Create A Stunning Outdoor Space With These Residential Landscape Lighting Tips

Published on: 01 November 2017 Last Updated on: 22 February 2020

When you think about landscaping, you probably think about visiting a nursery to pick out plants or planting flowers to create a beautiful accent garden. Flowers, plants, and trees are only one part of the equation, however. You also need to think about how your landscape will look after the sun goes down. Residential landscape lighting can enhance the look of your home after dark, drawing attention to key architectural details of your house and highlighting the beautiful plants that surround it. Use these tips to boost your home’s curb appeal today.

Understand that landscape lighting goes beyond solar path lights

Lighting up your landscape involves far more than just sticking a few solar lights along the edge of your sidewalk and calling it good. Instead, it is about creating a specific feeling in your yard after the sun goes down. When done correctly, landscape lighting can transform your outdoor space, turning it into a beautiful accent for your home. This type of lighting is not only meant to be functional but also to enhance the look and feel of your home.

Decide what you hope to achieve

Before you start picking out lights and deciding where to place them, come up with an overall plan for what you hope to achieve. Are you trying to make your yard safer by lighting up your sidewalk or patio area? Do you want to create a well-lit area where you can entertain? Do you want to draw attention to certain areas of your home, highlighting its unique architecture? Are you trying to improve the security of your property? By identifying your objectives before you begin, you can do a much better job of designing a lighting setup that will help you achieve your goals.

Take care of an essential lighting first

There are certain parts of your yard that should definitely be lit. Here are some of the key components that you should include in your overall design:

- Pathway lights. Any sidewalks, pathways, or entrances should be well lit to make it easy for people to see.
- Driveway lighting. You should incorporate plenty of light in your driveway area so that you can get to and from your car with ease.
- Stairs. If you have stairs leading up to your home, make sure that they are well illuminated so that people don’t trip and fall.
- Patios or decks. Any outdoor gathering area should incorporate lighting so that it can be used after dark.
- Trees. If you have any trees that you want to highlight, you can easily do it with lighting.
- Key architectural features. You can use lighting to enhance the architecture of your home. If you have any water features on your property, you should also consider lighting them.

Choose LED lights

Rather than going with halogen bulbs, opt for LED lighting. Not only do these bulbs last a long time but they are extremely energy-efficient.

A single bulb can last as long as 100,000 hours. That means that you won’t have to replace them often – an important consideration since outdoor lighting fixtures are not always easily accessible.

LED lights can also stand up to the elements, making them perfect for use outdoors. No matter how bad the weather gets, you shouldn’t have to worry about your lighting.

Another advantage of LED lights is that they are extremely versatile. You can change everything from the color of the light to its intensity. This can allow you to create a completely customized look for your outdoor space.

Incorporate multiple types of lighting to create an interesting design

Your residential landscape lighting design should include ambient lighting, which is lighting that shines over the entire space. It should also incorporate task lighting, which is used to provide illumination for tasks like cooking. Finally, it should also include accent lighting, which is used to draw attention to certain features of your yard. For instance, you could put a spotlight on a tree to draw attention to it. Incorporating all three types of lighting will help create a balanced, professional look that will set your yard apart from others in your neighborhood.

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5 Tips to Keeping Animals Away From Your Garden

