We strongly recommend that homeowners actively participate in the lighting design process. Most important, and the first step in the process, is the setting of goals.
Safety
Lighting is important to ensure safe passage throughout your property. Pathways, stairs, decks, docks, patios and recreational areas all need to be illuminated to prevent tripping and falls. Keep in mind that elderly residents and visitors require a higher level of illumination than younger people. In your discussions with your designer, be sure to identify all areas of your property that are likely to be navigated at night.
Security
Most homeowners rely upon high-intensity security lighting or post lights to prevent unseen intruders from entering the property. That type of lighting is both unattractive and largely ineffective. These glaring lights leave areas of complete darkness and make it more difficult to see intruders. Talk with your designer about replacing your existing security lighting with lower intensity lighting that illuminates larger areas of your property
Beauty
The landscape lighting designer does two things:
1. Selectively reveals the beauty that already exists on your property
2. Adds beauty through the creative use of light and shadow.
Identify the architectural and landscape features that you would like to see illuminated at night. If some of these are more important than others, tell your designer, he or she can direct the viewer's experience to accentuate these features.
Nighttime Usability
Let your designer know if certain areas of your property will be used for certain activities or functions. The designer may be able to offer you additional lighting zones that can be called into play when needed. For example, if you occasionally hold parties in a lawn area, the designer can put the party lighting on a separate switch. The same could be accomplished for recreational areas such as putting greens, basketball courts and so on.
Energy Efficiency
Discuss with your designer about ways he or she can design your system for optimal energy efficiency. Call us with any questions that you may have!