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Serving the Naperville Community
Serving the Naperville Community
 Gardens are often the most cherished parts of landscapes. They bring us closer to nature with the beautiful colors, textures, shapes, and sensory immersion that only comes from the bounty of nature. As you make the next moves in your landscape redesign, make sure to prioritize the benefits that plant life can bring to your home. Between establishing a theme, adding native plants, and providing support for the new landscape, are you planning a landscaping redesign this spring? Consider a new fine garden in Hinsdale, IL.
Related: Looking to Revamp Your Hinsdale, IL, Patio? Consider These Landscape Design Trends Planning for Immersion: the Beauty of Paths In order to enjoy the full scope as well as the most intimate details of the plants in your new fine garden, you need to plan for paths. While you likely don’t need to accommodate much foot traffic, there should be a way to comfortably amble around and experience the beauty of your landscape up close. Stepping stone walkways or gravel paths work beautifully as casual ways to meander through the landscape. Planning for Gathering The fine garden in your backyard can be a great place to entertain friends and family. Envelop a section of your patio with the lush plant life of your garden. By setting the patio within the garden, you’ll be able to create that sense of immersion that’s perfect for creating wonderful memories with loved ones. Your patio should have plenty of seating space as well as amenities and creature comforts such as a fire pit, outdoor kitchen, and even an elevated space where you can observe your garden from a higher vantage point. Planning for Growth One common mistake is to install plants too close together, and not give them room to grow. Expect your plants to grow to their full mature size. Watching these plants thrive in your landscape will instill you with a great sense of pride, which is why a garden designer needs to plan for growth (and yes, this includes planning for patience while the landscape fills in). Planning for Dimension The most pleasing gardens are those that incorporate a mix of short, medium, and tall plants. Some plants creep along the ground; others reach for the sky. Various climbing vines and hanging plants can complete the picture. Consider installing a pergola that allows climbing plants to create a soft, immersive experience within the pergola; and surround the space with a variety of plants of varying shapes, sizes, and visual densities. Planning for Balance Visual balance doesn’t necessarily mean symmetry. It means balancing visually dense plants such as evergreen trees with light, airy plants such as ornamental grasses or tall perennials that also add movement to the space. Planning for Layers The best gardens carefully place each plant in the right place to give them the best chance at growth, let them assist other plants’ growth, and create a harmonious setting. The technique of building layers will add dimension and interest. You could place trees and shrubs in the core of the garden to provide an anchor. These will grow the tallest and widest, so they should be placed first. Ornamental grasses should come next, followed by ground cover. Place the most delicate plants near the front of your garden where they are most easily visible and accessible. But, rules are made to be broken! Adding an unexpected taller element among the shorter plants adds a natural look and prevents an artificial look. Related: If a Landscape Design Is One of Your Resolutions, Here's Why You'll Want to Include a Fire Pit in Naperville, IL
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 A driveway should be a safe place to park, and landscape lighting is essential not only for safety but for ambience and curb appeal as well. In fact, landscape lighting is the best way to increase beauty as well. You can increase the safety of your driveway with these outdoor lighting tips in Naperville, IL.
