|
The charm of a well-designed landscape can be extended when you add landscape lighting in Chicago properties. The soft glow of pathway lighting and the stronger beams of spotlights pointed toward architectural or plant features gives the yard and garden a distinctive appearance after the sun sets. Homeowners and commercial property owners have discovered that strategically placed lighting also tends to discourage potential intruders from entering the property under cover of darkness. Properly positioned lighting can also light up patios, decks and seating areas to transform these areas into living spaces where you can linger outside to unwind from a busy day or socialize with friends and family. Many types of landscape lighting in Chicago are low-voltage, but it is important to involve an electrician from the beginning of an installation project to ensure that the correct transformers and wiring sizes are used. Selecting the appropriate style of landscape lighting in Chicago and creative placement on the property can give the outdoor space unique appeal. Entryway Lighting The front of your home and the main entryway are ideal places to start with landscape lighting in Chicago. Focus on two types of lights to establish a cohesive look that will give the house and property curb appeal, even after dark, as well as having practical purpose. Select one or more outdoor light fixtures to illuminate the front door and porch area. The fixtures should complement your home's architecture. For a brick-front or colonial-style house, for example, traditional wall-mounted lanterns with a brass finish and clear glass walls will provide symmetry and stylish accents to the entry area. An overhead light on a porch should have a low profile and provide spreading illumination. You may also place small spotlights in the ground on both sides or the door and porch to point upward and subtly light the front of the house or foundation plantings near the door. Path and Walkway Lighting The wide array of fixtures and configurations available for pathway landscape lighting in Chicago makes it possible to choose the styles that integrate best with your design approach. Securely installed along the side of a walkway, pathway lights operating on low voltage lines or by solar power spread light across the path's surface and out over the lawn or flower beds flanking the path. Most pathway lights are no more than two feet high when they are properly installed, but a few styles are eye-level or higher and are used near steps, corners and other areas where greater visibility is recommended to prevent tripping over obstacles. Small path lights embedded along the edges of flower borders in the backyard can give the space an ethereal glow that is an inviting backdrop for quiet evenings spent on the deck or patio in pleasant conversation or silent contemplation. Accent Lighting When the entryways and paths have been properly illuminated, spotlights and accent landscape lighting in Chicago brings a touch of drama to the garden layout. A favorite arrangement is to situate a spotlight a few feet away from a tree with pretty structure, pointing the light upward to cast a glow on the trunk and through the branches. Another approach is to mount a small spotlight high up on a porch post or tree and point it downward to illuminate an attractive landscape element, such as a bench, a well-shaped shrub or a planter box. A string of lights placed on a pergola or gazebo adds a gentle sparkle to the landscape at night, and creates another area for social interaction. Lighting around a pond or water feature enhances the shimmer of light that gives the garden a special aura of peacefulness.
Related Articles -
landscape, lighting,
|
