We have all witnessed bad outdoor lighting. Some of the symptoms of bad outdoor lighting include haphazard placement, the use of incorrect fixtures for the space they are illuminating, insufficient light output, and of course the “airport runway” condition caused by stake lights. Usually our stories center on beautiful and functional outdoor lighting designs and how they can improve the look and feel of your home and landscape. Being in the outdoor lighting business, we have seen it all from bad to worse. With this in mind we feel it is time to “enlighten” homeowners in the St. Louis area of how not to do outdoor lighting.
Our first image is a fine example of a common problem in improper outdoor lighting. Notice the size of the fixture in correlation with the area these homeowners were trying to illuminate. At first glance, what is the first thing you see in this photo? If your answer is the lighting fixture, you would be correct. Not only is the fixture the first thing you see, it is also what is wrong within this scenario. In professional outdoor lighting the goal is to make the focus of your attention the light itself, not the light fixture. Even though this picture was taken during the day, the fixture will stick out like a sore thumb in the evening as well. Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of St. Louis is experienced to know which fixture will enhance the space you are illuminating, rather than overpower it. Our fixtures are also designed to blend into the landscape and will weather to an elegant patina within the landscape over time.
There is a certain elegance in the creative design of obscurity within the realm of proper outdoor lighting. By having our fixtures powder coated, they blend in a way that makes it possible for the fixture to become one with the intended area of illumination.
This image shows another facet of improper outdoor lighting technique. It is also a good example of an outdoor lighting installation where there was little knowledge of how to achieve what the homeowner was looking for. Notice how the outdoor lighting used on this home does very little to illuminate the facade of this home. Even though the home has outdoor lights, it still appears dark, which in essence, defeats the whole purpose. We use specific formulas and proven techniques in our architectural and facade lighting that deliver curb appeal and ambiance in accentuating your home’s distinct features. Our well lights are one of the primary lights we use to achieve stunning architectural and facade lighting. Our well light and lighting design illuminate areas from side to side, and top to bottom to accentuate the height and depth of your home and improve curb appeal. Our exclusive light fixtures create even light output which you don’t get with cut-rate lighting. We also pay close attention to always avoid windows when up lighting your home’s facade.
Last but certainly not least we present you with bad solar lighting, which is what we like to call “glow worm” lighting. This genre of outdoor lighting puts off just about as much light as the glow worm doll that was a popular toy in the early 80’s. The light was cute when used in a child’s toy, but not to use as outdoor lighting. Can you spot the solar lights in this photo?
The very mention of solar lighting brings terror to most seasoned outdoor lighting professionals. Solar lights are supposed to harness the sun’s light and store it to generate light at dusk. The lights are supposed to go off again in the morning light and soak up the sun the next day to recharge the lights for the next evening. This sounds like the perfect plan doesn’t it? I mean the energy efficiency and the green aspect all rolled into a neat little package of promises. That is exactly what you will get with solar lights, promises. The anticipation of light that will never come. Or if it does, is so minuscule it can scarcely be called “outdoor lighting”. Solar lighting has a mind of its own; meaning sometimes it will come on, and sometimes it will go off. Or they might come on for a brief period during the evening and then die out. Solar lighting is sporadic, inconsistent, and exudes hardly any illumination at all. All you see is the light; it does nothing to illuminate the area surrounding the light thus providing no benefit to the homeowner.
Here at Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of St. Louis quality and commitment to providing you with the best lighting effect is our first priority. Our fixtures are quality made, and our applications are quality installed. We also offer green lighting such as LED’s, which are super energy-efficient and have an incredibly long life. We can design a plan for your outdoor lighting needs including path lighting, landscape lighting and architectural lighting. Our professional lighting designers can turn your landscape and home into a true work of art, and source of pride.
Contact Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of St. Louis today to learn more about enhancing your single biggest investment with quality outdoor lighting.
(636) 561 – 1818
email: JimSchwartz@OutdoorLights.com
You can see more examples of our outdoor lighting designs hard at work in the landscapes of satisfied St. Louis residents by visiting our landscape and garden lighting photo gallery and our architectural lighting photo gallery located on our website.
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