Outdoor Lighting Basics

Enhance the Beauty, Value, Security & Safety of your Home

Outdoor lighting, including the popular landscape lighting, provides dramatic and instant beautification to your property in a variety of ways. A good lighting design will increase:

Elegance & Beauty - The right outdoor lighting will enhance the elegance and charm of your home and leave an instant sense of pride. The #1 reason to invest in outdoor lighting is the impact these systems offer your home's look at night also allowing for increased time you and your family can spend outdoors.

Value - Your home is one of your largest investments. Your time, effort and monetary investment to your landscaping are not shown when the sun goes down. The utility of your property will increase dramatically after dark. You will be able to use areas you never thought possible by the use of landscape lighting to bring those areas shrouded in darkness to life. You will also get a new level of enjoyment out of viewing your property after dark. It will look and feel more valuable.

Security and Safety - Lighting is the top deterrent of property crime - don't give unwanted visitors a place to hide! Properly lit, you are adding a new level of home security because dark corners virtually disappear. In icy or wet conditions, lighting provides a safe passage for you and your guests.

Examples of Outdoor Entrance Lighting

Front Entrance Lighting

A well lit front entrance says "Welcome". It enables you to greet guests and identify visitors. The most frequent mistake is to buy fixtures that are too small. Proportion is important to selecting entryway luminaries. If using a single light on one side of the door, choose a fixture with a height approximately one-third of the height of the door. If using lights on both sides, fixtures with a height one-fourth of the door height are appropriate. They should be mounted at least 66" above standing level. Balance the amount of light output with the front environment. Too dim, guests may stumble, too bright will dazzle and blind them. Choose clear or decorative incandescent lamps for sparkle in clear glass designs. Use frosted lamps with etched or opal diffusers. Use 40-75 watt incandescent lamps; it's important to avoid too much brightness in any single fixture. Be sure that light reaches steps and other grade changes for safety purposes. Outdoor Wall Lights on each side of the door will give your home a warm look, while assuring the safety of those who enter. Under a porch or overhang use recessed, chain-hung, or close-to-ceiling fixtures. Also, consider adding a lighted address fixture; you'll never be without a comforting light to greet you.

Rear or Side Entrance Lighting

Use a single wall lantern installed on the keyhole side of the door to provide adequate task lighting and security.

Examples of Lighting for the yard, deck & porch

Paths and Driveways

Ensure safe and easy movement after dark by illuminating these areas with post mounted lanterns. They add security and safety by illuminating the yard, driveway and walking areas. They also add beauty and value to your home.

Landscape Lighting

Beautifully designed landscape lighting adds charm and elegance to your home. Landscape lighting is a low voltage lighting system. It is used to bring trees and flowers to life at night, feature focal points around your home, and light pathways and stairs for safety and security. It is one of the most dramatic improvements you can make for a modest investment. For more information please visit our Landscape Lighting Basics page.

Outdoor Chandeliers & Lamps

Add some serious style to your porch with unique and beautiful lamps and chandeliers specifically suited for outdoor use. These items are designed with UL listed for wet or damp locations, and are made with water resistant materials.