landscape lighting
With landscape lighting, water features such as fountains and pools can be greatly enhanced with amazing effects. You can make a fountain glow, illuminate an pond from within or accentuate a reflecting pool. But choosing the right lighting for your water features can be the difference between having just a mundane landscape component and a stunning focal point of the garden.
The most common and popular choice for fountain lighting is the submersible light. Submersible lights are placed underwater and up light the fountain creating a shimmering effect. In addition to illuminating the fountain, the submersible lights illuminate the streams of water as they flow in to the basin. Many of these lights come with color filters that allow the user to experience vibrant and get creative with the effects of the lighting.
In addition to submersible lights, landscape lighting can be up-light with solar, LED or incandescent lighting. Solar lighting is becoming the choice for many people simply because there is no ongoing energy cost associated with solar lighting after installation. Also, solar lighting is very easy to install. LED lighting offers a great deal of creativity due to color options available and also the bulbs last much longer than incandescent bulbs. For larger fountains, a new option that is available is the moonlight globe. The globes are battery operated, come in various sizes and colors and can float in the basin of the fountain. In the right setting, smaller globes could be permanently installed around the base of the fountain to add lighting and color. They also are available with speakers in them for additional ambiance.
Some water features, for instance a water wall or a floor fountain, would benefit from overhead or down lighting. In this case, the landscape lighting acts spotlights on the water feature. There are many different applications available here. Some lights can be incorporated in to the design of the fountain (if it is custom made) so that the lighting is obscure and non-intrusive while other fountains will require over head lighting to be attached to surrounding trees or other structures such as a building, pergola, or lamp post.
Choosing the correct lighting techniques for your fountain will take a little planning on your part. You will want to experiment with a flashlight at night to see exactly the locations that will best serve you for your fountain lighting project. (If you are considering hiring someone to design a landscape lighting system for you, be sure and ask if they have a temporary kit that you can use to experiment with for a few days. Many are now offering these to their clients.)
Many times fountains are designed to be the centerpiece of the garden and need to been lighted more heavily. My advice is to choose fountain lights that will accentuate and illuminate your fountain without overpowering the surrounding landscape. Do a some research on the different products available on the market and plan out how you want your fountain to be presented prior to starting the project to insure that the results are what you desired.
My name is Carey Dodson and I am a landscape designer with over 20 years of experience in design, installation and maintenance of landscapes. Learn more how landscape lighting can impact your outdoor spaces and increase the value of your home.
Landscape Lighting Example
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Intermatic PF1102MT Timer with Thermostat Mechanism Only
$114.20 The Intermatic PF1102MT 240V Freeze Protection Control with Timer is designed to protect the Pool or Spa equipment and plumbing against freeze damage. It will turn on the pump and the heater when the outdoor temperature drops below the temperature set by... |
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SYLVANIA SA215 6 Outlet Ground Stake Timer
$19.76 Sylvania's SA 215 Stake Timer is a wonderful solution for automatically controlling your seasonal, or Holiday lighting and decorations or everyday landscape lighting. This device features 6-outlets all of which are grounded. This stake timer is intended t... |
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Intermatic PE153F Digital Clock Metal Enclosure Freeze Protection
$287.98 The Intermatic PE153F Digital Time Clock in Metal Enclosure with Freeze Protection Probe provides control for three circuits, making it ideal for total pool, garden and landscape lighting control. Beyond single and two-speed pump/booster pump applications... |
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Dream: Stefan Hussong Plays John Cage
$16.98 ... |
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Soliloquy I
Soliloquy I - Size: 28W x 34H Hand Colored and Panel Mounted On A Backdrop Of Buffed Sheet Metal... |
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Proper burial
$0.01 Enchantment... |
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Landscape Photography: Creating Visual Eloquence
$39.18 Do you want to learn how to take great Landscape Photographs without traveling to far off exotic places? Manny Pontoriero teaches you how to use lighting, composition, lenses and filters to create amazing pictures. Manny and the Get the Picture crew traveled to several locations from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the beaches of Florida and even his own backyard to show you how to use techniques corr... |
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MR16 3x1 Watt LED Spot Light Bulb 20W
Product Code: 1230WW We are proud to introduce our all new super bright LED replacement bulb for any standard MR16 application. This bulb works with a 3.7 watt LED to give you 30 degree spot illumination that is comparable to a 20-30 watt incandescent bulb. By replacing your standard incandescent MR16 bulbs with LEDs you will reduce greenhouse gases by consuming less energy. As a result your energ... |
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10 pcs JC 12v G4 10W Halogen Light bulbs
$0.49 3000 k. color temperature G4 base Clear glass... |
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CBConcept Brand Precision Halogen Light Bulb MR16 12V 20W-12 Pack
$7.69 3000 hrs useful hours 3000 k. color temperature with UV-stop cover lenses. GU5.3 or GX5.3 base Diameter: 2"... |
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Manchester Post Light
$39.49 Manchester post light is lantern with a touch of colonial formalityLight features attractive frosted glassLight the way with beautiful landscape lighting |
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Black Antique 2-LED Wall Mount Solar Lights (Set of 6)
$46.99 Set of six lights can be mounted on the wall or put in the groundEnergy-saving landscape lighting add a decorative glow to your driveway, patio or flowerbedsSolar-powered lights require no wiring |
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Paradise Antique Gold Finish Garden Lighting (Set of 3)
$39.99 Light up your garden or yard with this set of lights. This set includes three corrosion-resistant lights with a unique look. |
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Paradise Garden Antique Copper Cast Aluminum Path Light (Pack of 3)
$49.99 Light up the outside of your house with these Paradise Garden Cast Aluminum Path Lights. These lights feature a corrosion resistant antique copper finish and are great for lighting up a path to your house or just showing off your landscape. |
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Rutland Square 1-light Hazelnut Bronze Outdoor Sconce Light
$102.99 Ideal for any outdoor area around your home, this sconce light is finished in a beautiful hazelnut bronze and features a sophisticated design throughout. Designed for durability and style, it also keeps areas brightly lit for safety. |
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Paradise Aged Brass Finish Garden Lighting (Set of 3)
$49.99 Light up your garden or yard with this set of lights. This set includes three corrosion-resistant lights with a unique look. |
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Mission Hollow 1-Light Hazelnut Bronze Outdoor Pier Mount Light
$108.99 Ideal for any outdoor area around your home, this light is finished in a charming hazelnut bronze and features a fun floral pattern. Crafted for durability and style, it also keeps areas brightly lit for safety. |
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Rutland Square 1-light Hazelnut Bronze Outdoor Post Light
$93.44 Ideal for any outdoor area around your home, this post light is finished in a lovely hazelnut bronze and features a classic shape and elegant pattern upon the glass. Designed for durability and style, it also keeps areas brightly lit for safety. |
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Kimberton Ridge 2-light Clay Bronze Outdoor Pendant Light
$91.55 Ideal for any outdoor area around your home, this pendant light is finished in a lovely clay bronze and features an elegant leaf pattern that trails up the glass. Designed for durability and style, it also keeps areas brightly lit for safety. |
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Astoria 3-light Post Mount Light
$54.97 Illuminate your home decor with a pretty Astoria post mount lightLight fixture features a 3-light designPendant features an attractive polished brass finish |
