Larsen-Hoffman: Adding Safety and Beauty to Your Outdoor Space

Lighting your yard or driveway can add interesting ambience and depth to any home.  Whether you are interested in adding some extra security to your home or simply trying to add some patio illumination for summer barbeques, Larsen-Hoffman has the experience and understanding for your outdoor lighting project. 

There are two basic types of outdoor lighting.  The first is basic security lighting.  Security lighting is designed to light up a yard in order to deter intruders and provide light for opening doors and unloading vehicles.  If poorly arranged and aligned, security lighting can create glare which actually obstructs vision and thus cuts down on security.  Improperly installed outdoor lighting can also be intrusive for neighbors and even a home’s occupants.  Larsen-Hoffman recommends thoroughly investigating where you intend your security lights to go to considering whether you want the lights to be motion-sensitive, on a timer, or connected to a light switch on the inside of your home.

The other kind of outdoor lighting is called low voltage lighting and is used for landscaping and ambient illumination.  There are many advantages to installing low voltage lighting in your backyard rather than stronger lights.  Low voltage lighting is specifically designed to make outdoor spaces pleasant both night and day.  Fixtures are either designed to be aesthetically pleasing or hidden so they are not unattractive during the daytime.  Gardens look different at night than they do in the day so when properly placed, low voltage lighting will add depth and beauty to your garden or landscape.  There are many kinds of low voltage lighting including uplighting, downlighting, and backlighting for adding depth, beauty and safety lighting on paths and stairways.  If you are interested in adding softer lighting to your yard but are unsure as to how to continue, Larsen-Hoffman is happy to offer advice or the names of some excellent landscape designers and architects.

For all your outdoor lighting needs, call Larsen-Hoffman.  Our 35 years of experience can make any yard or driveway a warm and welcoming place.  Call us at (650) 424-0456.