A Guide to Outdoor Lighting for Your Home

As the vibrancy of our landscapes has now faded into the dullness of winter, there isn’t a whole lot we can do to spice up our yards right now. Lighting, however, can transform your space in any season. This month we are sharing seven different kinds of options that could help increase your curb appeal.

Start with a Plan
Before purchasing any lighting, access the outside of your home. Are there plants or existing architectural features that you want to accentuate? Which areas get foot traffic or are popular gathering spots? Purpose and budget will direct the type of illumination that best matches your needs.

String Lights
The easiest and most economical way to add outdoor radiance starts with string lights. You can find them at most big box stores or even online in a variety of lengths and bulb types. They plug into a standard outlet and can be strung across your porch, pergola or patio to quickly and easily brighten any yard. You can even swap them out with each holiday to add that festive ambiance.

Spotlights
Highlight your home’s unique structural characteristics, such as a favorite tree, pond or along a rock wall, by adding spotlights. Mount them in the ground and adjust the head to supply extra light where it can best showcase that focal point. This radiant effect known as “moonlighting” is frequently a desirable element utilized by landscape designers, since it really tends to make a space stand out in a dramatic yet inexpensive way.

Bollard Lights
A bollard is a sturdy, short, vertical pole. The term originally referred to a post on a ship, or quay and was mainly used for mooring boats. Today these small columns often have light fixtures attached to them and work well to delineate driveways and pathways to direct visitors to your home while providing a welcome security benefit.

Garden Lights
Illumination from garden lights typically goes downward and slightly out. Placing them around flowerbeds will optimize your prettiest plantings. They are also a nice alternative along garden steps or winding pathways, expanding out over a greater breadth of landscape.

Up/Down Lights
The perfect lights for an exterior wall, porch or fence is up/down lighting. Available in many styles and colors, you are sure to find one that matches the charm of your home. If you are just starting out with some basic lighting ideas, these will make a huge difference in navigating a dark front yard, and you may only need a couple to make a notable difference.

Step Lights
Place these on the riser of any steps around your yard or under the lip of a stone wall near your patio to not only add striking visual effect but also for safety. You can alternate lighting on the stairs or spread it apart on walls while trying to avoid overlapping.

Flood Lights
Flood lights are great for entrances or corners of your home. Many also come with motion sensors so they double as exterior home security. These lights are typically mounted higher than other available choices and illuminate a much greater area. This is also a good selection for those gathering spaces around your yard. One in each corner may provide enough light for you and guests to enjoy the environment well after the sun goes down.

Outdoor lighting adds beauty and protection to your home. Check with your local building department to see if there are any restrictions regarding “light pollution” and the kinds or heights of lighting permitted in your neighborhood.

It’s also wise to look for the light rating before you purchase new fixtures to ensure that it’s certified for outdoor use. Utilizing lighting surrounding the exterior of your home, whether for security or beatification, can be an easy DIY project that can fit most any budget or need. However, with so many options or considerations that could be involved, you might want to enlist some professional help.

Please visit Premier Outdoor Environments' portfolio for some inspiration or contact us today. We would be happy to work with you on your next project!