It's easy to recognize good outdoor lighting when you see it. When the sun goes down, the house looks welcoming - there are no dark shadows, and the entrances and driveway are well-lit, safe and beautiful.
You can create the same cozy atmosphere for your home with well-planned outdoor lighting. Start by listing your exterior lighting goals. Here are five key aspects of outdoor lighting to consider:
1. Safety
Make sure your entrances and walkways are well-lit and shadow-free to avoid falls at night. This includes the main entrance, garden paths and side doors. Stairs should also be part of the plan as they are a common cause of injury.
Several ways to illuminate stairs:
- Individual lighting fixtures mounted on a post or railing
- Flexible LED strips cut to size for each step
- Lighting under the steps
- Stand-alone light poles or lamps
Depending on the type of stairs - wooden, stone or concrete - these types of lighting can be suitable and significantly increase safety when moving at night.
2. Security
Outdoor lighting security and safety may seem similar, but security also includes when the lights are turned on. One approach is to add motion sensors to some of the exterior lights so they turn on when someone enters your property. This also includes animals, so you may want to be selective if your bedroom faces an area with frequent nighttime activity.
It's usually a good idea to turn on the front light at dusk and leave it on until bedtime. Regular lights turning on and off indicate that the home is occupied.
Another option is to use timers to turn your outdoor lights on and off on a schedule. But remember that using a constant schedule timer when you're away may not be the best way to protect your home. Crafty burglars watch the home before they act, so it may be better to set an uneven schedule or even skip some nights.
Some outdoor lighting manufacturers now offer smart apps that allow you to control your lights remotely, even when you're not at home. Our lighting experts are trained in the latest smart lighting products and will be happy to show you the options available.
3. Garden elements
The fun part of your lighting plan is deciding which garden features to illuminate. Do you have an impressive tree or wall of decorative plants to highlight? Subtle directional lighting will highlight these features. Outdoor sculptures or terraced gardens are beautiful at night with added lighting.
Water features offer a special lighting option. The play of water and light at night is magical, and today's new waterproof LED products are a fantastic way to add drama and beauty to your pool, garden pond, fountain or other water feature. Our lighting experts can guide you in choosing discreet yet effective accent lighting.
4. Lifestyle
As spring approaches, or if you live in a warm climate, you and your family will likely be spending more time outside. Busy everyday life makes every opportunity to relax even more important, so make sure your outdoor space is comfortable and well-lit when you have time to enjoy it.
An outdoor chandelier adds a touch of elegance to any space and creates a soft atmosphere for evening parties or family dinners. Include a dimming system in your plan so you can turn up the light level for a party or turn it down for a romantic evening.
Make your time outside even more comfortable on hot days with an outdoor ceiling fan. Talk to our fan experts and learn why it's important to have a weatherproof fan for your outdoor spaces. From modern single-wing metal models to updated versions of the classic style, find your favorite design.
5. Energy
If you love the idea of increasing the security and beauty of your outdoor space with lighting, but don't like the thought of a higher electric bill, think again. Today's outdoor lighting can be extremely energy efficient if you invest in LED bulbs or fixtures. The savings from switching to LED are significant: in one year, an LED bulb has an average annual energy consumption of about BGN 2 – compared to BGN 8 for a traditional incandescent bulb. Multiply that by the number of light bulbs in your home and you get a substantial amount.
LED bulbs used to be quite a bit more expensive, but research and competition have driven prices down, so there's never been a better time to make the switch to LED.
Complete your outdoor lighting plan with a simple sketch of your home. Bring it to our lighting professionals for the best advice and product selection. We know the light!
