Tips For Safely Installing Temporary Outdoor Lighting

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11 Safety Tips For Installing Temporary Outdoor Lighting

When it comes to the outdoor lighting in and around our properties, most of us have some lights that they control, such as the security and porch lights. The other options are under public lighting. But some of the outdoor lights will serve as a decorative installation such as what we see on houses during Christmas and Halloween holidays.

Safety is a huge concern for every homeowner. We want our family, pets, and guests to feel safe whether their stay is short or long. As such, the availability of ample power cords, bulbs, and controls to ensure that you can manage the outdoor lighting becomes a significant investment for our gardens.

Many people have little to no regard for the importance of observing safety when installing outdoor lighting, especially if it is a temporary setup. They will not struggle to ensure everything is put up correctly and is up to code since they are not going for permanent installations. However, electricity and power connections are not a simple matter that you can handle as a triviality; they are always a danger. It is for this reason that the National Electrical Code has requirements for temporary electrical installations that are in line with the standard guidelines.

As such, safety comes first when you think of installing outdoor lighting in your yard. Therefore, you need to implement the following tips:

1. Install Outdoor-Rated Fixtures

Any lighting fixture you want to set up in your outdoor spaces should be built and designed for such a location and purpose. For instance, the porch lights are installed under the roof thus are never meant to get wet, but if you need to pick the type that designed for outdoor applications since it is bound to get damp and face fluctuation of hot and cold conditions.

Another example is the wall lighting fixture that will go next to the door. It may not have a protective cover and as such should sustain high impacts up to a certain degree and have high weather resistance, especially if it will be used on the exterior walls.

2. Use Outdoor-Rated Light Bulbs

Use the wrong type of bulb for exposed lighting fixtures such as the floodlights can you will be replacing it regularly. What works for the porch lighting will not suffice for the exposed installations. You should think about the life of the bulb even as you check its outdoor usage rating. Read the product description of some of the products, it the bulb can survive extremes such as the heat in an oven or the cold of a freezer, then it probably will work for outdoor purposes.

3. Avoid Using Metallic Binding Materials

When installing any lighting ornaments and wires, you should avoid damage the wires or using materials that are metallic for binding. Metal is an excellent electricity conductor. You should opt for materials such as plastic ties which are inexpensive, safe, and a popular choice for such jobs.

4. Use Outdoor-Rated Extension Cords

Extension cords will help pull the electric up to specific points where you want to install the lighting. However, you should only use the extensions cords that are made for outdoor applications. The indoor variety tends to be light and very flexible thus less robust for any outdoor use. You should use outdoor-rated extension cords only, even if you are putting up temporary lighting set up in your yard.

5. Avoid Over-lamping” A Fixture

Most lighting fixtures have a label or sticker that states the maximum wattage. Some will read 45W, 60W, and others 100W. Always abide by what the labels say so that you do not install the wrong bulb that will overheat the fixture’s wiring damaging the insulation of the wires. The indication on the stickers denotes the wattage you need to check for the bulbs you installed. For instance, if you opt for a CFL bulb in a 60W fixture, then you choose one the uses up any amount of power that is less than or equal to 60 watts and is amount to generate a higher illumination (light) than a 100W; 200W incandescent bulb.

6. Use Decorative Lights Made For Outdoor Use

If you need lighting for decorate purposes such as to light up skulls and pumpkins during Halloween or make the home showcase the festive mood of Christmas, then you should check the labeling to ensure you are using the right kind of lights. They should not be for indoor purposes. Pick the type that reads it is for an outdoor or multipurpose (outdoor/indoor) application.

7. Fit Weather-Resistant Receptacles

Ensure that you have outdoor receptacles installed for your power source options, even if you are working with temporary loads. It is a safer and a more presentable means of getting the power you need from one point to the outdoors instead of running a cord through the window or the doorway that can even cause someone to trip and fall over. You may benefit from especially covers for the wire; you also set the same for the receptacles. But with the receptacles, they should be able to handle hot, cold, and damp condition, meaning they should have a high weather-resistance rating.

