It’s that time of year again. Summer is fading and days are growing shorter. Most of us will be spending more time indoors than out. Here are some ways to improve your views and brighten your dusky evenings.

All it takes is a little lighting to reduce reflections and help you see through glass windows. If you have a terrace, deck, or patio that’s been landscaped and you can see from your kitchen or another room, it expands your sense of space. Now that makes for HAPPINESS! If you are in a condo and can add lighting onto your patio, the same holds true. A string of lights along the fence is all it takes!

Exterior lighting not only serves as a simple way to extend your indoor living, but provides that added layer of security to your property. From a safety perspective, lighted walkways can protect users from grade and material changes. Now that’s functional! Most importantly there is something magical about exterior lighting and how it changes your mood – even if it’s cold and rainy. A simple strand of lights does the job well.

The biggest trend changing how people illuminate outdoor spaces is the rise of portable, rechargeable LED or sustainable lights. You can even go solar!

Some companies to check out are: Zafferon, Smart and Green USA, Fermob, LightCraftOutdoor, and Outdoor Lighting. Many are bluetooth activated for on, off, and dimming – wifi controlled. For example, suspend illuminated spheres in trees, orbs along walkways, and choose fun options for tabletops other than just candles. Color changing lights also fit into this category for seasonal and themed entertaining, making it an easy way to change things up. How to make your lighting smart? You can do this simply by using a smart bulb or a smart switch to control an area. You control from while away!

No need to think about blasting your garden with floodlights. Choose subtle, glare-free illumination with light focused on different areas and functions. With this, you get lots of contrast between the light and the dark which allows you to see more and feel even better whether inside or out.

Warm-white color temperatures at 2,700 Kelvin as well as low-wattage fixtures that aren’t blinding are great options. Fixtures that consume less than 2.5 watts each is all you need. Before placing the big order, purchase one light to test. That 2,700 Kelvin can vary a bit form company to company. Light Craft has great diagrams showing the coverage you get with various sources. You may find the equivalent for less expensive producing the same results at Lowes or Home Depot.

When lighting, think about the following options:

Illuminate paths with a variety of lights

Illuminate trees with lights

Hang pendants or lanterns suspended over pergolas and railings

String lights from tree to tree or pole to pole

What a great time of year to test these out.

Cheers to lighting up your fall!