Animals might be cute, furry, and very pleasing to look at but they can seriously be destructive to your field, some of us may enjoy their company, others might want to kill them instantly! Either way, if you do not take care of who enters your garden, your plants may not thank you. Check out the rest of the article to understand what kind of animals can spoil your garden and how to restrict their movement. Who are these animals? Some of the most common garden animals include chipmunks, squirrels, skunks, mice, moles, rats, and opossums. To learn more about possums, click get rid of possum. These animals dig holes into the ground, eat your fruits and vegetables, multiply or lay eggs in your garden, and generally wreak havoc. Other larger animals include dogs, deer, birds, snakes, etc. Just having them run around the garden can cause large-scale destruction. Ways to get rid of animals in your garden There are several ways to control the entry of animals in your garden. Some are more effective than others. To learn more about these methods, read on. 1. Identify the creature : The best way to control animals is to identify them first. This way you would know exactly how to deal with them by understanding their behavior and ways of living or multiplying. You can then target the animal with exactly the right technique that is needed to get rid of them. It is necessary to identify the animal to learn about its habitat, control them, and devise an effective solution. 2. Make your garden animal proof : By making your garden attractive to animals, you will invite more pests into it. Therefore, certain methods need to be adopted to make sure that the animals stay away. One such method is to cut down on places that can house such animals, like tall grass, bushes, or a pile of leaves. Some animals can even crawl under your deck or porch. Minimize any food sources, like birdbaths and seed booths, where animals like squirrels may come to feed. Moreover, you should cover your compost pile that attracts raccoons and fruit and vegetable patches with nets to avoid dogs, cats, deer, etc. 3. Fences, nets, and traps : Fences are a great option to help minimize the entry of animals. For smaller animals, like rats, squirrels, rabbits, and more, small fences around your garden are enough. But for larger animals, like dogs and deer, larger and taller fences are required. Putting up taller fences can go a little heavy on your pocket, so securing plants is probably a better option. Nets are a great way to prevent animals from actually feeding on your produce, like fruits and vegetables. Just adding a mesh or net around your patches can make a huge difference. Traps can be placed throughout the garden to catch animals with the help of baits. Use some food, like cheese, crackers, or biscuits, to lure animals into the trap, which then slams shut. Animals are also not harmed this way. It’s easy to catch possums, rats, squirrels, etc. with the help of traps. 4. Repellents : Some animals can be repelled using auditory techniques, like certain sounds, and repellents that smell a certain way, thus driving or scaring away the animal out of your garden. Some examples of repellents are - predatory urine, garlic clips, and castor oil. But these repellants need to be applied and monitored on a regular basis to make sure they are effective. Some of these repellents, however, can be toxic to humans, so be careful, which repellents you choose. Auditory repellents include motion-sensitive water sprayers, ultrasonic repellers, and visual scare devices, such as reflective tape. The only problem with these repellents is that pests may become immune to these methods, and therefore they may decrease in effectiveness over time. Make sure you read all the directions given on any repellants or products before using them. 5. Do on the spot management : For example, when moles create boroughs in your garden, you can place mothballs in the holes to repel them. Moles don’t eat your garden produce but their tunnels can cause your plants to die since plants may not find space to grow underneath the ground with enough nutrients. If certain animals have entered your garden, immediately introduce the predator species into your gardens, such as cats and dogs, to scare away the pests. Cats and dogs prey on animals, like mice and rats. In some cases, you can hand aluminum foils with strings in your garden. The shiny material can scare away the animals. Again, the effectiveness of this method may die with time. Pests are destructive to your garden and should definitely be identified and eradicated. However, there’s no need to kill these animals in order to get rid of them. You can also use humane ways to get animals out of your garden. Use the methods given above in order to get rid of animals, including possums, from your garden. This will help you get a more secure and flourishing garden in no time! Read Also : 5 Summer Garden Maintenance Tips And Tactics You Have To Know Grow These Flowering Plants In Your Home Garden To Remove Vastu Related Problems

Is Living in a Loft All It Is Cracked Up to Be?