8. Invest In GFCI Protection

The use of a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, or GFCI in short, is a protection measure. You should install GFCI power outlets in any section of your home where you might need to plug something in and still have a grounded electricity delivery. GFCI should be installed in the basements, kitchens, garages, bathrooms, attics, crawl space, and the porch for when you need to pull some electricity to your garden.

If the power feeds for your outdoor receptacles have GFCI protect that can be from a GFC device upstream or the circuit breaker, then you can work with a regular weather-resistant receptacle. But if that is not the case, then you should install a weather-resistant GFCI receptacle.

9. Cover Receptacles In Damp Locations Under A Roof

If you have the outdoor receptacles installed in an area that is protected from direct weather elements, you can cover them with a trap door that stays shut when nothing is plugged into that point. Make sure that you use covers that are rated ideal for damp locations and conditions.

10. Install A Cover For Exposed, Wet Locations

If the outdoor receptacles are installed in locations that have them exposed to the elements, then you should cover with an “in-use” cover. It will keep the receptacles and any attached plugs dry and shielded from the rain.

11. Watch Out for Flammable Materials

Avoid installing the lights next to materials catch fire quickly, especially if you are using lighting materials that produce heat. For instance, the decorative lights you need for the manager can see you use an accent light and still create the desired effect. Take some time to consider your decorative materials and plans so that you can planning for the lights accordingly.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today for more information!

How Many Lumens Is Too Many Lumens?

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Outdoor Lighting: How Many Lumens Do I Need?

Lumens are a measure of the intensity of light. As such, the higher a lamp’s lumen rating, the brighter it will appear. The number of lumens you require for outdoor lighting will, therefore, depend on the kind of light you want.

Now that we’ve learned what lumens are, here is our professional lumens recommendation for a variety of outdoor lights.

  • Path lighting – 100 to 200 lumens
  • Step lights – 12 to 100 lumens
  • Floodlights – 700 to 1300 lumens
  • Pond and pool lights – 200 to 400 lumens
  • Motion sensor lights – 300 to 700 lumens
  • Landscape lights – 50 to 300 lumens (50 lumens is excellent for small shrubbery or gardens)
  • Hardscape lighting (on walls) – 50 to 185 lumens

When thinking about outdoor lighting, seriously consider going for LED.

Homeowners typically have two types of outdoor lightbulbs when purchasing outdoor lighting. These are CFLs and LEDs.

As outdoor lighting experts, we recommend that you go with LED lights. In this article, we will explain the difference between CFLs and LEDs and why you should consider working with LED lighting.

Outdoor lighting: CFLs or LEDs

How Each Works:

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) use electrical currents to heat filaments inside the bulb. When fully heated up, the filaments become white-hot, producing heat and light. Because these filaments are very sensitive, the lifespan of CFL bulbs is relatively short, especially when left in extremely cold or hot ambient temperatures, such Texas’s summer temperatures. Furthermore, CFLs take quite a while to light up fully.

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), on the other hand, do not rely on fragile filaments to light up an area. Nevertheless, they use electrical currents to illuminate tiny diodes found inside the bulbs. Light emitting diodes do not put much heat; which means that they stay cool to the touch. These lights fare quite well in all outdoor temperatures and fully light up as soon as they are activated.

Operational Costs:

Light emitting diodes cost lesser to operate compared to CFL. They use 50 percent less energy to produce the same amount of light CFLs produce. That means that LEDs, of all light bulb options, produce higher amounts of lumens per wattage consumed.

Lifespan:

Light emitting diodes last up to five times longer than compact fluorescent lights.

Price:

At the moment, CFLs cost much cheaper than LEDs. Fortunately, though, LED bulb prices have been dropping in the last couple of years, making some LED options much more affordable than their CFL counterparts.

Other things to Consider

1. Lux

Lux measures a lights luminous flux per unit area. In essence, it gives users an idea of how far or field size a bulb/light can illuminate. Lux plays a crucial role in telling you how many lights you will need to cover an area or space.

To help you understand it better, please note that one lux is equal to the amount of illumination a single candle can provide from approx. 3 feet away.

