When considering lighting our homes, we often prioritize interior light fixtures like table lamps, chandeliers, recessed lights, and standing lamps. Still, we don’t put too much effort into selecting outdoor lighting, and this is because we use the interior areas of our abode more compared to the outdoor areas.
Like interior lighting, outdoor lighting is equally crucial for your home. In addition to providing better visibility at night to entryways, walkways, and pathways, outdoor lighting illuminates the exterior of the building. Moreover, choosing the proper outdoor lighting adds beautiful accents during dusk and nighttime while letting you transform your house’s backyard, lawn, or garden areas.
Here we are going to discuss the critical considerations when buying outdoor lighting. Let’s discover the essential things to consider when adding outdoor lighting to your house without further ado.
Type of Lighting
When choosing to buy outdoor lighting, you have many options. The type of lighting you choose depends on the size of your lawn and its location concerning any buildings or other structures.
- Spotlights can be used for general illumination or as accent lights to highlight specific areas of your property, such as a front porch or driveway entranceway. They are also helpful if you want to illuminate an object (such as a tree) from all sides at once, but not necessarily from directly above or below it—this is called “spot blocking” because there will be no direct illumination on any part outside its beam angle range.
- Floodlights illuminate large open areas like backyards, driveways, and sidewalks. They can also be used to provide general lighting where you want to light up a specific area but not necessarily from directly above or below it (as is the case with spotlights).
Durability
Many outdoor lights have a metal construction; however, not all metal bodies are identical. Aluminum is a popular choice among homeowners on a tight budget due to its affordability and durability. The material is also resistant to rust and dust. However, paint applied to aluminum tends to fade over time due to oxidation. But you can choose powder-coated aluminum; However, expect to spend more money. While stainless steel often looks fantastic in modern homes, it is highly susceptible to corrosion and dust. Choose this material only if you have the time and money for regular cleaning and maintenance. Brass combines copper and zinc and can last for years but comes with a higher investment cost. Although brass is stronger than copper, the two materials are identical in beauty, weather resistance, and color. However, copper outdoor lights are more affordable than their brass counterparts.
Light placement
Lighting should be placed where needed, and not just any place will do. For example, lighting for a shed would be best placed at the front of the building so that you can see how your tools are stored when you’re working on them. If you want to light up one side of your garden shed but not another, then lighting should be placed accordingly so as not to create shadows where there weren’t any before.
Outdoor Lighting should also be considered from an aesthetic standpoint: if an object has no purpose other than decoration (like an outdoor light), then there may not need to be any additional features such as shade or umbrella support—but if something does require functionality like holding open doors during storms or providing safety against intruders (think security cameras), then these extra benefits are necessary!
Know your goals
The first step toward buying outdoor lighting is knowing your goals. Understanding what you want to achieve and how much money you will spend on it is essential. If this is a significant purchase, then it’s best not to make any decisions without consulting with professionals with experience in this area of specialty lighting.
The next thing that needs consideration is the purpose behind using these lights: do they need to be used for security purposes? Are there other tasks that require more illumination than simply illuminating an area where people will congregate (like an entryway or driveway)? What types of activities does each system need to perform? How many times per day does each product operate at peak performance levels? These questions can help narrow down which products would best suit your needs.
Consider LEDs
When it comes to buying outdoor lighting fixtures, many homeowners consider fluorescent and incandescent bulbs because they are brighter. LEDs are, however, a great choice for many reasons. First, they do not consume much energy, so you won’t have to break the bank to pay your energy bills. A second advantage is that they last longer; you might not even need to replace them. In addition to looking great in your garden, they are also very durable.
Size
Despite the fact that large lighting fixtures can increase the light in your large yard, they are likely to dwarf your home and detract from its beauty. Make sure your lighting fixture size blends well with your yard’s other elements. It is advisable to avoid fixtures that block your doorway, for example. Regarding garage wall lighting, pick fixtures that are a quarter or third of the door frame’s width. In addition to choosing the right fixture size, you should ensure that the lights are large enough to cover a particular area, but not excessively so. For example, choose some floodlights if you wish to enlighten your yard. However, floodlights are not the best for illuminating a pathway; instead, install a few path lights.
Style and Color
Admittedly, you want outdoor lighting to illuminate your home’s exterior at night. You should keep in mind, however, that daylight is visible through your lighting fixtures. Make sure your lighting style enhances the visual appeal of your yard. A traditional outdoor light looks great on a Craftsman or Colonial home, with ornate designs and decorative flourishes. The minimalistic aesthetics of contemporary outdoor lights make them ideal for modern homes.
To improve consistency in their minimalistic look, these fixtures often incorporate geometric shapes like rectangles and spheres. Traditional and contemporary styles can also be combined with transitional lighting fixtures s. Most homeowners feel safe with these variants because they are not as simple as modern models nor as ornate as conventional fixtures. Use colors that blend well with your property’s theme to display a gorgeous exterior consistently. For example, buy outdoor lighting with gold or bronze elements if your walls have warm, earthy colors. Conversely, tin or black outdoor lighting fixtures go well with blue-painted walls.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you consider the best lighting for your outdoor space. The options are endless! If you’re still looking for more information on choosing the right type of light for your outdoor living space or would like to know about What Type of Lighting is Best for The Kitchen in 2022, visit our Blog section today.