There are one thing movies and TVs all agree on – lofts are cool. If there is a loft in a TV show or a movie, you can bet it will be chic and stylish, furnished in the latest fashion, exuding both the minimalism of the upper class and the industrial design of the hipster movement. Generally speaking, a loft can also be the small attic apartment directly under the roof of the building, but we will keep to the first definition of the loft. We asked real estate pros from Neuman & Neuman to tell us what advantages and disadvantages you may expect if you opt to live in a loft. 1. High Ceilings As mentioned before, we will focus on the apartments on the top floor which have a lot of free space in which you can adapt to your liking, usually including the attic. That means that the height of the ceilings will be considerably higher than in other apartments, even in that same building. Naturally, what you do with all that extra vertical space is up to you, some people enjoy having a completely open plan and admire the height of the ceiling, whereas other construct landings and floors within the apartment, creating smaller separate units with or without physical walls. 2. A Lot of Natural Light Being on the top floor of a building comes with some perks, and having access to a lot more natural light than others is one of them. In cases when a building or the loft itself is adapted from a different purpose into a living unit, ceiling windows may exist already, or you may install them to give yourself that coveted sunlight. In other cases, ceiling windows may not be an option, due to the building itself, but with the vertical dimension of your home a lot bigger than a regular apartment, you may have a lot more room for regular wall windows which a door interior designer will know how to incorporate in your home’s design. 3. An Amazing View Finally, living on the top floor of a building means that your view of the surroundings promises to be spectacular. If you are fortunate enough to have a terrace or a balcony – all the better. If not, I’m sure that the view from your many large windows is just as spectacular as ever. The view factor is particularly appealing in revitalized buildings in the city centers, like in San Diego’s Little Italy district, or Brooklyn in New York – which makes the prices of these loft properties go up in recent times, especially since they’re becoming more popular with the younger population. 4. Disadvantages of Lofts Even though lofts look amazing and have a lot of advantages, there are some drawbacks as well. One of the biggest potential problems is that lofts tend to be, at least partly, repurposed old buildings. That means that they were not built for living and that the insulation is not great. And having so many large windows isn't exactly helping, either. This can potentially increase your heating and air conditioning bills. However, if you spend some money on adaptation and adding insulation, you can increase your home’s energy efficiency considerably. Another problem may be the echo and the noise, especially if you opt for a completely open plan. The cavernous nature of lofts means that the sound will reverberate and there's not much you can do about it. Having drapes and cushioned furniture may reduce this problem, but this is one thing you will have to learn to live with if you go for buying or renting a loft. Read Also: How Long Does Vinyl Flooring Last? 5 Factors to Consider in Choosing the Right Floor Colors 7 Unexpected Ways to Use Glass and Wood for your Home 7 Expert Hacks for Downsizing to a Smaller Apartment 10 Points to Remember if you are Building a Residential House

