Making the outside of your house look nice can be quite tricky. After all, there are numerous different things that you will need to take into consideration. However, one of them appears to be much more important than others, and that thing is outdoor lighting.
Outdoor lighting is something that can make your landscaping efforts and the overall design of your house truly come together. But in order to achieve that effect, you will have to go about it the right way.
In this article, we will show you how to do just that, ranging from what kind of lights you should choose and the latest lighting trends to lighting placement ideas, the most common outdoor lighting issues, and the problem of light pollution.
What Kind of Lights Should I Choose?
You will find that there are numerous different kinds of lights that you can use for your outdoor lighting. For example, you can go with the standard incandescent bulbs if you want to. You will find that these are very affordable and very easy to install and maintain. However, there are numerous other options that you can go with as well.
LEDs: LEDs have been gaining a lot of popularity in recent years, and there is a very good reason for that. For example, you will find that they have a long lifespan. This means that you won’t have to worry about changing them out very often.
In addition to that, their colour temperature is also very nice and warm. Thus, you will find that they are going to be perfect for most outdoor applications, especially if you live in colder climates and want the outside of your house to look nice even during the winter months when the sun goes down early.
Fluorescents: Fluorescent lights are another option that you might want to consider using for your outdoor lighting needs. These lights have been around for quite some time now, and they have a number of benefits as well. For example, you will find that they are very bright and can be used for a variety of different applications. They also don’t cost very much at all, which is something that makes them popular.
However, they do have their disadvantages as well. For example, their lifespan tends to be a bit shorter than other lighting solutions. However, if you use them properly and take care of them, they can last you quite some time. With proper maintenance, you might be able to get them to last for ten or so years before you need to replace them.
Halogen Bulbs: Halogen bulbs are yet another option that you might want to consider using. These bulbs are really quite versatile, and they can be used for a variety of different purposes. However, what makes them stand out the most is the fact that they are much brighter than almost any other indoor or outdoor lighting solution on the market right now.
However, there are some disadvantages associated with them as well. For example, they don’t really last all that long unless you take good care of them. However, if you take good care of them, you should be able to last them for ten years or so, depending on how often you use them.
Fluorescent Tubes: If you want to use fluorescent tubes for your outdoor lighting, then that is also a great option for you as well. You will find that these lights are very affordable, and they can be used for a variety of different applications quite nicely as well. Plus, they also come with a number of benefits, such as being very energy efficient and being able to last for a long time as long as you take care of them properly.
What Are the Latest Lighting Trends?
In recent years, there have been numerous different trends in regards to outdoor lighting design. Here are some examples:
One of the biggest trends recently has been colour temperature. Warm whites were trendy in the past few decades, but we have seen the shift towards cool whites instead in recent years. The main thing here is to make sure that your lights match the colour temperature of your house’s exterior so that it looks nice together and doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb.
Roof lights are another stylish option. Polycarbonate roof lights are a great way to provide additional light in your home. These lights can be installed on top of the existing roof and will not compromise the integrity or energy efficiency of your house. Polycarbonates are also very durable, so they can withstand any weather condition that may come their way.
In Conclusion
Outdoor lighting ideas are important to have for your outdoor space. This is especially true if you live in a rural area where street lights may not be available at night or if you want to create an inviting atmosphere for guests. Outdoor lighting also helps with security by illuminating the exterior of your home and yard. The outdoor lighting ideas we have discussed above should help you make an informed decision on what best suits your needs.
