Outdoor Lighting Buying Guide

When choosing outdoor lighting for your home, consider the overall appearance of your home. For example, how are the lighting fixtures going to look from the curb, the driveway and the front door? Too few lights can get lost and fixtures that are too small may not produce enough light on a larger home. Too many lights or overly large fixtures can look mismatched and glaring on a smaller home. Outdoor lighting should create a comfortable, safe and secure lighting experience.

Types of “Outdoor Space Lighting”:

Post Mounted fixtures

These are used to illuminate an entrance/pathway or near a driveway to make locating the driveway safer and easier. Posts come in a variety of colors and generally need to be purchased separately from the light fixture.

Lantern/Wall Mounted fixtures

These can be used at any exterior door around the home including garage, basement, back and side doors, adding safety and security around entrances. Larger homes and homes with larger front entrances lend themselves to larger fixtures and/or to a fixture on each side of the door. Smaller homes and single doors are better suited with smaller lanterns or a single lantern. Lanterns are best hung just above eye level or at least 66” from the ground.

Ceiling Mounted fixtures

An excellent option for entrances with a porch or portico to help more adequately light the area.

Hanging Fixtures

Grand entrances and tall porches lend themselves to hanging fixtures. In order to insure adequate lighting, safety for taller guests and good distance from a swinging door be sure to hang the fixture high enough. 84” from the floor is a general guideline. Lamps and Chandeliers specifically made for outdoor use are becoming a popular decorative accent to outdoor porches, pools, cabanas and other covered outdoor spaces. A fixture suited for outdoor use will have “UL Listed For Use In Damp Locations” listed on the Details & dimensions tab. This notation will indicate that the product is suited for wet or damp situations.

Accent lighting

Comes in many designs including down light, flood light, mini-accent and well lighting. Accent lighting highlights landscaping, trees, architecture and more.

Deck lighting - step and rail

Step lighting makes using stairs safer and easier by reducing shadows. Rail lighting adds ambiance and safety for night gatherings. Post mounted fixtures can be used to highlight a deck and also increases comfort and ambiance during evening use.

Garden lighting

A decorative accent within a garden or landscaping to add interest and shed light on your beautiful space.

Path lighting

Highlights walkways through your yard, adding safety and beauty. A “Spread light” style is used to define the edges of a path where the grass or garden meets the walkway. Bollard lighting is taller and used to mark an entrance or path.