Your Villa - Riverside - December 2023-February 2024

D E S I G N + B U I L D 1. Leverage your lighting for security and visibility Well-planned outdoor lighting accomplishes two things. First, it safely and comfortably extends your usable living space. Second, it deters intruders from prowling your property. To pull off this double duty, pay special attention to ensuring all pathways, social spaces and entrances are illuminated. 2. Ensure everything is outdoor-rated Only use bulbs, fixtures, cords and outlets specifically rated for outdoor use. Choosing correctly rated equipment lets you enhance the appeal of your property, highlighting architectural features and landscaping focal points, without risking failure, fire or other calamities. 3. Avoid risky placement Unless specifically designed for it, outdoor lights shouldn’t be directly on grass. Prone to being either wet or tinder dry, adding electricity to grass just isn’t a smart move. Also, if your wiring will be buried, make sure it isn’t under anything highly flammable, such as mulch or woodchips. An experienced electrician can help you find safe and attractive solutions, such as installing directly on concrete or in gravel beds. 4. Respect the maximum wattage Screwing a 100-watt bulb into a fixture with a 75-watt maximum will, at best, waste your money on bulb replacements. You’re also likely to cause permanent damage to the fixture itself. To steer clear of these issues, always choose a bulb where the wattage is equal to or less than the fixture’s maximum. Four tips for safe, stunning outdoor lighting BrandPointContent.com edited by YourVilla Sta For more information, visit mrelectric.com 24 | Your Villa Magazine