When it comes to choosing lighting for our home, we often pay more attention with the interior fixtures most probably because this is where we spend most of our time. However, your outdoor lighting is equally important as your indoor lighting fixtures. The lighting you put outside your home serves as an added security keeping trespassers at bay. Apart from that, it can also enhance the aesthetic appeal of your landscaping at night and creates an ambiance. With this, it is important to choose the right outdoor lighting fixtures.
To plan your outdoor landscape lighting, start with a walk around your yard at night. Envision how and when you want to use your outdoor spaces, and tailor your landscape lighting to suit those needs. Many essential landscaping lighting areas include pathways, driveways, steps, decks, patios. Opting for garden lighting can also highlight certain aspects of your yard that you love. Taking advantage of these landscape lighting ideas below will allow you to enjoy your areas of entertainment long after dark.
Below are the factors that you need to consider when choosing outdoor lighting.
- The architectural design of your property
The first thing that you need to consider when shopping for outdoor lighting fixtures is the architectural style of your home. If you have an English bungalow, then you might like to consider porch lanterns. Check the overall look of your property especially the landscaping, how do you want to light up your property in such a way that it will be able to enhance its visual appeal? Make sure that the fixtures will compliment your home’s style.
- Durability
Another thing that you need to put into consideration is the durability of your lighting fixtures. Of course, you wouldn’t want to purchase something only to replace it with a new one the next week or so, right? Since it will be installed outside your home, choose an exterior lighting fixture that is waterproof and can stand the harsh weather.
- Bulb type
The latest trend today when it comes to energy-saving bulbs are the LED bulbs. It doesn’t consume so much electricity so it will help lower your monthly energy bills. Apart from being environmentally-friendly, LED bulbs are also durable.
- Maintenance
Whether we like it or not, installing lighting fixtures outside your home would mean additional cost. You cannot escape it, the only thing you can do is to choose items that will cost you less by being low-maintenance. Go for exterior lighting fixtures that are easy to clean and maintain.
- Amount of light
Common mistake that some homeowners make is that they forget to consider the amount of light that the fixture emits. Consider how you are going to use the lighting fixtures. Are you going to use it for decorative purposes? If so, then choose a bulb with lower watts to save energy. If you are going to use it to illuminate your outdoor areas after the sun sets, then choose a bulb with higher watts.
Finally, when shopping for exterior lighting fixtures, think of your outdoor space. Put just enough light to brighten up your outdoor space. When installing outdoor lights, you might like to get help from the professionals since they know how to strategically place these fixtures to provide illumination and at the same time, enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home at night.