2. Wattage

Wattage is used to quantify a bulb’s energy transfer rate – in essence; it is the measure of how much electricity a bulb consumes. For instance, a 75-watt light bulb consumes 75 watts of power each second it’s on. The higher a light’s wattage, the more electricity it consumes and the higher the electric bill will be.

If your outdoor lighting project requires the installation of lots of outdoor lights, your wattage demand will be higher, and you might need to have a professional electrician install a new circuit for you.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today for more information!

Switching From Halogen To LED – Outdoor Lighting Tips From Robert Huff

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From Halogen To LED – Making The Switch

Just like many industries, there is a lot of changes we have witnessed within the lighting industry. In today’s market, efficiency is king, especially when it comes to newer technologies. For example, an outdoor lighting system that was installed years ago may be an old technology or even outdated compared to the standard of technology these days.
Halogen bulb is a good example of a technology that used to dominate the lighting industry in the past. However, a few years ago, LED technology began to take over; to a point where they are the current industry standard. LED has become the number one choice for outdoor lighting designers. 

 Why LED technology over Halogen? Well, LEDs offer many benefits which include:

  • Low Energy consumption
  • Low heat
  • Durable
  • Easy to replace
  • Does not attract insects
  • Affordable or cost-effective
  • Brighter light
Since we are living in an era of YouTube videos, Pinterest, HGTV, and others; we often want to get our hands dirty with DIY projects at home. Many do prefer doing DIY projects whether they are small like painting one room or large jobs such as redoing the kitchen cabinets. This is because there are thousands of tutorial videos available online today and it seems like an affordable method.

However, the million-dollar question is; Are DIY projects the right and best decision in the long run?

This is a highly debated question! Nonetheless, it all depends on what you are looking for in terms of longevity. For example, installing an outdoor landscape lighting system within your property is a long-term investment, if done correctly. It increases the appeal of a home and most importantly increases security around your property. Furthermore, there are many reasons why in this case, you should really seek the services of a professional
With the help of our lighting designers, we will help you create a layout for your outdoor lighting while taking all details into consideration. Our experts will spend time communicating with you so as to understand your vision or goal of proper outdoor lighting, asses the environment, and then come up with ways to enhance your property through effective lighting. Because we are professionals in the field, we will discuss lighting options such as types of fixtures, lighting temperature, and space needed. 
It is important to note that there are a variety of lighting fixtures in different stores or hardware near you. However, the range of lighting fixtures available to you is limited compared to what we can access. On the other hand, commercial lighting supplies generally have a longer warranty and available in better quality. In a nutshell, we have the knowledge needed to make the whole project a success for you. In other words, we understand electrical systems, wattage needed, and the permits needed to complete the installation. 
Of course, hiring a professional will generally cost you more compared to DIY projects. However, you have nothing to worry when it comes to our services. This is because we work with our client’s budgets. We also save time on a project as well as help you avoid all those costly repairs. 
Outdoor home lighting is a practical home project, with companies needing the technical aspect of it. With our LED landscape lighting services, you will get the best from the rest at an affordable price.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today for more information!

Boosting Curb Appeal And Value With Residential Outdoor Lighting

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Increasing Curb Appeal & Value

Houston has continued to see growth, and this has increased the demand for homes for sale. Experts believe that this year is another strong year for the housing market in Houston. If you are interested in selling your home; how can you make it stand out from the rest?

Outdoor lighting has the potential of enhancing curb appeal and can even increase the value of your property or home. The National Association of Home Builders said that over 40% of homeowners surveyed said for them, outdoor lighting is “essential“ Lighting has a big impact on the appearance of a building. People get the full effect during the day because of the sun, but when it starts to set down, the details and aspects of the property will start disappearing because of the darkness setting in. LED landscaping lighting transforms the look of the property at night. Outdoor lighting is able to highlight structural features such as fire pits, pathways, fencing, water features, and more. The overall lighting design will also include decks, outdoor patios, or other outdoor living spaces.

