DECKS
Outdoor lighting along pathways and stairs is essential for keeping a backyard safe after dark, particularly if you’re hosting guests who aren’t familiar with your backyard terrain. “Ensure that the edges of all level changes are lit to keep partygoers from taking a tumble,” Cox says. Use low-voltage LED lighting on steps or embedded in gravel walkways so you’re able to see without being blinded, and ensure that pendant or string lights are high enough that people won’t walk into them. Those with pools or water features will want to illuminate these as well so guests can steer clear of the edges.
Create an enchanting ambiance with lit pathways that cast a soft glow and lead the way for guests to walk. Not only will you set the mood perfectly, but it also makes it easy to see where you’re going once darkness falls. Stagger the lights on both sides of your pathway to create balance, and set them back slightly to illuminate the path as well as the surrounding landscape. “For pathway illumination, I’d advise using indirect lighting rather than an exposed bulb or lens,” Cox says. For example, the elegant pathway lights shown here create downward pools of light to illuminate the pathway and plantings at this Southwestern residence.
Much as you would indoors, you can use lighting to cast a glow from above with pendant lights providing direct illumination over a conversation area, such as an outdoor dining or seating space. Start by deciding whether you’d like to use one or more pendants. A single light works well over a living area, while a few pendants strung next to each other will light a long dining table beautifully. When it comes to pergolas and gazebos, where there’s no “ceiling” to hang lights from, use string lights instead to help define the space and create an overhead glow. “Outdoor lighting is instrumental in transforming an outdoor space into a true exterior room,” Emily Cox of South Carolina-based Onyx Design Collaborative says. “It can set the mood, define spatial boundaries and highlight the beauty of both landscape and architectural textures in a manner that celebrates the best of being outside.” Bonus tip: It’s worth ensuring that any pendant lights you choose have an additional chain so they don’t swing in high winds, while string lights can be secured to a sturdy wire if your backyard is breezy.
Soapstone. Soapstone can also make the transition from indoors to outdoor use. It’s a nonporous stone that is both heat- and stain-resistant. Your color choices are limited to grays, blacks and some greens, which can be hotter than light-colored materials. Soapstone doesn’t need to be sealed, but applying mineral oil will help cover fingerprints, oil stains and small nicks and scratches. It can be cleaned with soap and water. It is usually more expensive than other choices.
A landscape screen is a simple way to block an unsightly view, add privacy, define a space or even provide decorative interest. You can turn almost any material into a screen. Wood or lattice may be the first things to come to mind. Take the time to explore something more decorative, from metal to glass or fabric. A row of planters filled with tall grasses or small trees could serve as a living alternative. Why You Should Consider a Landscape Screen for Your Yard
Composite boards. Composite boards, seen here, are engineered products that are a mixture of wood fibers and plastic; a lot of the material comes from recycled plastic grocery bags. Some companies use old shredded carpets for wood fillers. Newer composite boards are wrapped in a thin plastic layer so they won’t stain or fade. These are more expensive than wood boards but often come with a warranty of 20 to 25 years, are low maintenance and can be made to look almost identical to any species of wood out there. Plus, they stay the same color as the day you installed them.
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