A driveway can only be improved with proper lighting. Along with lending a bit of ambience, lighting can also offer homeowners peace of mind, knowing that you can better see who’s entering and exiting your property.
However, there’s no need for you to light it up like an airport runway. All it takes are a few well-placed landscape lights to define your space. Since it’s one of the first things that visitors see upon arriving at your home, it’s a smart idea to choose lights that complement the space.
Here are some creative ways to illuminate your driveway and spruce up your outdoor living area.
4 Amazing Lighting Options for Your Driveway
Are you ready to have extraordinary landscape lighting around your driveway? Consider these options to create the effect you want while allowing you and your visitors to feel like you’re arriving in style.
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1. Floodlights
Floodlights help you and your guests navigate your driveway by keeping the path well lit, while motion detection options make them ideal for security purposes.
The bright lighting they provide makes them perfect to illuminate the darkest parts of your walkway or driveway at night, and their versatility allows them to be hung in garages and entryways.
If you’re worried about your power bill, choose solar-powered floodlights. Alternatively, LED variants offer high luminosity and lower operation and maintenance costs thanks to their longevity.
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2. In-ground Lighting
Also known as well-lights, in-ground lights are circle-shaped landscape lighting fixtures installed, naturally, in the ground. They are popular for illuminating driveways and walkways. These lights highlight any features present in your landscape, like manicured bushes, while making sure you have enough light to drive properly.
These fixtures add a sense of drama wherever they’re installed and illuminate structures and trees in your yard by creating silhouettes.
When installed next to driveways, they allow safer navigation. And when paired with LED bulbs, they offer a crisp colour temperature without increasing your utility expenses.
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3. Path Lighting
These lights offer soft to moderately bright illumination depending on the bulbs you choose.
They’re designed to make it easier to navigate driveways and walkways while also highlighting them.
Path lighting can easily be installed in the ground along both sides of the path. They’re mainly available in solar LED and low voltage options, and contain a decorative bulb unit attached to a short stake that can easily be put into the ground.
Even if your driveway is shaded, path lights stay bright for several hours after sunset owing to their rechargeable solar batteries.
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4. Bollard Lights
It’s a good idea to mix up light sources to balance the lighting around your driveway while ensuring that it’s properly illuminated. Certain driveways can benefit from wall lights or bollards when combined with down lighting. (Remember, the best lighting for your driveway depends on the number of trees you have, the positioning of your house, and how your driveway is laid out.)
These fixtures are generally tall and serve as markers to define the edge of the pathway. Therefore, they need to be placed proportionately to give a cohesive appearance. For best results, consider placing them on alternating sides, as this way your driveway will have optimal lighting without creating a runway effect.
No matter the option you choose, the goal should be to properly illuminate your driveway and potential obstacles to allow you to drive and park safely. Strategic lighting increases safety and adds curb appeal to your property. If you need advice, get in touch with an experienced landscape lighting provider. They can help you choose the best option for your property.