Eclectic landscape designs often blend old and new materials and styles. Integrating them in a pleasing way can occur through strategic lighting, with spectacular results. Here are some outdoor lighting trends in the Babylon and Huntington, NY, areas worth considering.
Related: A QUICK GUIDE TO OUTDOOR LIGHTING FOR THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN ON LONG ISLAND, NY
Zones for Different Lighting Purposes
One of the most notable modern landscape lighting trends is using light to create the right ambiance in every activity zone in the landscape: from the busy and vibrant kitchen/dining area to the more relaxed lounging area, to the pool/spa area, and even to small hideaways where you can get away for a quiet conversation.
If your landscape features old-school landscape lighting such as a few high-wattage bulbs mounted on the home’s siding or high on a pergola, then any new outdoor living project or landscape renovation is a great opportunity to upgrade your outdoor lighting strategy to create a more pleasing atmosphere.
In the past, landscape lighting was restricted very much like a car headlight—it had to be either or off, and either blinding (spotlights) or pitch dark. That old way of outdoor lighting was not only unattractive but unsafe, as harsh lighting creates strong shadows that can disguise hazards. Many people use string lights to create a pleasing patio atmosphere, but string lights don’t properly illuminate walkways unless you want to cover your backyard with a spaghetti-like mess of wires and fixtures.
For flexibility in lighting, and for safety and pretty illumination, zones generally make the most sense, to maintain the most appealing atmosphere.
Small, Integrated Light Fixtures
Modern landscape lighting uses a greater number of low-voltage fixtures that are strategically placed for the desired effect. By day, they are unobtrusive, especially when integrated with stone or concrete features. By night, they create exactly the feel you desire, marrying safety with an ambiance that doesn’t ruin the magic of a nighttime landscape.
Today’s smart technology also lets you adjust lighting as needed, by being able to control individual lighting zones just as you would turn off the lights in the bedroom when you head to the kitchen.
Creative Techniques for Outdoor Lighting
Lighting techniques such as uplighting are great for marrying old and new. One or two ground-level light fixtures installed at the base of a vertical structure will highlight its texture. This can be a stunning way to bring attention to the differences between old and new—for example between an old natural stone retaining wall and a new stucco outdoor fireplace.
Integrated Lighting for Walkways and Steps
Walkway and step lighting built into a retaining wall, into steps, or at ground or below-knee level along a walkway are beautiful ways to safely illuminate some of your landscape’s best features. Integrating lighting only into new masonry can be an interesting way to define the old and new.
LED Lighting
If there’s a need, low-voltage LED light fixtures can be retrofit into existing masonry to match the integrated lighting in new elements. Making the effort to do this will create a more unified look between old and new elements.
Whenever there’s a transition (between a driveway and walkway or walkway and patio), you generally want to use the same lighting technique for the same fixtures to maintain the same quality of light (this will avoid an awkward transition between halogen and LED lights or between spotlights and wash lights).
This may mean completely overhauling your landscape lighting and replacing old fixtures with new ones, but the results will be worth it.
Related: GORGEOUS, YET FUNCTIONAL OUTDOOR LIGHTING IDEAS FOR YOUR FLOWER BEDS IN BABYLON, NY
