February 8
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The right outdoor lights can transform your home and how it appears to outsiders.
With so many ideas and inspirations for outdoor lighting, making the right choice can be overwhelming. I often rely on reviews and guides I read online, but when it comes to outdoor lights, I realize every home has different requirements.
Moreover, lights that are suitable for my friends and neighbors may not complement my home in the same way. If you are facing the same confusion, you’ve come to the right place. I’m Stacy, and today, I will tell you all about choosing the right outdoor lights for your home.
So, without further ado, let’s get straight to the deets!
Imagine this - you have painstakingly selected the best furniture, paint themes, and interior décor for your home. However, you unknowingly install outdoor lights that completely overwhelm the rest of your décor.
For most people, outdoor lights may seem like an afterthought; however, I believe that the right lighting can enhance the drive-by value of your home. Let me tell you how to choose the right outdoor lighting to complete your home aesthetics.
One of the primary factors to keep in mind when choosing the right outdoor lights for your home is to consider their size. I have often noticed homeowners opting for lights based on their visual appeal, finish, style or features. However, failing to consider the correct size can lead to disastrous results.
To make it easier, I recommend measuring your patio, entryway, or garden first, depending on where you wish to install the lights. Keep in mind that a light fixture could look enormous in a showroom or when you check its dimensions online, but it may appear tiny when it is installed in your large patio.
Furthermore, the right outdoor lights should be visible from afar, as they can enhance the appeal of your home. That being said, they should not overpower the rest of your home décor that you have carefully selected.
The next point I want to talk about is choosing the right location for your outdoor lights. In this case, the placement should coincide with your purpose of installing them. Before you make the purchase, I recommend taking a moment to define the purpose of the installation and product.
As for me, I was looking to increase the nighttime visibility of my patio and garage. I had this in mind when purchasing my new outdoor lights, so I opted for an excellent set of solar-powered motion sensor outdoor lights.
Next, I installed them strategically on my patio and above the garage door. This allowed me to use some of the excellent features like auto turn on and off, motion detectors and enabled the lights to charge during the day using solar energy automatically.
Those looking to install lights on their exterior walls may prefer installing wall sconces, while low-level lights may be better suited for pathways, driveways, and staircases. Similarly, string lights or lanterns may offer better visuals and appeal to a patio or gazebo.
Once you can define the reason for installing new outdoor lights, you will be in a better position to choose the right location and size.
With adequate research, you may find a plethora of options when choosing the best outdoor lights for your home. It may be easy to get swayed by how appealing certain lights look in showrooms or when you see them advertised online. However, they may appear that way because of how well they complement the surrounding area.
When choosing lights for your home, it is important to consider the rest of your home décor and outdoor furniture. In my case, I opted for minimalistic outdoor décor with contemporary furniture. Likewise, I opted for outdoor lights that had a rich, modern design and instantly enhanced the aesthetic appeal of my home.
Depending on the décor and styling of your home, you can choose between rustic, traditional, modern, or nautical styles of outdoor lighting. In my experience, I have found that it is better to stick to a theme rather than purchasing products that have their inherent design and appeal, which may not go well with your existing décor.
You may be thinking, “The brighter, the better,” right? I have made this mistake too, so I can tell you from my experience that brighter is not always better. Think of it this way - you install super bright outdoor lights that look aesthetically pleasing during the morning and evenings but are overwhelming at night. Before you know it, you’re out purchasing blackout curtains for the house.
When it comes to the brightness of your outdoor lights, I recommend opting for smart variants that have dimmable features. Moreover, you may find outdoor lights that allow you to program auto shut down or turn on features. If you look into more advanced models, you will also find smart voice controls and app assistants.
So, I strongly recommend that you consider your needs carefully before picking the best lights for any outdoor area. If you are looking for low-level lights, I would recommend opal, frosted, or low wattage bulbs that emit lower lumens. However, if you need flood lights for added security or increased visibility, I would recommend opting for lights with higher lumens, giving you more brightness levels.
Are you still confused about the appropriate brightness levels for your outdoor area? Let me help you.
You wouldn’t pick a bright yellow lamp to sit on the orange coffee table at home, right? Well, the same rules apply to outdoor lighting. You will come across a multitude of color and finish options when looking for outdoor lights; however, complementing them with your home décor is imperative.
