Outdoor lighting can make any area of your landscape appear more welcoming, and you may find this is true with retaining walls in particular. For a Caswell County, NC, landscape, bright lighting can serve both a functional purpose and an aesthetic purpose in that it provides clearer visibility while also making the space appear more beautiful and professionally designed. Here are six ways that outdoor lighting can be incorporated into retaining walls and the benefits of doing so.
Related: 5 Outdoor Lighting Tips for First-Time Homeowners in Caswell County and Granville County, NC
Built-In Lighting
Outdoor lighting can be built into the retaining wall itself. There are a couple of different methods for installing built-in lighting, whether your wall is incorporated into your landscaping or is a free-standing structure. This type of lighting can seamlessly blend with the construction of the retaining wall.
Uplighting
Uplighting is a lighting technique that involves placing a light at the base of the retaining wall and shining it upward. This technique creates shadows that can add depth to the space and is especially useful for highlighting architectural features and the beautiful textures of your structure’s wall stone. The lights also provide lighting toward the base of the structure, which would brighten up the space.
Downlighting
Downlighting is a lighting technique that involves placing a light toward the top of the retaining wall and shining it downwards onto the wall. This method creates depth and adds visibility to the space. It creates a dramatic effect and keeps the light strictly on one side of the wall. If your retaining wall has jagged edges as part of the architectural design, the shadows created are visually appealing and add character to the space.
Spotlighting
Oftentimes, retaining walls bring attention to the flowers or plant bed along the ground or above them if you have a tiered wall system. Spotlighting can help bring attention to the beautiful plantings in this area. Plus, all of the vibrant colors can be seen at all hours of the day. Spotlighting can also be used to highlight other features such as decorative accents, water fountains, or statues that may be located in the plant bed. In addition, if you have house numbers attached to your retaining wall, a spotlight can provide ample lighting so that your guests and emergency personnel will be able to quickly locate your home address when visiting your home.
Stair Lighting
If you have stairs built into your retaining wall, it is essential that they are well-lit. Lighting can be built into the stairs themselves to brighten up each stair. Not only does this have a pleasing visual appearance, but your family and guests will appreciate being able to see the stairs clearly as they navigate their way around your landscape.
Post Lighting
For retaining walls that feature posts or columns as part of the structure, you may want to consider having post lighting added. Post lighting provides plenty of lighting for the surrounding areas. You can also have decorative light fixtures in a variety of finishes such as nickel, bronze, brass, and others. This post lighting adds to the overall aesthetic of your home and can complement your architectural style.