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Extend the Use of Your Patio With Any of These Outdoor Lighting Options in Naperville, IL12/21/2021  The outdoor living space is a special place where friends and family can relax outdoors and create wonderful memories. Everyone coming to your backyard should feel welcome and safe at all times. Outdoor lighting is absolutely crucial not only for a welcoming and safe feeling, but for beauty as well. When planning your landscape renovation, consider the lighting strategy as a way to enhance your outdoor living space. Now you can extend the use of your patio with any of these outdoor lighting options in Naperville, IL.
Related: Don't Let Your Landscaping Hide in the Dark: 6 Outdoor Lighting Trends to Contemplate in Hinsdale, IL Strategic Combination When designing the lighting scheme of your backyard, it’s important to use a strategic combination of techniques for the best effect. This series of techniques is going to create a layered visual texture that enhances the appearance of your landscape at night. The more focused and intentional your lighting design is, the more time you and your loved ones will want to spend on the patio. Also, less is more. A single low-wattage light fixture can offer enough light for your purposes so we recommend starting small, and gradually adding lights one at a time until you’ve achieved the desired level of illumination. Well-Illuminated Ground Surfaces The patio and walkways need to be illuminated to make sure they’re safe places to walk on, clear of contrasting shadows that could be obscuring obstacles. Single overhead lights won’t be sufficient as they will actually create dark shadows as well as a blinding light should you happen to look up. A better option is to use low-lying walkway lights around the perimeter of the patio and along walkways. These fixtures focus their energy on the ground surface, eliminating dangerous shadows and glare, making a pleasant place to walk around and mingle. Task Lighting When you’re preparing drinks or food in an outdoor kitchen, it’s imperative that there’s decent task lighting. This lighting technique can come in the form of overhead track lights or lights that are embedded into the backsplash if there’s no opportunity to install overhead lighting. Backsplashing Once you’ve made a space safer, it’s time to play around with ambient light to set the mood. This can be done with the technique called backsplashing, which involves shining a spotlight at a blank wall or other large feature and allowing the light to bounce back on the surrounding surfaces. Backsplashing can make use of an otherwise idle surface or feature. Fire Light Take advantage of a fire feature by planning your lighting scheme around the ambient light from the flame. This fire light creates a dramatic ambience that can reflect and enhance any gathering, both relaxing and exciting. Allow the natural light from the fire to wash over that area with the dynamic reflections of dancing flames. After the fire is out, lighting embedded into the fire feature will light the way and remain unobtrusive during the day. String Lighting One of the simplest, yet most exciting lighting schemes for any outdoor living space is string lighting. This lighting technique involves placing tasteful wire lights around the patio. Not only will they create substantial ambient and direct illumination, but they help to make the space feel more magical and lively. These lights can be used on your walkways during parties to help guide guests to where the fun is happening and build on their anticipation. We recommend professional installation if string lights will be hung high in trees or from the home. Related: Brighten Up Your Driveway With These 5 Landscape Design Trends in Wheaton, IL
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Is Your Wheaton, IL Landscape Design Missing a Cozy Touch? A Fire Pit Could Be the Answer12/15/2021  Your backyard is meant to be enjoyed as a place for gathering and relaxing - and not just in the balmy evenings of summer. Even some of the coldest nights can be enjoyed outdoors with the assistance of a fire pit, a fire feature that can make a wonderful impact on your outdoor lifestyle. As you continue your landscape renovation, consider the question: is your Wheaton, IL landscape design missing a cozy touch? A fire pit could be the answer.
