Bright Ideas for Outdoor Lighting

Safety and Security

No one wants to come home to a dark house. Security lights are one of the most practical and effective ways to prevent crime.

  • Motion sensitive lights turn on when movement is detected, making them ideal for security lighting and energy management.
  • Position security lights so that they cannot be disabled or destroyed by intruders; mount them in a downward position as high as possible for safe, reliable operation.
  • Make it easy for emergency personnel to locate your house by lighting home numbers.

Function

Not only can outdoor lighting make your home safer, it can make it more functional, too. Outdoor lighting improves simply usability outside the house, letting you enjoy patios, gardens and decks at night.

  • Use path lights to illuminate walkways and driveways to softly accent the way.
  • Hidden well lights accent trees, shrubbery and buildings while dramatic uplights highlight trees and statues.
  • Use spotlights to highlight a small area or flood lights to light a wide area.
  • When planning your lighting, use a flashlight that has both spot and flood settings to test what type of lighting looks best in each area.

Aesthetics

Outdoor lighting can make a tremendous impact on the curb appeal of your home. When done right, it can welcome guests, complement your house’s exterior facade and add an extra touch to the landscape.

  • Less is more – too much light can take away from its appeal.
  • Avoid the cheap stuff – lighting experts say it’s worth it to pay a little more for professional-grade equipment.
  • Outdoor lighting can also accent other aspects of your property, including your porch, patio or deck.
  • If you’re not a do-it-yourselfer, consulting a professional might be cheaper in the long run since he/she can help you avoid costly mistakes.

Efficiency

Outdoor lighting used to be a luxury but today, energy efficient outdoor lighting products continue to grow as homeowners remodel and expand outdoor settings.

  • Reduce energy consumption by installing LED lighting.
  • LED offers an ultra energy-efficient light source that uses 75 percent less electricity compared to typical incandescent lighting.
  • Photocells ensure lights come on when it gets dark outside. Photocells are commonly used in dusk-to-dawn lights, which turn on when the surrounding environment is dark and turn off when it becomes bright again.
  • More and more home owners are opting for wireless solar patio lights, which get their energy from the sun and can be an attractive alternative to light their homes.