If you’ve ever struggled to see the keyhole or unlock your front door after dark, you know how important it is to have outdoor lighting that’s not only functional but also safe. This is important in particular when dealing with children. The proper lighting can also make your home appear welcoming and secure.
A well-lit home can provide comfort, security, and a sense of community to your visitors. A well-lit home will also raise the property value. If you plan to sell your home, consider upgrading your lighting fixtures today.
Cost Effective Lighting
Although most of us probably don’t have the money to invest in highly effective lighting, there are a few things you can do to make your lights as cost-effective as possible:
1. Keep the bulbs clean
2. Replace each light fitting with a LED bulb.
3. Invest in a dimmer switch.
4. Invest in a motion sensor.
5. Make sure your bulbs are the correct wattage for the fixture.
6. Be aware of how much light you need in a room.
7. Pick the right bulbs
Incandescent bulbs are very energy-inefficient, and will cost you a lot in the long run. Fluorescent bulbs use less energy, but aren’t as bright as incandescent.
1. Path Lights
Decorative path lights bring the outdoors in, illuminating your walkway and adding some much-needed ambiance to your home. If you’re looking for a creative way to light up your yard, then this is the one for you.
The designers used LED strip lights to conceal the lights and to reflect motion-sensor LED spotlights into the pool house. Homeowners will never have to worry about changing batteries again because you can plug these lights in, and they require no maintenance.
Path lights can brilliantly illuminate your walkways and pathways while adding style and elegance to your home. You can enclose them in a lampshade like lanterns or open like bare bulbs. They come in many shapes and sizes, which allows you to add them to any landscape design.
By simply placing a few along your pathway, you can welcome guests into your home. Home designers can cleverly place LED strip lights into the edge of a wooden boardwalk to guide guests safely at night from the house to their car.
2. Step lights
Light up the stairway to your front door with this newel-post deck light. LED bulbs shine down on each step, so you can easily see where you’re going. The shielded design reduces glare. Aluminum construction is durable and weather-resistant for long-lasting use.
The purpose of step lights is to illuminate steps that have risers. They help illuminate the steps and provide increased safety to people walking down them in the dark. On a dark night, particularly when there is no moon, it’s hard to see down steps and potential trip hazards. They designed these step lights to help with this problem by making the stairs much easier to see.
3. Lanterns
There are many options for lighting, but one of the easiest ways to add a unique touch to your home is with lanterns. With the use of low-voltage lights and simple materials, you can create stylish lanterns that add a sense of whimsy to your garden or patio.
These lights are the perfect way to create a welcoming space outside and incorporate design elements from inside, like chandeliers and hanging pendant lamps. They’re also great for adding drama to your outdoor dining area, whether you hang them above a table or on a wall. Ideally, place lanterns about 18 inches away from where you want them to shine the most light.
Lanterns are probably the coolest light sources around. The glass enclosures let light bounce around everywhere. The shades filter the light, making it soft and warm. They can have open-flame candles or electric lights and even tiny little bulbs that produce a rainbow of colors. They’re great for lighting walkways, adding sparkle to stoops or porches, bringing some boho-chic style to a chic outdoor space, or hanging in a cluster from trees to make any party feel like a fairy tale.
These lights are of great value when it comes to the planning and design of the outside area. Candle-shaped bulb lanterns are a perfect example of that. They’re excellent for both indoor and outdoor use, thanks to their elegant design. They come in different styles, shapes, sizes, and colors, thus enabling you to choose a specific one that suits your needs best. We can also use lanterns as lighting fixtures above the dining table or around other important areas inside your house.
4. Welcoming Front Garden Lighting
You can use front garden lighting to welcome your guests. Also, you can create a comfortable ambiance during the night by adorning your garden with these lights. Install outdoor lights on your front lawn to start. They make your house visible from the street, so you don’t need to worry about burglars or intruders lurking around the lit area.
By installing the right outdoor lights, you will improve the overall appearance of your home. You can create a welcoming nighttime ambiance by showing off your front yard garden with outdoor lights. You can also install landscape lighting along pathways or walkways to keep your yard well-lit at night.
5. Contemporary Garage Lighting
Garage lighting is one of the best you can have to illuminate the front of your home. It is pretty cool and would give you a contemporary feel. It is also easy to install and has low energy consumption that makes it environmentally friendly.
There are many options available for lighting your garage door. You can go with the traditional light fixtures, but you can also opt for something a little more fun and creative, such as LED lights. LED lights add an element of excitement to the front of your home and can actually save you money in the long run. That’s because LED lights last much longer than traditional bulbs do(up to 50 times longer). That means that they require less maintenance overall and fewer replacements, too.
