Alexander Michael's Garden & Landscape Design

Get a Natural Effect with Outdoor Down Lighting

by siteadmin | Jun 10, 2022 | Down Lighting, Landscape Lighting Services

Nothing can make your lawn more beautiful and conspicuous at night than outdoor downlighting. Every homeowner enjoys the bright light from the moon at night. But since you have no control over the moon, you need something to brighten up your landscape when there’s no moonlight. That’s where down lighting comes in handy to provide light.

Downlighting is the mounting lighting fixtures high in the trees or tall structures to illuminate the ground below. Installing light fixtures on trees creates a dappled light effect, making your landscape look beautiful at night. It creates the feeling of moonlight. You can also install downlights from the gazebos, arbors, and gutters.

Now, let’s explore how downlighting works and how it beautifies your landscape. #amgarden #downlighting #outdoorlighting Click To Tweet

What Does Downlighting Do?

Downlighting is the installation of lighting fixtures as high as 20-30 feet to illuminate the landscape below it. It’s an excellent alternative to moonlight because it creates lighting that looks and feels natural at night. Downlighting from the trees is the most sought-after lighting for driveways, patios, and lawns. You can use LED bulbs to save energy bills.

Moonlighting and Floodlights

Moonlighting involves downlighting from trees. You can mount lights high in the trees within your landscape. It allows the light to shine naturally through the branches and leaves to create a dappled effect on the ground. Conversely, floodlights are another landscape lighting option that illuminates a broader area in a landscape.

Gazebo and Arbor Lighting

You can also light up your outdoor living space by installing lights on the eaves and beams inside a gazebo or arbor. That will help you achieve a low-level illumination to add comfort to your outdoor space. Position the fixtures in the corners or beneath the peaks to hide them from the view. Low wattage lamps with wide beam angles are ideal.

Create Natural Beauty with Outdoor Downlighting

With outdoor down lighting, you can create a beautiful landscape that looks attractive at night. Consider installing LED light bulbs to reduce energy consumption. Also, use light fixtures made of stainless steel to prevent rusting. If you don’t know how to install the downlighting fixtures, you can let AM Garden help you brighten up your space at night.

Contact us to talk with our experts about your landscaping and downlighting project.

The Art of Landscape Moonlighting Design

by siteadmin | Jun 3, 2022 | Landscape Lighting Services, Moonlighting Effect

Landscape moonlighting is an excellent way to brighten up your yard in the darkness at night. This landscape lighting design is an art as it makes your favorite spot in your garden more helpful even during the night. It helps accentuate your outdoor space, developing an artwork of well-crafted landscaping. So, how does moonlighting work?

The art of landscape moonlighting can uplift your landscaping to the next level when implemented well. Your space becomes usable even after the sunset. To achieve moonlighting, you’ll have to install downlights high in the trees near your house. Moonlighting creates an artwork that beautifies and illuminates pathways.

Why choose moonlighting for your outdoor space? Here’s what you should know about outdoor moonlighting design. #outdoorlighting #moonlighting #amgarden Click To Tweet

What is Moonlighting and How Does it Work?

Landscape moonlighting is the installation of lighting fixtures, specifically downlights, high above the trees to create beautiful artwork on your landscape at night. It eliminates dark spots on pathways and stairs. Mount the lights above the lowest tree branches, creating a dappled effect on the ground surface. As a result, it creates beautiful artwork.

Landscape Moonlighting Design AM Garden

The Benefits of Moonlighting for Your Landscape

This type of lighting technique brings numerous benefits to your landscape design. By illuminating the ground from above the trees, moonlighting feels more natural. When the wind sways the leaves, it leaves the shadows dancing at your feet at night. White blooming rhododendrons, azaleas, and other flowering shrubs create a unique effect.

Landscape Moonlighting AM Garden

Why Choose a Moonlighting Design?

You can use the moonlighting technique to accent lower plantings, planted urns, and outdoor living spaces. That’s because it creates a beautiful artwork beneath tall trees. Besides, moonlighting uses LED lighting technology to illuminate your landscape using the lowest energy possible. As a result, it helps you save money on energy bills.

Creating a Beautiful Landscape at Night with Moonlighting

If you need a lighting design that works like the natural light from the full moon, consider landscape moonlighting. This outdoor lighting system emits a soft glow to light up your landscape and pathways during the darkest nights. To create an excellent moonlighting effect, you need to consult landscape lighting professionals at AM Garden for help.

Contact us today to talk to our professionals about your moonlighting project.

Simple & Effective LED Retrofit Lighting Upgrades

by siteadmin | May 27, 2022 | Landscape Lighting Services

An effective LED retrofit lighting upgrade can transform your outdoor space into a smart home. LED lighting technology makes your home beautiful and secure at night, helping you save energy. If you still use traditional lighting bulbs in your outdoor space, LED retrofit lighting is what you need. The energy-efficient lighting will also earn you rebates.

