Exterior Lighting Tips to Show Off Your House at Night

When you think of lighting up your house, the first thing that comes into your mind is probably the interior. But outdoor lighting is also important. Installing landscape lights gives homes a fantastic look. That is, of course, if it’s done right.

Don’t forget that going too far is never a good idea. After all, you don’t want to make your house look like a burlesque, do you? The key to landscape lighting is to make it bright enough to give beautiful shadows and create a welcoming atmosphere.

It’s the so-called “moonlight effect,” and in the guide below, you’ll find the best ways to make the most out of it. Here are the best exterior lighting tips to show off your house.

Pick the Right Lights

To achieve that warm, welcoming, and relaxing effect you’re looking for, you can’t just pick random light bulbs and expect things to happen. Your choice should be based on the light’s intensity, reliability, lifespan, and energy consumption.

Consider all these four factors to ensure you get the best lights possible. Firstly, only the right intensity will give your home a look you seek. Secondly, you probably want your exterior lighting to be reliable and last for a more extended period than one year. The same goes for energy consumption.

When it comes to that, there’s only one right option for you – LED lighting. Despite being more expensive, LED lights are easier to install, have a much longer lifespan than regular bulbs, and consume much less energy.

What’s more, with their increasing popularity grows their variety, so you can easily pick the ones for you, depending on your needs and base type. For example, if you’ve decided on the GU10 base, you can choose from GU10 LED spotlights, light bulbs, floodlights, and many others.

Create a Plan

But getting the right lights is not enough. If you want your outdoor lighting to perform, you have to know where to place it. Also, since all of your home’s parts are different, they require various lighting types. More on that below.

Front Door Lighting

Installing front door lighting is a fantastic way to enhance the curb appeal of your facade. What’s more, adding one or two lights above or near your door will also improve your home security, allowing you to see who rings the doorbell at night.

Garage Lighting

Lighting up your garage has a similar effect as doing the same with your front doors. It improves the overall aesthetics of your house and its security. When it comes to choosing the right garage lights, the best idea is to consider movement-activated ones.

Pavement Lighting

If your guests have to take a long walk from the gate to the front door, it’s a good idea to make sure they won’t break their legs when it’s dark. For that, you need pavement lighting. Also, don’t forget to illuminate everything unusual about your front yard.

Garden Lighting

Your neighbors and visitors may not see how your garden looks, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make it look gorgeous even after the sunset. Hang lights around the trees and highlight the plants and other landscaping elements that deserve attention.

Security Lighting

And last but not least, consider installing security lighting. You might think it’s unnecessary, but homes without it are much more exposed to potential burglary. Keep in mind that you can combine safety with style. You just have to know which outdoor lighting to choose.

Give Your House a Warm Glow

Okay, you know which lights to pick and where to place them, so now, it’s time to learn how to adjust them correctly. There are a couple of ways to get the most out of your lighting and give your home that great warm glow.

Here are some outdoor lighting ideas to implement:

• Trees are stunning features, so be sure to highlight them;
• Use uplights to show off your architectural and landscape fixtures;
• Focus your light on your front door to create a welcoming atmosphere;
• Pick a warm and light color to showcase your house and landscape;
• Consider using solar technology or orchestrate the lighting to save energy and money.

Bottom Line

As you can see, despite sounding like a simple task, there are a lot of things to consider when installing outdoor house lights. Many people fail to understand that the point of landscape lighting is not to create a light show but to enhance your home’s overall appearance.

With that in mind, the best idea is to stick to some basic rules we’ve written down above. By doing that, you’ll make sure your property looks astonishing at night. What’s more, adding lighting in strategic places will also improve your home security.

That’s why if you’re wondering whether lighting the front of your house is a good idea, the answer is yes. You simply need to consider which of our lighting tips will help you get the most out of it.