It is nearly as important to choose the right lighting to illuminate your landscaping as it is to design the landscape installation itself. Lawn Innovations, the leading landscape design and property maintenance service in Dayton, OH, explains below how to choose the right path lights, area lights, and spotlights to create a stunning nighttime scene that draws the eye.

Spotlights

Spotlights are typically bulbs with a 24-degree beam angle, and they are ideal when you wish to create a dreamy mix of light and shadow. In most cases, spotlights are the best choice when you wish to highlight individual landscape design features, such as a fountain, a rose bush, or other items you want to draw to attract the viewer's eye.

Floodlights

Floodlights typically have a wider beam angle (30 to 38 degrees) than spotlights do, and produce considerably more light. This can be a problem if the goal is to create a dreamlike night-time scene because floodlights can be too stark and too bright. However, they are useful for illuminating patios, decks, or porch swings — mount one or more on the second floor, shining down. In addition, you can create a nice effect by shining a floodlight through bushes or leaves to throw shadows along the side of your house.

Path Lights

Path lights are ideal for use on or near the ground. They shine downward to illuminate steps, garden paths, or front door walkways. You can also use them to highlight flowerbeds, a rock garden, or other attractive features that are close to the ground. Ask your landscape installation service how to use path lights to create a safe, attractive outdoor space.

Preventing Glare

When selecting lights, choose the lowest wattage bulb possible that achieves the effect you want, and be careful to avoid pointing spotlights directly at the street, sidewalk, front door, or seating areas. Spotlight glare can be very annoying. Consider outfitting your floodlights and spotlights with glare guards, which are light shields attached to the fixture body to prevent unwanted glare.

Lawn Innovations is the most experienced landscape installation service in Dayton, OH, and they will help you choose the right landscape lighting for your outdoor spaces. Visit their website for contact info, or call (937) 626-0406 to discuss your options with a friendly expert. You can also find the company on Facebook.