Outdoor lighting can drastically improve your home’s aesthetics and add charm to your living space. But it takes more than just lighting up the outdoors to make it an inviting area – you must be strategic in how you choose to light the exterior of your house to truly highlight its best features! To help you get started, here are some outdoor lighting ideas that you can use to make your home stand out.
Determine Your Home’s Best Features
Before you start creating your outdoor lighting scheme, you need to determine which features of your home are the most important to highlight. Common examples include architectural details such as doorways, windows, and cornices; natural elements such as trees and landscaping; and other decorative accents like a fountain or sculpture.
What are the best features of a home, and how to highlight them:
Architectural details: Highlighting architectural details like doorways, windows, and cornices will give your home a timeless and sophisticated look. You can use uplights or spotlights to illuminate the area around the feature from below. For a more subtle effect, consider using bollard lights or wall washers to create an even wash of light over the area.
Natural features: Make your landscaping stand out by using lights to create shadows and patterns around trees, bushes, shrubs, and other foliage. Uplights and spotlights can cast a soft glow on plants, while downlights will help create texture and depth within an outdoor space. You can also use step lighting to subtly light pathways and walkways.
Decorative accents: To make a decorative accent such as a fountain or sculpture stand out, use spotlights and up lights to create interesting light patterns around the object. This will draw attention to the feature and help it become an eye-catching centerpiece in your outdoor space.
Safety and Security: It is also important to consider safety when choosing outdoor lighting. Be sure to install lights along pathways, walkways, stairs, and other areas where people will be walking at night so they can easily see their way around. You should also consider motion-sensor security lights. It is an excellent option for deterring intruders, as the bright light will startle them and alert them to their presence.
Set a Budget
Once you figure out the outdoor lighting ideas best for your home, you can start setting a budget for the project. Lighting fixtures can range from relatively inexpensive to quite costly, depending on the types of materials and finishes used. Consider how much you want to spend before making any purchases.
Choose Your Lights
Now it’s time to choose the lights that will best illuminate your home’s features. Generally speaking, you should use warm-colored lighting for more exposed areas and cooler colors for those spots needing more subtle illumination. Additionally, consider the type of fixtures you want, such as wall sconces or post lights.
You can also consider solar-powered lights as they are incredibly energy-efficient and do not require wiring or complicated installation. A wide variety of shapes, sizes, and styles are available so you can find the perfect lights to fit your home’s aesthetic.
Install Your Lights
Once you have your fixtures, it’s time to install them. If you are hiring a professional, get a written contract detailing the scope of work and cost before any installation begins. If you are doing the job yourself, make sure to follow all safety instructions that accompany the light fixture to avoid any accidents or injuries.
Professional outdoor lighting companies like Blingle can provide the materials and expertise to help you create a stunning outdoor lighting design for your home. Working with a professional is more convenient and cost-effective than purchasing lighting materials and installing them yourself, especially if you are unfamiliar with electrical wiring.
Dos and Don’ts of Outdoor Lighting
When choosing and installing outdoor lighting, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
Do:
- Choose lights that match the style of your home.
- Consider safety when selecting fixtures.
- Install motion sensor security lights for added protection against intruders.
- Use warm-colored lighting for exposed areas and cooler colors for those needing subtle illumination.
Don’t:
- Overwhelm your outdoor space with too much light.
- Forget to set a budget before you begin shopping for fixtures.
- Purchase and install lights without following safety instructions carefully.
- Use low-quality lighting fixtures, as they will not last as long
Conclusion
Outdoor lighting doesn’t have to be complicated. By determining your home’s best features, setting a budget, and selecting the right lights for the job, you can easily create a stunning outdoor space that will leave a lasting impression on visitors. With these tips in mind, you will find the perfect outdoor lighting ideas to highlight your home’s best features.