Outdoor Patio Lighting |

Outdoor Patio Lighting

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Lighting Your Outdoor Patio Space

Many of us enjoy using an outdoor living space. We try to make it as comfortable as our living rooms, while be amidst our own outdoor sanctuary. You furnish it with outdoor dining sets and couches, rugs and other decor. To really make it perfect you need to use outdoor patio lighting.

Lighting has come a long way. They now have modern light fixtures that resemble the table lamps that we use indoors, made specifically for the outdoors. Using outdoor patio lighting can help enhance your outdoor living space and allow for you to use it even after the sun goes down.

You can buy outdoor patio lighting with different features. Features like lamps with shades, globes or wicker. You can also get lighting in multiple finishes to match your decor. Commonly the finishes you can choose from include white, green, bisque, silver, pewter, bronze, iron and black. Lights can also use other power sources other than electricity. You can find outdoor lights available in solar power, battery power and citronella. Choosing which source you use depends on whether or not you have access to electricity in your patio area.

Styles of outdoor patio lighting can vary as well. The most common styles include table lamps, freestanding lamps, ceiling mounted, wall mounted, through the table, umbrella, spotlights and motion detector lights. Table lamps look great if you have designed a living room atmosphere with a couch and end tables. If you have a roof over your patio then a ceiling mounted one will look great. Through the table lamps work excellent in patio tables that have a hole for an umbrella. Instead of using an umbrella you slide the lamp through the hole. If you would rather use your umbrella than the light fixtures designed to attach to your umbrella would be your best choice.

If you use your patio area more for dining then you may want to use a light fixture that provides the best over the table lighting. If you spend more time on your patio entertaining friends then you may want to use freestanding lamps to spread more lighting around. With so many choices of outdoor patio lighting you will be sure to find something that coordinates and works well with your outdoor living space.

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July 14, 2010 · Posted in Lightings

Low Voltage Outdoor Lights

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If you have invested money into creating a beautifully landscaped yard, then you may want to consider low voltage outdoor lights. These lights have just enough brightness to accent features in your yard without being too bright or blinding. Most do-it-yourselfers are capable of installing low voltage outdoor lights on their own. Typically you can buy all of the parts you need at your local home improvement store. Kits are also available for purchase. The components will include the home lighting fixtures, the transformer or power pack and the cables.

When installing low voltage outdoor lights you will want to make a light plan to help you decide where your lights will go. Lights should be used to accent features in your landscaping that you want attention drawn to. For instance, a rock wall, beautiful tree, patio, walkway, stairs or even your front door are areas that you may want to point lights to. Make sure that you don’t use too many lights while trying to avoid looking like you ran out.

When choosing your lights take into consideration what you are trying to light. If you want to light a shrub, wall or your front door, then you will need a light that angles upward and can move to point in the direction you are trying to light. If you are lighting a walkway then lamp post or pathway lights are fine. You can find low voltage outdoor lights in many different styles and finishes like brushed nickel, brass, black and more. Lights can be built into the fronts of steps, used underwater, on deck posts, pathways and even some sculptures can contain lights.

The cost of low voltage outdoor lights can vary depending on the amount of home lighting fixtures you need, style and finish. Some individual fixtures can cost over $200 per light, plus you need to buy the transformer which can run as much as $600 – $700 as well as needing cables and any other additional features you may want like a timer or photo-cell. The big box home improvement stores often sell the kits for as little as $100 but you may find that spending more on buying your individual components will offer you a system that is easier to maintain, repair and will last longer.

Popular brands of low voltage outdoor lights include names like Kichler lights, Hinkley outdoor lighting and Top Dog. Each make different types of exterior lighting fixtures like pathway, fence post and accent lights. Choosing the right exterior lights can really make an impact on your landscaping.

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July 14, 2010 · Posted in Lightings