One of the delights of summer is spending balmy nights outdoors under the stars with family and good friends, enjoying meals and conversation, and even catching glimpses of shooting stars. Outdoor lighting is a big part of the experience. Today’s light fixtures are specialized, so they can be used to set the stage for fostering outdoor enjoyment and entertainment, depending on the situation. Here are three things you can achieve with outdoor lighting in Lancaster and York, PA, areas.

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Setting Romantic Ambience

Create a romantic ambience using warm-toned light bulbs that direct light subtly at the ground. Path lighting, lights built into seat walls, string lights, and sconces attached to pergolas or to the home give just enough light for safety, but without casting harsh shadows. 

Romantic path lighting can be hardwired for full control of the effect, or you could install individual solar-powered lights that reduce the electric bill. With solar-powered lights, you will want to keep in mind that these do grow dimmer over time: solar batteries may last only three to four years before they will need to be replaced (and it’s often easier to change out the entire fixture), while LED bulbs can last 10 years or more. 

Another wonderful technique to add mystery and romance is moonlighting. In this technique, a cool bluish-tinted fixture is placed high in a tree canopy and the light is directed downward, mimicking the effect of moonlight filtering through the branches and leaves. You could do this on one tree or several depending on whether you want to carry this effect throughout the landscape, or whether you just want to brighten up a dark corner.

Both of these techniques give a landscape just enough lighting to make for a pleasant experience. And they avoid the “sports stadium” effect of lighting that is too bright—which is uncomfortably bright, casts strong shadows, and basically ruins the magic of being outdoors at night.

Creating Drama

Uplighting, washes, downlighting, silhouetting, and spotlighting are a few techniques used to create nighttime drama. Something as unassuming as a retaining wall or the bark of a tree can become a dramatic focal point after dark. 

Bring attention to vertical textures (the walls of the outdoor kitchen, the home’s siding, coniferous and deciduous trees, and outdoor structures) with uplighting, downlighting, and spotlighting. Highlight shapes such as a gnarled old tree or art with silhouetting. Add soft ambient lighting by washing a wall in light and allowing the reflection to illuminate the space. 

These types of light fixtures add drama but they aren’t just for effect since they do provide ambient light. During the day, they are generally disguised in shrubbery, trees, or less obvious places higher on the home. At night, they can totally transform an outdoor living space by bringing everyone’s attention to places that aren’t always noticed during the daylight hours.

Setting the Mood

Many light fixtures use LED bulbs that are long-lasting and offer choices in color temperature. In general, for a warm and cozy atmosphere, go with warmer light such as you would find in a flickering campfire. 

For a cool, sophisticated atmosphere, you could choose cooler white or even bluish tones that more closely mimic natural moonlight.

You can also have fun with distinctly red, blue, green, or amber lights—mixing colors throughout the space to create an unforgettable party atmosphere—or transforming a pool or spa from a daytime kids’ waterpark to a chic nighttime adult getaway.

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