When you take a drive through the neighborhood at night, you will notice that homes standing out the most are those that have proper outdoor lighting. Having proper outdoor lighting will enhance the beauty of the space. This is even more important when it comes to the landscape of your house. When you highlight certain features of your house, you make it more pleasing to the eye, and this can lead to an increase in value. You can be able to make your space appear larger than it actually is by having the lighting professionally installed. With outdoor lighting, you will be able to make your home look amazing while also making it a less appealing target for burglars or people wishing to do harm. When you light areas around the doorway and window, you will be able to improve the security while enhancing the look of your home.

Have you ever tried pulling into a driveway that did not have light and you had a time navigating in darkness? You were afraid of hitting something or even not seeing someone.

Now turn the attention to your driveway. Would people have a hard time pulling into your driveway at night?

Proper lighting of your driveway will be able to serve a number of purposes. It provides safety for people around it while also adding to the curb appeal of the property.

When your drive is properly lit, it will be a guide for your guest, and they will be able to navigate more easily. It will also create a welcoming ambiance. You will be able to deliver a great first impression when you have driveway lighting.

Below are three cool ways of lighting up your driveway

Down-lighting

If there are large trees along the driveway, then down-lighting is the right option to go with. This is because they tend to emulate the feeling of moonlight. It will feel and appear natural, but it is luminaires that have been skillfully aimed and placed. Depending on how the driveway has been laid out and the number of trees, well lights or bollards can be used alongside down-lighting. Using different light sources at strategic locations can help in balancing out the lights and making sure the driveway is evenly lit.

Bollards

Bollards are sturdy, solid, and stately. They will provide the driveway with soft lighting, making it the perfect choice for defining the edges of the driveway. A good lighting company will be able to provide you with an outdoor lighting design that properly spaces the bollards. One thing that can be done is alternating the sides. This will prevent the runaway effect on your driveway.

Up-Lighting

While the bollards are above the ground, these are closer to the ground. If you are looking for fixtures less noticeable, up-lights are a perfect choice. If there are mature trees, it is going to define the edge of the driveway and also add ambient light. The fixtures can be installed into the driveway cement or at the entrance of the garage.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today for more information!

Invest In Quality Texas Outdoor Lighting, By Investing In Robert Huff Illuminations

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Make Your Texas Outdoor Lighting System Work For You

One of the key factors for any Robert Huff Illumination design is that of providing the homeowner with a stunning lighting system while also adding value to their property. When a landscape lighting system has been designed and installed by an expert it can add a considerable amount of value to the home.

As is the case with other home investments, you will get what you pay for. If you opt for cheap fixtures, along with discount installers, even though it may seem like a desirable option, the investment you put into your home may not stand the test of time. Robert Huff Illumination’s provide high-quality fixtures, installers who are experts within their field and warranties to ensure that your home shines as bright as the stars, for years to come.

We use the manufacturers in the United States to provide our fixtures and which means you are going to get the best materials possible. Along with this Robert Huff Illumination’s offers an annual service program to ensure that your lighting system is always running at its full potential.

Granted, it is vital to have high-quality materials, however, the design and installation are also vital elements to the process. We use installation crews who have received professional training to ensure their workmanship will not only be good for the short term, but also for the long term. We stand out as having much more experience than other companies when it comes to installing the Robert Huff Illumination-caliber system. We are sure that we can deliver on an expert installation which will not only give you a great investment but also mean you will have a home you can be proud of.

One of the main reasons that homeowners opt for a landscape lighting installation is for curb appeal. We all know that house in our area that just looks amazing both day and night. Why does it look so amazing? It’s outdoor lighting. Your home makes its first impression in the form of curb appeal. If you want your home to boost curb appeal, even after the sun has set, you need to ensure that you choose the right lighting.

An added benefit to outdoor lighting is the element of safety and security. If you don’t want to become a target for burglary you need to make your home less of a temptation. Outdoor lighting does exactly that.

You also make your outdoor living space more usable when you have an outdoor lighting system. A patio, garden or desk should be enjoyed in the evenings, as well as during the day. If you do not have enough lighting, these spaces are hard to enjoy after dark. When you light such spaces you provide your home with a new living area for night time activities.

