Few things are more frustrating than a messy front yard. In addition to disrupting your curb appeal, overgrown, messy landscaping can also harbor pests and make it look like you don't care about your property. Fortunately, tidying up your yard doesn't have to be difficult. I have spent years learning more about landscaping, and this blog is all about how to become a landscaping enthusiast. Check out these articles about fun topics like planting flowers, perfecting pruned trees, and decorating your yard with whimsical additions. After you know more about landscaping, your yard might become the talk of the town.
Landscape lighting doesn't just add visual interest to your yard after the sun goes down, it can also help make your home and yard safer. The following are a few lighting ideas that are both attractive and provide some added security to your property.
Path lights
Lighting along the sidewalk, driveway, and garden paths increases the safety for anyone walking onto your property at night, whether it be your spouse getting home late for work on the pizza delivery person. When it's dark, even a small imperfection in the paving can be a tripping hazard. It can be even harder to see outside the harsh glare of the porch light. Path lights solve this issue by providing a gentle glow at foot level. Opt for solar powered lights so there is no need to have cords, which are just another tripping hazard. To make the lights the most attractive, install a small gravel border and then place the lights in this border for a finished look.
Uplights
Uplighting on the walls of your home or along a fence adds a dramatic cast to any home, which makes it more visually appealing after dark. Adding uplights in areas where there are shrubs or trees near the wall of the house also provides an interesting silhouette. Even better, these uplights increase security near windows or along fences. Would-be thieves often prefer to work in the dark, whether they are scaling a fence or trying to hide behind a bush while forcing a window open. If you add uplights in the higher risk areas, you take away their cover of darkness. This makes your home less attractive to intruders.
Rope lighting
A patio provides a wonderful area to entertain, but overly harsh lighting can ruin the mood once the sun goes down. Rope lighting, particularly the recessed variety, provides a soft light where you need it most. You can have the ropes tucked around the perimeter of the patio so it is easier to walk over to it, or you can place it around an awning or pergola frame for some soft light. Rope lights can even be used on fixed furniture installations, such as around an outdoor bar or to highlight the shape of a fountain after dark. The soft light won't compete with the glow of the moon or the flickering from your outdoor fire pit, but it will provide some needed light where you need it most.
For more help, contact a landscape design contractor in your area.
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