Outdoor lighting serves a dual purpose on your property by creating a welcoming ambiance while acting as a deterrent to intruders. When shopping for outdoor lighting systems, it might be hard to determine which lights work best for your home. Here are tips to help you choose outdoor lighting systems that fit your yard:
Define Your Lighting Needs
Before choosing outdoor lights, inspect your yard to determine what type of lighting you need. Lighting needs may change depending on the size and type of your property or how you use outdoor spaces. Outdoor lighting systems serve three primary purposes:
Security
Security lights illuminate dark areas like pathways, stairs, and entryways, reducing the risk of accidents and deterring burglars. Dusk-to-dawn lights are ideal for security purposes as they have photo-sensitive sensors that trigger the lights when it gets dark. They can also give the illusion that you are home, keeping your house safe when you are away or out late.
Motion sensor lights are another excellent security option. Sensors trigger them to turn on whenever there is movement in your yard. These lights can startle trespassers and alert you to movement in your yard.
Aesthetics
Outdoor lights can highlight the beauty of your landscape, drawing attention to features like trees, flower beds, or architectural details of your home. Accent lighting options like spotlights are suitable for decorative purposes as you can use them to bring features like your garden, fountains, or sculptures into focus.
Functionality
The right type of lighting can enhance your yard’s functionality, allowing you to use it for evening activities with family or friends. If you use your porch for outdoor dining, installing pendant lights can create a cozy, welcoming ambiance. Outdoor path lights can make it easier for guests to navigate your yard at night.
Determine Suitable Lights for Your Location
Moisture levels in your outdoor environment indicate whether you should install dry, damp, or wet-rated lights in your yard. Dry-rated outdoor lights lack features to protect against moisture damage, making them more suitable for covered areas like your porch. They also work well in areas that experience sunshine for most of the year.
If you live in a rainy or humid area, damp-rated lighting fixtures are best for your outdoor spaces. Wet-rated outdoor lights are designed to withstand stormy conditions. This makes them suitable for areas that face direct exposure to water, rain, or snow, such as exposed gazebos or pathways.
Explore Different Outdoor Lighting Systems
Familiarize yourself with the available outdoor lighting options to choose the appropriate fixtures for your property. Consider placement when choosing the best lights for your space. Wall-mounted lights are designed for installation on flat, vertical surfaces like entry doors, garage doors, and patios. String lights are ideal for spaces with high ceilings that allow for hanging lights, like pergolas. Low-voltage landscape lights provide soft light to illuminate your backyard, while post lights work well for lighting pathways and areas detached from your house.
Get Help Choosing Outdoor Lighting
When choosing outdoor lighting systems, you want fixtures that match your home’s style while providing functionality. Even when you have defined your lighting needs, it might be difficult to select the best lighting to meet those needs. Talk to an experienced landscape lighting design and installation team today to determine which lighting system provides the best illumination for your yard.
