bird feeders. Make it something pretty to look at, whether you are in the pool or looking at the pool.

If your pool is built into a lower spot on your property, then you probably needed some type of retaining wall. If it is unsightly, then you can have it covered with stone or rock to make it blend in more naturally. You can side large pots of flowers on top of the wall to add beauty and color.

Something a lot of pool owners do not think about would swimming pool lights. Many people do not use their pools and night and they assume they don’t need lighting. Swimming pool lights not only add beauty to your pool area, they add safety.

If you do not have any swimming pool lightly currently, you need to take a walk outside in the dark. Check out the area to determine how dark it truly is and what you could do to lighten things up. There are post lamps, walkway lighting and landscape lighting options to pick from. There are also other types of lights for your pool, and those lights are actually inside the pool.

Use landscaping techniques and lighting for your pool to enhance the beauty and safety of the area and you will be glad you did.

Imagine sitting on your patio on a warm summer evening, a glass of wine in hand and a warm glow surrounding you.  To obtain this kind of gentle light, you may want to consider low voltage patio lights when selecting a method of lighting your patio, yard and garden.  Low voltage lights provide a lot of distinct advantages for homeowners, from the installation to the monthly payments.

Installation

Installing low voltage patio lighting requires a few tools that most homeowners already have around the house.  A lot of low voltage packages also come with all the supplies necessary, requiring only a screwdriver and some electrical tape to complete the process.  You will not need to pay any extra for an outside specialist to come and install the lights, which really saves on…

Cost

Since low voltage lighting uses less electricity than normal lighting, your bill will be significantly reduced (if you are switching from regular lights).  In addition, the lights themselves are relatively inexpensive, with quality sets going for around $100.  Not needing a professional to perform the installation helps as well.

Mood Lighting

Because of the lower electricity draw, low voltage lighting tends to be dimmer than its higher-usage counterpart.  However, for a patio or yard, mood lighting can be a very pleasant addition.  Powerful lights are not usually needed for a simple evening on the patio; just a pleasant glow to prevent tripping and allow conversation is plenty.

Sensor Control

To avoid useless illumination during the day, many low voltage patio lights have an additional feature: sensor control.  These sense when it is dawn or dusk and light up or switch off accordingly, saving additional power.  Your low voltage patio lights may also have motion sensors for safety or a timer for manual control over when your lights shine.

Illumination is an important aspect if you want to bring some design in to your house, patio or garden. Appropriate lighting will become a true addition and will highlight the parts of your house or garden that truly deserves it. There are many different ways how you can illuminate your house and its surroundings and each of them have their own advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the right illumination will highly depend on your personal taste and on your budget.

External lighting is becoming very popular because it adds so much more than light alone. It will make a surrounding more cozy and it let people want to sit outside until late at night. But there are also other reasons why you would want to install outdoor lighting in to your driveway or garden because it also increases safety and security.

The right illumination will help you prevent falling over doorsteps or stairs and it lets you see where you are going. it is also very useful when you are looking for the right key to open your front door. Besides safety, it will also increase your security. it is a proven fact that burglars don/t like outdoor lighting, especially when there are motion detectors attached to it and they rather skip these houses and will look for an easier prey. Motion detectors will help you notice when someone is close to your house which increases security and could also be very useful for other occasions.

the type of lighting you want to use is dependent on several factors. The one that is used the most is wired lighting because it is very cheap and gives the amount of light you want. The downside is that you will notice outdoor lighting on your electricity bill and it is also very hard to install.

Solar lighting is becoming very popular because not only is it good for the environment, it will also not increase your electricity bill as all energy is derived directly from the sun. Solar lighting has a more romantic light but it is not as bright as wired lighting and you can not attach motion detectors to it. Another disadvantage is that it has high initial costs for buying them which makes most people still decide for wired lighting.

Creating the perfect outdoor living space on your patio takes a little thought and a good deal of research to find the right components. One thing that you will really need to get right if you are to be successful is the patio cover you choose. There are so many different designs available which all use different materials that it can be tough selecting the one you are going to buy. Its not particularly that any one type is going to be so much better then the other, but you might be so bewildered by the choice that you are paralyzed with indecision and end up putting the job off.

