If you’ve lived in “the land of the frozen chosen” for any length of time, you’ve probably learned that embracing the season is the best approach to thriving through the long winter months. Maybe you’ve taken up skiing or snowshoeing or look forward to snowmobiling with friends or pond hockey pick-up games. If you can’t wrap your mind around the bone-chilling temps, you might enjoy long evenings curled up by the fire with a hot beverage and a good book. Love it or not, though, it’s hard to deny the beauty and magic that settles on this region with every fresh blanket of snow. This year, add to the aesthetic and embrace the season with winter outdoor lighting. Here are some thoughts and ideas to inspire you!
Some of the Many Benefits of Landscape Lighting
Tastefully done, landscape lighting can add a touch of elegance to any property. The National Association of Realtors reports a 50% return on investment! If asked, you can probably think of a handful of homes in your neighborhood with standout landscaping lighting. Even if they don’t realize it, these neighbors are probably the envy of many around them—maybe even you!
In the winter months, landscape lighting also adds a dimension of coziness to your home. It casts playful shadows on snowbanks and adds sparkle and shimmer to falling snow. Simply illuminating your front porch and front door on frigid winter evenings can evoke a cozy, nostalgic feeling.
Aesthetics aside, landscape lighting is highly practical, especially in the winter months. Thoughtful landscape lighting boosts both safety and security.
Safety: Midwest winter weather lends itself to ice, slippery packed snow, and uneven ground. Ensuring your driveway, walkways, and steps are well-lit helps minimize the risk of slips and falls.
Security: We all know that motion lights surprise and deter intruders. Take a more proactive approach and keep your property well-lit. This doesn’t have to mean floodlights everywhere. Landscape lighting is an art! Implement a combination of light sources for a variety of effects. Pay special attention to areas that tend to be shadowed, particularly spaces where intruders could hide. Trenton Light and Water Company reports a 44% decrease in burglary and a 22% decrease in vandalism after the installation of outdoor lighting!
Types of Winter Outdoor Lighting You Might Consider
Pathway Lighting: Not only is pathway lighting a practical way to illuminate slippery or otherwise hazardous sidewalks and steps, but it also adds an elegant element to your home’s exterior. Choose between solar and low-voltage lighting and between LED and incandescent bulbs to find the option that’s right for you.
Bollard lights are one winter-friendly pathway lighting option. Generally 2-4’ tall, they are still visible amidst moderate snow cover, and they shed adequate light on pathways, promoting safe navigation.
Tip: If you want a softer, more ambient effect, select pathway lights with a wide light distribution low to the ground. For more targeted pathway lighting, choose taller fixtures with downward-projecting light.
Uplighting: One magical way to light up your exterior during the winter months is with uplighting. Situate up-facing lights at the base of trees and shrubs in your yard for a dramatic, textured effect that will make them out among the soft, snowy landscape. As a bonus, upward light on falling snow will transport you right into a whimsical winter snowglobe!
Accent Lighting: You’ve invested considerable time and resources into designing your outdoor space. Winter days are short, and you’re probably not entertaining outdoors (unless you’re hosting gatherings around the campfire!), but you can still enjoy the beauty of your retaining walls, patios, decks, walkways, stairs, etc. from inside your home! Light up your hardscape with low-voltage retaining wall lighting, pathway lighting, wall sconces, or even a spotlight or two fixed on prominent structures.
String Lights: Nothing says “winter wonderland” like string lights. Hang vintage Edison bulbs or small, twinkly cafe lights across your patio or on your front porch. Or wind your tree trunks in strands of mini lights to create a warm, inviting glow and conjure up a sense of enchantment.
Tip: Hang your string lights where you can see them from inside your cozy home. Then, put them on a timer so they turn on at dusk, and watch your winterscape come alive!
Lighting isn’t one-size-fits-all, and you’re only limited by your imagination! Consider ways you can implement a variety of lighting techniques and create a magical multi-layer effect.
Also, when you’re designing your whimsical winter outdoor lighting, decide whether you prefer bright lighting or soft, warm lighting. And don’t shy away from some colored bulbs. Cool blues, for example, are associated with cold and ice and can add a “Frozen” feeling to your winter wonderland.
Winter Outdoor Lighting Tips
Follow these best practices to achieve optimal landscape lighting this winter:
- Adjust the direction of your lighting to focus on the trunks of trees instead of their bare branches.
- Adjust the brightness of your lighting or add frosted lenses for a softer look.
- Plan your path lighting so it directs your steps even when the ground is covered with snow.
- Reset automatic timers to reflect shorter daytime hours.
- Opt for LED bulbs whenever possible. Harsh winter weather can shorten the life of regular light bulbs, but LEDs last much longer and perform better in the cold.
- Change burned-out bulbs as soon as possible. Otherwise, adjacent bulbs will receive more voltage and could burn out faster.
- Prevent moisture damage. Remove snow from your outdoor light fixtures quickly after storms to prevent water from getting into their inner workings.
- Do routine checks after snowstorms to ensure all globes and casings are tightened and sealed properly, and replace any damaged lights.
If you’re excited about stepping up your winter outdoor lighting this year, contact us to book a consultation! We personalize our design services to fit your unique vision and space.