Outdoor Home Lighting: Creating a Safe, Secure and Beautiful Exterior

Exterior lighting can be used for dramatic effects like highlighting significant exterior features or playing with light and shadow to create interesting patterns. Photo courtesy of Knight Light Custom Garden Lighting. Bulbs and colors also create varied effects. White, incandescent light is still popular for outdoor lighting. Don't overuse colored lights or the effect may be gaudy. Also avoid creating glare where light hits windows or light shines into visitors’ eyes or neighbors’ property. When creating special effects, try to keep the fixtures out of sight, but make sure the location doesn’t interfere with yard maintenance or bulb-changing. Lighting Mistakes Excessive light is a common mistake in exterior lighting of any kind. There is growing concern about the adverse environmental effects of light pollution, which can confuse animals and create a glow in the night sky that washes out the stars. “Dark sky” lighting techniques that include fixtures to direct the light downward and hide the bulb are becoming increasingly popular. Some communities even have ordinances requiring low- or no-glare lighting. Always try to use a minimal number of fixtures with the lowest-wattage bulb possible. “It’s remarkable what a 20-watt light bulb will do at night,” Gilbertson says. When installing exterior lighting, try to look to the future. “Lack of planning is another big mistake,” Gilbertson says. Electrical codes require burying 120-volt cables two feet deep, so you want to lay the wires before you landscape or put in a driveway. Most landscape lighting is now done with 12-volt lights because they’re safer and the cable can be laid under mulch or topsoil. To use low-voltage lighting you will need a 120-volt, GFI-protected outside outlet and a transformer. Style and Energy-Efficient Lighting Options There are many styles of outside lighting fixtures to reflect your personal style. While fixtures were once made primarily of polished brass, many are now made from weather-resistant plastic or aluminum. Clear glass is becoming passé because it creates too much glare, while art glass is growing in popularity. Solar lights, which don’t require wires or electricity, are a smart choice. There are also lots of options when it comes to energy efficiency. Timers and photo cells can turn lights on and off when you’re not home and motion detectors can activate them when an animal or intruder is present. They are energy-efficient in that they only use electricity when you need it, not constantly. Remote controls let you turn lights on at will or check out an unexpected visitor. Dimmers help create a special mood for outdoor gatherings while using as little light as possible.

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