A lighting plan is an essential part of any landscape design. Skimping on this important design and installation phase can not only impact the usability of a State College, PA, landscape at night, but also compromise the security of the property. A proper lighting plan not only makes a landscape beautiful and functional, but also helps to discourage intruders. There is a great variety of lighting options available to implement your plan effectively. Here are just a few:

Security lights

Naturally, outdoor security lights are the go-to tool for keeping your final design safe and secure. These lights are generally high powered LED or halogen bulbs, deployed at a height to have a commanding field of view. They are also often coupled with motion sensors, as the powerful beam can be discomfiting if left on continuously. Security lights should be deployed closer to the property and at the key entrance and egress points of a yard. Most lights come equipped with an adjustable fixture that allows you to tilt them to the optimal position, ensuring all windows and doors are well covered. Moreover, solar lights should be preferred in this application as they have minimal wiring, significantly reducing the chances of sabotage while also working in the scenario of a power outage. These lights are your lighting plan’s primary defense against intruders.

General lighting around the yard

While security lights are quite effective, they are not a one-stop solution if you want to keep a home secure. Their powerful beams do an excellent job of lighting up the area, but they also produce deep shadows that give would-be criminals a place to hide. To counter this, landscape lighting should consist of a range of lights dispersed throughout the yard. Path lights are optimal for this, keeping the primary paths covered in a soft glow. They should be positioned carefully to not only light up the paths, but also the darker regions around them. In addition to thwarting intruders, they also play a vital role in decreasing the chances of trips and falls when walking at night.

Keeping with this theme, all areas of the yard should have some level of lighting. Primary features such as patios and outdoor kitchens should be well covered with spotlights as appliances and furniture are highly susceptible to theft. You can also integrate trees into your lighting plan, utilizing their height for a wide field of view. String lights can also work wonderfully in this application, producing a warm glow that does the job without being overly intrusive.

Related: Highlight Beautiful Exteriors with the Right Landscape Lights in Your State College Backyard

Perimeter lighting

Lastly, remember to secure the perimeter of a landscape with reasonably spaced perimeter lighting. Lighting posts are ideal for this, lighting up a wide expanse of area and reducing the total quantity of lights required for your project. However, they do tend to be more obtrusive. Smaller post cap lights cover a smaller area but are more inconspicuous and can be integrated seamlessly with a perimeter fence or wall. As with security lights, solar powered variants should be preferred as they are not only robust to tampering but can also lower the customer’s utility bills.

With a range of lights covering your landscape project, your design will not only look alluring at night but will also be safe and secure.

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Image courtesy of Unilock.