One of the main reasons why anyone adds outdoor lighting is safety and security. The ability to move around without risk, as well as protection from intruders, motivates us to light up our homes and businesses. The aesthetic appeal is often a secondary motive that ends up offering great rewards. In the process of developing a lighting design with safety in mind, here are the two main areas we look at.
Walkways and Steps
From walkways to the front door to paths to a firepit or stairs down from a deck, these highly traveled areas generally get a lot of use. Proper illumination allows people to walk to your front door, or from one place to another without fear of tripping, whether over a soccer ball left in the yard (which never happens at my house!) or from a branch that has fallen or blown into the path, or simply a bit of unevenness in the terrain. Traditionally path lights are used, but down lighting is growing in popularity where it can be utilized. It makes walking around safer, while offering a beautiful wash of “moonlight.”
Gathering spaces
These are the areas in which people like to spend time and hang out. Generally, the only people who like to hang out in dark areas are the ones who are up to no good, because the darkness covers their misdeeds. Dark spaces are creepy, lack warmth, and prevent you from seeing who you’re with or what you’re doing. However, if the space is too bright, folks are forced to try to adjust between the bright lights and the darkness beyond. This results in lots of uncomfortable squinting (like when oncoming cars have their headlights on high beam). The safest and most appealing lighting is a soft lighting to allow people to see what’s going on without being blinded within the defined area. It helps create the feeling that your gathering space is actually its own “room.”
When you have well designed lighting, potential intruders are far more likely to move along to the house that is dark and provides cover for them to scope the place out and make a plan. Your friends will feel safe and welcome, while intruders will not.
Located in Summerfield, NC Southern Lights- Architectural and Landscape Lighting serves properties and property management companies throughout the state of NC including Greensboro, High Point, Jamestown, Burlington, Reidsville, Oak Ridge, Brown Summit, Winston-Salem, Clemmons, Raleigh, Charlotte, Kannapolis, Salisbury, Gastonia, Matthews, etc.
Southern Lights has installed hundreds of outdoor landscape lighting systems and carries more certifications than anyone in the state. We specialize in lighting designs and service everything we install as well as lighting systems installed by others. With attention to detail and a solid knowledge of design, Southern Lights is the leading outdoor landscape lighting firm in the state of NC and beyond. See why our clients choose us. Contact us today by web (online form) or phone 336-451-4969.
