Outdoor Lighting: The Ultimate Guide to Illuminating Your Home

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

For as much as people appreciate the protection and comfort of being inside, much of the time we feel a drive to head outdoors – especially when the weather’s nice.

Some of that drive can be satisfied on hikes or trips camping, but a lot of it falls to the outdoor spaces around our homes. Our yards, our patios, our pools, and our decks all become opportunities to enjoy good weather and pleasant time together.

In order to enjoy those spaces well into the evening, we need lighting. Luckily, there’s an expansive industry for landscape and outdoor lighting. Whether you’re looking for lights that help you enjoy your backyard deck more, lighting that illuminates the plants in front of your house, or motion-sensor lights that can help scare intruders away – there are lights you can buy for pretty much any outdoor lighting need you can think of.

To help you identify exactly what you need and find the outdoor lighting option that best meets that need, our buyer’s guide will walk you through all the information you need to know.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Types of Outdoor Lighting

One thing to keep in mind in buying outdoor lighting is to go with lights that are labeled specifically as being for outdoors. Lights made for the purpose are far more likely to be able to withstand the elements and be used safely in the midst of whatever weather the world throws your way.

That said, there is a lot of overlap in the types and styles of lighting that you might consider for your outdoor spaces and your indoor ones. And adding to that, there are a few additional types that exclusively make sense for the outdoors. The variety of uses and needs for outdoor lighting therefore add up to a lot of different types for you to consider. Here’s the main breakdown.

Security & Flood Lights

We all want to feel safe in our own homes. Lighting can help with that, both by helping us see what’s in front of us to avoid falling or bumping into things, and by letting possible intruders know that they can be seen.

The most frequent type of security lighting you see are flood lights. They effectively light up your driveway, front yard or driveway and are usually installed with a motion sensor, so they come on right when you need them. Path lighting and step lighting can also be useful for helping people avoid falls.

Landscape Lighting

If you’ve made an investment in your landscaping, you don’t have to let all the beautiful plants you have go invisible during the nighttime. Landscape lighting is designed to specifically highlight the plants in your yard you’d like to draw attention to. Most types of landscape lighting are installed in the ground, either lighting upwards or with a spotlight you can focus on the item you want to show off.

Many types of landscape lighting, particularly path, stake and solar lights, can also work well for illuminating pathways. If you want to ensure people walking in your yard can see the path clearly — so they don’t trip and fall or accidentally trample your flowerbeds — the right type of landscape lighting can do the trick.

Wall Lighting, Sconces & Lanterns

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Wall lighting, just like it sounds, refers to any type of light meant to be installed on the wall. Outdoor wall sconces fall into this category, and there is certainly no shortage of types, styles and finishes to choose from. From wall lanterns to candle-style fixtures, there are many types of sconce designs you can choose from to enhance the look and functionality of your porch.

Outdoor wall lights are usually used for decorative purposes, providing ambient or accent lighting rather than focused, bright lighting. These are the ideal choice for patios or porches, where you need just enough light to create a welcoming impression or just get in and out of the house safely.

Hanging Lights

Outdoor chandeliers and pendants can provide a pleasant decorative effect for a deck or patio, just as they would inside. You can find hanging lights in a wide range of styles, that offer varying levels of brightness. Some pendants will be small enough that you’ll want to buy several to properly light the space. Other pendants, and most chandeliers, will be large and bright enough that one will do the trick.

Ceiling Lights

Outdoor ceiling lights can be installed under a deck or patio cover, or on the ceiling of the entryway of your home. This category includes outdoor flush mounts, lights installed as part of a ceiling fan, and the types of hanging lights already discussed. They’re usually meant to disseminate plenty of light over a whole space, rather than providing ambient or focused light. These are ideal for porches and patios, and a great alternative to sconce lighting.

Post Lights

Post lights includes any type of lighting that’s mounted to a post in the ground. This type of outdoor lighting often has a classic, decorative look that adds some old-fashioned character to homes of all styles. Oftentimes, outdoor post lights are in the front of your home, likely placed close to the street or a pathway to add some light to the front of the house or are used to add some character to backyards or gardens.

Step & Path Lights

Step lights can be put along stairs or next to a pathway to help people see where they’re going without tripping. They make outdoor spaces safer to move through at night, while also usually offering some nice atmospheric lighting to the space.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Factors to Consider When Buying Outdoor Lights

As you can already see, there’s a lot of variety in outdoor lighting options. You’ve got a lot to consider in order to figure out the right choice for you. As you continue on in your search for exterior lighting, here are some of the main factors that you should keep in mind to help you find the best outdoor lights for your home.

Style

When it comes to buying light fixtures for your home, whether for the interior or exterior, style is one of the most important considerations. You want something that matches the style of the space it will be added to. You want a light that looks good to increase curb appeal. But most importantly, you want something you’ll like the look of yourself. After all, you’re the one that has to look at it every day.

