Whether you
tend to curl up indoors at night or use your outdoor space at all hours, you’ll
need some effective outdoor lighting. Outdoor lights eliminate dark corners,
reducing the likelihood of security problems, and they keep your evening guests
from tripping in the dark as they approach your front door. Explore the types
of outdoor lighting and select an option that feels right for your lifestyle.
Activity Lights
Many people
enjoy hosting parties and gatherings that continue well into the evening and
spread beyond the confines of the house itself. If you’re planning to host
guests outdoors as well as indoors, you need some bright, warm lights that
offer pleasant illumination for the activities at hand.
Smaller,
more ornate lights work well for lighting a path or a patio, while floodlights
are perfect to illuminate broader areas, like an entire lawn or a pool and its surrounding space.
Security Lights
If you’re
primarily interested in lighting up your property to discourage thieves and
vandals, you may want to invest in security lights. You can find
motion-sensitive lights, flood lights, spotlights, and a variety of other
styles.
If you
choose lights that are activated by motion sensors, be sure to pick a style
that allows you to alter the settings. That way, you can adjust the lights so
that small nocturnal animals won’t trigger them.
Decorative Lights
Some lights
are primarily decorative, or used only to light a small space, such as the
front entrance of the home. Wall-mounted sconces, a large lantern hung above
the door on a chain, or inset floor lighting can work well to illuminate the
front steps and the door for late-night visitors.
Remember,
every home’s style is different, and the decorative lighting you select should
complement that style. You might choose some pretty decorative sconces to lend
old-school charm to a Colonial-style home. A more modern home would need
sharper, crisper lighting, offered by fixtures that coordinate with the house’s
design.
Style Options
Sconces are
among the most popular choices for outdoor lighting. These lights can be
flush-mounted to the wall, or they can be semi-flush mounted, which allows them
to extend a bit from the wall. Wall lanterns and barn lights are examples of
fixtures with a semi-flush mounting system. A bulkhead light (a
nautical-inspired lamp with a cage around the bulb) is typically an example of
a flush-mounted light.
Spotlights
are often adjustable, with pivot heads that can be moved to cover a different
area as needed. You can use spotlights to draw attention to certain points of
interest in your landscape.
Floodlights are
helpful for security or for illuminating sections of the outdoor space that are
used for activities. They’re usually not as attractively designed as some of
the other outdoor lighting options.
For
additional advice about outdoor lighting, its uses, and various styles options,
consult with the experts at Kurtz Bros., Our landscaping gurus are
well-versed in all aspects of outdoor landscaping, including the choice of
lighting, and we’ll be happy to provide some tips.
