In Colorado, we’re lucky to have some of the most comfortable weather year-round to enjoy the great outdoors. If you’re able to have a great backyard, you want to make sure you can spend time outside whenever you want, which is why it’s a good idea to ensure your outdoor lighting in Fort Collins and Windsor meets all your needs.
How you know you need to update and add to your current lighting:
Do you have beautiful trees or statues in your landscaping that just disappear at night? That’s really unfortunate because you should be showing off the outdoor elements that personalize your exterior. Use uplighting to highlight trees, large shrubs or statues. Conversely, any paths should be downlit. To best complement your focal points, light man-made objects with a golden hue, while plants should be bathed in blue light.
Are your pathways are hard to see? People should be able to comfortably navigate your landscaping, which means you may need to install a series of lights along any pathways. However, make sure the lights act as subtle hints. You don’t need to create a ballpark or airplane landing for people to understand where the path is leading them.
Does your water feature gets lost at night? Whether you have a fountain, a pond, a pool, or a waterfall, you want to be able to bring attention to in a subtle manner. Waterproof lights are great for fountains and to peek out from under waterfalls. String lights reflect well off of pools and soft downlighting is a beautiful choice for ponds or waterfalls.
What’s the use of having a living or dining space outside if you can’t use it at night? Add ambient lighting by installing overhead or spotlighting, or go with moonlighting that cascades from your tall trees. If you choose overhead lighting, install a dimmer switch to control the amount of light and how you want it experienced.
Do you have a pleasant seating area set off from the rest of your yard? Wouldn’t it be nice to let people know that it’s there? Define your spaces with a mixture of uplighting and downlighting, but make sure it’s subtle and allows for some intimacy.
Do you feel safe at night? Motion-sensor floodlights can increase your sense of security. Or just having enough light surrounding your house is usually a good way to keep suspicious characters and curious wildlife from wandering into your yard.
Does your house look flat at night? Capitalize on shadows created from stone or brick siding, or showcase your home’s incredible architecture by having a well-planned lighting design. Make sure you install lights in your landscaping as well, to soften the effect of the lights and the silhouette they’ll create.
With 2018 fast approaching, if you’re planning on updating your lighting, it may be helpful to know what the top designers are doing. Even if you don’t incorporate more than one of these lighting trends, we hope you can take away some inspiration.
Gold and Brass Fixtures
Gold and brass are back in full swing for 2018 – and they’re everywhere. Whether you incorporate metals into your lighting, wall decor, or accessories, you’re sure to find a lot of it for the next year.
Room designed by Indre Sunklodiene
Image credit: Home Design Ideas
Tom Dixon
Rose Pink
Pink is 2018’s color. You’ll find it on walls, furniture, vases, rugs, and even lighting. You can bring pink into your kitchen, dining room, or your bedroom.
Image credit: YLIGHTING
Image credit: Best Design Guides
Image credit: YLIGHTING
Glass Pendants
High-quality glass molded into simple shapes is a beautiful and versatile option for every room of your home.
Image credit: Arch Daily
Studio Italia Design
Light and Lace
Create interesting shadows by incorporating Moroccan-inspired lamps.
Jadrin Anglais
Jardin Anglais
Suspended Minimalism
Clean and sophisticated, this lighting trend is sure to create conversation amongst your guests.
Image credit: Interior Zine
Image credit: *Wallpaper Magazine
Image credit: inhabit
Bubble Chandeliers
Add some romantic ambiance with a bubble chandelier that brings together the gold and glass trends.
Image credit: Home Design Ideas
Image credit: Kelly Elko
Circu Fantasy Air Balloon
Interesting Shapes
Make your lighting the focal point of your room with an incredible and complex fixture.
KOKET
BOCCI
Severe Optics
The light itself is on display in these futuristic fixtures.
Image credit: YLIGHTING
Tom Dixon
Illuminated Shelving
If you’re remodeling your kitchen, consider installing illuminated shelving to add a touch of personality and customization.
LEICHT
Edison Bulbs
Edison bulbs are still an excellent option for your kitchen pendants.
Sebastian Cox for deVOL
Are you ready to update your lighting? Call Chadwick Electric Services to have a trustworthy professional do your installation. We will make sure your lighting lasts until your next update.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), there are 28,600 electrical fires per year. These fires cause $1.1 billion in property damage and loss and are responsible for 310 deaths and 1,100 injuries each year.
The months with the most electrical fires are December and January due to increased use of heating appliances and lights. Most electrical fires start in the bedroom, but the highest number of fatalities occur with fires located in the living room, family room and den.
Some electrical fires happen because of problems in house wiring or appliance failure, but many occur due to mistakes that homeowners make like overloading electrical outlets or extension cords.