A good landscape lighting design can transform your outdoor spaces, add distinction and enhance the beauty of your home, and increase the overall safety and security of your property. As you begin to plan your design, you'll want to make sure you hire the right expert for the job. It's essential for getting a lighting design that will fit your needs, make an impression, and provide you with years of enjoyment.
Keep these questions in mind as you meet with companies and set out to plan your outdoor lighting design.
Can You Create a Landscape Lighting Design That Can Be Added onto Later?
If you think you might want to add more lights later down the road, it's always good to discuss this with your designer. A few minor adjustments now could make additions later on easier. For example, there might be a better place to put the transformer depending on your future needs.
Most designers will work with you to plan your design in phases too. If you do this, our designers recommend having the phases done in complete sections for a cleaner overall look. Perhaps you start with the front of the house and then light the trees later or if you like to entertain then maybe start with the backyard, adding more to the front later. It's easy to start small and add more lights down the road.
What Are Some Ways to Save Energy?
Some people have varying opinions about energy savings. However, if conserving energy is important to you, then this is a good topic to discuss with your designer.
Halogen and LED are the two primary landscape lighting options. Choosing an outdoor LED lighting system provides several benefits, one being its energy savings. LED bulbs use a fraction of the electricity and have a longer life than halogen or incandescent bulbs.
If you have an high-voltage system, switching to low-voltage LED lighting system is another way to conserve energy. Anything high-voltage or 120 volts will use more energy and cost more to operate.
How Will You Use Light to Enhance My Home and Property?
During the initial consultation with an outdoor lighting designer, let them know how you use your space and your vision for light. Then find out how they'll add light to enhance it. A designer with years of knowledge and experience will know what lighting techniques and fixtures will work best given the situation and the elements.
Some general examples of how a designer could use light to enhance your home could include:
- Highlighting stone or brick elements in the front of the home draws the eye to the front door, creates a welcoming atmosphere, and increases safety and security.
- Illuminating trees anchored on the property corners helps visually frame the house to form an aesthetic appeal. The added light makes it more difficult for intruders to hide on your property.
- Path lights along the front walkway help safely guide guests to your door or around your property.
You'll end up with a more comprehensive design by focusing on lighting the elements that will enhance your home and property as well as cater to your personal needs.
How Will My Lighting System be Maintained?
While often overlooked, regular maintenance is important for the continued beauty and functionality of a lighting design. Not all companies offer maintenance services, so it's a good idea to discuss this with your designer early on. Find out if the company has a service department, how their service programs work, and ask about their warranties. Find out how it all works, so you know if and when something happens. Here's why we recommend hiring a company with a service team.
Find an Experienced Outdoor Lighting Designer
As you begin to plan your landscape lighting design, these are some essential topics to discuss with your designer during the initial consultation. You'll get a feel for the designer and their experience. One with years of experience can help you solve your lighting needs while adding beauty, distinction, and functionally to your home.
At McKay Landscape Lighting, we have designers that will work with you to create a custom lighting design that's unique to your property. Once your design is complete, you can count on our team of experts to maintain it and keep it looking as good as the day it was first installed.
Looking to Enhance Your Property?
Our dedicated team at McKay Landscape Lighting works with you to create a custom landscape lighting design that's unique to your property. From design to installation to service, you can count on our team of experts to make sure you are happy with your lighting system for years to come.