Related: Creative Outdoor Lighting Solutions for an Active Patio in Hinsdale, IL Avoiding Glare and Shadows With landscape lighting, putting lights overhead can actually do more harm than good. Using single light sources up high creates lots of negative opportunities for obstructions. Glaring lights up high can easily become annoying or dangerous if you’re moving toward them. The distance between the light and the intended target is long and there are plenty of ways where movement in between casts harsh shadows that obscure obstacles. Avoid this glare and shadow risk by placing safety lights low to the ground and angled away from potential eye contact. Low-Lying Lights The most important place to target lights is the ground surface. At night, a driver needs to have full vision of the driveway; and headlights shouldn’t compete with house-mounted lights. You can get amazing results by using low-lying lights that hug the perimeter of the driveway. Since they are much closer to the ground surface and cover a smaller area, they will direct light energy where you need it: on the ground. If you have a paver driveway, low-lying lights will also call attention to the textural details and color of your driveway, letting masonry beauty shine at night. Using Vertical Spaces Another great way to enhance safety on a driveway at night is by illuminating vertical surfaces. This allows for a much greater sense of depth perception around the space, especially when a driveway is confined between obstacles. Spotlights angled upwards along the vertical space of your retaining wall, trees, rock outcroppings, and other large landscape features will create interest, highlight these features, and add to the ambient light around your driveway. By the time your guests reach your house, they will have a good appreciation of the beauty and function of your front yard landscape and driveway. Upgrading to LEDs Modern lighting technology has been expanding rapidly through the evolution of light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. These tiny light fixtures, when grouped together, can create a stunning amount of light from a surprisingly small amount of energy. They can last more than 10 years without replacement and the newer generation is showing even greater promise. This is in contrast to traditional incandescent or halogen lights that can burn out every 6 months or so. Some LEDs can also be programmed to change color and switch on and off according to timers, giving you much better control of the appearance of your front yard landscape and driveway. Creating Ambience Through a Layered Effect When most of your lights are targeted to a specific space - namely, the driveway - they end up creating too much contrast between these well-lit areas and the landscape beyond. Adding some more low-lying lights in various “random” places in the landscape will reduce uncomfortable dark patches and make the area around your driveway feel much more safe and welcoming. Layering means putting most of your light energy where you need it, and then gradually diminishing the number and intensity of light fixtures as you move outward. This creates depth perception as well as a pleasing lighting theme. Related: Extend the Use of Your Patio With Any of These Outdoor Lighting Options in Naperville, IL  It’s easy to see and appreciate all of the most beautiful parts of a landscape such as flowers, waterfalls, and patios. However, there’s one landscape feature that has the ability to not only stun with its beauty but also provide an essential structure that helps shape the landscape. A retaining wall should be a part of any sloped landscape or any outdoor living area that is in need of a division of spaces. As you decide what your landscape needs next, here’s why you should consider a retaining wall as part of your Wheaton, IL landscaping project.
Related: 6 Ways You Can Include a Retaining Wall in Your Landscape Design in Naperville, IL Preventing Erosion The biggest threats to a landscape are the massive geological processes that shape our natural world. Rain runoff can quickly erode topsoil and damage a landscape beyond recognition. A retaining wall will do the essential duty of physically holding back soil, which will dramatically reduce the harm done from erosion by diverting the water to where it can be safely extracted. A retaining wall is useful on any steep slope with poor plant cover, with soil that tends to hold moisture; but the best way to determine whether you need a retaining wall is to consult with a landscape professional. Dividing Spaces of Use Though the retaining wall is generally a fairly low landscape feature, rarely rising above 4 feet and often even lower, it does prove to be an effective physical barrier. If the retaining wall is along the property perimeter, it can do double duty as a fence; and if it’s more centrally located, it can help to divide your backyard into various spaces of use. For example, the upper part of the slope could be reserved for outdoor living, while the lower part could become a play area for the kids. If your slope is particularly steep, a series of terraces could be used to shape the land and create more usable space for gardens and outdoor living. On perfectly flat properties, a low seat wall could be used to divide the space between a front entry walkway and the landscape, to define the space and give a warm “embrace” to visitors. Housing Light Fixtures The essential difference in your landscape between night and day is whether or not your friends and family will feel safe and welcome. Some great lighting strategies can greatly enhance the beauty of your landscape. Integrating light fixtures into the retaining wall creates a clutter-free landscape, enhances the textures of the wall at night, and provides visual depth to the space. Expanding Seating A retaining wall can become a great place to integrate seating. A low retaining wall can have a few casual partygoers sit on the capstones and enjoy some drinks and a friendly chat. A taller retaining wall can feature an integrated bench that allows for a comfortable place to appreciate the view. A rounded retaining wall can create a big semi-circle seating area surrounding a fire pit. Integrating seating into a wall is another way to reduce clutter in an outdoor living space while providing necessary overflow seating. Emboldening Visuals Apart from its endlessly practical physical presence, a retaining wall also has the opportunity to become a beautiful focal point. The masonry used to make a retaining wall is one opportunity for creative expression. A retaining wall establishes a strong vertical presence and increases visual interest: and the choice of natural stone, decorative concrete wall units, or veneers give you endless design choices. Related: Choosing the Right Look for a Retaining Wall That Will Be Part of Your Brick Patio Design in Hinsdale, IL  When you plan out your landscape renovation, there are many things that can make a landscape comfortable and memorable. There’s one type of feature, however, that can make a landscape unlivable if it’s missing or poorly designed: landscape lighting. The lack of adequate outdoor lighting can turn a landscape into a potentially dangerous place that sours the moods of your guests before they even get outside. To make your landscape reach its full nighttime potential, here are some creative outdoor lighting solutions for an active patio in Hinsdale, IL.
