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Once you get the decor, layout and inclusions down pat, lighting is the next component when designing an outdoor entertaining area – so what are your options?
Given the state of the property market and a change in our spending habits, many people are choosing to invest their funds back into their properties. If your home is your castle, then it should come as no surprise that many of us are reinventing our residential spaces for a medley of reasons – and a home’s outdoor entertainment area is no exception.
An outdoor entertainment area is the term we use to describe the additional portion of your home that is attached to the house or building. While there’s no exact definition as such, they can include patios, outdoor kitchens, balconies, pool areas and even outdoor fire pits. What yours resembles all depends on your style, the size of your space, and of course, budget, there’s one thing that they all have in common: lighting.
Lighting isn’t exactly something that many homeowners get excited about when undertaking a new build or renovation, but maybe it should be. In fact, research shows higher levels of lighting generally produce cheerful effects and stimulate people to alertness and activity, whereas lower levels tend to create an atmosphere of relaxation, intimacy and restfulness.
In fact, an outdoor entertaining area without effective lighting is essentially rendered useless as soon as the sun goes down. For those in need of some inspiration, the good news is that there are plenty of options to choose from.
Globe String Lights – For homeowners looking for budget friendly lighting solutions, it’s hard to go past an aesthetically pleasing set of globe string lights. While solar powered options are usually the go-to choice for outdoor use, the best part is that they can be added to almost any outdoor entertaining area without spending a small fortune.
Track Lighting – If you have a large or covered patio, lighting integrated into the architectural framework overhead can be an ideal solution for illuminating these types of spaces. Opting for built-in patio lights hidden behind ceiling beams keeps the appearance unobtrusive and makes the architecture the focus, while still ensuring that everyone can see what they’re doing.
Hang A Statement – Regardless of whether your taste is a DIY wicker style basket or a full scale chandelier, use a pendant light to make a statement on your verandah or pergola. Be sure to use at least two fixtures over a long table to ensure that nobody is left in the dark once the sun goes down and opt for a bulb that is outdoor grade and safe in these environments.
Illuminate Walkways – To make your outdoor entertaining area safer at night, install outdoor lighting anywhere people will be walking, such as paths, driveways, steps and decks. Use your lights to mark the edges with just enough visibility to see your feet, and space them out to create shadows that help define steps and any uneven spots.
Security Sensor Lighting – Outdoor lighting can also multi-task as security lighting. Motion activated lights have built-in sensors that turn on automatically when they sense movement and scare off intruders, but are also cost effective when it comes to sourcing lighting options that will automatically turn off when nobody is around to trigger them.
Creating the right atmosphere in your outdoor space can mean the difference between somewhere you enjoy or a dark uninviting space you avoid. While portable options like lanterns and fairy lights are always popular choices for homeowners looking to create an inviting and warm outdoor area, it’s a good idea to enlist the help of the professionals if you want to invest in automated spotlights or other lighting options that can double as security measures.
Given how important electrical safety is, if you’re on the hunt for a decent sparky to help you safely illuminate your home without spending a small fortune, finding a reputable and local electrician to get the job done can feel a bit like finding a needle in a haystack. Thankfully, the team at Shield Electrical offer a solution.
Here at Shield Electrical, we are a Brisbane based electrical contracting company, and pride ourselves on being shockingly good at watt we do. For us, friendly and reliable customer service isn’t just a nice add on – it’s how we do business. Don’t take our word for it though, just ask our clients.
Established in 2015, Shield Electrical is lighting the way when it comes to providing electrical work with world class customer service. With our headquarters based in the central suburban pocket of Coorparoo, our team of qualified industry professionals are readily available to deliver quality workmanship, fast quotes, and affordable pricing.
Whether you’re on the hunt for an electrician for domestic services, residential, commercial and industrial construction, security systems or even just further energy saving tips, get in touch with us at Shield today to source practical solutions that don’t break the bank.