When you opt for a professional installation, you will be able to turn your system on and off automatically. The smart home automation system we offer means that your lighting schedule can be accessed from your phone. Robert Huff Illumination also has a team that is dedicated to ensuring that your system is working right every day of the year.

At times, outdoor lighting can see like a utilitarian project and a lot of companies have this type of approach. The LED outdoor lighting we use is all about coupling form and function so that you have a system that does more than just light up your outdoor space. To have the ultimate in LED landscape lighting the Robert Huff design team use their architectural knowledge and the latest lighting solutions.

If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today for more information!

Outdoor Kitchen Lighting That’s Worth A Look!

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Outdoor Lighting Techniques For Your Kitchen Worth Implementing This Summer

Summers are always the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors during the day and night. As the days get longer and nights warmer, you need to gear yourself up to make the most of the perfect outdoor weather. The outdoor living areas and kitchen become the ideal areas for spending time with family and friends. They become a much-welcomed break from the indoor spaces.

The sun is in plenty during the summer, but that does not mean that your outdoor lighting should be limited to this natural, abundant source of natural light. Consider injecting some landscape lighting to ensure that the outdoor fun you have during the day extends well into the night. Below are a few techniques for achieving this that are worth considering.

1. Hardscape Lighting for Grills

Having the grill going in the dark as you try and make your famous BBQ is somewhat frustrating. You do not have a clear view of the food you are preparing when grilling in the dark. As such, you are prone to serve a meal that is overcooked or undercooked. It would be disheartening to have spent a lot of time preparing the BBQ only to undercook or overcook it because you do not have adequate lighting.

Hardscape LED strips and spotlights can ensure that you illuminate your grilling area. You can install the lights above the grill so that you have ample lights. It ensures that you do not cast a show off the grill when using the elevated spotlights that are illuminating the grilling area.

2. Downlights for Work Areas

The LED lights may not suffice if you have a full outdoor kitchen. Such a space means that you have ample room to prepare your food outside the house. However, this can be hard to do if you are in the dark. Given that the area is bigger than the grilling area, you will need to illuminate it using downlights. With the light produced by these bulbs, you will not overdo the seasoning or fail to see every step of what you are doing. You can opt to use the white-light downlights or decide to work the accent lighting variety that helps add some flair to the outdoor space at night.

3. Deck Lights for The Eating Area

You may not need too much light to see where your mouth is, but eating in the dark is no fun. If you have a decking that serves as the outdoor eating area, then you should ensure that it’s adequately lit. Consider enhancing the ambient lighting of the bulbs that are illuminating the kitchen or grill area but installing deck lights. These should produce a soft glow so that people can see where they are sitting, walking, and what they eat. With a deck in place, the options of how to spend the summer nights in the outdoors at home are plenty.

4. Fire Pit to Eat Around

A fit pit is an excellent addition to your backyard if you love cooking outside. Such an installation will be perfect for enjoying those summer cookouts and also come in handy as the month’s transition into the colder seasons. As such, you will not have to dread the chilling temperatures if you have a fire pit in your yard. It can be the “wind down” zone after enjoying a hearty meal. The fire pit can help transition into dessert as guys cuddle up close and get warm and cozy around the fire. The fire also doubles up as a source of light is perfect for setting the right summer night mood.

5. Spotlights for The Surrounding Areas

Your backyard area is not limited to where you cook and eat; you also need to consider the other areas. The lawn, flowers, shrubs, and trees are all integral to having a beautiful garden where people love to spend their time during the summers. As such, they also need to share in the spotlight. Show them off by using spotlights and downlights that can be set in a way that they illuminate certain garden features and plants at different angles. So, if you have water features or a unique plant in your yard, then allow it to be the pride of outdoor space.

 If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today for more information!

Learning How Landscape Lighting Can Prove Helpful To Your Business

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Part 2 Of Commercial Lightscaping and How It Can Help Your Business

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Create a Custom Pool

Pools are great additions to any property and are the perfect way to stay cool on hot summer days. They are also ideal for entertaining children, relaxing, and exercising. Furthermore, they effortlessly become the most striking feature of any outdoor space. A customized pool will allow you to come up with a pool that is designed to fit your entertainment and design needs. If you love tanning, it is easy to create shallow ledges that are perfect for laying out in during sweltering hot summer days.

