10 Outdoor Lighting Ideas to Spruce Up Your Yard
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of any home, inside and out. Proper lighting can make all the difference in your home’s overall look and feel. It can even help to increase its value.
For most homeowners, the outdoor living space is just as important as the indoor. Creating a space where family and friends can gather to relax, entertain, or enjoy the fresh air is a top priority for many. But when it comes to outdoor living, one of the essential details is lighting. Outdoor lighting can not only make your space more inviting, but it can also provide safety and security.
Whatever your home’s needs, you should choose the right type of outdoor lighting to meet them. Not quite sure where to begin? Here are several outdoor lighting ideas to help you get on the right track.
10 Outdoor Lighting Ideas To Consider For Your Yard
One of the most important things to consider when outfitting your home with outdoor lighting is what the purpose of the lighting will be. Whether you are looking for a way to spruce up your yard for entertaining guests or want to add some security and safety to your property, there are many options to choose from. Here are 12 different outdoor lighting ideas to help you get started on your project.
Landscape Lighting
Landscape lighting is a type of outdoor lighting used to highlight certain features of your yard or garden. It can accentuate your home’s architecture, highlight a garden path, or provide additional security around your property.
Landscape lighting is available in a variety of different styles and can be used to achieve many different looks. Reasons you may want to include landscape lighting in your outdoor space include wanting to add safety and security, wishing to highlight certain features, and wanting to increase the curb appeal of your home.
Some of the most popular landscape lighting homeowners gravitate toward are solar and LED lighting. It’s an excellent option if you’re looking for an eco-friendly and cost-effective way to light your landscape. LED lighting is also very energy efficient and can last for many years.
Path Lighting
Path lighting is one of the most common lighting features for homeowners. This outdoor lighting is used to illuminate a specific path or path segment in your yard or garden. It’s an excellent option if you’re looking to light up a particular area of your yard at night or if you’re looking to ensure the safety of your guests while they’re walking through your yard.
There are quite a few options to choose from regarding path lighting. One of the first things you’ll want to consider is whether to use hardwired electrical lighting or a wireless option, such as solar lighting. Both options have their benefits and drawbacks, so it’s essential to research the options available to you and decide which will work best for your yard and your budget.
Deck Lighting
For those with a deck or porch, deck lighting is another excellent option. There are dozens of different options that can be used on a deck or patio to illuminate it at nighttime, including solar-powered lighting that sits along your stairs or handrails and hardwired LED options that can be placed directly into the grooves of the surface or even installed as recessed lighting for decks with overhead protection.
The primary purpose of deck lighting is to illuminate the deck to ensure that you and your family can walk around in the dark without fear of falling or running into anything. However, you can also use deck lighting around the perimeter of the area to help highlight the deck as a focal point in your yard and use it as security to deter other people from entering your yard at night.
Outdoor Wall Lights
Outdoor wall lights are perfect for adding a little extra light to your yard while complementing your home’s exterior. Wall lights are fixed to the exterior of your home and can be wired to various devices to create a variety of lighting effects and even to security cameras to help monitor your yard at night.
There are many different styles of outdoor wall lights available, so you’re sure to find an option that matches the style of your home. Some popular outdoor wall lights include sconces, lanterns, and floodlights. Depending on your style, some may offer more functionality than others, but all are sure to add some ambiance to your exterior and make your home stand out from the crowd.
Outdoor String Lights
If you’re looking for a more whimsical option or you’re looking for a fun way to decorate your yard for the holidays, then outdoor string lights are perfect. These lights are typically strung up along a path or your home’s roof and can be easily adjusted to different heights and lengths to create a unique look.
String lights come in both indoor and outdoor options. The primary difference between the two is that outdoor string lights are made of a more durable material designed to withstand the elements. In addition, outdoor string lights are typically wired with a heavier gauge wire to ensure that they can handle the weight of the outdoor environment.
Indoor string lights are often made from a more flexible material and are not built with the same durability as outdoor string lights. So, you must choose the right type of string light for your home, and if you are ever in doubt, consider consulting with a professional to ensure that you select the right kind of string light for your home.
Outdoor Chandeliers
An outdoor chandelier is a great way to add some light to your outdoor space with a touch of elegance. Outdoor chandeliers come in various styles and can be hung from different heights to create a unique look in your yard.
Chandeliers can be made from a variety of different materials, including glass, metal, and plastic. You’re sure to find an option that matches the style of your home. One of the great things about outdoor chandeliers is that they can be easily moved around to different locations in your yard, so you can change the look of your space as often as you like.