Related: Why a Fire Pit Becomes the Prime Destination of the Backyard Patio in Hinsdale, IL The Basic Structure Fire pits are masonry structures made from stone blocks, natural stone, or concrete blocks with a stone veneer. The base is arranged in either a circular formation or a square, evoking the most primitive of campfires our distant ancestors used to build. This basic structure of a fire pit has been a successful model for building fires for millions of years, and technology hasn’t needed to change very much. The main idea of the fire pit is that people will be able to gather on all sides to enjoy the warmth and light the fire has to offer. The Fuel Fire pits can use wood or natural gas or propane as the fuel. Firewood provides a much more natural, outdoors campfire kind of feeling with all the smoke, boiling sap and water that crackles and pops, and the interactive maintenance it takes to keep a fire going. However, you’re somewhat limited in its placement as a wood-fueled fire pit must be kept away from combustible surfaces. Gas-fueled fire pits can be controlled with the turn of a dial or using a smartphone app on newer models. Gas does much of the same in a fire pit, yet the cleanliness and safety are attractive features. Some homeowners might enjoy the ease of using a gas-fueled fire pit, while others might want to keep things basic and similar to camping experiences. Natural gas or propane-fueled fire pits can be placed anywhere, although the cost of running a gas line is something to consider. A Gathering Area Fire pits are natural gathering places in your backyard. Whether it’s the center of all the action or in a secluded area off to the side, your friends and family will be drawn to the flickering light and warmth. That’s why it’s only natural to plan a good seating area around your fire pit, giving it some decent patio space for people to gather. You could include some high-backed seat walls in the plan, making the fire pit area the most comfortable place in the outdoor living space. High-backed masonry seat walls also provide some shelter from chilly winds and trap heat in the small area. Creative and Elegant Masonry A fire naturally draws the eye, so a fire pit presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase some creativity and elegance in masonry. While the general design of the fire pit should mimic the surrounding landscape masonry features and the home, here you can add some extra flourish to the design and make something truly unique. Consider the outer ring or four-sided surface of the fire pit a wonderful place to put in some extra tiles or contrasting stone. Also, be sure to consider a beautiful and striking stone color for the capstone of the fire pit. Additional Lighting Fires fueled by firewood will lose their energy as the wood is burned up and there will be much less ambient light as a result. Compensate with this loss in ambience by including some soft LED lights under the capstone of the fire pit so no one gets left in the dark. Related: Warm Up Your Wheaton IL Brick Patio With a Traditional Fire Pit  Integrating outdoor lighting into your landscape is one of the key ways to make your outdoor living space and property safer and more beautiful. When a landscape isn’t given proper illumination at night, it can feel scary and unwelcoming. The best strategy of outdoor lighting is to use a mix of strategies, creating a rich visual tapestry that sets the mood and provides a feeling of security. Don’t let your landscaping hide in the dark: six outdoor lighting trends to contemplate in Hinsdale, IL.
Related: Adding a New Fire Pit in Hinsdale IL? Consider These Other Outdoor Lighting Ideas Too Hard-wired Walkway Lights The most important lighting strategy in your landscape is one that focuses on safety. Walkways, pool decks, patios, and driveways need consistent illumination on the ground surface in order to make your outdoor living space safe. Instead of using a flood light to illuminate your ground surfaces, opt for walkway lights. The energy will be focused where it’s needed, providing the best visibility of a walking surface. While some areas of the country can easily use solar-powered walkway lights to reduce electricity bills, here in the Midwest we recommend hard-wired pathway lights that will shine no matter if we’ve had weeks of cloud cover (solar lights only operate at about 50-60% capacity under heavy cloud cover). Updating to LEDs Now is a great time to update your landscape lighting to use light-emitting diode (LEDs) bulbs; or replace older fixtures with modern LED styles. Traditional light bulbs produce a substantial amount of heat, which is essentially wasted energy in a landscape and must be replaced typically once a year, producing a large amount of glass waste. LEDs are incredibly energy efficient and bulbs typically last around 10 years. Some LEDs can even be programmed to change color and be set to automatic timers accessible from apps on your smartphone. Underwater Lighting If you have a pool, you’re familiar with the ethereal blue glow and shimmering waves that wash over the landscape. You can achieve this same effect in smaller water features as well. Fountains, waterfalls, reflecting pools, and more water features will have similar effects. Your landscape will have a more dramatic feel that amplifies the