Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor light fixtures plays an essential role in any home. First, outdoor lighting illuminates the way for your home's pathways, doors, and porch and deck areas so that you can be outside without the risk of tripping or falling.

In addition, our outdoor lighting solutions help to keep your home secure — from other people and from animals. A well-lit home helps to thwart intruders and crime.

Outdoor lighting can also add to the style of a home. If you use unique outdoor wall lighting, for example, it can add charm to the house, while proving function too.

Ultimately — and perhaps most importantly — outdoor lighting helps to add curb appeal to your home at night for walkers and drivers passing by while creating ambiance and warmth for all your outdoor living spaces. This lighting is necessary when you want to host outdoor parties and adds a touch of elegance to any event.

If you want to add outdoor lighting to your home, here’s what you need to know to find the best options to fit your style and needs.

Before You Buy

There are several factors that should figure into what outdoor lighting options you go with. This list will help you narrow down the options to find the best look for your home. Here is what to consider:

• Cost

Like with any major design project, you will need to set a budget before you begin shopping. Lighting can range in prices significantly, so by having a clear understanding of what you can afford and how much lighting you need, you will have the best idea of what your options are.

• Style

What is your aesthetic, and what is the style of your home? There are many lighting that will compliment it all, including modern outdoor lighting, iron outdoor lighting, traditional outdoor lighting, coastal outdoor lighting, and mission-style outdoor lighting.

The goal is to find something that compliments the architecture or that carries the style and interior design from the inside to the outside.
In addition, you should consider the shape of the lights you are interested in. Do you prefer round outdoor lights, dome outdoor lights, or lights that have a square shade or covering? Is there a material that appeals to others, such as iron or stainless steel?

• Lighting Type

Do you prefer cool lighting or warm lighting? This decision will ultimately help set the mood for your outdoor living spaces. Warm lighting, for example, adds ambiance and sophistication and helps to highlight the architectural elements of your house.

Cool lighting around the outdoor area of your home is good for security and makes things easier to see when the sun goes down.

• Durability

How well your lights hold up outdoors will depend on what kind of lights you choose. For example, stainless steel outdoor wall lights will hold up better than more delicate materials, especially if they are wet rated, which means they are meant to be used in direct rain or wind.

• Lighting Placement

Another essential question you will need to answer before you start making any purchases is where it will go. Do you want outdoor wall lighting, floodlights, ground lighting, outdoor ceiling lights, outdoor lamps, or hanging lights?

Where you place your outdoor lights will ultimately depend on how you want your lighting to work. Do you want it to light the path to your front door when you get home when it’s dark? If so, you will probably seek some sort of ground lighting.

Do you want to ensure your home is secure from other people or animals? If so, consider floodlights.

Features to Consider

One of the other important features you will need to consider when you are looking at lighting options is how you want your lights to be powered. Your options include:

1. Solar: The pros of solar power lighting are that it runs entirely off the sun, so it won’t add to the bottom line of your power bill each month. In addition, advancements in the strength of solar lights have significantly improved in recent years and there are now long-lasting bulbs and rechargeable batteries.
2. Wired: Outdoor electric lights will provide your home, family, and outdoor living spaces reliable, consistent light as long as the wiring is maintained, and the bulbs replaced when needed. When deciding on the type of lighting, you should also think about whether or not you want lights with sensors. For this type of lighting, you have several options:
3. Motion Sensor Lights: These outdoor lights are good for security because they are triggered to turn on when there is nearby movement.
4. Dusk to Dawn Lights: These lighting options automatically turn on and off with the setting and rising of the sun.
5. Combination Lights: These light fixtures give you the best of both worlds — motion sensor lights and dusk to dawn lights. In addition, you should decide whether or not you need wet-rated or damp-rated lights for your specific outdoor space.
6. Wet Rated: These fixtures can be used anywhere that is directly exposed to wind and rain.
7. Damp Rated: These fixtures are used for outdoor spaces that are somewhat protected, including covered patios and pergolas

The Right Lighting Size

You don’t want lights that are too small for the area. When you are looking at lighting, you should consider the size of lights that will be right for your home.

Door lighting: If you decide to go with one fixture, choose a light that is about one-third the height of your door. If you go with two outdoor fixtures, that size can be about ¼ the height.

Ceiling and Hanging Lights: You want the light you choose to be proportional to the covered porch or patio you plan to use it on.

Post and Pier Mount Lights: For most of these designs, 84” high (or 7 feet) is considered standard.

Whatever your needs are — decoration, security, safety or all three — finding the right outdoor light fixtures can be a significant improvement to any home. Contact us if you need inspiration or any assistance to find the fixture that works best for you.

To learn more information about outdoor lighting, including different types and constructions, read LuxeDecor's comprehensive Outdoor Lighting Buying Guide. We highly recommend you to check interesting ideas of rustic outdoor post lighting to create lovely atmosphere in your home.

Related Categories
Outdoor Wall Lighting | Outdoor Floor Lighting | Outdoor Ceiling Lights | Outdoor Post Lighting | Outdoor Spot Lighting | Landscape Lighting | Outdoor Path Lighting