Jan 16, 2023 1:24:00 PM
Your outdoor pathways are such an important part of your Memphis property. They help you navigate your outdoor areas in a safe and efficient way. However, if these pathways are not well-lit in the evening hours, they can not only become less functional but can become a hazard.
While lighting a walkway used to be limited to installing some path lights in the ground, there are now so many attractive path lighting ideas that can be used to not only achieve functional but also aesthetic goals.
Here are some ideas to get you started in your plans for lighting pathways around your property.
One of our favorite ways to light a walkway is with downlighting. Trees often make a perfect spot to mount lights and shine them on the ground below. This can be an excellent way to light up a path so that people can see exactly where they are going.
Downlighting is sometimes also called “moonlighting,” because it creates a similar lighting effect to the moon. Light is cast downward and washes over a space. It can be a more subtle and attractive way for lighting pathways.
If your pathways have an area where there are retaining walls, this can also be an excellent spot to incorporate lights. Lights can be built into the wall and shine downward to illuminate that part of the pathway.
It’s also an added benefit that if you have a beautiful stone wall, those stones take on a unique look in the evening hours
Another path lighting idea to consider is built-in lighting, actually recessed in the ground itself. This is a unique way to light a pathway…just keep in mind it won’t light the whole area the same way that downlighting would. But it’s a nice way to provide a visual as to how far the path goes ahead without being overpowering.
With this type of lighting, the right number of lights and brightness is especially important. You wouldn’t want to create a look like an airport runway landing strip
While we’ve mentioned that there are more path lighting ideas than ever before, that’s not to say that traditional path lights can’t still be part of your design. We still use path lights for walkways as this is sometimes homeowners’ preference.
What’s important to note is that these are not the cheap solar-powered path lights that you might pick up at your local big box store. These are still high-quality lights that will look and function optimally.
Exactly where path lights are installed (and how many) are important design considerations to achieve the best possible look. Just like built-in lighting, free-standing path lights can also be overdone. With this option, you can still run the risk of creating an airport landing strip look if you overdo it.
A common mistake with path lights is installing them in a spot where they will constantly get knocked over by foot traffic or landscaping equipment. There should also be some consideration as to the location where path lights will be less likely to get damaged.
These and other ideas are best executed by a lighting professional who will help ensure that you get the best possible results. An outdoor lighting professional will also have additional ideas that might work best for your specific property. Since every Memphis property is unique, you want to make sure that you are getting a lighting design customized for your property (and your pathways).
When you hire the right lighting professional, you’ll get a lighting design that adds both aesthetic appeal and functionality…where you need it and when you need it.
That will allow you to truly maximize the use of your outdoor pathways.
If you’d like to talk more about outdoor pathway lighting ideas, we’re here to help. We want your outdoor lighting design to be everything that you desire.
Are you ready to create a secure, functional, and beautiful property at any hour of the day? If so, let’s meet and discuss some bright ideas.
