Cool autumn evenings can be absolutely magical when they are spent outside. If your landscape feels cramped, here are the many ways outdoor lighting can make a landscape design feel more spacious in Rochester Hills, MI.
Related: 7 Landscape Lighting Techniques for a Dramatic Landscape Design in Troy, MI
New Options for Modern Homes Landscape Lighting in Rochester Hills MI
Landscape lighting is a big part of outdoor living. After all, the fun shouldn’t stop when the sun goes down! Today’s lighting technology and designs focus on creating an experience, not just providing overhead lighting. Most landscape lighting options are not even mounted to the house anymore (remember the single high-wattage flood light of old?). Many light fixtures can be placed within the landscape so that they are completely hidden or unobtrusive during the day, yet they will create a welcoming atmosphere after dark.
Special Lighting Solutions for Smaller Landscapes
For outdoor spaces that feels small by day, the effect can intensify in the evenings when the dark, unlit background seems to close in on the living spaces.
One technique is to add dispersed lighting in the darker corners of the landscape and along the property perimeter, especially if the living spaces don’t extend that far. This can be achieved by adding a light here and there, to give the illusion of more space and create a sense of depth, rather than a dark wall of greenery.
Another method is to be bolder with this background and perimeter lighting, and use more dramatic techniques such as spotlighting or silhouetting to create drama. If there’s a beautiful old tree, for example, or a sculpture or fountain that would cast interesting shadows on a wall, make the most of it! In a way, by looking into this option, you’re creating artwork using lights—and this artwork only comes to life after dark.
Outdoor Landscape Moonlighting Techniques Opening Up Effect
Moonlighting can also give the illusion of a more spacious backyard. Using cool blue-toned bulbs set high in tree canopies, this effect creates lovely dappled shadows on the ground as the light filters softly through the branches and leaves (or needles). This serves to take the emphasis away from straight lines (but don’t worry about tripping hazards, because path lighting as well as lighting built into retaining walls will offer adequate illumination of the surface). The overall effect will be just like natural moonlight filtering through the trees where the ground is illuminated for safety, and there is soft, ambient lighting for visual interest. Moonlighting is an effect that can be used on one tree or several, but it tends to be best as a subtle effect and it is generally not intended to light the entire space.
Except for path lighting, try staggering light fixtures throughout the landscape rather than lining them up. In small spaces, avoid a linear look. Anytime the eye is drawn to a line, it tends to move more quickly; this can make a small backyard seem much smaller since this line will come to an abrupt halt.
Bring attention to vertical structures such as stacked flagstone retaining walls, tree bark, the home’s siding, the outdoor kitchen walls, or an outdoor fireplace with uplighting and downlighting.
Soft ambient lighting can cast more subtle shadows by washing a wall in light and allowing the reflection to gently illuminate the space. Creating harsh shadows will only serve to chop up the space and make it seem smaller. But adding soft ambient light makes the outdoor space feel brighter—but not sports-stadium bright—and when a space feels brighter, it feels larger.
Related: 7 Landscape Lighting Techniques for a Dramatic Landscape Design in Troy, MI
