How to Choose the Right Lighting for Your Outdoor Space

Your home’s exterior lighting is essential to finishing your outdoor space. It not only creates a lovely and lit environment outside but also offers much-needed safety. So we’ve put together this handy guide full of tips and basic rules of thumb to consider as you embark on your outdoor lighting shopping journey!

It takes effort and research to determine what type of outdoor lighting to choose. There are numerous lighting solutions and devices available on the market. So, you want to make sure you put in enough research to determine what will best satisfy your home needs.

Types of Lighting

Before getting into anything else, you’ll want to determine which type of lighting you need for your home: wall lighting, landscape lighting, or security lights.

Wall Lighting?

These modern outdoor wall lights flank doorways and can be mounted anywhere there is a wall and wiring. Others integrate into your home’s exterior or have style features to accent your space. Some produce ambient light, while others provide more directed light. Most outdoor wall lights will be rated for their particular exposure to the elements, so pay attention to the UL rating. An outdoor wall sconce will help you find your keys, and some designs wash walls in uplight and downlight to help emphasize your property.

Landscape Lighting?

This type of lighting includes path, deck, step, and recessed ground lights.

• Path lights are meant for pathways but can also be used for water features and gardens or home perimeter lighting.
• Recessed lights are meant to blend in with your landscape, so you only see the light they emit, not the fixture itself.
• Deck and step lights are a more permanent lighting installed directly into the steps and decks outside your home to enhance safety and design.

Security lights

Security or safety-based lighting includes flood, recessed, and path lights. These lights can have a dual purpose: they are for security but also add curb appeal. Typically you can program these lights to turn on and off with the sun, activate with movement, controlled by a switch, or even a smart home hub. And you can find options that are solar-powered, battery-powered, or hard-wired.

UL Ratings

Each fixture will be given a UL grade depending on its weather resistance. These UL ratings indicate which outdoor areas are most suitable for your fixture. It’s vital that you understand what you’re buying.

Damp Rated

Damp-rated fixtures are used in outdoor areas that are covered. For example, a light beneath a covered porch would be one of them. Because the fixture is outside, it will be exposed to moisture but will not be harmed by rain because the area is covered.

Wet Rated

Fixtures rated for wet environments will be entirely exposed to harsher elements like ice, snow, heavy rain, or even salt-water breezes from the ocean. Deck lights or path lights fall into this category, typically in exposed, uncovered places.

Sizing and Placement

While getting creative with lighting placement around your home is fun, there is a safe and effective way to measure your lighting fixtures to fit in your outdoor space.

Front Door

Proper lighting for your front door is essential as it can come in handy when you want to get in the house late at night or if you need to see who’s knocking so late. To find the right size lighting fixture for your entry area, measure the height of the front door, then divide the height by 1/3 and 1/4. The lighting you need will fall between 1/3 to 1/4 the height of your door to suit your space.

Garage Area

Garage lights can be helpful for many things depending on your home setup and your home activities. For instance, if your garage is near your front door, the lights you place here can add to your entry lighting. Or, say you have a basketball hoop in front of your garage; the light can be used for visibility. To find the proper size lights for outside your garage, you follow the same 1/3 to 1/4 rule that you use for the front door, except you divide by the height of the garage door.

Pro tip: Motion-sensor lights are best used here if you're worried about safety.

Patio Area

Your deck, patio, or pool space are areas you will not only use to entertain but also as places for solitude and relaxation. These areas are meant to be inviting and safe. And with the proper lighting, you can do just that! When choosing the proper size for your outdoor dining, deck, patio, or pool areas, follow the 1/3 to 1/4 rule, just like other outdoor lighting fixtures. Measure the closest door that leads to your home or garage in these areas to get this information. Likewise, if you want an outdoor ceiling fan, you’ll want to find one 2/3 or 1/2 the table’s width since placing it over the table is ideal.

These outdoor lighting insights can help you install the gorgeous, functional fixtures you’ve been looking for! Whether you’re trying to increase your curb appeal or require a well-lit garage space for security and safety, outdoor lighting is necessary for your home. Now that you’ve learned the basics, it’s time to consult us about your custom solution for the ideal lighting for your outdoor space. If you have questions about your outdoor lighting options, the pros at D.A.V.E. can help! Just give us a?call or come in?today!

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