6. Lighting Planters with LED
An LED planter will create a spectacular aesthetic. It can also double as simply a planter during the day and an accent light during the night. Try some outdoor planters at the front of your house. When they light up, it will make everyone who passes by notice.
Interestingly, it comes in a variety of colors too. Some even come with a remote, so you can change it to the colors you like effortlessly. Consider adding one or two LED planters along your pathway or simply put them around your front door to welcome your guests.
7. Outdoor Pendants
No yard looks complete without a light fixture hanging over it. While you can install pendants with exposed bulbs to create ambiance and dramatic effect, make sure you place low-wattage bulbs in these fixtures so that they don’t create too much glare. Modern pendant lighting is a great way to create a focal point in an area or to simply provide ambient light for everyday use. They come in many shapes, sizes, and styles, from sleek minimalist designs to chandeliers and lampshades.
Seeing everything is the difference between a safe, secure home and one that’s vulnerable to intruders, accidents, and natural disasters. To help you see a little better (and in style), our new selection of pendants features plenty of easy-to-install fixtures with dimming capabilities. Dimming can make all the difference in your home; it’s one of those small details that makes every place feel more comfortable and relaxed.
8. Spotlights
Usually, the term refers to artificial illumination but can also describe natural (such as the Sun) or artificial illumination (such as from a lamp). Spotlights can be an impressive addition to any home. However, by placing them in the wrong spot, they can actually detract from your finish and make you feel like you’re walking into a prison. So, if you’re thinking of installing some spotlights, consider where exactly they should go.
Security lights are a good idea for the backyard, but avoid installing them in areas where they’ll shine directly in guests’ eyes. Instead, use indirect lighting to illuminate features and provide a sense of security. Since you’ll be outside with your guests, you can help them feel welcome by directing the lights so that they shine on the front of your home rather than directly at your guests.
Alternatively, you could illuminate the porch with ceiling-mounted lighting to create an escorted path to the front door so that your guests have every reason to step inside.
9. String Lights
Outdoor string lighting is one of those things that are hard to shop for (you don’t want to get the ones that light up the entire neighborhood), but once you have them, you really don’t want to do without. String lights are a staple of outdoor entertaining — from holiday parties to barbecues — and a must for creating an inviting mood on patios, decks, and in gardens.
LED string lights are a foolproof way to add intrigue and romantic ambiance to your outdoor gatherings. At night, strings of tiny lights can be the difference between an average backyard party or an unforgettable get-together. Just wrap them around trees, hang them from the eaves of your house or cupola, drape them over a gazebo or trellis, or make an overhead canopy to keep bugs at bay. And don’t forget about those old-fashioned globe lamps. They’re perfect for creating an enchanting atmosphere on a patio or deck—especially if topped with snowflakes in winter.
10. Outdoor Wall Lighting
When you want to add a touch of modern elegance to your home, then the Modern Outdoor Wall Sconces are just right for you. This is a pair of wall sconces with an outdoor light fixture and built-in halogen bulbs. It comes in a silver and matte black finish, so you can choose one that suits your home style best. The wall sconces come with two 18-watt GU10 halogen bulbs, so they give off a warm, welcoming glow at night.
Modern outdoor wall sconces are usually rectangular. Metal is the most common material for such frames, and they have a simple design. However, they also come in other materials such as wood and glass. You can even find them in different sizes to match your space needs. The best part is that modern outdoor wall sconce is relatively affordable, making it a great bang for your buck lighting idea.
Since you will be using it outdoors, you may want to consider the weather rating. Look for stainless steel or other quality materials used. Also, make sure that it comes with a warranty so you can get it fixed in case something goes wrong.
11. Downlights
Recessed fixtures, or downlights, can direct light downwards from the ceiling. Modern homes also use them for porch decorations, available with dimmers, and highlight walls and furniture. But the key thing to remember when choosing downlights for your porch is that you must rate them for exterior light use. Designed to not discolor when exposed to UV light, these lights last longer than other outdoor lights.
You will find it easy to install downlights on your porch. The remote-ready nature of the product means you can control it from an indoor switch if desired. For use in wet locations: Lighting is an essential part of any exterior renovation, so effectively illuminating your porch is crucial. Many factors will influence which type of downlight you choose for this purpose, and ultimately it comes down to the safety considerations you have for yourself and your family. Our team of lighting experts is on hand to offer advice and practical suggestions about the best solutions for your home.
Outdoor Lighting Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our outdoor house lighting guide. Be sure to check out some of our other articles for more great lighting tips for your home exterior house lighting.
Oregon Outdoor Lighting offers everything from low voltage backyard lights, to pool lighting, to tree lighting and more. Our lighting professional team is here to help give your house that wow factor.
If you are interested in having lighting designed for you or have any further questions, give us a call and we will help you out (503) 313-8580.
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