landscape lighting

Illuminating Returns: The ROI of Landscape Lighting

by AM Garden Team | May 25, 2024 | Hardscape Lighting, Landscape Lighting, Landscape lighting renovation Houston, Landscape Lighting Services, LED Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, Outdoor Living

In the realm of home improvement projects, few enhancements offer the same transformative power and allure as landscape lighting. Beyond the mere aesthetic appeal, strategically placed lights can significantly impact the functionality, security, and overall value of your property. But, for the savvy homeowner, it’s not just about creating a picturesque nighttime ambiance; it’s about understanding the tangible return on investment (ROI) that landscape lighting can yield.

Setting the Scene: The Value of Landscape Lighting

Before delving into the numbers, it’s crucial to recognize the multifaceted benefits that landscape lighting brings to your property

Appeal: The visual impact of a well-lit exterior can’t be overstated. Landscape lighting adds depth and dimension to your property, accentuating architectural features, trees, and landscaping elements.

Increased Property Value: A beautifully illuminated home stands out in the real estate market. According to the National Association of Home Builders, outdoor lighting is consistently rated as one of the most desired outdoor features by homebuyers.

Extended Living Spaces: With the right lighting design, your outdoor areas become extensions of your indoor living space, allowing you to entertain guests or relax long after the sun has set.

Safety and Security: Well-lit pathways, driveways, and entry points deter potential intruders and minimize the risk of accidents, enhancing physical safety and peace of mind.

Crunching the Numbers: Calculating ROI

While the benefits of landscape lighting are evident, quantifying its ROI requires a closer examination of both the upfront costs and the long-term savings and value it generates.

Upfront Costs

The initial investment in landscape lighting typically includes the cost of fixtures, wiring, transformers, and professional installation. Depending on the size of your property and the complexity of the design, this can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

Energy Efficiency

Traditional incandescent and halogen bulbs have largely been replaced by energy-efficient LED fixtures, which consume significantly less energy and have a longer lifespan. This translates to lower utility bills and reduced maintenance costs over time.

Increased Property Value

Studies have shown that strategic outdoor lighting can increase a property’s value by up to 20%. While it’s challenging to attribute this directly to landscape lighting alone, it undoubtedly contributes to the overall appeal and desirability of your home.

Extended Living Spaces

By effectively “adding” usable square footage to your property, landscape lighting enhances its functional value. Whether you’re hosting outdoor gatherings or simply enjoying a quiet evening on your patio, the enhanced livability of your outdoor spaces is a tangible return on your investment.

Safety and Security

While it’s challenging to assign a monetary value to safety and peace of mind, the potential savings from preventing accidents or deterring intruders can be substantial. Moreover, many insurance companies offer discounts for homes with security features such as outdoor lighting.

Maximizing ROI: Tips for Effective Landscape Lighting

To ensure you get the most out of your investment in landscape lighting, consider the following tips:

Strategic Placement: Focus on highlighting key features of your landscape while also ensuring adequate illumination for safety and security.
Energy Efficiency: Opt for LED fixtures and consider installing timers or motion sensors to further reduce energy consumption.
Professional Design and Installation: While DIY options exist, consulting with a professional ensures optimal results and minimizes the risk of costly mistakes.
Regular Maintenance: Keep your lighting system in top condition by routinely inspecting fixtures, replacing bulbs, and addressing any issues promptly.

Conclusion

Landscape lighting stands out as a high-impact investment with potentially significant returns. Beyond the aesthetic appeal, it enhances safety, security, and the overall value of your property. By carefully considering the upfront costs and long-term benefits, homeowners can make informed decisions that illuminate their outdoor spaces while also brightening their financial outlook.

Contact AM Garden to learn how landscape lighting can increase the value of your property.

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All About Low Voltage LED Lighting for Outdoor Design

Illuminate Your Nights: Transforming Your Backyard into an Oasis with Landscape Lighting

by AM Garden Team | Apr 22, 2024 | Landscape Lighting, Landscape Lighting Services, Outdoor Living

In the tranquil hours of the evening, when the stars start to twinkle and the world around you begins to settle into a peaceful rhythm, there’s something truly magical about a well-lit backyard oasis. Transforming your backyard into an oasis with landscape lighting is a rewarding endeavor that allows you to create a magical outdoor space to relax, entertain, and connect with nature long after the sun has set.

Accent Lighting will highlight focal points in your landscape, such as statues, trees, or architectural features. This adds depth and drama to your outdoor space.

Illuminate your pathways and walkways with low-level path lights to guide guests safely through your garden. This enhances the functionality of your outdoor space and adds a touch of elegance and charm to your landscape.

If you have a pond, fountain, or waterfall in your backyard, consider adding underwater or submersible lights to highlight these features and create a mesmerizing aquatic display. The interplay of light and water adds an extra dimension to your outdoor space, creating a sense of tranquility and serenity.

With a professional plan for your lighting design, with the right fixtures and techniques, you can create a backyard sanctuary that truly shines, bringing joy and beauty to your outdoor living experience for years. So why wait? Illuminate your nights and start enjoying the enchanting beauty of your backyard oasis today!

Contact us today to schedule your free design consultation

Understanding the Landscape Silhouette Lighting Technique

by AM Garden Team | Apr 16, 2024 | Landscape Lighting, Landscape Lighting Services, Outdoor Living

Reflective landscape lighting Houston, Texas

Silhouette lighting is a technique that can add a dramatic effect to landscape lighting designs. It is often overlooked and underused, despite its potential to enhance the overall look of a landscape. While direct lighting techniques, such as up-lighting and cross-lighting, are popular, mixing in silhouetting can make a significant difference. To create this effect, the light fixture is placed between a shrub, fountain, or medium-sized tree and a hard-surfaced wall, typically the home’s front face.

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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.

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