Landscape Lighting Ideas for your Landscape in Utah adds so much ambiance to your yard if it is done the right way. There are several steps you should take when you decide to light your landscape, and these are not too difficult. However, the best way to get the perfect landscape lighting in Utah is to contact a professional landscape designer, like Affordable Lawncare and Landscape in South Jordan, Utah. Professional landscape lighting design can add value to your property.
Start with these ideas:
Get an idea of your landscape layout.
Take a walk through your landscape during the day and at night. Locate key focal points. Perhaps a tree you want to highlight, a hardscape feature, or water features. These are the main features of the visual elements of your yard and the first level of light in your landscape.
Walk around all areas of your landscape and determine if you want pathway lighting and where you want this lighting. Think about the different features of your landscape. Do you want to highlight a deck, a door, or something else? Landscape lighting in Utah depends on what features you have to highlight. Also, think about the seasons. Your lighting may be buried in winter snows!
Make a Sketch of your Landscape
This drawing doesn’t have to be great, just an idea of where you want your landscape lighting in Utah. Begin by drawing the perimeter and add buildings, decks, vegetation, trees, benches, and decorations. Highlight the key focal points and jot down the height and length of the items you want to emphasize.
- Sketch out your yard
- Select your landscape lighting fixtures
- Determine if you will use wire run, what power supplies you need, and the final layout.
Select Lighting Fixtures
As important as where landscape lighting should be, is what type of fixtures you should choose. The right fixtures for your landscape lighting in Utah depend on where you place your lights. Accent, flood, and in-ground landscape lighting should match the area. For example, path and area lights should stand above the ground. They add a welcoming passage for guests and add a new dimension to your home.
Accents or spotlights create dramatic effects when you want to light up a fixture like a tree or a water fixture. Accent lights are dramatic when shown on dormer windows or even porch columns and eaves.
Wall wash lighting creates a full lighting experience on garden walls, fences, or even house facades, and in-ground lights are perfect for lighting down a long driveway. You can also use in-ground light to illuminate a majestic tree or a statue.
Hardscape fixtures are linear features that are hidden under architectural and landscape features. You can “hide” them under deck handrails, posts, outdoor kitchen fixtures, bench seating, and even window ledges.
Indicator lights are useful when used to highlight the edges of a deck or patio stairs. Indicator lights are also used along the perimeter of a driveway or flowerbed area to highlight your plantings.
Lighting Spacing
It is recommended that landscape lighting in Utah is determined by the type of lighting fixtures you are using. For example, path and area light should be out a 10’ distance between each path and area light. These lights are meant to guide users down the path, but not light the pathway.
Accent or spotlights are a bit tricky.
Small areas to illuminate may only need a couple of lighting fixtures, while large trees with multiple viewing angles and big canopies require up to four fixtures. The beam’s angle and light output can be adjusted once you placed your lightning fixtures. A good note to remember, the small tree you plant today may become a huge tree tomorrow.
Wall wash lights should be about 2 feet from the wall to cast a subtle illumination. You can spread the lighting fixtures out about 6 to 8 feet apart.
Step/Deck/Patio light should illuminate outdoor entertainment areas where people mingle, and traffic is prevalent. Walk around our entertainment areas to get the right lighting placement.
Hardscape fixtures should illuminate under deck handrails, retaining walls, or steps. They do not need to be huge lights just about a 3-inch size strip for small tight areas or a six-inch size to illuminate under deck handrails, retaining wall, or steps.
The last step is to put everything together.
You can bring your landscape sketch to life by understanding the wiring. Landscape lighting in Utah suggests you operate your landscape lighting system from a single source. Transformers can be plugged into a standard outlet, and based on the number of fixtures you use, all you need to do is select the appropriate transform size with a maximum wattage capacity. Capacity should range from 75 to 600 watts.
Leave room for expansion if you decide to plant a tree or add more garden fixtures. On your lighting, include a demand or photocell to control your landscape lighting in Utah automatically.
