The next time you pull up to your house at night, inspect your outdoor lighting. Are your lights bright enough to provide sufficient illumination around the property? Are there any dark areas that can serve as hiding spots for thieves? Does your outdoor lighting make the house look good from the outside? Ask yourself these questions for both the front and the back of your home.
Then, if you determine that your outdoor lighting is insufficient, ineffective, or unpleasant to the eyes, here’s an outdoor lighting guide for you:
1. Go for LEDs
Whether you’re choosing in-ground uplights or security floodlights, going with LED bulbs is objectively better than using incandescent or halogen bulbs. LED lights are much more energy-efficient, have longer lifespans, provide high brightness and intensity, and produce less heat, among other benefits. With LED bulbs for your outdoor lighting, you won’t have to worry about your lights burning out frequently or suddenly going out because of temperature fluctuations.
2. Illuminate key locations
Aside from knowing what type of light bulbs to use, you also have to know where to put those bulbs. Here are the areas that you should illuminate for both safety and aesthetics:
- Stairways. Installing lighting underneath each step makes your staircases look beautiful and elegant. And of course, having lighting underneath these steps can significantly reduce the risk of anyone tripping on them when it’s dark outside.
- Pathways. You can light up your pathways with many options, such as bollard lights and in-ground lights. Whatever type of lighting you choose, the goal is the same–to avoid accidents and easily see people coming towards your home.
- Doorways. Illuminate your front door, back door, and gates with bright and reliable outdoor lights. Doing this will boost your curb appeal as well as help ward off lurking thieves.
- Backyard areas. There are many areas in the backyard that can be improved with proper outdoor lighting. Some examples include the patio, the fence, the trees, the pool, and even the garden area.
3. Install motion lights
Installing motion-detecting lights is an excellent way to ward off criminals, especially if you live in a remote place. Motion-detecting lights are also a more economical option for outdoor lighting since they only turn on when they detect motion. Apart from this security function, motion-detecting lights can provide momentary illumination for when you’re taking out the trash, letting the dog out, or loading up the car while it’s dark out.
However, make sure you install these lights in strategic areas, particularly the darkest parts of your property. Moreover, ensure that the lights aren’t shining directly into your neighbor’s windows lest you want to face complaints.
4. Choose the right fixtures
Pick the right size and appearance of fixtures when shopping for outdoor lights. For example, if you are buying a new sconce for your entryway, take the measurements of the door to ensure that the fixture is not too big in relation. The same goes for other types of fixtures, such as pendants and recessed lights.
Outdoor lighting is just as important as indoor lighting. However, many homeowners rarely take the time to inspect outdoor lights. Don’t make the same mistake. If your outdoor lights are insufficient, use this guide to improve your house’s exteriors and security with the right lights.