| I'll bet you know that solar outdoor lighting is the | | | | their yard or garden, but never get to it - or |
| most beautiful lighting available, with an ambient | | | | worse yet, never even think of it! That's a |
| glow that no other type of lighting can match. I'll | | | | shame, because you miss a lot of enjoyment by |
| bet you also know that solar outdoor lighting is | | | | not being able to fully use the rest of your yard |
| the most economical and hassle-free lighting to | | | | and garden after dark. You tend to not use an |
| purchase and install. Almost everyone knows this! | | | | area as much, if you can't see it fully. The same |
| But in spite of the fact that most people know | | | | goes for your deck, your porch, the water |
| the above, many of them continue to make | | | | feature areas. And you miss a lot of the drama |
| some very common mistakes. Here's what they | | | | of backlit and/or downlit areas in your most |
| are, and how to avoid them... | | | | attractive landscape trees and shrubs, all of which |
| Mistake #1. Buying too many solar lights at one | | | | can be done quickly and inexpensively. Too bad! |
| time. This is probably the most common mistake. | | | | Mistake #4. Putting solar lights only in your garden. |
| After all, you can't have too much of a good | | | | This is not a serious problem, because you get |
| thing, right? Many people love the appearance of | | | | the most enjoyment from solar lighting when it's |
| a yard or garden they've seen and admired | | | | in the areas that you use the most. For example, |
| somewhere, with an enchanting array of colorful | | | | you'll use the pool more if you have installed |
| solar lights. They immediately buy a large | | | | enough solar lights to get the full dramatic effect |
| assortment of solar lights - accent light, deck | | | | of them. The same goes for the deck, and your |
| lights, pathway lights, etc., and when they get | | | | water feature area, not to mention the fact that |
| them all in place (this takes only a few minutes), | | | | these areas become much safer, when lit |
| they find their yard doesn't match their | | | | attractively. You're also missing the enjoyment of |
| expectations. They haven't thought things | | | | seeing your front yard stand out from the others |
| through, and while their yard and garden look | | | | in the neighborhood, and knowing that it's the |
| better than they did before, it isn't quite what | | | | envy of them all! You'll feel a special pride every |
| they had in mind. You're better off to consider | | | | time you drive into your driveway, when you see |
| each area of your yard as a separate entity, and | | | | the elegant Victorian-style solar lamp post you put |
| tackle each of them individually. When you do this, | | | | in as the centerpiece of the yard! Also an outline |
| you only focus on one area at a time, and you | | | | of solar accent lights lining the drive or walkway |
| learn by your mistakes as you go along. For | | | | sets them apart from all the others on the block. |
| example, once your front yard looks the way | | | | Nothing else beats that feeling! |
| you expected, then it's time to go on to the | | | | Mistake #5. Just set 'em and forget 'em. This is a |
| driveway area, and so forth. This systematic way | | | | common mistake, but one that's easily remedied. |
| works better in the long run, and costs less as | | | | Most people put their solar lighting in place, and |
| well. | | | | never move them again. What a waste! You just |
| Mistake #2. Not buying enough solar lights to do | | | | may, by sheer luck, put every light in exactly the |
| the job. This is probably the second most | | | | right place the first time - but don't count on it! |
| common mistake. Many people buy a few solar | | | | Chances are you can improve things by a little |
| lights without much thought, and stick them in the | | | | experimentation; try adding a few solar fence |
| ground. It costs only a little, takes only a minute | | | | post solar lights to your landscape fence around |
| or two to install in place, and looks pretty good - | | | | your property, for a dramatic look to your whole |
| so they quit at that point, way before reaching | | | | yard! Or perhaps add a solar shed light to your |
| the full potential effect. Installing a row of solar | | | | garden shed, or the side of your garage. The |
| accent lights to outline your driveway or walk will | | | | possibilities are endless, but you'll never experience |
| cost only a few dollars more, and a few more | | | | them unless you try them. Solar lights can be |
| minutes to install, for a huge increase in total | | | | moved in minutes, and the results can be so |
| impact! Since you don't need to install electric | | | | spectacular that you should move them often! |
| wiring to light up your night, and you don't need to | | | | Also, try moving them for the best effect for |
| pay big electrical bills (make that no electric bill!) to | | | | your special events, such as pool parties, evening |
| operate the solar lights, make sure you get | | | | barbecues, and so forth. Your visitors will notice |
| enough of them to do the job right! | | | | and be impressed - and so will you! |
| Mistake #3. Putting solar lights in only your front | | | | All in all, solar lighting is your best alternative for |
| yard. This approach is tempting, as it does show | | | | outdoor lighting, and even though the above |
| off your yard to it's best effect to the | | | | mistakes are common, they are all easily |
| neighborhood, and get's everyone's attention. | | | | remedied. Perhaps the worst mistake of all would |
| However, a lot of people who use this approach | | | | be to not use solar lighting for all your outdoor |
| intend to extend their solar lighting to the rest of | | | | lighting needs. Now that would really be a shame! |