Shallow ledges are also perfect for small children and dogs to enjoy the water. Furthermore, you could have a rock-face waterfall installed to transform your space. And with the help of several spotlights, it shouldn’t be that hard to create the perfect ambiance as they illuminate the waterfall and the pool.

Gardens and Foliage

Gardens can effortlessly transform outdoor spaces! Consider planting some flower beds or shrubs in your front yard to improve curb appeal, or add foliage in the backyard to create beautiful aesthetics. Different plant types can completely change how your outdoor space looks. If you are looking for a tropical touch, try planting some hibiscus flowers and palm trees around your swimming pool. Some plants will even attract pretty visitors.

Flowers like marigold, goldenrod, or daylily can help attract butterflies; while plants like bee balms, petunias, and daylilies will attract hummingbirds – or consider having a hummingbird feeder installed. You could also utilize some plant types such as citronella or lavender to repel pesky bugs such as mosquitoes.

Bonus: Not only will lavender repel mosquitoes; it’ll also help attract some butterflies.

If you do not want lavender, consider adding some citronella torches – they’ll help the mosquitos while creating beautiful aesthetics. You can use spotlights and path lights to highlight specific flowers and plants at night. Alternatively, you could try downlighting from the trees to create a mesmerizing moonlight effect. Landscape lighting will allow you to enjoy your garden both during the day and at night.

Have Professional Commercial Lightscaping Installed

Making the most out of your outdoor space means being able to use and enjoy it at any hour of the day. It is always a pleasant experience sitting outside and enjoying some sunshine, but what about during the night? There is no reason why you should not get to enjoy your garden even at night when the sun has set, and it’s grown dark.

Professional landscape lighting can make it possible for you to enjoy your outdoor space during the night, even while indoors! Consider installing several spotlights to highlight specific features of your house, or add some deck lighting to elicit a romantic ambiance for date nights at home. A couple of downlights to illuminate your patio or deck while creating moonlight effects when cast on tree foliage can work wonders too.

Both step and path lights help increase safety around your home by illuminating paths and can be used to guide guests to specific areas of your house or yard. These lights also liven up your garden at night as they cast pools of light that highlight your favorite plants. When it comes to lighting up your landscape, don’t be limited to the backyard space alone; your front yard could use some lighting too to increase curb appeal and to create a warm and welcoming ambiance for your guests!

 If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today for more information! Click here to go directly to the first article.

Learning How Landscape Lighting Can Prove Helpful To Your Business

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Part 1 Of Learning How Commercial Landscape Lighting Can Prove Helpful To Your Business 

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It’s nice to have an outdoor living area, but this only proves true if you actually know how to maximize the potential of the outdoor space that you have. You probably want to create a gorgeous space that you, your friends, and your family can enjoy any month of the year. Try thinking about how you’d like to use your space.

Do you want to create a backyard that is kid-friendly? Are you going to host any seniors that have mobility issues? Do you have any dogs or pets that you need to worry about? Or are you just looking for a place to relax and escape when a long day ends? It’s totally up to you to choose how you use your space, but it’s crucial that your intentions remain your focus when you start crafting the ideal outdoor area. The following are a handful of tips you can use to make the most of the potential of your outdoor living space.

Maximize Every Inch

It’s essential to be mindful of the space that is available when you try to create an ideal outdoor living area, particularly if you are hampered by limited square footage. When you buy furniture for an outdoor space, consider just how much room you actually have. In a smaller space, it might be a good idea to pick sectionals that you can place tightly in a corner, so there is more room left for a table or even space people can use to move around.

It’s also crucial to include lots of storage options, particularly for a smaller space. The market has numerous options in terms of storage spaces. If you really want to maximize a small space, then consider furniture pieces which double up as storage containers. Even when you work with a bigger space, it can still be important to maximize your space. A lot of homeowners tend to think more in terms of feet instead of inches, but if you think small, you can wind up freeing up a lot of space. If you’re able to, push furniture and any other items you can closer to fences or walls. This minor change and prove to make quite a big difference.