Related: Bring Your Wheaton, IL, Brick Patio to Life With a Creative Outdoor Lighting Plan Hardwiring the Perimeter An unsafe outdoor living space is going to be one that everyone wants to avoid. Safety starts with the walking surfaces, which means thoughtfully illuminating the entire patio as well as all walkways. The harsh contrasts created by the shadows of flood lights, for example, can make obstacles invisible. For safety reasons, focusing light energy on the ground is the right way to start with your outdoor lighting design. Choose a series of light fixtures that are close to the ground and focus light onto the walking surface. The proximity to the ground will greatly reduce the chance of shadows that obscure hidden obstacles. For the most consistent safety, walkway lighting should be hardwired around the perimeter of the patio and walkways, as well as the driveway for parking safety. Hardwired light fixtures are much better than off-the-grid solar-powered lanterns that will lose brightness whenever the solar arrays are covered in snow or after a series of cloudy days. Creating Focal Points A patio doesn’t need to have full power of lighting on every square inch after night falls. However, no patio hosts just one activity, and therefore a variety of lighting techniques will ensure the most livable and aesthetically pleasing space. Determine what the focal points are in your outdoor living space. This may be an outdoor dining table, a fire pit, a waterfall, or a piece of outdoor art to be admired. Artistic illumination of one or several prominent features will also add some ambient light to the patio without resorting to one lighting strategy (such as perimeter pathway lights). Enhancing Ambience After the safety priorities in lighting design have been addressed, it’s important to put some thought into the lesser-used spaces that surround the patio. Eliminating the harsh definition between illuminated and dark areas in your outdoor living space will not only make a space feel much more safe and secure, but will add to the depth perception that enables enjoyment of the space. Seek out the darkest corners that surround your outdoor living space and place a small light or two in that area to add dimension and lessen the contrast that makes people feel they’re living in a snow globe surrounded by darkness. Overhead Delight While overhead lighting isn’t very effective at enhancing walking safety, there are some types of lights that can make a space feel truly magical. A few rows of string lights over the patio can add an incredible amount of light that’s easy on the eyes. Moonlighting is another fun technique to add light from above. This technique requires a mature deciduous tree. Place a whitish-bluish light high in the canopy, so the light can filter down through the foliage to create wonderful dancing shadows on the ground below. Related: Extend the Use of Your Patio With Any of These Outdoor Lighting Options in Naperville, IL  The best landscapes feature areas where friends and family can gather; and nothing is more of a draw than fire. Fire pits are incredibly popular additions to any landscape. These features are reminiscent of a roaring campfire (whether wood or gas-fueled) and can be customized to fit any design theme. So, if a landscape design is one of your resolutions, here’s why you’ll want to include a fire pit in Naperville, IL.