most exciting parties or the most soothing evenings. And, because of the refractive properties of water, the water feature will act as a source of ambient light. Moonlighting Part of creating a dazzling visual experience in your backyard as well as increasing safety is placing lights in the background. Trees make excellent places for effective lighting. Moonlighting is a strategy that places a light high in a tree canopy and aims it downwards. As the light passes through the leaves, it will scatter and create a rich visual texture that dances in the slightest breeze. Use white light to simulate the soft glow of the moon. Embracing Fire Besides being admired in your nighttime outdoor living space, outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and fire tables also provide a substantial amount of lighting. The ambient light that comes from a warming fire feature is a primitive experience that attracts everyone. Instead of battling your fire features with light, allow them to light their own space. You can also incorporate landscape lighting into many fire features. Choose dimmable fixtures so you can increase the brightness once the fire is out. Finishing Touches for a Layered Effect Identify any overly dark spaces that might create an unwelcoming feeling at night. Place a few (less is more) individual lights in these areas, such as under shrubs, or spotlight a tree, to give dimension to the space without destroying the charm of the night. Related: Brighten Up Your Driveway With These 5 Landscape Design Trends in Wheaton, IL  The fire pit is often the hub of outdoor gatherings, especially when the evening takes on a chill. As such, it’s a backyard focal point; but the fireside space can be made even more dramatic with a few key lighting strategies. Adding a new fire pit in Hinsdale, IL? Consider these outdoor lighting ideas too.
Related: Renovating Your Patio? Here are 6 Reasons to Include a Fire Pit in Naperville, IL Keeping the area around your fire pit safe is a top priority, especially when the fire goes out. Subtle path lights could be used to provide just enough lighting to make the space comfortable and safe; and you can also use these other lighting strategies to create a welcoming place for your family and friends. Layering To avoid a stark contrast between the light that the fire pit gives out and the darkness of the surrounding landscape, consider placing a few low-lying lights more or less randomly throughout the landscape to create subtle illumination that gives your backyard more dimension. For this purpose, you could use pathway light fixtures, or bullet lights, and place them under shrubs or within a plant bed. Be sure to use subtle lighting to create a layers effect: just enough to add interest without taking away the magic of the night time atmosphere. Spotlighting Choose one or two prominent landscape features, such as a mature tree, a sculpture, retaining wall, or even the side of the home, and illuminate it from below using a spotlight. This technique places a light fixture at the base of the structure and points it upward to dramatically highlight the textures and cast some ambient light around it as well, as the light will bounce off onto nearby objects. Washing If your fire pit area is close to the home and that part of the home features a relatively blank wall, consider a technique called washing. Similar to spotlighting, this method directs light at the vertical surface but from a greater distance and less of an angle. The resulting effect is softer and the light bouncing off the surface will do a great job at providing ambient light. Built-in Lighting Modern light-emitting diode (LED) light fixtures are small and can be integrated into any vertical structure: a retaining wall, a privacy fence, or any permanent seating around your fire pit. This reduces the visual clutter of having a lot of freestanding light fixtures around your outdoor living space. In general, you want to orient these lights downward so that the light energy is directed where it’s most needed: the ground; and to prevent a blinding effect. Moonlighting If your backyard features any large, mature trees, you could add magic to the setting with a lighting technique called moonlighting. This involves placing a bluish-white light fixture high in the tree canopy and pointing it downward. The effect is that of moonlight filtering through the tree, and some amazing dancing shadows on the ground. String Lighting Today’s string lights are a wonderful way to add a festive atmosphere to your outdoor living space. There are many styles available, and today’s string lights often come in an LED format for significantly longer bulb lifespan. This means that once they’re installed, you can forget about them for many years: so have string lights installed anywhere you like: within a pergola, between trees, or anywhere around your fire pit area that you want to create a fun atmosphere. Related: Why a Fire Pit Becomes the Prime Destination of the Backyard Patio in Hinsdale, IL  Your patio is the focus of your outdoor living area and so it should include features which keep you outside longer. One of these features is the fire pit, which has been bringing everyone together for thousands of years. Are you renovating your patio? Here are six reasons to include a fire pit in Naperville, IL.