TO make the whole process easier you might just want to opt for an aluminum patio cover right off the bat to make the job a whole lot easier on yourself. Aluminum is actually the most popular material amongst home owners for this purpose, and for good reason. Outdoor patio covers made from it offer great protection from the sun, but also from all weather conditions which are unfavorable to using your outdoor space. No matter what you want to use the space for you will find the aluminum models will do a great job, as long as you find on that goes with th existing exterior of your property.

The main advantage of aluminum is that it requires almost no maintenance. You don’t have to paint it continuously like steel to prevent it from rusting, and it won’t eventually rot like the wooden alternatives.

How to Choose The Right One

Obviously the size of your patio is going to dictate to a certain extend which design you get. No matter which you like though you will want to ensure you get one that is constructed with a high quality aluminum. Remember that you are making a large financial outlay here and you will want to purchase something that will give you many years of service. Not only that, but if you choose a wisely you will find that you will add a nice amount of value to your home when it comes time to sell.

A short video about solar landscape and pathway lighting that explains how to plan and install these lights.  Solar lighting is a great addition to your patio, garden and walkways.  They don’t drain power from your house and pay for themselves over time.

Creating the right ambiance on the exterior of a home is just as important as it is on the inside. Outdoor lighting is more than just spotlights and path lights. The fixtures themselves can often be works of art that add interest to, and enhance the features of the home’s exterior. One such interesting work of art is the outdoor sconce.

Lighting up a front porch, garage door, and back patio with outdoor sconces not only illuminates the space with style and elegance, it also provides a secure feeling to arriving guests and to the homeowners as well.

The outdoor sconce can be hung alone or in pairs depending on the area to be lit and the size of the fixture itself. For homes with double door entry, the norm is to hang one outdoor sconce on each side of the entrance. For single door entries, a single wall sconce is all that’s necessary so as not to overpower the space.  When lighting the driveway and garage door area, two outdoor wall sconces are usually mounted – one on each side of the door. Depending on the size of the back patio area and being that they can be quite spacious, especially if there’s a screened pool enclosure, there might be more than two fixtures evenly spaced throughout the porch area.

The sizes, styles, finishes and designs of the outdoor sconce are limitless. There are so many options to choose from and lighting designers create them from a variety of materials including glass, various metals, wood, stone and faux stone and combinations of different materials as well.

When shopping for an outdoor sconce, be sure to consider the type of bulb it utilizes such as halogen or incandescent. Along with the type of bulb, another important consideration is the exposure to the elements. If the fixture will be directly in  the weather, it may be necessary to choose a style that doesn’t allow water to get into the mechanics of the light itself. One last factor to be considered is the amount of light the sconce throws off and if it will be enough to illuminate the space so that it lights up walkways for safety.

Many online lighting retailers carry a wide, almost dizzying array of outdoor sconces. It’s also possible to purchase an outdoor sconce at home and garden supply stores as well but the selection is usually somewhat limited. Depending on the type and manufacturer, prices on these types of outdoor fixtures are usually around $30 at the low end and a few hundred dollars and the higher end of the spectrum. The outdoor sconce is a home’s finishing touch and it’s favorite exterior accessory.

Water is a precious resource, and in drier climates where your garden may need more watering, its important to take steps towards becoming a water wise homeowner and gardener.

Follow these guidelines to create the most water-efficient garden possible.
1. Consider the soil
Most landscape plants establish faster when planted in native soils without the addition of amendments. If your soil is sandy or rocky, you may need to add compost. Annuals, thirstier perennials, lawns, and vegetables benefit from the addition of compost.
2. Choose the right plants
Consider natives or introductions from other Mediterranean climates that have similar rainfall and soil conditions.
3. Group plants
Site plants with similar water, soil, and light needs together (in areas often referred to as “zones”). Place the most colorful (often the thirstiest) groupings near outdoor living areas.
4. Irrigate efficiently
Use drip irrigation or low-flow spray heads to deliver water directly to the root zone without the overspray or runoff typical of conventional sprinklers.
5. Water deeply
Irrigate established plants thoroughly but infrequently to encourage roots to grow downward; they will be buffered from the wet-dry cycle typical of the upper soil area and may even tap into groundwater.
6. Mulch
Cover bare ground with a 3-inch layer of mulch to help conserve soil moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the soil cooler; renew annually. Organic types, such as bark mulch, improve soil structure and encourage beneficial microbes.