Outdoor light illuminates exterior spaces to provide safety and add visual appeal to your home at night. It also helps create a relaxing atmosphere that is an extension of your interior living space. This lighting can include practical wall mount or post lights, bollards to mark entranceways and stairways, and hanging garden lamps to illuminate gazebos and covered porches.
The style of outdoor light you choose should coordinate with your property’s overall design. For example, a modern design might favor lights that are contemporary in appearance or ones that match the color of the exterior home structure. Conversely, a rustic design could work with string lights or more traditional fixtures.
A lighting fixture’s wattage or energy consumption will impact its cost. Consider your budget and how many light fixtures you’ll be installing when shopping for bulbs and fixtures. LED lights are recommended because they use less energy and last longer than other types of bulbs.
The color temperature of your outdoor lighting can impact how warm or cool it is. Warmer bulbs are typically in the incandescent range, while cooler bulbs mimic daylight with a higher Kelvin temperature.
A final consideration with any outdoor light is its sensitivity to moisture and weather. If your lighting will be installed in an area that will be exposed to sprinklers, hoses or natural rain and snow, look for fixtures and bulbs that are UL rated for damp locations.