When most people think of lighting, they imagine how they will illuminate various rooms in their home. However, if you want to make your house more visually appealing, you should invest in some outdoor lighting options as well. The right fixtures can make your exterior look its best and ensure that you get the most out of your front and backyard. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best lighting options available for the outside of your home.
Walkways
If you have a path leading up to your front door, or out to a patio, then you should put lights along the way. This will not only be practical when trying to navigate in the dark, but it will add instant appeal to your landscaping as well.
To save some money on installation, you might be able to use solar-powered LED lights so that you don’t have to run electricity to them.
Tree Lights
If you’ve taken the time and effort to plant some gorgeous trees in your yard, then why not show them off at night? A small spotlight can do wonders to make your landscaping pop, mainly if you place them on every tree in your yard.
Another option is to wrap lights around the trunk and branches to give it a more festive feel. Although most people assume that it only works for the holiday season, the fact is that you can use white lights all year round.
Use Fixtures To Your Advantage
There is something to be said for keeping things consistent in the lighting department, but the fact is that sometimes it can seem a little bland. So, instead of utilizing identical fixtures everywhere, feel free to mix and match.
Try to buy models that fit the kind of aesthetic you’re going for in that area. For example, you can find fixtures that represent old street lamps to illuminate the walkway, while you have hanging lanterns hovering over your plants. As long as two styles don’t significantly clash with each other, you’re ready to go.
Finally, another option is to use these fixtures as decoration. You can have hanging lamps over your outdoor seating area and dress them up with swanky lampshades or covers. Add more detail to your exterior while you’re making it more functional, too. Adding LED lighting to your garage is an excellent example.
Walls And Fences
If you have any physical barrier around your property, then lights can make them seem more inviting. For example, mounting soft, warm LEDs to a stone wall can give it a cozy feeling to offset the sturdiness of the material.
Even chain-link fences can benefit from some different lighting options, provided that you do it cleverly. Spotlights around the perimeter or string lights woven through the links can add some class and style to what is otherwise a utilitarian piece.
Making Patterns
Although lights are usually seen as only a means of illumination, the fact is that you create vivid designs with them as well. Sconces and frames can help you get more out of each bulb by creating lines and shapes. The best place to have these are along a perimeter wall, but you can use part of your house as a canvas as well.
Try to find a pattern that compliments your overall aesthetic so that it will become a focal point for your exterior space.
Colored Lights
Although LEDs produce mostly white light, that doesn’t mean that you can’t find a wide array of colors as well. Green, blue, red, and orange can all be utilized to create a more dynamic and inviting space.
One idea is to mark different areas of your exterior with a certain color. For example, if you have a pool or a backyard pond, blue lights can enhance the calming water effect. You can use green LEDs to highlight natural elements or red lights to create a moody atmosphere for your front porch or back patio.
Embedded Lights
If you have more of a budget and you want something that will both liven your space and last longer, then you may want to invest in some LEDs that install into a structure.
For example, if you have a barren wall, you can put lights directly inside it so that they are flush. Another option is to build illuminated bricks for your patio or around your pool area. These lights will transform your outdoor space, and they will be much more durable since they are embedded into the scenery.
Safety
Although LEDs can be excellent for aesthetic reasons, they can also be utilized for added security measures. First of all, motion-activated flood lights can deter thieves from trying to enter your home. Second, extra lighting ensures that you can see where you’re going at night.
Stairways, slippery areas (such as by the pool) and other dark spots around your house should be as well lit as possible. Combine decorative elements with them to create a functional and beautiful space. Save the floodlights for doorways and other entries that could be tempting for intruders.
In the end, there is no limit to how well you can illuminate your exterior with LED lights. As long as you don’t go overboard (keep some negative space and shadows), your home will look its best at all hours of the day.
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