Related: Take a Fresh Look at Your Patio Options With These 4 Landscaping Ideas in Wheaton, IL The Pride of a Gorgeous Masonry Feature Having a masonry feature standing proud in your backyard will make you feel like your landscape is more complete. Luckily, a fire pit is a permanent feature on your patio (or anywhere in your landscape) that quickly becomes an anchor point. For the most cohesive look, pair the blocks used in the construction of your fire pit with the surrounding patio as well as any masonry and color schemes present in your home and landscape. A Place to Warm Up Fire pits offer that nostalgic campfire feeling without the trouble of digging and building a pit in the wilderness. While they’re fairly rudimentary, fire pits have remained one of the most attractive places for people to get together and warm up. No matter if it’s a night in the heat of the summer after a barbecue with loved ones or a frigid night around the holidays where a small group of bundled-up close friends share mugs of hot cocoa surrounded by crunchy snow, the fire pit is where everyone will go to warm up. A Place to Cook While it might take some professional skill to cook some gourmet food around a fire pit, it’s still a great place to roast sausages or marshmallows to make some delicious s’mores. Some of the finest summer memories are made with skewers around the campfire, so it’s the natural next step to reinforce those memories in the comfort of your backyard. We recommend a wood-fired fire pit for cooking; and be sure to use fruitwoods that impart a delicious flavor to your food. A Place to Gather Even though it’s fun to stand around a fire pit and chat while enjoying the warmth and flickering light, it’s much cozier when you’ve got a comfortable place to sit. Once you’ve gotten the fire started and a few logs start to glow with embers, friends and family will start taking their seats around the pit. Since you’ve already gotten a permanent masonry feature installed on your patio, you could surround your fire pit with some high-backed seat walls which can help retain the heat in the area and shelter everyone from cold winds. High-backed seat walls can provide the opportunity for sturdy and comfortable relaxation around a fire pit and help make the fire area a prominent focal point. A Potential Return on Your Investment As fire pits are one of the most attractive features in any home landscape, it will quickly become one of the selling points should you ever choose to sell your home, especially if the fire pit is fueled by natural gas or propane. Potential buyers will appreciate the ambience that only a fire pit can add. But what about you? A fire pit could be the one feature that gets you to use your outdoor living space much later into the year - even in the heart of winter. And since you are already paying for the space, it’s nice to be able to use it comfortably! A fire pit is one of the best investments you can make in your landscape. Related: Warm Up Your Wheaton IL Brick Patio With a Traditional Fire Pit  Have you been wondering how to make your outdoor living space “the” place to spend your summer - and beyond? If so, a fire pit could be the answer. Here’s why a fire pit becomes the prime destination of the backyard patio in Hinsdale, IL - and why it’s one of the best investments you can make in outdoor living.
