How to Choose the Right Outdoor Lights

With so many types of outdoor lamps available these days, choosing the right light fixture for your home isn't always easy. However, some practical rules can help you narrow down your choices quickly so you can move on to the fun part: picking your lights!

Keep these four tips in mind when you're choosing outdoor lighting.


Outdoor Light Style & Color

Choose a style that fits your home. Your outdoor light fixtures should be in harmony with the style of your house, so that they look like they were always meant to be there. For example, if you have an Italianate house or bungalow with lots of decorative embellishments, it's best to use traditional lanterns or pendants in the Tuscan style.

Choose a color that matches your home's color scheme. Outdoor light fixtures are available in many different styles and materials, from plastic to glass and metal finishes ranging from polished brass to brushed nickel. Many come in several different colors as well as finishes such as oil-rubbed bronze or dark bronze for more subtle lighting effects outside on patios or decks where less glare would make guests feel more comfortable


Outdoor Light Size

The size of an outdoor light fixture is directly proportional to its brightness. A small fixture will be less bright than a large fixture, so if you want to illuminate a large area, you'll need to pick a fixture that's big enough. In general, the best size outdoor light, simply multiply the height of the door in inches by one-fourth (0.25) for a traditional look, or if you prefer a more bombastic design style then multiply your door measurement by one-third (0.33) and go big! Basically for a traditional style, installed above a standard sized door of 80 inches, you would multiply 80 X (.25) leaving you with an average fixture size of 20 inches. For the larger size fixture simply adjust your math accordingly.

If your goal is simply stunning curb appeal rather than providing functional illumination for activities such as walking or sitting on your patio at night, then even very large fixtures might not be necessary; just make sure they're visible from the street so they don't look like tiny little holes in the darkness!


Outdoor Light Power Source

Outdoor light power sources can be broken down into two categories: wired and wireless. Wired lights are hardwired to an electrical supply, while wireless lights are battery-powered and don't require any wiring.

Wireless lighting is generally cheaper than wired lighting, but requires periodic replacement of its batteries. For this reason, it's best for areas that don't need bright illumination during the evening hours (such as a path leading up to your front door). If you want a more steady source of light throughout the night, consider using low-voltage or high-voltage fixtures instead of wireless ones.

Low-voltage fixtures work much like regular household wiring but use 12V DC current instead of 120V AC current; they're perfect for backyard lighting since they're easy to install and won't overload your home's electrical system if something goes wrong with them later on down the line (like with other types of outdoor lights). High voltage fixtures convert 12V DC into 120V AC through an inverter so no additional equipment is needed in order for these kinds of outdoor lamps/lights!


Outdoor Light Installation

Installing outdoor light fixtures can be a bit tricky. Follow these steps to make sure the job goes smoothly:

Safety first! If you're installing an outdoor light fixture on your own, make sure it's wired safely—use the right tools and don't touch live wires.

The wrong bulbs are a common problem with outdoor light fixtures, so check if your particular fixture needs an adapter (a bulb that is specifically designed for that type of fixture). The wrong kind of bulb in a lamp could cause overheating or even fire hazards.

Make sure that the placement of your new outdoor lighting fixture isn't blocking an exit or walkway. Check local codes before installing any kind of electrical item outside, since some areas require special permits and inspections before they'll allow you to do so.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

4 Way to Clean a Crystal Chandelier

Image
Many people like the beauty of crystal chandelier, but cleaning crystal chandelier is a hassle many times Many people like the beauty of crystal chandeliers, but cleaning them can be a hassle. You don't want to disassemble it because it's not easy to put back together and you risk losing pieces. You don't want to take it down from your ceiling because that means a trip to the hardware store for new wires or hooks, and then you still have to rehang it. You don't want to risk damaging your crystal by using harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbing pads (which is what many people end up resorting to). What is the problem with unclean crystal chandelier? The crystal chandelier should be cleaned on a regular basis. Dust, dirt and other things can get tangled in it and cause damage to the crystals. This could lead to cracks or discoloration of the crystals. The dust will also build up on the surface of your chandelier making it dull and lose its shine over time. If you do not c...
Read more

Why should we use damp-rated lighting fixtures in humid environments?

Image
What are Damp-Rated lighting fixtures? Damp-rated lights, also known as moisture resistant or waterproof, are designed for environments that have high levels of moisture. A damp-rated light is made with glass shade or lens and gaskets to prevent water infiltration. Damp-rated lights can be used indoors and outdoors in humid environments such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms. They are also commonly used in wet basements where they provide additional lighting so you can see clearly when doing household tasks such as laundry or cleaning up messes around the house What does the humidity rating mean? Moisture rating is a rating system given to a bulb that measures how much moisture it can absorb before it fails. Lighting fixtures and ceiling fans should be marked "suitable for wet locations" or wet locations. These safety labels are marked on lights and fans to protect homeowners from malfunctioning or potentially harmful moisture build-up. Humidity levels may be required ...
Read more

5 Creative Designs That Let You Choose The Perfect Chandelier

Image
The chandelier on your ceiling is looking dull again and you decide to replace it.You need one that is not only functional but also stylish and eye-catching.One day you suddenly found the product fandelier in the store You want a new chandelier for your home. The old one is looking dull again and you decide to replace it. You need one that is not only functional but also stylish, eye-catching and versatile enough to go with any décor One day you suddenly found the product fandelier in the store, which combines the function of a fan and a chandelier. With this device, you can enjoy the coolness of the fan while enjoying its beauty and elegance at night. The use of LED bulbs can save you a lot of electricity bills every year because they consume less energy than other types of lights. It's time for a change! After you, you found that fandelier is much better than your previous practical ceiling fan After you, you found that fandelier is much better than your previous practical ceilin...
Read more