Exterior lighting facilitates the enjoyment of outdoor living. Make the most of your outdoor spaces with a few effective lighting techniques by lighting designer Randall Whitehead.

Natural lighting best illuminates your outdoor spaces. Mimic the effect of a full moon by varying your light sources. Mount lamps that point up and down. While you may vary the source of the lights, keep the light fixtures themselves uniform. Select one type of fixture for exterior accent lighting, down lighting and wall-wash lighting. Mix-matched fixtures draw more attention on the light source than the lighting.

Proper illumination should not have a negative effect on the appearance of your garden. Dimmers may distort the colors of plants; when an incandescent light has been dimmed, it creates amber light that makes green plants appear sickly. Use a blue color-correcting filter that minimizes the effects of yellow light.

Ground lighting can be tricky but the results are worth the extra effort. Path lights should be under 2 feet high and project their light downward. Space path lights at a distance that allows adequate illumination of the walkway without turning your yard into the Vegas Strip. Use spotlights sparingly to avoid glare and light overkill. The spotlights that you do use should be shielded from direct view.

Columbine Design provides full service landscaping for your home or business. Call (303) 761-6807 for a consultation.

Source: Better Homes and Gardens

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