A popular location to hang an outdoor chandelier is from a pergola or gazebo, as this can create a romantic ambiance in your outdoor space. Another great spot to hang an outdoor chandelier is from a tree branch or beam in your backyard, as this adds a touch of elegance to any outdoor space.
Downlights
Downlights, also known as recessed lights, are often associated with indoor spaces. However, downlights can be used in outdoor spaces as well. Downlights are typically installed in ceilings and other overhead areas, such as pergola beams and gazebos.
This type of lighting is often used to highlight a specific area, such as a piece of art or a piece of furniture. Downlights are available in a variety of different styles, including recessed lights and track lights. They also come in various sizes and wattages.
While downlights are a popular choice for outdoor lighting, it’s important to have a professional inspect the area where you want your downlights to be installed. This is because downlights can be tricky to install, requiring a certain amount of knowledge and experience to ensure that they are installed correctly and safely.
Another note to consider when debating whether or not to invest in downlights is that they are designed not to discolor when exposed to UV light, making them more resilient to outdoor elements.
Hanging Lanterns And Post Lights
Is your yard full of trees? Or do you have a fence bordering your yard? Then both hanging lanterns and post lights could be outstanding options to help light up your yard.
Hanging lanterns are a great way to add light to your yard without worrying about cords or wiring. They come in various styles, including traditional, solar, and LED. These outdoor lanterns can be either hardwired or solar-powered. Hardwired hanging lanterns are often suspended on either the wall of your home or along ceilings or beams and are wired into your home’s electrical system, controlled with a switch.
If you’re not interested in hardwiring a hanging lantern, you may want to consider solar-powered lanterns, which can be hung just about anywhere in your yard, including trees! Solar-powered lanterns are powered by solar panels attached to the lantern. Once the sun starts to go down, the lights will automatically turn on.
While hanging lanterns hang, post lights are often placed along railings or posts and can even be placed atop your fencing to create a beautiful border around your property. Again, these can be hardwired into your home’s electrical system or solar-powered. The choice is ultimately up to you.
Fire Pits
Fire pits are great focal points in your yard and are a great way to entertain guests or relax with a few friends and family. However, they can also be customized into beautiful statement pieces that provide you with beautiful, natural lighting.
While traditional fire pits can get the job done, there are now many options for fire pits that resemble beautiful pieces of art – providing you with a unique piece that can be enjoyed year-round.
Candles, Torches, And Other Decorative Lights
If you’re looking for a more customizable option for your outdoor lighting, you should consider the many decorative lighting options.
Candles, torches, and other decorative lights are a great way to add some personality to your outdoor space without having to worry about the hassle of electrical wiring. Not to mention, these types of lights can be very inexpensive and are typically easy to find. For example, candles and torches can range in price from $1 a candle to as little as $2 for a single outdoor lawn torch.
These non-electrical lighting options allow you to completely customize the look of your outdoor space and rearrange it as you wish. However, they do require more maintenance than traditional lighting, especially when it comes to lighting and dousing flames. If that seems like a hassle, consider one of the many LED solar-powered options available on the market!
Security Lights
Security lights may not seem like the most exciting option for outdoor lighting ideas, but they are an excellent investment for your home. Security lights deter burglars and intruders by providing a well-lit area around your home, making it more difficult for them to go unnoticed.
Security lights can come in dozens of styles and designs, including many that are decorative and add to the overall aesthetic of your home’s exterior. Whether you are looking for a security light with a motion sensor or a design that blends in with your landscaping, there are plenty of options.
FAQ
With so many options and outdoor lighting ideas available, it can be difficult to know which direction to take. If you have some lingering questions, then check out the FAQ below.
1. Should I Buy LED Or CFL Bulbs For Outdoor Use?
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) are excellent outdoor lighting options. However, LED bulbs tend to last longer and can be used both outside and inside your home with little to no restrictions.
2. Is Soft White Light Or Daylight Better For Outside?
While this tends to come down to personal preference, soft white light is generally better for outdoor use, especially in a residential setting. This is because it is easier on the eyes and emits more natural light than daylight bulbs. However, this can result in dimmer light, requiring you to use more bulbs and fixtures to illuminate an area.
Light Up Your Yard With Help From Blingle
At the end of the day, the best outdoor lighting for your home is the kind that you enjoy and works well for your specific needs. Consider the different types of lighting available and decide what will work best for your property.
With a little bit of planning and some help from Blingle, you can create an outdoor lighting plan that will make your property look great and provide the lighting you need.