How may times have you arrived after dark as a visitor to a home that was dominated by a single harsh source of light? It may be a single porch light with a high wattage bulb that hurts to look at or a motion activated security floodlight that lights up the entire street. Even a pole mounted lantern with clear glass and a 100 watt bulb, or, a string of closely spaced path lights with exposed light sources can seem harsh and uninviting. These lighting schemes have one thing in common: the light is so bright and glaring it causes everything else to appear dark, flat and unappealing.
A technique called light layering is a useful tool when thinking about how to improve the illumination of your home’s exterior. The light layering concept focuses on using multiple types of fixtures, strategically placed from the street to the front entrance. Each area of illumination is subtle, not overbearing, and the overall effect is a positive, inviting feeling about the architecture of the home and grounds leading to the entrance.
Start with the landscape. Small, unobtrusive lights can be very effective for highlighting plantings such as specimen trees and shrubs. The impact is more dramatic if the fixtures are hidden in the landscape with the visible illumination reflecting off the plantings. Good landscape lighting adds interest from the street by visually moving the eye across the property, giving a sense of depth and breadth.
Pole mounted lanterns can visually alert visitors to a path entrance. Try using lanterns with tinted or textured glass which will hide the bare bulb and soften any potential glare.
Path lights have the practical function to guide visitors safely to the entrance. However they are often overused and placed in a regimented configuration that looks contrived. It only takes a few path lights placed on alternate sides of the path or walkway and spaced several feet apart to provide sufficient light. It’s usually preferable to use path lights that have covers that hide the bulb and spread the light across the pathway.
Porch lights are a good place to show off a decorative fixture. The wattage in the porch light should be the highest of all the exterior lights. However, the “no glare” rule still applies. It doesn’t take a lot of watts to effectively illuminate most porches.
Quality exterior lighting design involves thinking in layers of light. From the street to the landscape to the walkway to the front porch, each of these zones gives you an opportunity to use light in ways that enhance your property and invite the visitor with subtle, varied and practical illumination.
These lighting design tips are provided by the lighting specialists at LightingfortheHome.com where you will find a complete line of quality traditional and contemporary light fixtures for homes.
The Berkeley from Arroyo Craftsman.
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