Gareth Table Lamps by Troy Lighting
When the sun goes down, outdoor lighting can transform your yard into an inviting, functional extension of your home. Utilizing lanterns, pathway lights, outdoor fans, and wall lights, underused spaces become welcoming retreats perfect for gatherings or relaxation.
This outdoor lighting guide shows simple ways to achieve that transformation. We’ll show you how to design areas that are beautiful, safe, and complement your home year-round.
Guide to Creating Comfortable and Illuminated Outdoor Spaces
Creating the most appealing outdoor space requires a perfect balance between light and comfort. You’ll want to have enough light to feel safe, yet not too much light at night to distract from the mood.
The best outdoor lights serve four fundamental purposes:
- Safety and security: Safety is about more than just preventing falls. It’s about tracing a safe and confident path through the dark. Lights placed in intervals around the perimeter of your property can also help prevent intruders and offer peace of mind.
- Functionality: The right kind of lighting can help extend the indoors into the outdoors, transforming your patio or deck into fully functional areas. Well-placed lighting allows you to plan evening dinners on the deck, late-night conversations by the fire pit, or simply enjoy your garden when the sun goes down.
- Atmosphere: Lighting is also the key to mood-matching ambiance. Soft lighting can create a romantic glow, while spotlights can highlight flowerbeds and other points of interest.
- Aesthetics: Aesthetics is where your landscape artistry shines. Use light to sculpt shadows and reveal functional spaces.
Thoughtful outdoor lighting transforms your outdoor spaces into a living gallery.
Making Outdoor Spaces Comfortable for All Seasons
Depending on where you live, you may not use your patio or deck year-round. However, your lights should still function regardless of the weather. Consider the following seasonal lighting tips:
- Use timers and sensors: Automatic lighting is both convenient and functional. Automate your lighting to match the seasonal changes in daylight hours.
- Invest in smart lights: Choose lights that connect to your home’s smart app. Use Wi-Fi to adjust the brightness, to turn lights on and off, and to control colors from an app on your phone.
- Choose weather-resistant lighting: Most outdoor lights are rated to withstand inclement weather. Be sure to check the IP rating to ensure it matches your local climate. Choose lights resistant to snow, rain, and extreme temperatures.
Comfort is a multi-sensory experience. Just as a painter adds layers to create depth, weaving together these different types of lights results in a visually enchanting outdoor environment.
Dale Outdoor Wall Light by Quoizel
Choosing Outdoor Lighting
There are multiple types of lighting, all of which serve a distinct purpose:
- Wall sconces and post lights: Acting as elegant sentinels, these fixtures create a welcoming entrance to your home. Place them on either side of a walkway or doorway, or use them along the edges of a patio.
- Path and step lights: These low-profile lights serve as a guide through a garden or at the side of your home. They make it easier to secure your footing. Stagger them on either side of a path to create a runway effect.
- Landscape lighting and spotlights: These are also referred to as accent lights. They can be used anywhere you want to focus on details.
- String lights and pendants: Draped over a pergola, string lights create a festive ceiling of starlight. Pendants anchor a space, inviting others to gather beneath the glow. Together, they set a tone that feels serene and romantic.
The art in outdoor lighting comes from coordinating several selections from this list, allowing each to play a specific role in your landscaping.
Understanding Layering
Layered lighting is a process that involves combining multiple types of lights to achieve the desired effect. This process helps eliminate dark areas, such as distant corners or less-used walkways.
Ambient Lighting
Think of ambient lighting as the foundational wash of color on a canvas. It’s the soft, general radiance for your outdoor space. It could be overhead hanging lanterns or ground lights. These lights cover the largest amount of space and are often used to make an area more functional and easier to navigate. However, without other types of lighting, your outdoor space can seem uninviting.
Accent Lighting
Accent lights use a focused beam to trace the silhouette of a favorite tree along your back fence or to reveal a unique sculpture. They create focal points that make your outdoor space unforgettable.
Task Lighting
Task lighting carves out intimate circles of light for activities, for example, a pendant light above a table or an outdoor dining area. It may be the soft glow that illuminates the faces of friends or the direct light above your grilling space that makes cooking a pleasure.
Layering is a sophisticated technique that’s also often used by interior designers to create a more balanced atmosphere.
Cubed Tall LED Outdoor Wall Light by ET2 Lighting
Ensuring Optimal Illumination: Tips for Lighting Installation
Proper placement is everything when it comes to outdoor lighting installation. Before you purchase anything, analyze your outdoor space when it’s dark, so you know exactly where you need lights most.
