Outdoor Lighting Tips

Outdoor lighting enhances the beauty of your property, makes your home safer and more secure, and increases your time spent outdoors. It is also an investment that pays off handsomely, as it adds value to your home.

In order to prevent unwanted glare from your outdoor lighting, use light bulbs with reasonable illumination levels. You may also use full cut-off fixtures to direct the light down towards the ground where it is needed, rather than being cast to the side or up towards the sky, where it is wasted.

For security in your exterior lighting, illuminate any side of the house that would otherwise be in shadow. To conserve energy, install a motion or heat-sensitive control that will switch on the light only if someone approaches that side of the house. An automatic timer can control a portion of your outdoor lights to turn off at a certain hour, while basic security lights can be left on through the night. Another proven safety measure is to use timers on indoor lighting to make your home look occupied when you're away.

Decks & Porches

  • Decks, porches and patios can be converted into romantic evening retreats by concealing low-voltage mini-lights under steps, railing or benches.

Spotlights

  • Install a spotlight in the branches of a nearby tree.

Barbecue

  • Add stronger light over the barbecue or serving area. To accomplish this, install a recessed spotlight on an adjacent roof overhand or mount spread lights on a railing behind the grill.
  • Decorative wall brackets on each side will illuminate both sides of your face evenly. You can also mount a wall bracket across the top of the mirror. A combination of the two will give you the most desirable light possible.

Steps, Paths, & Driveways

  • Landscape lighting is important for safety on steps, paths and driveways. These lights are simple to install and can easily be moved to reflect changes in your landscaping. Bollards or cut down pole lights, which stand 30 to 36 inches off the ground, work well.
  • Path lights or post lanterns are also useful, or you can attach lights to the side of the house. Low-level path lights, which spread circular patterns of light, brighten your walkway and offer garden lighting for nearby flower beds, shrubs, and ground cover. These close-to-the-ground lights are available in fixtures using both low-voltage and line voltage current.

Entrance

  • A well-lit front entrance enables you to greet guests and identify visitors. Wall lanterns on each side of the door will give your home a warm, welcoming look, while assuring the safety of those who enter.

Overhang

  • Under a porch or other overhang, use recessed lights, chain-hung, or close-ceiling light fixtures. A separate rear or side entrance can be lit with a single wall lantern installed on the keyhole side of the door.
  • To conserve energy, consider post and wall lanterns that use new compact fluorescent or high-intensity discharge (HID) light sources such as mercury vapor or high pressure sodium.

Garage

  • For the safety and security of family members using the garage at night, install a wall lighting fixture above or to either side of the garage doors. Motion detectors light up obscure spots when someone passes by. In addition, energy efficient photocells are available that will turn light fixtures on at dusk and off at dawn, reducing energy consumption and providing security when you’re away from home.7

For more outdoor lighting tips, schedule an appointment with a Wolfers lighting expert.