Whether you want to to create an ambiance on your patio or light shadowy corners to increase security, there are several factors to consider before you bring in a certified electrician for a lighting installation. With some thoughtful planning, you can optimize the outdoor lighting design while keeping your areas safe, chic, and practical.

3 Tips When Planning Your Outdoor Lighting

1. Think About Your Needs

If you want to create an atmosphere for entertaining guests, opt for string lights or wall sconces. This style of lighting provides enough illumination to cut through the darkness and create a warm glow. You can also choose task lighting if you need a strong and focused illumination for enhanced visibility in the barbecue area. If you want to show off your beautiful landscape, select accent lights to brighten flower beds and draw attention to architectural features.

2. Consider Placement

Avoid placing bright lights where they’ll shine directly into your home or a neighbor’s room. Bulbs placed too close together cause excessive light pollution, and this can be blinding, making it difficult to see. Lights spaced far apart create inconsistency and could leave dark patches of outdoor space.

Downlighting positions bulbs at higher locations and pools light under them. It’s effective at brightening decks, driveways, and stairs. Uplighting uses ground lights and angles them upward, illuminating trees and landscape features.

3. Get a Power Check

You can create the perfect ambiance with lighting, but before you purchase lights, you need a certified electrician to check your load source. Too many lights turning on simultaneously will cause breakers to trip and fuses to blow, especially if they’re on the same circuit. Certified electricians can add a new breaker box to handle your external lighting needs to prevent possible issues.

If you aren’t sure, which lighting is best for your home, contact the certified electricians at Piedmont Electric Repair Company in High Point, NC. For over 80 years, these professionals have provided residents with LAN cable installations, lighting repair, and emergency generator sets as well as complete or partial home rewiring. View their services online, or call (336) 889-0222 to schedule an appointment.