Last Updated on March 5, 2024 by Nasir Hanif
Interior designers agree that lighting is a major factor in determining the success or failure of a room. The same goes for exterior lighting and outdoor lighting. A well-lit exterior will not only increase safety and security but also improve curb appeal. Your home will be more welcoming to guests and neighbours if it has complementary and attractive outdoor lighting fixtures.
Patios and decks are great for outdoor living. These are the essential rules and guidelines for outdoor lighting before you purchase your first lantern or sconce.
DOS
- Focus on your home Light up your home before you place outdoor lighting around natural features in your yard. Your home’s unique architectural features and walls should be highlighted. This provides greater security and safety as well as providing a beautiful backdrop for outdoor lighting.
- Use multiple layers Complexity in layers, like many other design elements, adds beauty and depth to your ledlightexpert.com landscape lighting. Layers in your outdoor lighting can add depth and dimension to the overall effect. By placing multiple spotlights at different angles against a statue, you can create silhouettes or layers that provide a more detailed lighting effect than if only one light was used.
- Choose LED fixtures They are more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs and last longer. They are now available in warmer temperatures, which emit a yellower light. Clear finishes are also available for LEDs, rather than just frosted. This allows you to still get the elegant, sparkly look that exposed bulbs can achieve while still being energy efficient.
- Choose fixtures that match your home’s exterior colors. Use bronzes for accents and trim. For houses with darker bodies and trim, black is a good choice. White fixtures are great for most color schemes.
- Space out light sources on your patio or deck. More fixtures with lower wattage than one bright bulb will create a warmer atmosphere.
- Turn off light paths Pathways with down lighting are rare and underrated. This is an excellent way to increase safety and illumination, as well as having the unique appeal of outdoor lighting.
Progress Lighting offers a wide range of energy-efficient, high-quality exterior lighting options. There are many styles and finishes available to suit any budget and design.
Don’ts
- Do not mount higher than eye level. Above the threshold at the front of your home.
- Do not use post lanterns in your driveway. Post lanterns can be used to welcome visitors.
- Do your research and do your homework to find the best line of lighting fixtures.
- Don’t choose too small fixtures. This is the biggest mistake homeowners make. The focal point of your home’s exterior should be your front door. This is why it should have the most elaborate and largest fixture. You should aim to use one light fixture at the front of your home. If you have two, you should aim for 1/3 of the height.
- Avoid using light bulbs with too high wattage.
- Outdoor fixtures should only use bulbs with 40 to 75 watts or the equivalent. You should choose the right wattage for your fixture. However, you shouldn’t use more than necessary because this could make it difficult to welcome guests and create a glare.
- Don’t skimp on lighting fixtures at your back door. But they shouldn’t be as important as the front door’s fixtures. They also need to match the rest of the lighting in your home and not be too small.
- Do not ignore dark or small spaces Many homeowners are too focused on the grandiose, larger aspects of their lawn. Sometimes, it is the little details that can make outdoor lighting more beautiful. Lighting can bring beauty and dignity to the small areas of your lawn that are often overlooked. This will also increase your security. You make it harder for intruders into dark spaces by lighting them.
- Do not light for a runway Numerous homeowners make the error of lighting their pathways with fixtures that are placed in straight lines. This can be boring and make your driveway or garden look like an airport landing strip. You can be creative with your lighting placement. Stagger the lights to create a more pleasing outdoor lighting experience.
- Do not ignore limitations Everything has its limits. You need to be aware of your home’s limitations and the limitations of the fixtures you choose for your home when choosing fixtures. Ask any questions you may have about our products and a ledlightexpert.com specialist would be happy to assist you in finding the right fixtures for the job. Sometimes, the outdoor lighting design you have in mind for your home’s landscape lighting design is not possible due to the limitations of your house’s architecture. There are always options. Whatever solution you choose, it will be more beautiful because it is perfectly tailored to your home’s needs.
- Remember the second story When you are figuring out how to illuminate your home, make sure to include the second story. You should also include any pillars or peaks that may be visible above your lawn. Your lawn will stand out at night with elevated lighting.
