One of the hottest trends in outdoor lighting design is the idea of painting with light. What do we mean by that? Painters use a variety of techniques to create a really dynamic painting usually. They employ colour, light, shadow, depth, and texture to add nuance and subtlety. Your landscape lighting can incorporate all those tools when creating a unique-to-you design.

A great landscape already has a lot of great texture, depth, colour, light and shadows. Your landscape lighting should enhance and highlight the features already present, but at the same you can create moods as well. Looking for a romantic weekday getaway? How about an inviting area for your teens or guests? The experts at Nite Time Décor can help.

There was a time when flood lights and some bright lanterns on a fence were considered thoughtful landscape lighting. With the growing affordability of LED lighting, the flexibility and colours available are almost endless. LED lighting allows landscape lighting designers to incorporate a lot of artistry. Also, by varying the placement, wattage, and angle of light sources designers can cast light and shadow to add depth or highlight texture in new ways that weren’t possible before.

The trend in landscape lighting artistry is to conceal the source of the light. The aim is to mimic natural light and reduce light pollution as much as possible. Homeowners are looking for unobtrusive lighting. This may be achieved by placing pathway lighting in the adjacent flower garden to highlight the unique features of flowers and greenery as well as provide safety for the walkway for instance.

Homeowners are increasingly extending their living space outside with outdoor kitchens and sitting areas. Smaller accent lighting and task lighting is preferred for these spaces rather than large single sources of light. Adding lights to columns, under benches or railings, or even under water are all popular. With LED lighting homeowners are also able to choose different colours if they wish.

Tips For Artistic Landscape Lighting Design

Blending – Designers strive to have the eyes travel from one zone to another without glare or underlighting safety areas. Instead of spotlights spread around the yard with gaping shadows in between, designers strive to have more subtle light that incorporates shadows and texture and depth, while still leaving room for focal points and accent lighting.

Depth – There are a variety of ways to place light sources around or in features to give depth to your night landscape. Adding lights to moving features such as waterfalls or trees swaying in the wind is a great way to add interest and depth.

Focal point – The objects or features in your landscape that draw the eye during the day shouldn’t be lost or obscured at night either. Whether this is a statue, column, pond, gazebo, arbor, or fountain, using well-placed accent lighting can really bring these features to life. Even a fence with great texture or colour can serve as an interesting backdrop.

Balance – Sometimes balance is simply symmetry, but it also incorporates the idea of consistency and proportion to your landscape lighting plans.

Safety – Don’t compromise on safety. Great design will incorporate those areas that require lighting to provide safety or security to your home and guests.

We’d love to answer your outdoor lighting questions or help you design a truly unique lighting design for your home or business. Contact our lighting experts at Nite Time Décor Oakville to learn more about our lighting services or view our gallery of one-of-a-kind designs.