Aesthetic choices are subjective and most of the decision will simply fall to what you decide you like as you browse your options. Do make sure that you don’t fall for a light fixture simply from a photo without thinking about the context it will be in. Take time to picture it in the place you want plan to install it. A beautiful outdoor light can suddenly look terrible if it clashes with the color of the house behind it. Or a light that has a modern style may end up looking strange in a space that mostly has a more antique or rustic decor.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Finally, consider whether the goal of the light fixture is to be beautiful in its own right, or to illuminate something else without drawing much attention to itself. If you buy landscape lighting that’s meant to highlight your beautiful rose bush, but it’s of a style that gets more of the attention itself, it won’t be doing the main job you bought it for.

Purpose

Before you can find the best light fixture, you have to be clear on its intended purpose. Do you want ambient lighting that doesn’t need to offer much brightness, so much as add some nice atmosphere to the space? Do you want accent lighting that highlights a particular object or space, like a statue in your yard or your favorite flowers?

Maybe your main goal is safety, and you want a flood light with a motion-sensor designed to deter thieves or just enough lighting to keep from tripping over something in the dark. Or do you want outdoor lighting that illuminates the whole space and makes it possible for you and your friends to enjoy the patio in plenty of light through the whole night?

Some types of outdoor lights can pull off more than one use — solar lights, for example, can provide ambient lighting while also increasing your safety by making the path visible. Outdoor string lights are another example, as they can add an elegant touch of ambient lighting that provides plenty of light for a party.

In general though, you should have one main priority in mind nd a good idea of the purpose that you want your outdoor lighting to accomplish so you make sure to pick a fixture designed to satisfy that need.

Placement

In addition to having a clear purpose in mind, it’s important to also make sure you have a specific place in mind for where your light fixture will be located. For one thing, you want to make sure the size is appropriate for the space – not just in terms of physically fitting in the space, but also in terms of how it will look once installed and how much light it will put off.

For landscape lighting or path lighting that will be installed on the ground, you also want to be sure that it will be in a location where it won’t cause people to trip, or one where it ends up blocking the view of something you want your guests to be able to see.

And for all types of lighting, you want to make sure the placement is such that the light fixture will properly illuminate the space you want it to, while being a good visual fit for the spot you’ve chosen.

Cost

With so many types, styles, and sizes of outdoor lighting available, the pricing for different options is extremely varied. Some path, solar and landscape lights cost just a couple of dollars per unit, but in a lot of cases you’ll want a several of these. Or they are only available as part of a set. On the other side of the spectrum, a chandelier or pendant designed for outdoor use can cost up to $1,000.

To find out what the typical pricing is for the type of outdoor lighting you have in mind, you’ll have to get out there and start browsing around. One thing it’s important to keep in mind though is that the list price is unlikely to be your final cost. You need to counter in any installation costs, if the light isn’t something you can install on your own. The amount of energy the light uses will also come with an ongoing cost (unless you choose outdoor lighting that’s solar powered). And if the light isn’t made of durable materials, you may notice some wear and tear due to the elements, which may lead to the fixture needing to be replaced or repaired, that will add to your cost over time as well.

Size

You’ve got a couple of different considerations to keep in mind when it comes to finding the right size of outdoor light. The first is, quite simply, making sure it will fit in the space you have in mind. Do some measurements to make sure you know precisely how large the space is and can better visualize how large the light will be within it.

In addition to making sure the fixture fits, you also want to make sure the light is of a reasonable proportion to the space. You don’t want to realize it seems especially tiny or large only after you’ve purchased it. If you’ll be installing a light alongside a porch or patio door, for instance, you want to think about how the light fixture compares to the size of the door. Do you want it to be about a fourth of the height? A third? Keep in mind that once you move fifty feet away from the door, the light will appear to be half the size.

Brightness

For some types of outdoor lighting, you’ll specifically want to stick with a light that doesn’t get too bright. Oftentimes, this can be controlled based on the bulb you use within. Low-wattage bulbs that emit less lumens or simply going with fewer lights can help you keep a nice ambience without overdoing the brightness.

To find the right level of brightness, you may also consider experimenting with different “bulb temperatures,” which refers to the hue or color temperature the bulb emits. A warm or soft bulb will create a more relaxing and ambient atmosphere, whereas a cool or bright bulb will create a more lively atmosphere.

If brightness is what you want though, then make sure you either get an outdoor light fixture that’s bright enough and disseminates the light in the space effectively, or several lights to do the trick. This goes back to the intended purpose you are looking to use the light for, but it’s wise have a good idea of bright you would like the light to be.

Durability

Outdoor lights have to be tougher than indoor lights. They’ll get hit with all the effects of weather and the elements and need to be able to stand up to them. That means they need to be well-made and crafted from materials that won’t wear easily.

Aluminum is often affordable, but prone to rusting and, especially in coastal regions, can’t be counted on to last a long time. Stainless steel, brass, and copper will all hold up better in general, although you will want to clean your fixtures regularly to help them last longer, particularly those made of stainless steel.

