Task Lighting is Great; Flood Lights are Criminal
Why Task Lighting is the Superior Choice for Your Outdoor Space
Want to hear how Loudoun Lighting recently advised a client in Leesburg to spend less and get more?
TL;DR: Loudoun Lighting recently transformed a client's outdoor space by advising against installing a traditional flood light in favor of a more sophisticated and functional task lighting solution. This approach not only met the client’s specific needs—enhancing his outdoor cooking area—but also avoided the harsh, intrusive effects of flood lighting. By integrating a high-quality, dimmable, and color-changing LED fixture into the existing low voltage system, we saved the client money and improved the functionality and aesthetics of his outdoor space, proving that thoughtful lighting design can meet both practical needs and sophisticated tastes.
A Common Outdoor Lighting Request
When a Leesburg client reached out to Loudoun Lighting, they had a simple request: install a floodlight on the back of their home. While this is a common request in Northern Virginia, from Great Falls to Purcellville, floodlights can often be overkill, creating harsh, intrusive light that impacts both the ambiance and neighbors' comfort.
While I always love when a client calls looking for our help, I have to admit my first thought was “Nope. No, I can’t in good conscience do it.” That’s right, I think of installing flood lights on a home as something that is done to someone; like a crime is committed against someone. As soon as the request came in, a flurry of questions raced through my mind:
Does the house already have the necessary electrical wiring and a box for the flood light?
Is there an existing flood light that needs replacement, or is this a new installation?
How tall is the house and where exactly does the client want the light installed? This would determine the complexity of the installation and potential insurance considerations.
Our Solution: Task Lighting for Targeted Illumination
Instead of the standard floodlight, we recommended a refined task lighting solution tailored to the client’s specific needs: illuminating their outdoor grilling area. This client is an avid chef who also loves to grill and use his smoker year round. This approach allowed us to focus on functionality and aesthetics, creating a warm, inviting space that blends seamlessly into the existing low voltage landscape lighting system.
Task Light providing down light on outdoor cooking area.
Why Flood Lights Aren’t Always the Best Choice
Now, back to why it’s a crime to put flood lighting on a home. For one, they can annoy neighbors with unwanted brightness that spills over property lines. Our Leesburg client even mentioned how his neighbor’s floodlight affected his own deck experience—a situation we definitely wanted to avoid replicating. Task lighting, on the other hand, provides targeted illumination without the overpowering glare of traditional flood lights.
The Installation: A Custom, Integrated Lighting Solution
We installed a high-quality, dimmable, color-changing LED fixture, seamlessly integrating it into the client's existing lighting. This thoughtful design saved money and improved the overall ambiance and usability of the outdoor space. By choosing task lighting over a floodlight, our client gained a more pleasant outdoor area without compromising on brightness or safety.
Choosing Task Lighting for Aesthetic and Practical Benefits
If you’re considering outdoor lighting in Northern Virginia, remember that subtle task lighting can offer both practical benefits and aesthetic appeal. At Loudoun Lighting, we believe in enhancing outdoor spaces with solutions that work in harmony with the environment, neighbors, and existing designs. Contact Loudoun Lighting today to discuss your outdoor lighting needs.