For example, if your garage door or patio are painted blue, opt for a deep navy or black shade for the outdoor lights. Or, if you’ve opted for a wood finish for your gazebo, install neutral light fixtures that will accentuate the area rather than clash with it.
The color of your outdoor light fixtures can make or break the visual appeal and value of your home. As such, I recommend selecting an outdoor light that will enhance and add aesthetic value to your garden, patio, driveway, or entryway. Fortunately, you will find several options to choose from.
Of course, if you need any help choosing the right shade to complement your home, feel free to drop in a comment below, and I will answer all of those queries!
When it comes to outdoor lights, opting for the most durable product seems self-explanatory. Since you will install the lights outside, they would be prone to sun damage, weather-related corrosion, dust, pollution, and wear and tear.
In my opinion, it is best to go for a product that has an excellent IP waterproof and weather-resistant rating. I always opt for those that feature an IP rating of 65 or above. However, if the product you like does not feature an IP rating, it’s okay. You don’t necessarily have to stop yourself from purchasing it.
Instead, I would tell you to check the materials and construction of the product. It is best to opt for commercial-grade outdoor lights as they are typically sturdier and will last longer. Moreover, they are designed to withstand rain, strong winds, and UV damage, making them ideal for your home.
Although you may debate fluorescent and incandescent bulbs being brighter than LEDs, I implore you to look deeper. LED lights are far more energy-efficient, cost-effective and durable compared to their brighter counterparts.
Furthermore, most modern LED bulbs come with excellent features that allow you to enjoy customizable brightness levels for various needs. In my experience, I find LED bulbs to be more durable and long-lasting. Moreover, their advanced technology helps me save energy costs as they are much more energy-efficient than traditional bulbs.
In most cases, opting for outdoor electrical lights requires hard-wiring. If your home is already hard-wired, you may not face much hassle while installing new outdoor lights. However, if this is not the case, you may have to hard-wire your home - which can be a laborious, time-consuming, and expensive affair.
In this day and age, opting for environment-friendly and sustainable products is the way to go. So, when it comes to outdoor lights, why should it be any different?
I recently switched over to solar power, and I don’t see myself ever returning to traditional lights again. Not only do the solar-powered outdoor lights charge automatically and provide excellent runtime, but they also help save electricity costs.
Furthermore, the absence of annoying wires and cords makes cleaning, maintenance, and repair so much easier. Not to mention, installation is a breeze since you don’t need to call an electrician to set up complicated wires.
It is essential to check the local regulations that dictate the type of outdoor lights you can install in your neighborhood. The primary reason for these regulations is to ensure the safety and security of your family and locality.
Furthermore, local regulations minimize safety hazards and enhance the privacy and security of the neighborhood. Check with your local authorities whether the outdoor lights need to be Energy Star certified or not before purchasing them. Taking care of this factor beforehand will eliminate the risk of legal issues cropping up in the future.
Technology has become incredibly smart. When it comes to smart devices, I always make it a point to thoroughly check their features, ease of use, functionality, and whether or not they are cost-effective.
You will find several smart outdoor light brands in the market that vary in their specifications, features, and cost. I’d recommend considering your budget and requirements before making the leap into smart home devices, as they may be slightly expensive for some users.
Furthermore, if you opt for advanced technologies and features, you will inevitably have to opt for better, more expensive brands to get top-notch quality and assurance.
Here are some of the best features of smart lights which I liked -
Installing smart outdoor lights have been one of the best additions I’ve made to my home. I love how easy it is to control their features, especially for someone like me who isn’t very tech-savvy.
Plus, the smart features have helped me save considerable energy costs. I will soon switch to smart LED bulbs for all my home lights as it is a cost-effective and environment-friendly alternative.
Now that I have finally come to the end of my guide, I would like to ask you what outdoor lights did you choose to install?
Once you carefully go through my guide, you will be in a better position to choose the right product. I advise you to carefully consider your budget and requirements before making a purchase. Moreover, feel free to speak to a professional electrician if you need help with installing the new lights.
I hope you enjoyed going through my guide. Please leave a comment below to let me know which lights you chose and why.
Till next time, stay safe and take care!
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