Related: Extend the Use of Your Patio With Any of These Outdoor Lighting Options in Naperville, IL A Communal Structure Fires are natural attractive forces in a landscape, especially as the temperature begins to dip. Since it allows people to gather in a circle around it, a fire pit is a communal structure which evenly distributes heat in all directions. A Focal Point or a Destination A natural gas-fueled fire pit is typically located on the patio where running a gas line is more convenient. A wood-fired or propane-fueled fire pit can be located anywhere in the landscape as a destination spot. A fire pit can be the most prominent feature of your patio, sitting close enough to your house for easy access. It can sit at the edge of a hill or the woods where a spectacular view awaits everyone. It can also anchor a place of ultimate solitude far away from the excitement of the home and the outside world. A Primal and Mesmerizing Experience Humans have been fascinated by fire for millennia. Our ancestors used fire for heat, cooking, light, and protection. Today, we still love the fireside experience for these reasons; and fire is something that’s absolutely mesmerizing to look at. While you and your friends and family are enjoying a fireside chat, the fire pit will also visually dazzle while it keeps everyone comfortable. In fact, if you’re enjoying a quiet evening on the patio, a fire pit could turn it into a soothing, meditative experience as you lose yourself in the dance of the flames. Surprisingly Compact The amount of heat and light produced by even a small fire pit can do an amazing job of making a gathering area comfortable and intimate. Remember to allow enough space around the fire pit for chairs - approximately 4-7 feet. You could also install a seat wall or high-backed seat wall around the fire pit to create a more intimate space and eliminate the clutter of furniture. Gas-Fueled Fire Pits: Pros and Cons Gas-fueled fire pits are gaining in popularity for many reasons. Gas is a safer material for fire pits since the flames are much more consistent and controllable. Gas-fueled fire pits avoid all the mess of smoke and the hassles of firewood, but they won’t have the authentic crackle and aroma of wood; and they are not typically usable for cooking since the lava rock, glass, or faux wood can be difficult to clean if food spills on it and bakes on. Choose natural gas if you don’t want the hassle of propane tanks, unless you want your fire pit to be in a more remote location in which case running a gas line could add significantly to the cost. Wood-Fueled Fire Pits: Pros and Cons About as simple as it gets, wood-fueled fire pits require just a masonry structure to contain the flames. You may need a small structure nearby for storing firewood. Wood fires generate more heat than a gas fire pit, and the right wood can make cooked food taste amazing. The snaps, crackles, and aroma of burning wood make for an engaging and memorable experience. However, placement is crucial: a fire pit must be placed far away from any combustible materials including trees. Related: Is Your Wheaton, IL Landscape Design Missing a Cozy Touch? A Fire Pit Could Be the Answer  Your brick patio is likely one of your favorite places to relax and entertain. Brick is an exceptional material that has the incredible ability to blend the natural elements with the man-made. The natural tones and textures of brick might look great in the sunlight, but after dark you’ll want to appreciate your brick patio just as much. You can bring your Wheaton, IL, brick patio to life with a creative outdoor lighting plan.
Related: Looking to Revamp Your Hinsdale IL Patio? Consider These Landscape Design Trends Combine Landscape Lighting Strategies Successful outdoor lighting plans utilize a combination of a few different lighting strategies. All together, the combined strategies will create complex layers, increasing depth perception to create a safe and welcoming feeling in your landscape. Even better, your friends and family will be able to appreciate the beauty of your landscape after sunset. Before we talk about specific lighting strategies for your brick patio, keep one “rule” in mind: less is more. A single light fixture can illuminate more than you might think. This means that a few bright lights aren’t the answer. You’ll get a much more pleasant result from using more low-voltage lights. Hard-Wired Pathway Lighting The most important thing you can do in your outdoor lighting plan is create a safe place to walk. Unsurprisingly, many people are injured every day from stumbling around in the dark and an injury in your backyard is the last thing you need when entertaining friends or just relaxing. Even stubbing a toe can put a dent in your evening. Use hard-wired pathway lighting to illuminate your brick patio and the surrounding walkways to be your first steps in enabling a safe and welcoming environment. A hard-wired system of pathway lights is more advantageous than off-grid solar pathway lights as they will always provide excellent illumination for your brick patio even on the cloudiest day. Low-lying path lights will be anchored in the perimeter of your brick patio and angled so that they focus their energy on the edges of the patio. This