Backyard Lighting New Lighting Option s Makeover Outdoor living

Outdoor living spaces are

turning as warm and cozy as the family

room, whether you can enjoy them for

two months or twelve. In the latest

outdoor makeovers, indoor style has fast

become an outdoor phenomenon, from

growth in exterior kitchens to

advancements in outdoor furniture,

lighting solutions and more.

"As consumers continue to 'nest'

within the comforts of their homes,

outdoor sanctuaries have become the

new rooms to live and entertain in, from

dawn to dusk and well beyond," said

Maria Burk, Kichler Landscape Lighting

product manager."When you invest in

beautiful outdoor areas, you should

incorporate your own personal taste,

and highlight the best features of your

home and garden."

To ensure the functionality and flair

of outdoor spaces, selecting lighting is

among the most important outdoor

decor decisions a homeowner can make.

Fortunately, an innovative array of

outdoor lighting options have evolved to

complement a variety of tastes, making

outdoor illumination a walk in the park.

Coordinate lighting styles

throughout the yard for a

cohesive look

Matching deck lights, path lights,

garden accessories and other specialty

landscape lighting fixtures helps create a

cohesive look that both enhances your

investment and heightens the enjoyment

of outdoor living.Think about the style

and mood you want to create outdoors,

and purchase lighting solutions that

follow that theme.

Kichler is the first to offer

coordinating outdoor lighting fixtures

and accessories with the introduction of

Garden Collections, six complete outdoor

lighting families made with the most

durable materials and finishes to

withstand the harsh effects of both time

and weather. From an English garden to a

rustic lodge to a relaxed tropical setting,

the Collections include everything you

need to set the stage, including lamppost

toppers, path lights, lighted bird baths,

lighted obelisks and statues, and even a

spin on the popular gazing ball.

Create a focal point that

highlights your outdoor motif

Just as a chandelier creates focus in

your foyer, build a centerpiece for your

outdoor decor.Think about where you'll

be spending the most time and which

areas may need more light. If you'll be

spending a lot of time on a covered

outdoor patio, outdoor chandeliers create

a beautiful focus by bringing functionality

and building aesthetic appeal.

Install sconces approved for

indoor and outdoor use

Sconces have long added the perfect

amount of glow to frame large rooms and

doorways indoors.Why not apply the

same concept outdoors? With matching

chandeliers, these outdoor-friendly pieces

take exterior living to the next level.

Let accessories shine -

in more ways than one

Outdoor accessories regularly add

beauty to your lawn and garden, but let

the accessories really shine by selecting

elements that highlight themselves or

serve dual purposes. Instead of opting for

a traditional plant potter, try something

like Kichler's Gate House lit urn.

Complete with a water pump, this elegant

urn adds beauty to the garden by

illuminating live potted plants. If it's a

touch of Zen you're looking for, add a

little bit of glow to the traditional figure

with Kichler's Zen Gardener figure,

complete with a 12-volt lantern in hand.

Use outdoor lamps to add

atmosphere and build ambience

For an updated look with flexibility,

outdoor portable lamps are the perfect

option.Westwood Collections offers

portable lamps with whimsical designs

and nature-inspired themes. U.L. listed for

wet locations, there's no need to bring

them indoors when it pours.

Opt for easy-to-install, low-voltage

lighting systems

For the best results, install low-voltage

lighting systems rather than solar lighting.

Using just 12 volts of electricity, lowvoltage

lighting out-shines solar lighting

because it "throws" the light better, so you

notice the lighting effect, not just the

light itself.Also, solar lights fade, but lowvoltage

systems allow you to control

when the lights will be on or off. Best of

all, they're relatively easy to install.

So, are you ready to get to work? With

these helpful hints in tow, feel free to

take a breath of fresh air.Your yard will

soon be the talk of the neighborhood,

and you'll quickly find why outdoor living

has never looked so good.