How does retrofitting work and what are the benefits for your outdoor lighting system? #amgarden #retrofitting #outdoorlighting Click To Tweet

LED retrofit lighting might seem to be an expensive project but will help you save more money in the long run. It is as simple as replacing the traditional lighting fixtures with LED bulb fixtures. But before you implement the project, consider performing financial and technical analysis to establish the project’s feasibility.

What Are the Benefits of LED Conversion?

Retrofitting the current garden lights with LED fixtures comes with the following benefits:

Improved Energy Efficiency: LED light bulbs use less energy than traditional light bulbs. You can install many LED fixtures in your garden and save energy.
Easy Installation and Upgrades: Replacing the low-voltage landscaping light fixtures is easy. You won’t need to worry about anything during the upgrade.
Cheaper in the Long Run: Purchasing LED bulbs for upgrades is relatively cheaper than buying new garden light bulbs.

How Retrofitting Works

So, what is LED retrofit? A lighting retrofit replaces the parts of existing lighting systems with more quality and energy-efficient components. In this case, traditional light bulbs get replaced with energy-efficient LED bulbs. It’s the best way to upgrade your current garden setup without spending much money. Use a LED retrofit kit during the upgrade.

Smart Lighting Systems

If your outdoor lighting systems seem to consume much energy every month, consider installing smart light bulbs in your compound. The modern lighting systems are energy-efficient, helping you save big on energy consumption. Use smart LED bulbs connected to an app or smart home assistant to allow you to control the fixtures remotely.

Get Your LED Retrofit Lighting Upgrade Today

LED retrofit lighting is a cost-effective upgrade due to its super energy efficiency and longer lifespan. The good news is that there are many retrofit kits available to help you upgrade your lighting fixtures. Although installing LED retrofit upgrades is easy, you will need a professional lighting designer to help you upgrade your lighting systems.

Contact us today for a professional LED retrofit lighting upgrade at an affordable cost.

All About Low Voltage LED Lighting for Outdoor Design

by siteadmin | May 13, 2022 | Landscape Lighting Services

Installing outdoor low voltage LED lighting is a perfect way to boost your home’s safety, security, and safety while saving on energy. It makes your outdoor living space friendly for relaxing immediately after the sun goes down. The good news is that installing the low voltage LED lights is less risky due to low or no cases of electric shock to installers.

Running a low-voltage landscape lighting system is cost-effective and energy-efficient. It helps you save energy by 85 percent, reducing the cost of operating your outdoor lighting system. Notably, there are many types and designs of LED outdoor bulbs. You’ll never run out of choices when looking for what suits you.

Let’s see what outdoor low-voltage LED lighting systems are and the types available for landscaping design. #outdoorlighting #ledlightingsystems #amgarden Click To Tweet

What is Low Voltage Landscape Lighting?

As the name suggests, low voltage landscape lighting uses low voltage to work. The most common option is the 12V lighting system for residential outdoor living spaces. The lighting system converts the standard 120V current to 12V using a transformer. So, it mitigates the risk of electric shock.

Common Types of Landscape Lighting Fixtures

Here are some LED landscape lighting fixtures to install in your home.

Path Lights: Illuminate pathways and walkways to guide residents at night. You can also install the fixtures in large flower beds with much ground vegetation.
Flood Lights: Provide large light pools to illuminate wider areas using a single fixture. They have a 60-degree or more beam angle.
Spotlights: These are the most common landscape lighting fixtures because they illuminate specific features on your landscape.
Hardscape Lights: These low-profile fixtures are suitable for highlighting specific architectural features.
Underwater Lights: These systems get submerged partially or fully in water throughout the year. They are common in ponds and fountains
Step Lights: You can install these lights on your outdoor stairs to illuminate the path. These lighting fixtures reduce the risk of tripping.

Professional Outdoor Lighting Design and Installation

A low-voltage LED lighting is the most preferred outdoor lighting system in residential properties. While you can opt for DIY installation, you may have trouble designing the lighting layout. That’s where outdoor lighting experts come in to help you. Consider hiring outdoor landscapers and lighting professionals at AM Garden for installation.

Finding the Right Outdoor Lighting for Your Garden

The versatility of the outdoor low voltage LED lighting system makes it the number one choice for many homeowners. You can get various lighting fixtures that fit your style and outdoor living space. AM Garden can help you brighten up your garden when you’re ready to get started.

Contact us today for stunning landscaping and lighting solutions in your garden.