Be Mindful Of Pathways

Be mindful of pathways prior to establishing your outdoor living space. The best thing to do is to keep paths around 4 feet in width. Keep in mind what you hope the space to be used for, and then make your paths accordingly. It might be a good idea to skip winding paths if you are going to entertain seniors and small kids.

Any pathways that you do create needs to stay clear all of the time. This will make sure that you and your guests stay safe. Another important thing to consider is illuminating your paths when it is night, and that’s as true for your front yard as it is in the back. Path lighting doesn’t just provide warm welcomes to any guests who can follow the guidance to your door, but it can also keep everyone safe from tripping over anything in the dark.

Outdoor Kitchen

If you have the available space, then you might want to consider an upgrade from your humble grill up to a gorgeous outdoor kitchen that has not only a grill but also prep space and even a fridge. The right outdoor kitchen might help you have better food quality if you grill as the sun goes down or after. A few hardscape lights can help you easily see just when your food has gotten grilled to perfection. Stainless steel appliances are great for standing up to changing seasons, which means you’ll invest in something that you’ll enjoy for quite a few years. If you really want to add some wow factor to your outdoor kitchen, think about installing an outdoor television that both guests and the chef can watch. This can make for a great big game party.

Put In A Fire Pit

A fire pit is hands-down the very best way you can enjoy your outdoors all year long. An installed fire pit somewhere in your outdoor area gives you an enjoyable transition into cold winter nights. For that matter, fire pits are also a romantic option for sharing with someone you love or just a warm space to enjoy with friends. It’s also a great place to eat any food you make in your outdoor kitchen. Kids also really love fire pits since they mean they can make s’mores.

 If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today for more information! Click here to go directly to the next article.

Who Gets The Most From Landscape Lighting?

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Who Can Benefit From Landscape Lighting?

Landscape lighting can not only be used to draw attention to unique features or architectural details but it also can improve safety, making it ideal for both homes and businesses alike. Beautifully designed lighting can infuse a little bit of magic into an ordinary outdoor space, transforming even the most boring landscape into a show-stopping space.

Homeowners

Most homeowners put a lot of time, money, and effort into making their home’s exterior as beautiful as possible. Unfortunately, all of that hard work disappears into the darkness when the sun goes down. Installing landscape lighting is an excellent way to highlight a property’s unique features after dark. With the right lighting, homeowners can showcase everything from their landscaping to the architecture of their home, helping their property stand out from all of the other houses in the neighborhood.

Homes that are located in poorly lit neighborhoods can also benefit from landscape lighting. Installing lighting around the exterior of the home makes the property safer. If you light up your outdoor space, you may even inspire other people in your neighborhood to do the same.

When multiple homes in a neighborhood have landscape lighting in place, it helps make the entire area safer, creating a family-friendly place to live. Installing outdoor lighting around the exterior of your home could wind up completely changing your neighborhood for the better.

People Who Own Swimming Pools

Homeowners in Texas often install swimming pools in their backyards as a way of escaping from the summer heat. Installing outdoor lighting around the pool can make the space usable after dark, making it a lot safer to continue swimming after the sun goes down.

Along with lighting inside the pool itself, extra lights can be installed around the pool deck. Not only does this make the pool area beautiful after dark but it also dramatically improves safety. Adequate lighting is essential anytime children or adults are using a swimming pool after it gets dark outside. Having enough lighting in the area makes it easier to monitor what is happening around the pool from inside the house.

Installing underwater lighting in the pool itself makes it easy to see whether or not there are any obstacles in the water. Outdoor pools often accumulate debris like leaves and grass as well as insects. Lighting up both the pool and the surrounding area makes it a lot easier to see the condition of the water before jumping in.

Landlords

Installing landscape lighting around a rental property that you own is an excellent way to improve safety. Not only does having a well-lit space make renters feel safer but it also makes the property more attractive after dark. You may be able to rent out space more quickly or charge more for the property if you use landscape lighting to create a warm, welcoming space.

