In this article we go over the five important reasons why you should Illuminate your outdoor spaces for better home design aesthetics before jumping into the construction of your upcoming home design project.
The Importance of Exterior Lighting for Modern Architecture Projects
Nothing brings life to living spaces quite like well-implemented illumination. Something flashy and unwelcome can change into something cozy and approachable with just the right amount of ambient, task, and accent lighting. That is why any self-respecting architect or architecture firm should never underestimate the practice of good light work, not even on the outside.
Many tend to overlook the value of proper interior design lighting and disregard the exterior as something downright trivial. Of course, this is far from the truth. Good exterior lighting goes well beyond a good-looking coating or a show of contemporary luxury architecture; it’s necessary for a quality lifestyle and successfully bringing a vision to life.
1. The Overall Functionality of Exterior Illumination for Modern Architecture and Design
Though the amount of time we spend in transitional spaces is minuscule compared to stationary ones, one can’t deny that the proper, in-built “guiding hand” does wonders, even on exteriors. Public spaces do this all the time, with well-lit highways keeping us on track and walkways offering calming visibility during the average evening stroll around the park. So, who’s to say the same can’t apply to a private home?
Multiple, high-end, modern architecture projects implement proper lighting layouts not only as a way to optimize ingress and egress spaces but to add a safeguarding quality to the exterior.
Taking a page right out of Central Park, standing lights offer a calming presence during your walks down your patios and gardens, while a well-placed porch light will keep any unwelcome strays or animals from messing around with your door.
2. The Safety and Security Benefits of Proper Exterior Lighting for Home Projects and Developments
Fear of the dark is perfectly reasonable. Even if there might not be things coming out of the closet, there are still mundane dangers and hazards, some of which can prove quite deadly if you don’t know where you’re stepping.
Slippery steps, for example, can prove quite disastrous if you can’t tell whether they’re stable or not. So, what do you do? You implement lighting, that’s what. Make it clear that you need to watch your every step, and smashed, cracked—or broken groceries will be a thing of the past.
Now, that’s hazard-related. What about unknown, unwanted visitors late at night? Yes, quality security systems will detect any intruder. Still, even the best of the best won’t do away with the psychological impact of knowing your home has several, likely off-putting, unlit spaces, which will inevitably lead to stress, paranoia, and more than a couple of sleepless nights.
Of course, you don’t want that sort of lifestyle. No one does. So, what is there to do? Light things up! Strategically, mind you. You don’t want to rack up your bill, nor do you want to lean into non-sustainable tendencies (also a big reason to employ alternative, green energy sources if possible, but that’s not this blog, is it?).
You’d be surprised how far a simple recessed-light canopy around your residence can do to deter the average undesirable. Not to say quality alarms don’t do their jobs correctly, but sometimes, it’s best if we never find the need to use them in the first place.
The Aesthetic Quality Benefits of Frontage Illumination for Home Fronts
Much as how light draws the eye of your best furniture, so can it keep the most impressive aspects of your home alive and well even during the nighttime. From brick patterns to awe-inspiring reflections, it all becomes a featureless silhouette once the sun calls it a day—a disservice to all modern and contemporary architecture feats.
So why not keep the look going 24/7? Why not accentuate your concept even further with the right tools?
Architectural lighting keeps your exteriors as good-looking at night as they are during the day. It can also further them through a sound palette of light and clever use of shadows, all without messing around with the construction. From adding an art exhibit-like, luxury composition to backyards and garden structures or using standing lights to highlight almost any form of geometry, be it the home itself or other prominent structures needing a more substantial presence. With a bit of ingenuity and proper placement, you can have a solution for just about anything and make it look good while you’re at it too.
4. The Benefit of Lighting Leisure Spaces in your Home
It’s no secret that the proper use of outdoor spaces is becoming more prominent in the commercial architecture design scene. Having a spot where we can zone out and think about things is critical during this day and age of non-stop the hustle and bustle. Having an outdoor getaway that might as well double-up as an additional living one is even better. The cost is well worth it.
Waterproof, comfortable furniture, weatherproof indoor-like outdoor lights, and easy storage access can elevate what would be an otherwise unused or unaccustomed space into a fairly frequented one, be it by yourself or your guests.
Depending on your local climate, you can even go further with the concept, whether you want colder, calmer illumination for hotter weather or a fire pit arrangement for those at a more chilly location.
5. The Benefits of Indoor Gazing Ambience and Proper Illumination
Even if the weather is not looking too bright, you should still be able to appreciate and enjoy a well-built outdoor space. A well-placed window with a complete view of your garden or front lawn is great, but keeping a good quality illumination even during those outdoor-unfriendly days is better.
After all, why wouldn’t you want your hard-earned home to look as best it can be at all times?
How to Apply Proper Exterior Illumination for your Current or Upcoming Architecture Project or Development
The good thing about illumination is that it’s a flexible, low-cost implementation compared to post-building add-ons. Yes, knowing about it before construction happens and thinking ahead with modeling software, lighting engines, and expert design consultation is excellent—and you should very much do so whenever possible. Still, if you happen to read this with a project done and ready, you need not worry.
Giving your development an in-depth up and down even after months or even years of living in it can give you a valid second opinion about what works and what could work even better, from structures needing focus to areas lacking in contrasts. You’d be surprised how much you can update when you sit down and have a look.
Whatever the case, I think you got the point by now. Your dream home needs the best highlights and shadows like any self-respecting money shot or high-end model photoshoot.
We might as well do our part and give them the proper treatment.