Unique Exterior Wall Lighting Ideas

by siteadmin | May 6, 2022 | Landscape Lighting Services

One of the best ways to make your home stand out in the evening is by installing exterior wall lighting. Wall lanterns and sconces come in a variety of colors, styles, designs, and sizes to suit your home’s unique look. Homeowners choose outdoor lighting either for security purposes or to make landscaping stand out at night.

These are some of the unique style choices you can choose for your home’s new outdoor wall lighting. #AMGarden #outdoorlighting #exteriorlighting Click To Tweet

First, you’ll need to know what your purpose for new outdoor lighting will be. Is it to provide light for safety purposes, or to accent a new addition to your home garden? There are many types of outdoor wall lighting that can be used to create different effects for your desired look. Let’s see what options homeowners can choose from:

Exterior Sconces

A sconce is indoor or outdoor wall-mounted lighting that comes in different styles to give specific effects to the exterior of your home. These can be used to create ambiance for backyard parties, or with motion sensors for security such as in floodlighting. You can also choose outdoor wall sconces that match the style of your home.

Flush Mount
Semi Flush Mount
Wall Lanterns
Barn Light
Bulkhead Light
Spotlights
Floodlights

Security Lighting

A big reason for outdoor wall lanterns is to provide security from crime. With a well-lit outdoor area, you’re ensuring no predators can hide on your property. Motion sensor spotlights and floodlights come with different settings so they won’t go off with smaller motions from animals. It’s also handy to have motion-detected light if you’re coming home late and didn’t leave lights on, so you won’t be tripping over stairs or searching for keys in the dark.

Wall Light Styles

You can also choose light fixtures that complement the style of your home and your unique tastes in outdoor decor. Today’s LED outdoor wall lights are made to suit anything from simple and modern to eclectic or timeless. Outdoor lighting comes in a variety of the following style choices:

Coastal
Modern
Traditional
Country
Rustic
Mission
Industrial

Full-Color Lighting

Another modern way to illuminate your landscape is with full color LED lighting options. These lights come in a range of different colors and can be controlled easily through a mobile app. The beams can shine upward, downward, or both for numerous lighting design options with your specific outdoor space. These wall sconces look beautiful in backyards, front porches, pergolas and more.

Choosing Innovative Exterior Wall Lighting for Your Home

When you decide on the look you’re going for with your exterior wall lighting upgrade, it’s time to start design and installation. Get in touch with our team at AM Garden today to discuss outdoor lighting options for your home and find the perfect match.

Connect with us to learn more about unique exterior wall lighting!

Captivating Flood and Accent Lighting Effects

by siteadmin | Apr 29, 2022 | Landscape Lighting Services, Pathway Lighting

Flood and accent lighting is used to create many kinds of effects in your outdoor space. Your unique garden design and landscaping customizations come with a plethora of ways to light up when the sun goes down. So what are some good options to choose from when it comes to outdoor lighting design?

Outdoor accent lights, floodlights, spotlights, and more can create a beautifully lit up outdoor space. Let's take a look at what the best options for your design could be: #AMGarden #landscapelighting #outdoorlighting Click To Tweet

Professional landscape lighting designers can help you choose from beautiful outdoor lighting effects such as floodlighting, step lights, garden lights, and spotlighting. Each light fixture serves a specific purpose in illuminating your yard and its surroundings. Let’s take a look at these options and what they have to offer homeowners:

What Are Floodlights?

Homeowners choose floodlights for their homes to illuminate vast areas of space, providing security in the area. These types of light fixtures are good for deck lighting and spaces with steps or stairs that are covered by large trees. When choosing floodlights, look for LED floodlights with a good IP factor. This is known as “ingress protection”, which rates the level of resistance your lighting has toward outdoor elements.

Outdoor Accent Lights

Your outdoor lighting designer can help you choose from a wide range of accent lighting that will work wonders for your garden. Step lights can be used if you want to add some light to your outdoor steps without using a floodlight in the area. Up and down wall lights are a good way to add a wall wash of light source to your home’s architecture. Garden lights can bring out the flowers and plants in your landscape design.

Landscape Spot Lights

Spotlighting is a fantastic way to light up focal points in your yards such as water features and custom flower beds. This landscape lighting technique has been used in many of our outdoor lighting designs to bring attention to the unique statues and plants that complete the garden’s design. Get in touch with our team of experts for your consultation and we can discuss spotlighting that will brighten your space like never before!

Choosing the Best Outdoor Lighting Effects for Your Space

With so many flood and accent lighting ideas to choose from, you’ll want to be sure you’re working with the best team for the job. At Alexander Michael’s, we provide homeowners with 25 years of experience in landscape lighting design. AM Garden will be happy to help you find the best lighting for your outdoor space that will work wonders for years to come.

Connect with us to learn more about our outdoor lighting effects!

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