Interplay of light and shadow in the Garden setting

Interplay of light and shadow in the Garden setting

By Mike Gambino

In outdoor Garden settings such as residential backyards, the effects of light and shadow are more pronounced. Too much light and the yard can become antiseptic and sterile the lit like a ball park look. It can feel more like a generic public park than a private residence. Too much shadow and the yard can become close and oppressive. It becomes more like a cave than a backyard capable of enjoyment. Small spaces are made to feel even smaller. However, when the right balance of shadow and light is achieved, even the smallest of yards can feel large. Light and shadow textures the walls, draws the eye, and provides a sense of depth to a space.

The position of your eyes on your face gives you the ability to see in three dimensions. Shadow and light allows your eyes to make sense of what they see. The combination of shadow and light creates depth in space. When properly used, it can create the illusion of space. When considering lighting options, you should always consider how the created-shadows fall. This is why landscape lighting designers pay close attention to the position of area and accent lighting.

Bright lights create stark shadows. Dim lights create less-defined shadows. Landscape lighting designers know this, and so, they typically use a combination of light strengths to create a blending effect. This effect provides depth and pleases the eye. Your garden lighting should do the same. Do not simply buy the cheapest light you can find at the store. Landscape lighting designers build their systems with different combinations of lights from higher wattage brighter lights to lower wattage dimmer lights. By combining the two, your private garden space will become a pleasing retreat in which to spend a quiet night.

You will be spending a large portion of your time at your home. If you work during the day then most of the time will be spent after the sun has gone down. Though it is nice for your home to be pleasing to others, it is more important that you are pleased with it. Do not sacrifice your own comfort in favor of accepted inferior lighting design practices. When it comes to light and shadow, create a space where you fill comfortable. A home should be a retreat where you can relax and allow the stress of the day to evaporate. Find what pleases you and you’re your landscape lighting designer incorporate it into your landscape design.

Spending money on landscape lighting design elements is well worth it, but you should take steps to protect your investment by engaging the services of your original installer to provide after care for your system. If your installer doesn’t offer after care service, find another installer who does.

Gambino landscape lighting provides comprehensive landscape lighting maintenance packages on all systems they install that will allow you to rest easy at night knowing your investment is protected and is working at its optimum peak.

This landscape lighting blog is published by Mike Gambino of Gambino landscape lighting inc. all rights reserved. Mike is a professional landscape lighting system designer/ builder and has been designing, installing and maintaining landscape lighting systems for more than 20 years. Mike resides in the Los Angeles area with his wife and 2 sons. To visit his website go to www.gambinolighting.com . To inquire about hiring Mike please click here .

Blog articles may be published with permission on other websites without editing or removing links.

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