Aug 22, 2024 10:22:06 AM
Of the various locations on your Memphis property that can benefit from lighting, the driveway is a critical one. Driveway lights help make it safer to navigate your property at night whether in a car or on foot.
Gone are the days when throwing a spotlight on the driveway was enough to light it up. In fact, spotlights can have the opposite effect and actually cause a blinding effect when you (and your guests) try to pull in.
In this article, we will cover a variety of lighted driveway ideas that you might want to consider. We understand that the cost involved in lighting your driveway might cause you concern. But we’ll explain how it can pay off in many ways.
We’ll cover the following cost-effective strategies:
1. Use strategic placement to get the most bang for your buck
2. Opt for a professional lighting design for maximum value
3. Choose LED lights for energy efficiency and long-term cost savings
4. Get better ROI with max curb appeal
5. Prevent accidents and minimize liability
6. Protect your investment with ongoing maintenance
We’ve said before that when it comes to lighting, “less is more.” Even if you have a large driveway, you don’t necessarily need a large number of lights to illuminate it. It’s all about strategic placement.
One of our favorite ways to light a driveway is with downlighting. Downlighting involves installing the lights from above (often mounted on a tree or structure) and you shine the light downward so that it illuminates the area below. This technique is also sometimes called “moonlighting” since it simulates the look of moonlight shining down.
One light can cast a large area of illumination with the proper placement and angle considerations.
If you’re looking to save money on driveway lights, you might be considering installing them yourself. But there’s a lot that can go wrong when tackling DIY lighting.
For one, you could make a mistake that leads to subpar results or even a risky installation. This could mean having to re-do your lights and spend more money. It’s also likely not going to have the longevity of a professional job, leading you to make replacements sooner than you might have planned.
A DIY job is also going to look like just that. You’re not going to get maximum curb appeal or value out of a lighting job that doesn’t look professional.
Choosing LED driveway lights will also help you maximize your dollar. That’s because LED lighting is much more efficient. From a technical and scientific standpoint, this is because of how they use energy. LED bulbs do not require as much power to produce light. This can equate to long-term cost savings as you will not be spending as much on your energy bill.
Low-voltage LED lighting uses a fraction of the electricity that incandescent or halogen bulbs use which means you’ll see a big difference in your electric bill. On average, LED bulbs use at least 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and they can last around 25 times longer.
Along with all that, many homeowners appreciate that they’re making a more environmentally friendly choice with LED landscape lighting. Using less energy is good for the Earth, too.
Making the best choices in lighting for a driveway can also result in maximum curb appeal. When the front of your home is well-lit, it can give a major boost to curb appeal which equates to improved value.
Lighting your driveway is a big component of front yard lighting. Of course, the key to getting the most out of curb appeal lighting is choosing the right outdoor lighting professional to do the work. Outdoor lighting is both an art and a science and you need to find a professional that can execute the best possible (and customized) ideas for your specific home.
Properly lighting your driveway will not only make it look more attractive and inviting but it will also make it safer. After all, when people pull into your driveway at night, you want them to be able to clearly see where they are going both while driving and when walking up to your home.
The right driveway lights can be instrumental in preventing accidents. For example, if you have a driveway that curves, making sure that the curve is well-illuminated can prevent family members or guests from accidentally driving off of the path and running into something (or damaging the lawn). Sometimes driveways are flanked by retaining walls or other structures, and making sure that these are well-seen is also important.
A well-lit driveway can also prevent walking accidents like trips and falls. You want to make sure that people can see where they are going not only when driving but when walking, too.
Driveway lighting can also play a role in deterring crime as it will help keep unwanted trespassers or thieves away.
Accidents, mishaps, and crime can be traumatizing and costly. Doing what you can to mitigate your risk is important. Driveway lighting plays an important role in that effort.
Finally, we also want to mention that investing in ongoing maintenance will help protect your overall investment in outdoor lights. A bit of proactive maintenance can really go a long way in protecting your investment in your entire system.
With ongoing maintenance of your driveway lights, you’ll make sure that problems are found and fixed right away.
Sometimes wires can become unearthed, so maintenance should also include reburying anything that might have worked its way up. Since insects and debris can sometimes get inside lights, cleaning them should also be part of a check-up.
If there is more substantial repair work that needs to be done because a fixture isn’t working properly or something was broken (perhaps by a mower), those repairs can also be handled.
Maintenance should also involve changing any settings that need to be updated, such as daylight savings time. One of the benefits of having your driveway and pathway lighting regularly maintained is that you don’t have to put any thought or worry into it. It’ll always function as it was meant to, with updates taken care of as needed.
When it comes to choosing landscape lighting design services to install driveway lights, we recommend finding a company that employs a Certified Outdoor Lighting Designer. This will help ensure you get the best possible results.
It’s also important to look for companies that are committed to staying on top of “what’s new.” That means the latest lighting techniques, skills, and products. You should be able to get a sense of whether a lighting company is keeping up with what’s new based on the content they put on their website and blog.
In order to find the right professional, we suggest that you take your time and do your research. We would recommend spending time looking through the websites of the companies that you’re considering. Go to the “About Us” page of any company that you’re considering so that you can learn more.
As you perform your search, we’d love for you to consider Mid South Outdoor Lighting & Audio.
At Mid South Outdoor Lighting & Audio, we know that outdoor lighting is more than just something that “looks nice.” While there’s no doubt it will add tremendous aesthetic appeal, it also brings functional value by allowing you to get more use out of your space.
If you choose Mid South Outdoor Lighting & Audio for your outdoor lighting project, we are ready to help you maximize the enjoyment and use of your outdoor areas with a lighting design that is customized for you. With just the right lighting, you’ll be enjoying your property more than ever.
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.