Outdoor lighting can also benefit commercial rental spaces like warehouses and storage units. Security cameras do a much better job of capturing footage when there is plenty of light available. Customers are more likely to rent spaces that are safe and secure. Installing outdoor lighting in conjunction with security cameras is a great way to alleviate any worries that potential renters may have about the property.

Businesses

Landscape lighting is essential for commercial properties – especially if your business is open after dark. Lighting up your outdoor space makes it easier for customers to see that you are open. It also makes your business more visible from the street when people are passing by after dark. When a property is well lit, it looks a lot safer, meaning that customers are more likely to visit at night.

Spotlights and other types of accent lighting can be used to draw attention to key features of the business. For instance, lighting can be installed under the outdoor sign or near promotional items to make these features easier to see.

Dining Establishments

Restaurants that offer outdoor dining can use landscape lighting to create a magical experience for their guests. Lighting up a patio space with attractive lights can completely transform the dining experience, turning an ordinary meal into an adventure that guests will remember for a long time to come.

Outdoor lighting has a lot to offer homeowners and business owners alike. It can be used to accent just about any outdoor space, improving safety while at the same time creating a beautiful, welcoming atmosphere that draws people in and makes them want to stay a while.

 If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today for more information!

5 Landscape Lighting Ideas With Down Lighting

Posted by Robert Huff on

Five Down Light Ideas For Landscape Lighting

Before we look at how downlighting can be applied in outdoor settings, it is vital that we first define what down lighting is and how it looks like.

What is downlighting? Downlighting is when fixtures are mounted in elevated locations and aimed downwards so that the light they emit illuminates a target down below. These lighting fixtures can be installed in various places including a home’s soffit, a metal pole or even a tree limb – basically anything that provides an elevated position where a fixture can be perched.

1. Patio

Outdoor living spaces including patios are a great place to enjoy the effects downlighting has to offer. Downlighting offers a functional light for both the social and tranquil situations that often take place on a patio.

Soft lighting does not overwhelm or distract you, which makes it ideal for patio spaces. The key thing when it comes to beautiful lighting is subtleness – as they say, less is more.

2. Pond

Whether it is the cool temperature water features lend to the night air in summer or the soft babbling of splashing water, ponds have a way of bringing tranquility to the outdoor experience. Extending their effects into the evening could be as simple as simply highlighting your pond with the right lighting.

Downlighting a pond creates an overall calmness and a sense of character to something that would otherwise be a dark space.

The great thing about water is that it creates lots of reflections; a defined glow will emanate from a pond when it’s properly downlit. The reflection created is great since it is a two for one. Reflection tends to give everything it touches more definition – light and shadow dances and sparkling ripples from the moving water create a dramatic scene depending on the contrast between shadow and light.

3. Statuary

According to this lighting designer’s opinion, statuary lighting should be applied from above when and if possible. Lighting statues from below often create a shadow that looks unnatural.

When statues are lit from above, a more natural-looking effect is created. The shadows lie as they should while the statue is put in the best lighting.

To effectively light a statue, you will need an eye for what looks most natural; and the most natural-looking statue lighting will often leave a great impression on viewers.

4. Path

When it comes to safety lighting, pathways, curbs and other areas with lots of foot traffic like steps need to be properly illuminated. Downlighting paths can help travelers see where they’re going and how they can get from point A to point B safely.

Downlighting from a tree or several trees can create beauty in the way the tree’s branches and leaves stretch their shadows across the pathway. The natural looking effect of this approach will add real charm to the places that’d otherwise be dark.

5. Security

Security lighting is essential for one main reason – ensuring a property’s safety at night. The great thing about landscape lighting is that you can achieve security lighting without having to sacrifice ambiance or beauty.

While setting up a giant floodlight on top of a 40-foot metal pole could provide ample security lighting, who wants their property looking like a well-lit prison yard when night falls?

 

 If you would like to discover more tips and tricks from Robert Huff Illuminations; visit our blog. Call or contact us today for more information!