Improving Your Home

Landscape lighting can have a major impact on the outside of your home. It can highlight the features of your home that you like and also make it easier to find your way when it's dark. A well-lit yard can also increase your home's security by dissuading would=be intruders. There are also a variety of options to choose from when it comes to landscape lighting. If you are considering lighting up your landscape, here are three things that you should keep in mind.

1. Your Options

When it comes to landscape lighting, the amount of options you have available to you may feel overwhelming. There are a variety of fixtures to choose from including spotlights, floodlights, bollards, steplights, post lights, and area lights. When choosing what type of fixtures you want, it's important to consider what features you are looking to highlight. For example, spotlights are great for highlighting attractive trees and other landscape features while post lights and step lights are a great way to provide lighting for walkways. There are also plenty of options to choose from when it comes to lighting bulbs. While incandescent and halogen lighting is still popular, LED bulbs have quickly become the most common choice.

2. Cost

Another thing to consider when it comes to adding lighting to your landscape is the cost. Costs can vary, but there are a wide array of options that will work with your budget. The average cost for a standard landscape lighting with LED fixtures is around $3,800. The good news is that you will see some return on your investment since landscape lighting can add value to your home. Most homeowners see at least 50 percent return on investment, and often much more. 

3. The Design

The design of your landscape lighting is very important. However, you may find that you have trouble deciding what type of lighting to use and where to put it. Having complicated landscaping outside of your home can also make lighting a challenge. If this is the case, you may want to consider landscape lighting design services. A landscape lighting designer can help bring out the best features of your landscape and come up with a lighting scheme that increases safety around your home at night. Hiring a designer can add upwards of $500 to your bill, but it's often worth the cost for well-designed landscape lighting. 

If you are considering adding lighting to your landscape, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. You have plenty of options to choose from, and it's important to look for lighting that works well with your landscaping. Costs can vary, but often you will see some return on your investment. Designing your lighting scheme may also be tricky. Hiring a designer can help you get the lighting that best suits your home.