It’s not your home interiors but the outdoor landscape that casts the first impression. An ill-lit garden or home landscape can break the very appearance of your sweet home. To enhance the beauty of your home, proper lighting arrangement is obligatory.

Common landscape lighting is available in three forms: task lighting, accent lighting, and general lighting. They can be used together for design accentuation and practicality. However, if your outdoor landscape does not permit much space, you can opt for either of the lighting forms. In order to create a dramatic effect, you need to have a basic understanding of all the three forms of landscape lighting.

Task Lighting- This lighting system is used in concentration to increase the functionality of space. Task lighting is mostly used for indoor space but it can also be used for outdoor kitchens, patios, and recreation zones.

Table lamps constitute one of the most basic forms of task lighting as they provide adequate light for reading and other focused activities. However, task lighting can be applied to a number of applications. Outdoors, it can be placed by a garden or lawn chair.

Accent Lighting- This form of lighting is widely used in landscape design. As the name suggests, accent lighting is used to accentuate certain areas of the outdoor landscape. They remain hidden from view in order to lend a natural feel. The appliances are mostly hidden behind bushes, plants, or trees. Modern lighting fixtures are now available in organic shapes and colors to alleviate the problem.

General Lighting- Of all the three forms of lighting, general lighting is the most practical. While task lighting keeps to concentrated areas and accent lighting is applied to enhance design, general lighting is used for open space. The fixtures used here are floor lamps and basic ceiling lamps for illuminating an entire indoor space.

General lighting typically uses white light. It is also used to light patios and carports in landscape design. Unlike the other lighting forms, it remains in clear view but never detracts from the overall mood of the landscape design.

It’s only after you grasp the uses of landscape lighting can you decide on the lighting pattern of your outdoors. Planning out your lighting system is essential prior to making an investment. Brands like Progress Lighting offers a wide range of stylish fixtures at competitive prices. With simple understanding and proper planning, you can turn your outdoor landscape into a wonderful chill-out haven.

By: Wain Roy