Related: Warm Up Your Wheaton IL Brick Patio With a Traditional Fire Pit Fire Brings Us Together Since the dawn of mankind, we have been gathering around the fire. The warmth and safety of a fire draws us in, and we linger, enjoying the mesmerizing dance of the flames as we share stories and laughter with family and friends. A round fire pit is more conducive to larger gatherings because everyone has equal access to the warmth of the fire. Installing a seat wall that partially encircles the fire pit will give plenty of people a chance to gather. A square fire pit can comfortably accommodate fewer people (in larger gatherings, the people sitting at the fire pit’s corners won’t be as close to the flames). Fire Belongs In Your Design A fire pit is a slightly more structured take on the primal campfire: using masonry or other materials such as large metal bowls, poured concrete bowls, or other materials give you unprecedented design flexibility. A fire pit can complement any architectural style and landscape aesthetic. You may prefer the classic round fire pit that brings back memories of fun times roasting marshmallows around a campfire. You may prefer the stark angular shape of a square fire pit that complements a linear landscape design. You may enjoy the gorgeous juxtaposition of a sleek concrete fire bowl with the textures of a gravel patio. You may wish to integrate a fire pit into the design scheme of your patio by using the same materials on all vertical elements including a fire pit, outdoor kitchen wall, and retaining wall. Fire Offers Cooking Alternatives Aside from your outdoor kitchen - which typically houses a grill and sometimes a wood-fired pizza oven - you can expand your cooking experience over a wood-burning fire pit. With the addition of a grate or some skewers, your fire pit can double as another grill - a bonus if you’re hosting a large party! Be sure to use fruit wood to give your food the best taste; and avoid cooking on natural gas- or propane-fueled fire pits, because dropped food can bake onto the decorative lava rock or fire glass, and be extremely difficult to remove. Fire Maximizes Your Use of the Space Have you ever thought about how little an outdoor space gets used after the warm days of summer have passed? In fall and winter, we rarely venture outside to sit and enjoy the fresh air - which is a shame, since we are still paying for the space. A fire pit eliminates virtually every excuse not to go outside. Its warmth will keep the patio cozy even on the most frigid days. The warming effect is more pronounced if you’re burning wood, but you will also be exposed to the elements since a wood-burning fire pit cannot be installed within a pergola or pavilion. However, a natural gas- or propane-fueled fire pit can safely be installed within an outdoor shelter. And with that solution, there are no excuses at all not to go outside, which means you actually get to enjoy the space you pay for year-round instead of just in the summer. Related: Take a Fresh Look at Your Patio Options With These 4 Landscaping Ideas in Wheaton, IL  Millions of people spent a lot more time in their outdoor living spaces than ever before during last year’s shelter-in-place orders. And many found that their patios didn’t quite live up to their potential. If you would like some inspiration, take a fresh look at your patio options with these 4 landscaping ideas in Wheaton, IL.
Related: The Benefits of Making Sure Your Landscape Design Includes Both a Patio and Fire Pit in Naperville, IL Create Zones Have you ever tried enjoying a quiet afternoon reading a book outdoors yet felt that you were in the center of all the action? Creating separate zones will allow everyone to enjoy the space the way they want. In many cases this could simply mean expanding the patio to make one larger space; but you can also create a series of smaller interconnected patios that create a sense of intimacy in each one (while still being part of a whole), and allow for creative use of various materials. If your backyard is sloped, take advantage of the topography to create elevation changes based on activity: for example, a main patio next to the house, where the outdoor kitchen and dining area are located. Outward from this high-activity zone, there could be a step (or several) up or down to more private, quieter areas such as a lounge area or a fire pit space. Add a Fire Feature Nothing brings people together like a fire pit or outdoor fireplace, and it could well be the best investment in a landscaping element because it will make your patio cozy and comfortable virtually any time of the year. Without fire, your outdoor space will go unused for far too many months, so we recommend making space for wood-fired or a natural gas/propane fire feature: it will be a huge draw for family and friends, and a great reason to go outside and relax or entertain. Fire provides a timeless and primal experience that has remained relatively unchanged by technology. Gorgeous stone masonry fire features can adorn your landscape in the form of a fire pit, fire table, or outdoor fireplace. A fire feature is an opportunity for creative expression, too: a focal point that can become a centerpiece of your backyard. Add Soothing Water Features Installing a fountain or a waterfall in your outdoor living space can create a variety of moods, from energized to tranquil. A traditional Roman fountain or a rugged waterfall will have dramatic effects on the landscape, dazzling your friends and family with the sight of rushing and splashing water. A sleek modern water wall can add a soothing experience with water trickling down clear glass or metal down to a catch basin of polished stone that can be arranged as you like to vary the soundscape. Add Permeable Pavers Replacing your patio surface with beautiful pavers will bring your landscape a fresh new look that is far superior in looks, upkeep, and durability to poured concrete patios or wood decks; and they offer a huge variety of color, texture, shape, and laying pattern options that let you express your creative side. Consider switching to permeable pavers that allow water to seep into the ground, not only reducing slipping hazards but also creating a more attractive and functional driveway (especially if paired with a driveway heating system) and achieving a more harmonious balance with nature by helping return rainwater and snowmelt to the aquifer. Related: 6 Inspirational Landscape Design Ideas to Elevate Your Landscaping in Wheaton, IL  As winter bears down on the Midwest, spending time outdoors can be pretty unbearable; and yet, it’s nice to get outside for some fresh air on milder days. During even the coldest days, a fire pit can be your ticket to keeping your outdoor living space alive. These wonderful structures built from long-lasting brick allow for one of the most primal of human experiences: gathering around a fire and sharing conversation with loved ones. Brick structures will be around for generations as is intended, so it’s time to warm up your Wheaton, IL brick patio with a traditional fire pit.
