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Exterior Lighting
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Published: September 28, 2006
The first thing people see when they pull up in front of your house is the outside. This is known as curb appeal. Curb appeal includes every aspect of the exterior: the condition of the house, the color, the yard, landscaping, and at night the lighting. When the outside of a home is well taken care of, it provides a good idea of what the inside looks like.
Exterior lighting can make any house look like home.
When installing exterior lighting, you have to understand and practice the safety precautions of installing outdoor electrical lighting. Always use caution when working with electricity. Exterior lighting should integrate the style of your home and yard as well as show your personality. Lighting design is about creating an atmosphere. Do you want to have a place to relax in, entertain, or both?
Beginning with the entry way, this should be well lit so can see your way in and out as well as display the address and other signs. Choose the correct fixture for you porch by considering what it will look like from the street. If a fixture is smaller but has a lot of details it may seem larger because of the design. If a fixture is large but simple in design it may not look so large from the street. Using one bright lamp next to the door may work well for the purpose of seeing, but it can be harsh on the eyes. This glare is caused by too much contrast of light when the rest of the area is dark. Try using multiple, low light fixtures near key points like signs, the address and by the doorway and stairs to accent them and equally distribute the light. The exterior lighting should add safety and security. A motion detecting light can help you feel more secure by brightly lighting up an entire area. These are great for porches, sides, and the backyard of the house.
The walkway to the front entrance is a nice place for some exterior lighting. Rows of small lanterns look great as they gently light the pathway. These are great because are solar powered lanterns are available. These range in price, but are affordable. The solar powered lanterns are easy to install because they do not require wiring or a power source. A lamp post can add some life to a walkway, giving off an old time, nostalgic feeling. These will require installation and are higher in price.
The front landscaping area can be enhanced with exterior lighting. A few solar powered lanterns can add just the right touch and will compliment most any landscaping. Christmas lights are also great ways to accent. They are cheap, versatile, and very easy to install. These can line the edging of the plant beds or brighten the areas behind bushes or flowers. For a more professional look, exterior lighting can be installed using low-voltage lighting. There are many effects that exterior lighting fixtures can give. Shining pools of light in contrast with dark areas gives a stunning visual effect, while many low light fixtures can create a feeling of warmth. The design should be done around the characteristics of the property, the landscaping, and the activities of the homeowners. Low-voltage lighting is easily installed professionally or on your own, but the pricing can be a bit high.
The backyard is one of the best places in the house and can be enjoyed at night with the use of exterior lighting. This space can get far more decorative than the front yard, so let your personality shine. No matter what type of backyard space you have, lighting will help you enjoy it. Exterior lighting can help you relax or entertain, which is why many different light sources should be available depending on the occasion. Area lights show off wide areas of the space, and are good for a party or highlighting a garden space. Path lights are great for leading you around the space. Directional external lighting allows for you to highlight something specific, like a tree or flowerbed. Specialty fixtures are lots of fun and can be placed throughout the area, amongst the flowers, or up against a fence.
Begin all you exterior lighting projects by thinking about design. Think about how you want it to look and how to do it safely and properly. Exterior lighting can really set the mood for your home. Take the time to design and do it right and you will have many nights to enjoy the best of the outdoors.
Better Homes and Gardens: Decorative Lighting Ideas and Projects. 1st ed. Des Moines, Iowa: Meredith Books, 2003.
Davidson, James. Garden Lighting: Contemporary Exterior Lighting. London: The Orion Group, 1999.
"Design Tips." Grand Light. 27 Sept. 2006 .
Strandberg, Eric. "Exterior Entry Lighting." Lighting Design Lab. 27 Sept. 2006 .
Related Articles
When installing exterior lighting, you have to understand and practice the safety precautions of installing outdoor electrical lighting. Always use caution when working with electricity. Exterior lighting should integrate the style of your home and yard as well as show your personality. Lighting design is about creating an atmosphere. Do you want to have a place to relax in, entertain, or both?
Beginning with the entry way, this should be well lit so can see your way in and out as well as display the address and other signs. Choose the correct fixture for you porch by considering what it will look like from the street. If a fixture is smaller but has a lot of details it may seem larger because of the design. If a fixture is large but simple in design it may not look so large from the street. Using one bright lamp next to the door may work well for the purpose of seeing, but it can be harsh on the eyes. This glare is caused by too much contrast of light when the rest of the area is dark. Try using multiple, low light fixtures near key points like signs, the address and by the doorway and stairs to accent them and equally distribute the light. The exterior lighting should add safety and security. A motion detecting light can help you feel more secure by brightly lighting up an entire area. These are great for porches, sides, and the backyard of the house.
The walkway to the front entrance is a nice place for some exterior lighting. Rows of small lanterns look great as they gently light the pathway. These are great because are solar powered lanterns are available. These range in price, but are affordable. The solar powered lanterns are easy to install because they do not require wiring or a power source. A lamp post can add some life to a walkway, giving off an old time, nostalgic feeling. These will require installation and are higher in price.
The front landscaping area can be enhanced with exterior lighting. A few solar powered lanterns can add just the right touch and will compliment most any landscaping. Christmas lights are also great ways to accent. They are cheap, versatile, and very easy to install. These can line the edging of the plant beds or brighten the areas behind bushes or flowers. For a more professional look, exterior lighting can be installed using low-voltage lighting. There are many effects that exterior lighting fixtures can give. Shining pools of light in contrast with dark areas gives a stunning visual effect, while many low light fixtures can create a feeling of warmth. The design should be done around the characteristics of the property, the landscaping, and the activities of the homeowners. Low-voltage lighting is easily installed professionally or on your own, but the pricing can be a bit high.
The backyard is one of the best places in the house and can be enjoyed at night with the use of exterior lighting. This space can get far more decorative than the front yard, so let your personality shine. No matter what type of backyard space you have, lighting will help you enjoy it. Exterior lighting can help you relax or entertain, which is why many different light sources should be available depending on the occasion. Area lights show off wide areas of the space, and are good for a party or highlighting a garden space. Path lights are great for leading you around the space. Directional external lighting allows for you to highlight something specific, like a tree or flowerbed. Specialty fixtures are lots of fun and can be placed throughout the area, amongst the flowers, or up against a fence.
Begin all you exterior lighting projects by thinking about design. Think about how you want it to look and how to do it safely and properly. Exterior lighting can really set the mood for your home. Take the time to design and do it right and you will have many nights to enjoy the best of the outdoors.
Better Homes and Gardens: Decorative Lighting Ideas and Projects. 1st ed. Des Moines, Iowa: Meredith Books, 2003.
Davidson, James. Garden Lighting: Contemporary Exterior Lighting. London: The Orion Group, 1999.
"Design Tips." Grand Light. 27 Sept. 2006 .
Strandberg, Eric. "Exterior Entry Lighting." Lighting Design Lab. 27 Sept. 2006 .
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