An Outdoor Resort in Your Backyard SPOTLIGHT
T
his summer many families may be spending more vacation time at home instead of traveling to a distant location. According to the American
Lighting Association (ALA), with a few updates to your outside lighting, you can enjoy a mini vacation at home. Believe it or not, it’s easier—and less expen- sive—than you might imagine to transform your exist- ing patio, deck, or pool area into a retreat that you will love (and that will make the neighbors jealous). Bud- get friendly, high impact and timeless, invest in a new lighting scheme to enhance your existing outdoor furniture and amenities. As well as add comfort and value to your home year round.
“Te best strategy is to clearly define your objectives,” says Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the ALA and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design. “It’s not neces- sary to illuminate everything in your yard, so decide which areas are the highest priorities,” he advises. “It
is generally beter to begin closest to the house, since that is where most activities take place.”
“Creating a beautiful landscape doesn’t have to be ex- pensive,” says Rick Wiedemer of Hinkley Lighting. “A few well-placed, low-voltage path or accent lights can have a huge impact on a well-manicured landscape.” No lawn is too small. “Even modest homes or those with limited yards or gardens can benefit,” he states. “Low-voltage landscape lighting is inexpensive, safe and relatively easy to install. A handy homeowner can put in a low-voltage lighting system over a weekend.”
All that is needed are some basic tools, a transformer (which reduces standard 120-volt household cur- rent to the safe 12-volt level), outdoor low-voltage cable, and low-voltage lighting fixtures—all of which you can find at a local lighting showroom. “Be sure to investigate the latest designs featuring LED Tech- nology,” says Linda Morley, a Residential Lighting
No lawn is too small.
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