Long gone are the days where a homeowner has one patio light next to the back door, or flood lights to canvas the backyard in a glare that can only be described as an alien landing. Patio lights today can add just about any look you want to obtain, and can be done in a very elegant and tasteful application. Whether you want a quiet, peaceful, warm glow in your outside living area, or to crank it up a notch, and make it look like the out door version of the famed Copacabana, you are only limited by imagination, and your collection of greenbacks.
When designing your patio lighting system, you’ll want to take into consideration the additional amps you will be pulling and make sure your breaker box can handle the load. This will require an electrical contractor to come out and assess your current situation, and make changes to avoid flipping the breaker every time you turn your lights on. If you have an outdoor kitchen, you may want to look at recessed lighting to illuminate everything evenly, so when you are cooking at night you will not be working in the shadows. In addition, wall sconces can help fill in the dim areas that the recessed lighting does not cover.
Patio string lights can be tastefully installed along walkways for decoration as well as for safety concerns. These LED lights are installed in a weather proof tubing that will last for years to come, and some include the option to change colors, and oscillate through the patterns of the color spectrum. A great idea is to change them to the theme colors of the current holidays, to enhance your outdoor decorations for Christmas, etc. These lights plug in end to end so you can cover a great length that looks like once continuous string.
Solar Patio Lights
Solar patio lighting is a good alternative if you want to save on electricity, and do not want to fool with running electrical wiring. The latest solar technology allows these lamps to burn all night with a full charge of sunlight all day. They will still work at night if it was overcast that day, but maybe for only half the time they usually illuminate your patio. You can even purchase solar patio umbrellas that have lights built into them. If you go online and shop for these types of lights, you will be pleasantly surprised at how manufacturers are creating items for your patio and garden that could not even be imagined just a year ago.
Wed, Apr 7, 2010
Outdoor Lighting