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Landscape lights are essential to any modern home planning scheme. No longer limited to just plantings and contouring of the land, landscape architects use lights in a functional and decorative way. These applications bring out the beauty of your home's features and make your home safer and more appealing. Often the designer begins with lighting the major plantings of the landscape plan. Trees are lit from near the base and the canopy is lit with broad swaths of diffused light. This gives the overall look of your landscape greater depth and accentuates the height of the trees. Lights can also be used around shrubs and hedges to give dimension to your yard and show off the color and textures of the plants. Illuminating deciduous plants in northern climates is particularly effective because of their characteristically green foliage that persists year round even in snow covered conditions.

Some of the most impressive uses of landscape lighting can be found in the more temperate portions of the country. Who hasn't been enraptured by the alluring lines of a tall palm tree lit majestically against the night sky? Closer to the ground the colorful array of plants and flowers that bloom continuously are able to be appreciated at night because of landscape lighting. Having well positioned lights really makes for a more appealing environment.

Illumination is not limited to just lighting up living plants. Landscape lights can be used to show off ornamental rocks, water features, or to mark off sidewalks or paths. The design of the light fixture itself can add to the landscape as a design element. Whether massive or delicate, a light fixture helps to bring the overall design of your home's outdoor area together. Just like in the interior of your home accessorizing your exterior with well thought out details adds a great deal to the feel of the design. The best thing about lighting as a design element is the fact that it is functional as well and not just for the purpose of ascetics. By lighting the exterior of your home you make it safe for occupants and visitors alike by lighting areas where people gather or pass through. For those less welcome guests, like intruders and burglars, lighting creates an unwelcome environment. With the possible exception of a guard dog, lights are one of the biggest deterrents for those with a criminal intent. Lights also protect your home from nocturnal animals that avoid lighted areas and make infiltrating your home less desirable.

Modern technology has мейд the operation of outdoor lighting more economical than ever. This is particularly true of the solar cell lights and low voltage examples. Solar powered lighting operates at no cost whatsoever. Twelve volt lights operate efficiently and at lower temperatures saving valuable electricity. They are often controlled by photosensitive switches that turn them on at dusk and off at dawn maximizing their effectiveness and efficiency. Once you decide on the type of lighting and how you are going to use it you are well on your way to making your home safer, more attractive and above all getting that all important curb appeal that homeowners seek.

Outdoor lighting can be used on large lawns or small city lots. You can find an application for an urban setting, a suburban landscape, or even illuminating a country estate. Your choices of designing a compelling environment with landscape lights are unlimited and well worth the modest investment to enhance the value of your home and get the most out of your property.

Andy West is a writer on many topics, including home improvement. are an integral part of today's home designs.