Outdoor lighting gives your house that extra something that makes it more attractive to the eye. When you are in your yard with your family or friends, just enjoying yourself and the Sun starts to set, you do not want the party to end and that is when you need a suitable light, one that will prevent the fun from stopping.
Different Types
Include the three main forms of lighting: ambient, task, and accent lighting. Hanging lights, post lights, and wall lights can all be used to create ambient lighting. Task lighting includes lights such as pathway lights, deck lights, and security lights. Landscape kits and spotlights may also be used to add accent lighting to your outside space. String lights, solar spotlights, or LED candles are good options for a tiny patio and a limited budget.
Plan Ahead
Examine your area and collect measurements to avoid selecting large-scale fixtures. Using a simple piece of paper, measure the size and location of a fixture before purchasing it. Before purchasing, use a paper template to determine correct positioning and dimensions. The size of the outdoor wall light for the front porch or the back patio should be around one-third the height of the entrance. You can also read solar powered light reviews and see what solar light you could use. You’ll also want to be sure that the lighting you choose is durable, consisting of high-quality, weather-resistant materials. Use a landscape lighting kit to quickly illuminate your grass. Consider a kit that can be plugged into an outside outlet. Typically, these kits consist of a single cable with multiple ground spotlights connected. Place them in a garden to throw dramatic shadows or around the perimeter of a patio to create a festive atmosphere. You may also experiment with solar landscape lighting.
Calculate
You’ll need to figure out how much illumination you require before you start buying. To figure out how much light a room needs, divide the square footage of the area you wish to illuminate by 1.5 to obtain an approximate approximation of the total watts necessary. A 100-square-foot area, for example, would need 150 watts.
Power and Performance
You can discover the right outdoor flood lights for your landscape and home’s exterior with options ranging from hard-wired floodlights to plug-in dusk-to-dawn lights to solar motion lights.
- Solar-powered outdoor lighting obtains the energy required to run the lights from the sun. Though the initial purchase and installation costs may be higher, you will save money on your energy bill in the long run. Install the solar panels in regions of your property that receive plenty of sunshine, avoiding gloomy and shady places.
- Plug-in lights must be placed in a location with access to a power outlet or extension cable. You’ll have an exposed cord with this option, which you’ll need to tie or conceal.
- Hard-wired lights are linked directly into your home’s electrical system. Additional safety precautions must be taken during installation, but it is a simple do-it-yourself activity.
Security
Outdoor lighting not only adds to the ambiance of your property but may also help to safeguard it. Make sure all of the home’s entrance points are brightly lit. Inside the garage, place a single bulb overhead or a wall lantern on each side of the garage door. For extra security, place spotlights on your eaves or utilize wall lanterns at side doors, windows, and garages to highlight any side of the home that is in the shadows. Broad-beamed, high-intensity security, and floodlights are meant to flood huge areas with light. As a result, these lights are frequently employed as a deterrent to criminal behavior and to improve feelings of security, particularly when connected with a motion sensor that activates the light when movement is detected.
- Dusk-to-dawn lights are a fantastic choice for home security since they switch on and off with the sun’s setting and rising, keeping your house’s outside lighted all night.
- When the sensors detect movement, a motion-sensor light turns on and may offer a wide spectrum of illumination. If no more movement activates the sensor, the lights turn off, making a motion-sensor light a good energy-saving alternative.
- With the flip of a switch, security lights may be turned on and off. You may use them as required or switch them on at night.
Use Subtle Lighting
Instead of shining a harsh spotlight on your dinner guests as they enjoy their outside meal, use lighting that emits a gentle glow. Subtle, indirect lighting helps create a peaceful ambiance in outdoor rooms, especially eating areas. To brighten seating and dining spaces, we’re seeing increased usage of outdoor lanterns, pendants, and ceiling fans with light kits. Use a dimmer with these fixtures; set it to maximum brightness during cooking and meal preparation, then lower it for dining and relaxing.
Hopefully, these tips will persuade you to invest in outdoor lighting. You will be surprised what a big change it brings to your home.
