The right outdoor light helps define your home, create an inviting ambiance and enhance the safety and security of your property. There are a wide variety of luxury exterior lighting fixtures designed to suit every taste and budget, from contemporary styles that use a battery or solar power to traditional colonial lights with a wired connection. Many are also fitted with features that boost security, such as PIR sensors that only turn on when people move nearby, or dusk to dawn settings that automatically illuminate and shut off with the changing of the sun.
Outdoor lighting is available in a range of finishes, from classic bronze and brass to modern nickel or black. The finish you select not only affects the aesthetics but also influences how well it will withstand outdoor exposure and wear.
For outdoor lighting that will be installed on a deck or covered patio, consider choosing fixtures that are rated for damp locations (or use bulbs listed as “wet” for indoor/outdoor use). If you plan to install spotlights in a garden or landscaping, look for those that are specifically designed for uplighting: aiming the light upward helps accentuate eye-catching plants and landscape features.
Consider the size of your garden or landscape area when selecting an outdoor light. This will help determine what type and how many lights you need. If you want to highlight a particular feature, try using two or more spotlights aimed at it to minimize the shadowing effect that results when one light is used.