Plan Your Design
First, think about what you’ll be using your space for and plan accordingly. Are you planning to host dinner parties, or is your goal to create a warm and inviting place to relax and unwind? Does your space need to be kid and pet-friendly?
Create a Rough Sketch
Make a rough sketch of the layout of your yard. Make a note of any key features, like benches, tables, flowers, an outdoor cooking area, and dark corners. Decide what you want to emphasize.
Placement Is Everything
Whether you’re highlighting a work area or placing lights to prevent dark pathways, every light should serve a purpose. Often, the best outdoor lighting is that which is invisible during the day. Consider installing lights in shrubs or behind rocks and other landscape features.
Professional Installation vs. DIY
Single low-voltage lanterns or solar lighting systems make excellent DIY projects. If you’re installing a complete outdoor hardwired system, hire a licensed electrician or a professional landscape lighting specialist. Their expertise will ensure your lights are installed correctly and safely.
Energy Efficiency in Outdoor Lighting
Energy-efficient lighting is a practical choice for your outdoor space. The best outdoor lights should look great while saving you money in the long run:
- LED lighting: Modern outdoor LED lights are one of the best choices for outdoor lighting. They last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs and use up to 90% less energy. They also produce very little heat, making it safe to use them near outdoor plants.
- Solar lights: Solar-powered lights are ideal for use in areas where it’s hard to run wire. They work well for pathways or as decorative accent lights.
- Incorporating smart controls: Another way to ensure your lights are only on when you need them is by installing timers. Automatically adjust your lights to turn on at dusk and off at dawn. Dimmers can also be used to adjust the brightness and set the mood.
By choosing these types of lighting, you create a beautiful system that’s also better for the environment.
Soren Outdoor Wall Light by Troy Lighting
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is color temperature, and why does it matter?
Color temperature refers to the color of light and the look it creates. It’s measured in Kelvin (K) on a scale from 1,000 to 10,000. The lower the temperature, the warmer the light will be. The higher the number, the cooler the light will be. Lights from 2,000 to 3,000K are considered warm, and lights from 3,100 to 4,500K are considered cool. Daylight has a score from around 4,600 to 6,500K. Warm lights mimic the glow of a candle and create a cozy feeling. Cooler lights can feel harsh and uninviting.
How do I brighten a small patio or balcony?
When adding light to any outdoor space, your choices should be intentional. Focus on layering: hang string lights overhead, place solar-powered stake lights in planters, and use floor lanterns or built-in LED sconces to make the area feel larger and more inviting.
How many watts or lumens do I need for outdoor lighting?
For most patios, pathways, and gardens, aim for 100–200 lumens for ambient glow, 300–700 lumens for task lighting (like grilling or dining areas), and 700–1,300 lumens for security or floodlighting. LED fixtures provide strong illumination at lower wattages, making them more energy-efficient and cost-effective.
What are IP ratings?
The Ingress Protection (IP) rating tells you how well your lights protect against dust and rain. Outdoor lights should be damp or wet-rated. The rating of IP65 means the light can withstand a direct jet of water and is dust-resistant, making it suitable for most outdoor applications.
How many outdoor lights do I need for my home?
The number of outdoor lights you need depends on your space’s size and how you use it. Typically, less is more. Start with safety. You should have enough low-lying lights to illuminate pathways, so you know where to gain footing. Then, add layers. Floodlights can cover a large amount of space for extra security at night, while spotlights can be used to highlight specific areas.
How much do outdoor lights cost?
The cost of outdoor lighting varies depending on fixture type, material, and energy efficiency. Basic solar or LED pathway lights can start around $20 each, while high-end landscape or architectural lighting may range from $150 to $500 per fixture. Capitol Lighting offers a wide range of options to suit different budgets and design goals.
Should I leave my outdoor lights on all night?
Not necessarily. While lighting adds security, it’s best to use timers, motion sensors, or smart controls to conserve energy and reduce light pollution. Consider leaving pathway and entryway lights on for safety, but let motion-activated lights handle broader coverage throughout the night.
Oxford Outdoor Hanging Lantern and Oxford Tall Outdoor Wall Light by Maxim Lighting
Bring Your Outdoor Lighting Vision to Life
Your options for installing outdoor lighting are limitless. Whether you want to create a space for celebrations and entertainment or design your own personal oasis for relaxing, reading, and enjoying nature, the right lighting can help you with those goals. Think of outdoor lighting design as more than just a common necessity; it’s a way to bring your visions to life.
Contact us today to learn more about outdoor lighting installations.