One of the best ways to get an idea, in advance, of how long your outdoor lighting will likely last is to read over reviews left by customers. If an outdoor light fixture has a reputation for rusting or breaking within the first year or two, customers usually take the time to warn others not to make the same mistake they did.

Power

One of the nice benefits you sometimes have with outdoor lighting is the option of sticking with solar power. For any lights you’re installing on a covered deck, patio or porch, you’ll have to stick with electricity, but some landscape lighting and step lighting can work on solar power and save you money on energy costs.

For outdoor lighting that does require electricity, you can choose between two different lighting options: low voltage and line voltage.

• Low Voltage Lighting — This option works at 12 volts, use less energy, and are typically easier to install.
• Line Voltage Lighting — This option uses 120 volts, which is the same amount of energy that most appliances in your house use. They typically require some extra features to install safely outside, such as a conduit that will protect your wires and a junction box.

Dark-Sky Rating

One of the downsides of outdoor lighting is that it reduces your view of the stars. If you live in the city or any well-populated area, your personal choice of outdoor light fixtures will have a minimal effect on this since the stars are likely already obscured in your area by the culmination of all the lights in your area.

Nonetheless, if you want to responsibly go for lighting that won’t add to the problem of light pollution, you can look for outdoor fixtures that are dark-sky rated.

The International Dark Sky Association rates different outdoor lights currently available on the market in the hopes of helping people choose a fixture that performs their intended purpose, without adding any unnecessary light pollution to the area. Choosing outdoor lighting that’s dark-sky rated can enable you, and your neighbors, to enjoy your view of the night sky just a little better.

Ease of Installation

If you buy a light fixture that requires some effort to install, you’ll either need to hire someone or commit some time to getting it done. No matter which type of fixture or brand you buy, they will all come with step-by-step installation instructions included. These instructions will vary in difficulty per each model.

While sometimes a light fixture that takes a little bit of elbow-grease is the best choice for your home, it’s still worth having an idea of what to expect in regard to installation before you buy. Customer reviews are often pretty good about providing some commentary on the installation process.

A lot of solar-powered landscape lighting won’t take much work at all, but many ceiling lights or wall sconces that need to be hooked up to electricity will require more work. If you do take on the task on your own, make sure you’re confident you know what you’re doing and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. And please, remember to turn off the electricity at the breaker panel before you start.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

Energy Efficiency

No matter what type of appliance you add to your home or life, it is going to have an effect on your energy bill. As already mentioned, solar lights can save you from any additional energy costs, but most types of outdoor lighting available to you are going to use up energy with each use. Just like with many other appliances, Energy Star is a great resource and provides ratings for outdoor lighting.

If energy efficiency is a priority for you, then this can help narrow your search to light fixtures that have been tested and shown to use less energy. You can also reduce your energy use by opting for low-voltage outdoor lighting, which has the added benefit of being easier to install. Making the switch to LED bulbs will also dramatically slash the amount of energy used.

Extra features like a dimmer or timer can help you ensure you use less energy by only using as much light as you need, at the times you need it. And security lighting that’s installed with a motion-sensor will only turn on at the times someone’s nearby, so you don’t need to keep it on throughout the night.

UL Rating

Any electrical outdoor lighting you buy should have a UL Damp or Wet rating. For ceiling lights or wall sconces that are placed under a cover, the Damp rating will likely suffice, but for anything that will be directly exposed to rain, a Wet rating is required for safety purposes.

UL ratings are designed to protect consumers from the dangers of combining electrical appliances with water. Any light fixture, or any outdoor appliances, that will be exposed to water or other extreme elements has to be carefully designed to limit the dangers of electrical wires getting wet.

If you’re not certain whether the placement you have in mind is okay for a Damp rating rather than a Wet one, talk to the manufacturer to see what they have to say. As in most questions related to safety, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Accessories and Features:

• Dimmers:

  A dimmer gives you the option to keep the light low in the early evening or at times when you only need atmospheric lighting, and then turn it up so it becomes task lighting when that’s required. It helps save money by only using as much light as you need and offers you more control over the effect of lighting on the space.

• Motion Sensors:

  Motion sensors are useful for any lights you install for security purposes – whether to scare intruders off or ensure you have the light you need when walking outside in the dark. In both cases, the light is only really required when someone’s nearby, so motion sensors ensure it’s only in use at those times.

• Timers:

  If you want outdoor lighting that automatically turns on in the evenings and off during the day, a timer will allow you to automate that process. You can set the times to match the expected sunset and sunrise so your lights are only in use at the times when they’re needed.

Conclusion

When you think back on memories you have of enjoying the nighttime outside, many of them were likely made possible by outdoor lighting. This type of lighting provides us with access to our outdoor spaces at any time of the day and gives us absolute control over how those areas of our home not only appear to us, but also how safe they are for our family.

Whether for ambience, safety, or to simply help us see something in front of us more clearly, the right outdoor lighting can illuminate the spaces around your home and make them look just right at night.

The post Outdoor Lighting: The Ultimate Guide to Illuminating Your Home appeared first on Living Direct.