Your driveway is an important part of your home. Ensuring it is well-lit creates ambiance, makes it safer to walk around at night, and improves security. There is no formula for lighting your driveway. Nonetheless, it is the first thing you or guests see when arriving at your home. Whether your goal is to increase visibility, ambiance, or safety, here are some effective driveway lighting ideas to turn your entry space into a true gateway.
1. LED Lighting
There are no limits to LED lights in terms of design flexibility. While being efficient and long-lasting, they will brighten your driveway. You can use LED lantern lights that can be incorporated into your overall landscape design.
2. In-Ground Landscape Lighting
In-ground lighting is best for long driveways. It can be placed at the base of vegetation and placing lights all around the driveway can create a perimeter effect for your home.
3. Mix and Match Lighting Styles
Combining different types of outdoor lighting in tandem is a good idea. An example would be placing tall, lean bollard lights on the edges and wall lights on exterior walls. You’ll therefore get lighting from every angle. Similarly, you can combine light posts of different heights across the driveway area.
4. Modernize Your Driveway
In-ground canned or recessed lights along the driveway’s length, ceiling lights near gates and garages, and complementing bollard lights and garage wall lights can create a contemporary feel. Lantern posts work as well. You can go minimalist and still get ample lighting.
5. Pillar Lights
Pillar lights can accentuate wrought iron gates and other luxurious entryways. They complement down can lights and ground up lights. Also, pillar lights can be incorporated with any outdoor column.
6. Spotlights
Spotlights provide excellent illumination and are inherently bright (they are the brightest driveway lights available). You’ll have no worries about visibility, while spotlights can create a variety of effects to enhance your landscaping.
7. Save Space
Smaller driveways may not have room for elaborate lighting configurations. But you can install circular wall lights and smaller LED fixtures to get enough lighting for visibility and to greet visitors as they arrive.
8. Create a Vintage Look
Going traditional or vintage adds character. Some ideas include torch wall sconces to create an old-world vibe. This works well between garage doors. You can go industrial or rustic as well with larger outdoor wall lights with metallic finishes and large arms.
9. Guide Lights
You can use ground lights for more than landscaping. When installed within the driveway surface, on the edges, they serve as a guide for driving and walking. Guide lights require less room than bollard or path lights.
10. Create a Boundary
Perimeter lighting can help people park their cars or even walk around the driveway. These work in many environments, whether used in an urban setting or for a suburban or rural home.
Contact an Outdoor/Landscape Lighting Specialist
At Over the Moon, we specialize in all types of outdoor lighting. Our team can help design, install, and repair driveway lights, path lights, floodlights, sconces, fixtures, and security lighting. To schedule service or discuss your driveway lighting ideas, feel free to schedule service online or call us at 262-240-6519 today.