Creative Summer Bedroom Decor Ideas To Try Today

Are you thinking about bedroom decor ideas for this summer? Seems like we have heard your thoughts already! When we think about summer, we start to paint a picture already: summer berries, enjoying Pimm’s with close ones, and whatnot! But what if I tell you there is another way to enjoy your summer? Yes! Your bedroom. Summer is a warm hug and a perfect moment to give your bedroom a seasonal look. You just transform the bedroom that captures its vibrancy and calmness. A well-decorated bedroom enhances your living space. Moreover, it affects your frame of mind and happiness levels. However, summer is the right time to refresh and revamp your bedroom decoration. This period offers an opportunity to introduce lighter shades. With warmer weather and longer days, transform the place into a serene summer retreat. Here are some creative summer bedroom decor ideas to help you bring the summer’s feeling into your room: Bedroom decor ideas to update your home for summer When I was a kid, I always saw Mum making a huge deal of changing bedsheets into linens during summer. We even had summer special lighting and curtains. My mum used to love decorating the bedrooms based on the seasons. I feel like this has been passed on to me. Be it my college dorm or my present bedding, I always try to change the settings. Today, I will share a few bedroom decor ideas to help you decorate your room this summer. Choose Lightweight Bedding Switching to lightweight bedding is one of the best decisions for this season. Heavy duvets and thick blankets offer warmth during winter months. But during summer, they make a house stuffy and uncomfortable. So, go for materials such as cotton or linen that breathe and keep one cool during hot summer nights. Some of the options include light quilts or plain cotton sheet sets. These options provide comfort and create a relaxed and casual atmosphere in the room. Consider Coastal Decorations Coastal decor can be included in your bedroom to bring the beach’s essence. The idea behind this is that coastal décor reminds people about being on holiday. Their bedrooms feel like they have escaped from everything else around them. They feel completely new again, full of ocean freshness and air seasoned by relaxation. If you want an ocean theme, you can start with soft blues and sandy beige. I recommend ending your decoration with crisp whites to give it a more vacation vibe. You can also provide textures like rattan or driftwood. That’d be a nice, desirable addition to it. Alternatively, one can hang pictures of oceans, beaches, and coastal landscapes on their walls. This will give the impression of the summer holiday they went on vacation. So, whenever you enter the room, you will feel like you are at your favorite resort. Choose a Summer Color Palette If you switch to a summer color palette, your bedroom atmosphere can change. In summer, colors should be light, bright, and cheerful. For instance, there are some shades like sunshine yellow, green, and pastel pink, which, when integrated into your space, make you happy and energized again. You do not have to repaint the whole room to adopt a summer color palette; small changes make all the difference. For example, adding colorful throws at the end of the bed or changing pillow covers might be enough. Sometimes, even new pieces of vibrant artwork may also help refresh your space here and there, depending on how far you want to go with it. Don’t forget the walls To maintain your summer theme, you can choose light and airy paintings and photographs. Now, if you want my suggestions, I recommend you go for floral photos. Crafted pieces in spring or summer palettes can also help your bedroom look more cozy and summerlike. Add Decorative Pillows Decorative pillows can freshen up the bedroom for the summer. They do more than add a pop of color; they introduce new textures and make rooms look warm and cozy. Therefore, when considering which pillows to buy for your summer home, think about colorful items that reflect the right mood for the season. However, some pillow designs have been made specifically for this period, so you have to pick such ones on our website. These could be tropical print themes, floral prints, or nautical motifs, among others, but not limited to them. Furthermore, texture should also be considered when purchasing these items. These may consist of cotton, flaxen, or light velvets, which, in most cases, give them deeper emphasis. Add Summer Florals There’s something about vibrant blooms that reminds us of summer. You can bring nature indoors and make your room smell amazing by incorporating flowers. Several options include summer florals in your bedroom, ranging from real bouquets to flower patterns. So begin by putting a vase full of fresh flowers on top of a nightstand or dressing table. All you need to do is select those that are flowering during this time, such as peonies, sunflowers, or daisies. Not only will the attractiveness and fragrance included in one package make it feel special. If you don’t want live plants, then go ahead and purchase artificial ones, which are still good since forever may never come anyway. Bringing It All Together These suggestions can help you create a cohesive summer look in your bedroom. Start with a neutral palette and then gradually add summer elements. You could begin by changing your bedding and slightly embellishing it with some pillows. Then, choose a few coastal décor items and anything else on your color scheme during summer. Last but not least, include some summer blossoms in your design stage. The idea is to create an environment that feels light and breezy and has all the charms of summertime. Do not hesitate to try out different combinations until you find one that suits your style best while keeping things fun and summery in your bedroom retreats at all times. Conclusion Redecorating the bedroom for the hot season may be an exciting project. This will involve selecting lighter linens, going nautical, settling on colors for warmer months, including extra cushions, and involving more summer florals. Get started today, turning your bedroom into an ultimate haven for this year’s warmest period! Lastly, if anyone wishes for any decor-related things such as pillows, curtains, and many other bedding materials, then consider checking out the Latest Bedding. They have quality products, such as stylish ones, that can bring dreams concerning what kind of decorations are expected in homes every weekend over the summer holidays. Continue Reading: Everything You Need To Know About Harvesting Basil! Exploring The Ways Domestic Lifts Enhance Mobility And Access How To Approach Home Maintenance With A Focus On Well-Being

Create A Stunning Outdoor Space With These Residential Landscape Lighting Tips

Understand that landscape lighting goes beyond solar path lights

Decide what you hope to achieve

Take care of an essential lighting first

Incorporate multiple types of lighting to create an interesting design

Tips for Selecting a Window Frame Color

Home Hacks: Stuff You Can Clean in One Hour or Less

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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5 Tips to Keeping Animals Away From Your Garden

Is Living in a Loft All It Is Cracked Up to Be?

Creative Summer Bedroom Decor Ideas To Try Today

Create A Stunning Outdoor Space With These Residential Landscape Lighting Tips

Understand that landscape lighting goes beyond solar path lights

Decide what you hope to achieve

Take care of an essential lighting first

Incorporate multiple types of lighting to create an interesting design

Share this Article

Tips for Selecting a Window Frame Color

Home Hacks: Stuff You Can Clean in One Hour or Less

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related