Related: Rethinking the Traditional Brick Patio in Wheaton and Naperville IL Areas Finding the Warmth The location of your fire pit should be in the least windy part of your patio. In the unfortunate case of a patio that is consistently battered by wind, a privacy wall will do the trick of blocking frosty breezes. You also want to consider how large to make your fire pit space, as best defined by how many people with whom you want to gather. Placing a fire pit directly in the center of a patio might hinder how people move about the space, so slightly off-center in a low-traffic area would be the best bet. Once a location is determined, it’s time to plan the size and the style. Sinking Into Comfort Stay out of the cold wind and create a cozy haven by setting the fire pit a few feet lower than the grade of the rest of the patio. This is especially advantageous if the patio sits on a flat area with a downward slope on one side, where you can create a cozy little area that allows gatherings to feel even more warm and intimate. The Right Presence Even the most minuscule fire pits can become a focal point of your brick patio. Matching its style to the aesthetic of your home is important and can be achieved by choosing either a round fire pit or a square one. Round fire pits provide a relaxed “campfire” atmosphere, while square fire pits offer a touch of more refined elegance. Sturdy Design Another great addition to your brick patio and the fire pit is the high-backed seat wall. It’s an excellent source of seating and storage. This sturdy masonry feature provides a physical barrier between the fire and the wind. However, it’s important to remain a little versatile in planning permanent seats. Some guests may prefer to stand instead of sit, so it’s a good idea to leave an opening, for example, a half- or quarter-circle around the fire pit, where folks can stand or sit as they wish. Then, it’s important to plan the seats to cover the direction of the wind in order to keep the most amount of warmth in the fire pit as possible. Additional Features Your fire pit is simplistic in nature but it can be adorned with various other features to your heart’s desire. Adding built-in landscape lighting to the fire pit itself, or to any permanent seating, can be a wonderful strategy to add ambiance. Hanging string lights around the fire area encourages a more festive atmosphere. A small cocktail bar may be built into the brick structure next to the high-backed seat walls, eliminating the need to go back and forth and keep the drinks coming. The more you customize, the more personal and cherished your fire pit will become. Related: 2 Outdoor Design Ideas for a Cozy Brick Patio in Naperville and Hinsdale IL Areas  It’s the perfect time to warm up your evenings outside with an outdoor fireplace! Outdoor fireplaces are a great alternative to a fire pit, since the smoke is directed up and away through the chimney at the top! This allows you and your guests to enjoy the heat and ambiance of a fire, without dealing with the pesky smoke! We can design a custom fireplace to perfectly suit your style, needs and budget! Give us a call and schedule your free consultation today!
Montano’s Landscaping (630)271-9709 www.montanoslandscaping.net Related: Best Summer Landscape Design Tips for Your Lisle Backyard |
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