Planning some great parties this summer? A good landscape lighting theme will provide the perfect mix of mood and safety for you and your guests. And it doesn’t have to involve string lights hanging from every tree. Here are some tips for outdoor lighting for celebrations and gatherings in Highland Park, IL.
Related: The Various Types Of Outdoor Lighting And Their Functions In Winnetka, IL
First Steps: Function
Before considering aesthetics, think about function. All areas of your landscape should be safe including at night so that navigation can occur at all times, even without sunlight. Certain areas need adequate task lighting (such as your outdoor kitchen or grill area). And proper landscape lighting allow for different areas to have different moods—perhaps more upbeat in the cooking area, and more relaxed and serene in the seating area.
To start designing your lighting for parties, think about where people will walk, where they will gather, and what they will be doing in each space (and how much light is needed for those activities). Think in terms of zones: bright, intimate, etc.
Second Steps: Aesthetics
Accent lighting highlights special features in the landscape. Maybe you have a cool old tree that deserves a special glow in the evening, or a retaining wall next to a dining area would look amazing lit up.
Function can be made beautiful! While security lighting is bright, you can position it so that it doesn’t cause a blinding glare, and so that it highlights landscape or hardscape features in an attractive way. Here are some examples:
Walkway lighting with a festive vibe can be achieved using spotlight-style path lighting that’s low to the ground and positioned so that it illuminates an interesting feature: a low wall, a shrub, a rock, or a tree. You can also use “runway” style lights—recessed fixtures that sit at ground level. Whichever fixture you choose, you can change up the look with different bulb colors such as blue (or alternating red/white/blue) to add a fun touch of summertime cheer to your walkway.
Task lighting can be beautiful too: Wall-mounted sconces dress up your pergola and give enough light for outdoor cooking, and you can enhance the look using somewhat dimmer lights mounted along the countertops of your cook space. Accent lights such as deck lights (circular fixtures that direct light downward) can be placed anywhere that’s convenient. Experimenting with bulb colors is a fun way to emphasize the various themes of special occasions.
Attention to the Details
Accent lighting puts the finishing touch on your party space. String lights can add a touch of romance, but since string lights rarely withstand more than one or two seasons, it’s a good idea to install permanent fixtures so that the only thing you’ll need to change is the bulb.
Bring attention to trees, the home’s siding, walls, a fireplace, a water feature, or other vertical elements with colored spotlights or washes to add a festive touch while emphasizing their textures.
Use a combination of uplighting and downlighting to highlight a garden sculpture or a gnarled old tree. Use smooth walls as an opportunity to create silhouettes of trees or shrubs. Add lights under the coping ledge of a seat wall or retaining wall to emphasize the texture and offer soft and clutter-free illumination of your outdoor space. Make your plant beds a point of interest with a scattering of small lights—enough to add dimension without adding too much light.
If you want to transform your backyard into a festive space perfect for celebrations and gatherings, talk to our landscape lighting experts about designing a lighting plan that will make the space beautiful, functional, and safe for everyone.
Related: How Outdoor Lighting On Timers Can Increase Your Property Safety In Buffalo Grove, IL
