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Dilemas de diseño
austennut

Need help designing an outdoor lighting scheme

austennut
hace 10 años
We would like to add lighting to our house, particularly by the stairs to make it safer for visitors at night. I would also like to have the address numbers lighted (either by having a spotlight or downlight on the numbers or getting a new set, like these http://www.lightinguniverse.com/address-lights/sea-gull-lighting-9600-26-address-light_g11379.html?isku=271429?linkloc=cataLogProductItemsName ).

We live in the upper part of the house, but the basement is rented out. I've come up with a few different options, but am really kind of floundering here and would love others' insights and input.

1) Put some post lights (maybe like these http://www.lightingdirect.com/nuvo-lighting-60-4908-adams-single-light-post-lantern-finished-in-rustic-bronze-with-frosted-glass-panels/p1999088 ) on the caps of the stairs. Use 6 (1 on either side) or 3 (1 on alternating caps), or...? Then put a downlight on the house numbers (currently on the white columns on the right side).

2) Put a downlight on the columns on both sides of the house, highlighting that architectural feature while keeping it rather symmetrical looking. Add house numbers for the rental unit on the lower left hand side. Maybe do strip lighting for the stairs, or 2 or 3 post lights (all on the right hand side of the stairs)?

3) Put a spotlight in the tree (either between the sidewalk and the street, or in the trees directly by the stairs) and have it pointing downwards, plus lighted address numbers (maybe centered on the top of the porch).

Or do we do a combination of post lights, strip lighting, tree lighting... Grrr! Help would be greatly appreciated!
Respuesta destacada
  • PRO
    Night Light, Inc.
    hace 10 años
    Última modificación: hace 10 años
    Austennut, Glad you're putting some thought into your lighting.

    For safety and aesthetic reasons it's important to be able to control the amount and direction of the light. It is best just to cast the light directly onto the objects you're concerned with - the stairs in particular. Post lights can't do that effectively - especially if they are mounted at eye level. Looking into them will make your pupils contract. Then everything outside of that beacon will appear black, which is obviously the opposite of what you want. The point is to conceal the source of the light, but illuminate the intended object.

    To cast light onto the surface of the steps use what are called "path lights". With a properly chosen, quality fixture you will only need one on the left near close to the bottom step, and perhaps one on the right in the corner of the raised be where it meets the public sidewalk. Those two will illuminate the bottom three steps and the entire walk just fine.

    Then to illuminate the upper steps consider a pin-spot tucked up into the eaves shining straight down. A professional quality shielded fixture (as opposed to what are called "spotlight" bulbs) will keep the light from shining in someones eyes as they walk up the stairs.

    A discreet "up-light" on the tree to the right is optional, but would look nice.

    Here are some examples of path lights and uplights as well as a downward-directed spotlight (on the columns and table).

    • Comentarios (6)

    • PRO
      Lights Online
      hace 10 años
      You have some really great ideas for outdoor lighting! Many people neglect to illuminate the outside of their home, even though it can help a nice house like yours look even better and improve safety.

      Point number 1 is a really good one for safety's sake. It seems like there isn't a lot of light around those stairs when it gets dark, which could be bad for people trying to get home! Perhaps just one light on each side could provide enough illumination to help people see.

      But point number 2 is also good--outdoor lighting can be used to highlight interesting features of the home.

      Do add numbers for the rental unit so people can clearly see where it is. Lighting the home number is also a good idea.

      We have some great guides to outdoor lighting along with a huge selection of lights. Start here: http://www.lightsonline.com/how-to-plan-your-outdoor-lighting/
      austennut agradeció a Lights Online
    • PRO
      Night Light, Inc.
      hace 10 años
      3rd image
      austennut agradeció a Night Light, Inc.
    • austennut
      Autor original
      hace 10 años
      Thank you very much for the feedback. In terms of path lighting, most of what I have found is the kind that you stick in the ground. Since these are concrete and brick steps/surrounds, is there a way to get the path lighting to work with that? Or do I need to find a different type of lighting altogether for that part?
    • PRO
      Night Light, Inc.
      hace 10 años
      There are integral light fixtures that are especially made to be mounted on stair risers, columns and posts. Ideally the wiring and mounting is done while the structures are being built so that the wires don't show. Look up landscape lighting fixtures on the web to find some.

      Perhaps a downlight in the tree or downlights in your eaves may be a good solution. Attached is an image from the web of the type of fixture I'm talking about, as well as an image from the web as to the lighting effect of downlighting from the eaves. These are just illustrative examples, not our work and not endorsing any particular fixture.
      austennut agradeció a Night Light, Inc.
    • PRO
      Olson Weaver Lighting Design and Install
      hace 6 años

      In this application I would emphasize the steps, primarily to make the entryway safer and more inviting, and the address. Down the road you could potentially uplight the tree on the right, but I would also look for another (possibly a new tree) on the left to highlight to balance the design. The best way to light the steps would be to use solid brass puck fixtures on both sides of each wall on the stairwell. Hadco offers a decent product that would work. I would use 2 (one on either side) for the lower set of steps, and 4 for the upper set of steps. To install, drill through the wall with an 18inch hammerdrill bit (if you angle it, you may be able to bring the wire directly into the landscape bed).


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