not only illuminates any potential obstacles on the patio like wayward toys or fallen branches, but it also helps define the space of the patio itself. This helps create a sense of intention in your landscape and enhances the feeling of safety and welcome. The Ambience of Fire One of the best landscape features you can install in your outdoor living space is a fire pit, a fire table, an outdoor fireplace, or even a combination of fire features. Fire features provide warmth during the chillier evenings as well as substantial ambient light. This flickering light of the dancing flames will be especially beautiful on a brick patio. Fire light expands around the source in a full circle or a semi-circle. Instead of competing with the fire light, embrace the beauty of the flames and let the area around the fire feature be as attractive as it is useful. Creative Lighting Spotlighting a significant feature such as an outdoor fireplace, a majestic tree, or a sculpture will not only add interest but ambient light to your brick patio. Moonlighting (placing lights high in a tree canopy to mimic the effect of moonlight) is another way to add dimension as the shadows cast by this light will make interesting patterns on the patio. Downlights integrated into a masonry retaining wall or privacy fence can also add light to the space while emphasizing the textures they illuminate. Related: Extend the Use of Your Patio With Any of These Outdoor Lighting Options in Naperville, IL  The best landscape design always takes the some of the least attractive parts of the landscape and elevates them to the highest standard. Driveways are often forgotten about in landscape design and can be seen as just a path for moving cars from the street to the house. Since the driveway takes up so much space in a landscape, it actually has an integral role in the beauty of the overall landscape. As you plan your landscape renovation, make sure to take this prominent landscape feature into account as a design element. Here are four ways a paver driveway can greatly enhance your landscape design in Hinsdale, IL.
Related: Be Inspired by These Landscaping Trends for an Updated Driveway in Wheaton IL First Impressions Does your home’s driveway reflect its value? Asphalt driveways don’t do anything for the aesthetics of a home; they don’t add to the aesthetics, and when patched, they look ugly and cheap. Concrete driveways can be even worse, evoking the stained look of an oil change shop or a kindergarten playground just waiting to be scribbled on with chalk. Concrete will inevitably crack and crumble, necessitating frequent repairs or replacement. With a driveway made from stained poured concrete or crumbling asphalt, it doesn’t matter what your home looks like or what else is in your front yard. A driveway made from specialized driveway pavers will immediately elevate the look of an entire landscape, sending the message that you have taste and your home is an elegant and well-cared for place. Be sure to use driveway-rated pavers, as they are designed specifically to handle vehicular loads. Pavers intended for pedestrian use are too thin and often too large to support the weight of cars and trucks. Durability A paver driveway will last far longer than asphalt or poured concrete driveways which - because they are solid surfaces - will only last a few years before succumbing to soil movement and the freeze-thaw cycle. Over the lifetime of the driveway, pavers are an incredibly economical choice. Paver driveways are not solid surfaces The individual pavers move slightly, yet are incredibly secure and stable and won’t heave or sink when properly installed. The spaces between them accommodate the movement of soil, preventing damage from the freeze-thaw cycle. While individual pavers may break on the rare occasion, they’re easily replaceable and won’t affect the surrounding pavers. Color Pairing Pavers take inspiration from a variety of materials and they can take on a large range of different shades and colors beyond those that can be found in natural stone. Warm earthy colors such as those present in sandstone-inspired pavers will add reds, browns, and warm tans to your landscape. These colors are particularly resonant with relaxed homes as well as rustic homes and landscapes. Cooler and steely colors such as those present in bluestones and granites will add blues and grays to your landscape. These colors will add a dramatic look to modern and contemporary homes and landscapes, but also offer an excellent pairing with classic brick-sided homes. Environmental Benefit One of the biggest issues of a solid surface driveway (asphalt or poured concrete) is tremendous amounts of water that run off the driveway after a heavy rain, potentially causing damage to the landscape or flooding. Permeable pavers will disperse surface water into the ground due to slightly larger joints between the pavers, the use of pea gravel or other coarse stone, and a special substrate that allows water to absorb slowly into the ground below. Related: 5 Landscape Design Ideas for a Modern Permeable Driveway in Wheaton, IL 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 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 |
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