Where to Install Outdoor Lights?

Understanding the specific lighting needs of each outdoor location will help you select the right fixtures to create a secure and captivating space. These include path lights for driveways and walkways, deck and patio lights for gathering areas, landscape lights for ambiance, and wall-mounted or post lights for visibility and style. Each category offers unique benefits tailored to different aspects of outdoor designs.

• Walkway / Pathways: Use step lights and bollard lights to illuminate walkways and pathways. Pathway lights clearly guide people along the proper path.
• Steps: Using step lights or ground well lights improve visibility on stairwells and steps. Additionally, step and ground lights can add decorative flair to your yard.
• Patio / Deck: Decorate your patio or deck with deck lights or wall lanterns. Deck lights makes your outdoor space more inviting, whether day or not. Wall lanterns line the outside of your home, providing light and elegant decoration. Another option for deck and patio spaces are wall packs as they pump out bright, widespread lighting.
• On Posts: Add lights to posts along your deck, patio, and walkway to adequately light outdoor spaces. Post lights provide ample lighting when hosting outside parties and gatherings.
• Garden: Lights used in this area highlight foliage and improve your yard's aesthetic. Postlights and spotlights are perfect options bring out your garden's beauty.
• Trees: Make your trees the focal point of your yard with well-placed spotlights.
• Open Areas: Open courtyard and other open spaces need light too! String lights can hang across pergolas, fences and trees to add charm and light over large distances.
• Water Features: Underwater well lights, fountain lights, and pond lights highlight water features and help prevent falling into pools/ponds.

• Safety & Security: Outdoor lights improve safety by lighting up walkways such as stairs, preventing injuries. They can also serve as a deterrent to crime and alert you to unexpected guests. LED motion-sensors, solar, and dusk-to-dawn lights all work to efficiently light areas and increase security
• Landscape / Exterior Lighting: Outdoor landscape lighting fixtures such as deck lights for railing and stair illumination, in-ground lights highlighting trees and focal points, spotlights adjustable beams for trees and flower beds, low voltage along steps and architectural features, and wall mounted sconces ceiling lights for entryways and covered areas enhance both safety and aesthetic across outdoor spaces.
• Decoration: Decorative lighting options including rope lights, string lights, lanterns, and post lighting can highlight the most appealing aspects of your home or office. Placing lights purposefully around patios, railings, above ground pools, canopies, gazebo, porches, gardens and fence posts brings out the beauty of each area.

When planning outdoor lighting, choosing the right types for specific locations guarantees success.

Path lights are small lights ideal for safety along sidewalks and driveways. For staircases, step lights add safety and subtlety when walking up and down steps.

Landscape spotlights can highlight trees, bushes, and flower beds. Spot lights bring out the beauty in your foliage.

Lamp posts are long fixtures used along streets, gardens, and entryways. They have lots of light coverage, helping with visibility at night.

Pond or pool lights add lighting to the edges of fountains, ponds, and pools. This ensures your water features are well-lit no matter the time of day.

Wall Lanterns brighten doorways, garage doors, decks, entryways, porches, and patios. Wall washers add uniform brightness to entrances, walkways, gutters, and art pieces.

Flood lights cast wide beam angles, helping to illuminate driveways, garages, alleyways, and building exterior.

Since motion sensor lights automatically turn on when movement is detected, they work perfectly for security lighting.

Choosing which fixture to buy is a stressful task. Many factors can influence which outdoor light fixtures you need. These factors can include:

• Purpose: Choosing the right outdoor light involves considering its purpose– whether for security, ambiance, or task lighting – select the best type for the job.
• Budget: How much you want OR can spend is often the deciding factor. Determine your budget and pick from their.
• Size: Consider the size of the light and installation location. Measuring the installation space helps in choosing the appropriate types of outdoor lights.
• Climate: Most lights can either be rated for damp or wet locations. Damp location rating means the fixture can withstand damp or moist conditions. Wet location fixtures are rated to handle being soaked in water. Lamps without either rating cannot be in moist or wet conditions without getting damaged. Other conditions to consider include extreme heat and snow.
• Style and Color Finish: If you aim to maintain your setting’s aesthetic, understanding the color and style of the lights you intend to use is crucial. Choosing to complement each other can create harmony and enhance the allure of your environment.
• Features: Additional features like motion sensors, timers, and smart controls can add functionality and save you money over time.

Make buying a fixture a stress-free experience by keeping all these factors in mind. If you're still unsure, consult a licensed electrician for the best advice on everything you need to know.