Entertain Without a Time Limit with Strategic Outdoor Lighting in the Castle Rock and Cherry Hills Village, CO Areas
When the weather gets warmer and it’s time to entertain outdoors, strategic outdoor lighting can be a game-changer. In the Castle Rock and Cherry Hills Village, CO areas, there are some key points to consider when searching for the design and installation of strategic outdoor lighting for entertaining.
Determine Your Entertainment Needs
The first step in creating an outdoor lighting plan for entertaining could be determining your specific entertainment needs. Consider what activities you enjoy doing outside after dark and how you can make those activities possible with the right lighting. For example, if you enjoy grilling or cooking outdoors, you may want task lighting in your outdoor kitchen. If you enjoy playing games, you may want ample lighting over the game table—lighting along the overhead pergola beams could suffice. Then for the nights when you just want to cuddle up and look at the sky, ambient outdoor lighting will help you keep a good mood going. Once you’ve decided how you’ll be using your backyard after dark, your landscape contractor can help target your specific lighting needs, or they can come up with ideas for you.
Think About Lighting Zones
When planning your outdoor lighting for entertaining, you could think about lighting zones. These are areas where you want to provide specific lighting, such as the cooking area or dining table. By choosing to have different lighting zones, you can provide the right amount of light for each area and create a well-lit, functional outdoor space. You can also use different types of lighting in each zone to add variety and interest.
Choose the Right Lighting Fixtures
The type of lighting techniques you choose can impact the overall look and feel of your outdoor space. For entertaining, consider using a combination of task lighting and accent lighting. Task lighting provides functional light for specific activities, such as cooking or playing games, while accent lighting adds ambiance and highlights features like the textures of your retaining wall and wispy grasses amid your landscape beds.
Consider Energy Efficiency
Outdoor lighting can be energy-intensive, so many homeowners view it as important to consider energy efficiency when choosing lighting fixtures. LED lights are a great option for outdoor lighting because they're energy-efficient, long-lasting, and emit less heat than traditional incandescent bulbs. Additionally, consider using timers or motion sensors to control when your outdoor lights are on, which can help reduce energy usage. An outdoor lighting specialist can help you choose the right energy-efficient lighting systems, and can offer insights on state-of-the-art options.
Incorporate Smart Lighting Features
Most outdoor lighting systems are considered smart lighting, making this landscape update even more convenient and user-friendly. So, you would be able to use an app on your smartphone to control your lighting system, such as making it turn on and off automatically based on a schedule or motion sensors. These features can help you save energy and make it easier to enjoy your outdoor space.
Test Your Lighting Plan
Once your outdoor lighting system is installed, take some time to walk around the property with your contractor. They’ll be able to point out the key features and explain the day-to-day usage. Ideally, you’d do this final walk-through after sunset. This way, you’ll also have a chance to put the lighting scheme in action, which will allow you to make any additional requests or changes with the contractor.
Related: 5 Outdoor Lighting Ideas to Extend the Use of Your Deck or Patio in the Washington Park, CO Area
About the Author
Since 2008, we have shared our passion for the great outdoors by creating award-winning landscapes that inspire our customers to spend more time outside. As a first-generation company, we’ve persevered through entrepreneurial challenges, put our strong Midwestern work ethic to good use, and got our hands and boots dirty to become what we are today—a successful business with four locations spanning across Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Tennessee.
