Over a 20 year landscaping career, outdoor lighting technologies and design approaches have changed tremendously in Perth gardens. The shift towards sustainability and energy efficiency is clear while options for customising ambience to suit lifestyle needs have expanded exponentially. Let’s explore some of the ways standards and possibilities in exterior residential lighting have progressed to meet contemporary desires.
The rise of solar lighting
Whereas lighting fixtures relied completely on wired electrical connections in decades past, today over 40% of the fixtures specified in garden designs are solar powered LED lights. The dropping cost and massive improvements in solar technology, battery storage capacity and LED brightness make them the predominant choice for pathways, accent features and security lighting.
Solar options can standalone or sync with smart home systems, operating self-sufficiently without wiring trenching while recharging efficiently even in winter. They provide immense flexibility compared to high-voltage mains connections.
Emphasis on zone lighting
Another positive shift is specifying lighting requirements and features according to usage zones. Rather than uniformly bright floodlighting, customised ambience matches how spaces function. Bright task lighting aids safe access and wayfinding along entries, paths and stairs while lower intensity accent lighting highlights architectural details and landscaping without glare.
Directed flood lighting and adjustable spotlighting cater to entertaining zones like alfresco dining spaces or multimedia rooms only as required instead of permanently. Automated controls add convenience. Segmented zoned lighting prevents energy waste balancing the atmosphere with sustainability.
Warmer colour temperature
The harsh cold white light of traditional metal halide and early LED lighting feels outdated against the enhanced colour rendering provided by newer warm white, amber and tunable options available. These recreate sunset hues, firelight glows and moonglow which feel more natural and inviting for human relaxation. Bright cool light suits utility spaces like garages while living areas favour warmer, fully customisable spectrum lighting control.
The possibilities for customising outdoor lighting to complement landscape design aesthetics and homeowner lifestyle continue expanding rapidly to enhance Perth gardens in coming years through:
Increasing automation
Home automation systems today not only control lighting power states, intensity levels and hue preferences, but dynamically adjust to environmental conditions like sunlight fading and inclement weather. This automation both maximises function and minimises energy use aligning with sustainability. Upcoming capabilities include:
- Motion activated illumination
- Gradual sunrise/sunset lighting transitions
- Auto-shutoff safeguards to prevent unnecessary lighting
- Integration with alarm systems and video monitoring
Improved materials
The materials comprising lighting fixtures and mounts offer greater choice, efficiency and longevity than ever:
- LED component life spans over 50,000 hours drastically reduce replacement needs
- Improved manufacturing standards prevent colour shift or lumen degeneration
- Sleek yet durable metals, weather-resistant composites, and shatterproof lens protect against elements
- Expanded finishes like stone, wood, oxidised metals harmonise with garden aesthetics
- Stylish shapes range from classic to modern Minneapolis to avant garde
Whether desiring a total smart lighting overhaul or enhancing ambience in beloved garden sanctuaries, Perth properties gain immensely from incorporating leading lighting principles for both beauty and sustainability all through the night.
Conclusion
In little over a decade, the quality and sustainability of exterior lighting has advanced enormously, saving energy expenses for Perth homeowners while supporting superior ambience, control and personalisation. Continued progression in smart technology integration lies ahead! Consult a quality landscape designer when planning exterior lighting renovations to discover the latest innovations suiting contemporary lifestyles under Australian night skies.
