Outdoor lighting is something that businesses invest in selectively. Some businesses go all-out and you can see their buildings glittering in the evening like a magical corporate wonderland. Of course, it's just LEDs on brick and plant life, but it looks incredible and the image stands out in the mind when people drive by during the day.
But there are also other reasons why businesses invest in outdoor lighting design: for safety, to make the grounds more welcoming to late-night employees, and to create unique outdoor spaces. Whether you have unlit spaces or are using old incandescent or fluorescent lighting, an LED redesign is a great idea. LEDs are low-cost, low-power, color-versatile, and they shine at a cool temperature which makes them safe for outdoor use.
Today, we're exploring five of the top reasons why businesses choose to revamp their outdoor lighting design into something both beautiful and functional when the sun goes down.
1) Your Company Has Night Shift and Late Shift Employees
Your company grounds are an important asset, especially as employee wellness comes into the spotlight. Spending lunch in the peaceful quiet of your outdoor area or taking a brisk walk around the building path can significantly improve both job satisfaction and physical health. There is also the general safety of lighting your outdoor areas when people are working at night.
If your business or building regularly has night shift and late shift employees, then outdoor lighting is a must. Whether people are walking in from the parking lot or taking their breaks where they can get some fresh air, outdoor lighting enhances your landscaping and ensures your late-night employees can traverse the grounds safely.
2) Daylight Savings: Employees Often Arrive Before Dawn or Leave After Dark
Here in the Northeast, the days get noticeably shorter in the winter months meaning that early-morning employees often come in before the sun has risen and employees who leave in the evening often go home in full darkness. This means that your outdoor lighting isn't just for people specifically working late shifts, it's a safety recommendation for everyone's well-being.
At the very least, you will want to light the pathways from the building to the parking lots with energy-efficient LEDs. But you can also maximize your landscaping by reinventing the outdoor lighting for your entire grounds. Maybe an employee will find their after-work peace walking your gently lit garden paths before heading home. And many fitness-oriented professionals enjoy an early walk to get blood pumping to the brain before work. Make this inviting and safe for them with LED lighting.
3) Flexible Scheduling and Salaried Workers Come In Anytime
Another variation of late night or very early morning employees are those that set their own schedules. Salaried workers have almost always had the option to work whatever hours are necessary to get the job done. And modern work schedules have opened the door for flexible hours where hourly employees also come in for whatever shift works best for them.
When you can't predict the hours your employees will work, why not plan to host them around the clock? After all, employees who can work the hours when they are most awake and available are more likely to give you their best work. LEDs are a low-cost way to make sure your around-the-clock employees stay safe outdoors.
4) You are Creating Outdoor Workspaces with Ample Light
Outdoor workspaces are all the rage. With their proven benefits to productivity and job satisfaction, many businesses are nestling desks in the landscaping and extending the wifi signal to empower employees to spend a few of their hours each day working outdoors instead of in the office. Of course, a shady working space may also be dim, especially on cloudy days.
Strategic and attractive LED lighting designs can enhance your outdoor working spaces to create just the right balance of nature and technology for productive focus. LEDs can be bright or dim, and you can even choose a wide variety of colors for a spectacular outdoor workspace design.
5) You Want Your Building to Stand Out in the Evenings
Lastly and perhaps the most common reason to redesign your outdoor lighting is simply that you want your building to look exquisite at night. It's hard to forget a truly well-lit building, especially when each aspect of the landscaping is uniquely and attractively illuminated.
People who drive by experience a good feeling and staff are proud to have the privilege of a little time in your thoughtfully-lit landscape before or after work. If you want to have one of those buildings that stands out on night drives and causes people to point out during the day and say "That's the beautiful building we saw last night," then a new affordable LED outdoor lighting design is exactly the way to do it.
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If you are considering redesigning your outdoor LED lighting, contact us today. Our team would be honored to help you craft a new lighting experience that will make your grounds both safe and attractive while the sun is down.
