Design tips for outdoor luminaires
Very often, when furnishing our homes, we forget to take care of outdoor lighting. However, we soon realise that we need some light to get to our door at night and we can't rely on the moon or street lighting alone. We asked Ultralight for some tips on what outdoor lights to choose and where to install them to save ourselves the 5 minutes of searching for switches in the dark outside our door. They have been specialists in exterior and interior lighting fixtures for a number of years. You can read below what they gave us as guidance.
Where should you locate exterior light fittings?
First of all, it's not a bad idea to call in a specialist to show you where outside your house there is an opportunity to put electrically powered outdoor lighting and where it should be solar powered. You need to be able to reach the front door, therefore if your yard has a walkway, it should be lit. The front door itself also needs light.
If you are a fan of eating outside, the gazebo or outdoor table should be equipped with some sort of outdoor lighting fixture. Additionally, wherever you think is a good idea, you can add accent lighting thanks to which you can turn your garden into a fairy tale.
What do you need outdoor lighting for?
There are many reasons to put outdoor lighting in our yard and front yard. Let's see what are the advantages of this lighting.
Sense of security
Extra lights around your property and near windows and entrances act as a deterrent to potential criminals. The light helps prevent your home from becoming a target of wrongdoing. With enough lighting, security cameras can more easily record and alert to any problems or potential threats.
Added property value
Good lighting draws attention to details that would otherwise disappear. This makes the yard look more maintained and tidy, even at night. In a large yard, lighting can illuminate spaces near your home and accentuate borders. On the other hand, if you have a small yard, you can put a series of lights to make the space cozy and inviting.
Tips for outdoor lighting
Keep in mind that different types of light fixtures use different types of bulbs and therefore rely on different energy sources. If you plan to use LED-equipped light fixtures, a 75w transformer can do the trick and save some money on your electric bill. Of course, if you choose solar lighting, you'll eliminate the need for a transformer altogether.
As mentioned above, outdoor lighting performs two important functions - it gives a sense of security and it creates comfort in the garden. Outdoor fixtures are similar to indoor fixtures, but have some peculiarities.
Wall sconces
These luminaires throw light towards the wall on which they are mounted. They are usually placed on either side of an entrance, window or garage door. Wall sconces and facade luminaires can be mounted slightly above eye level to illuminate without glare or shadows. Keep in mind that they are designed to be seen from a distance, on the street, which means they will appear slightly smaller from a distance. To maintain visual balance, find wall sconces that are ¼ the size of the door.
Outdoor hanging light fixture
These light fixtures are made to withstand harsh weather conditions while offering a touch of elegance. They are the best choice for porches or covered patios with high ceilings. Pay attention to the proportions of the space and make sure the style of lighting complements the architecture of the house. Center the hanging light fixture above the door. There it will be able to be seen and appreciated without obstructing in any way.
Outdoor lanterns
Mounted flush to the ceiling or recessed, lanterns are designed to optimize the amount of light available in a porch, patio or under an eave. For large porches, better use several lanterns spaced equidistant from each other.
Landscape lighting
Landscape lighting is placed near ground level and used to provide light over walkways as well as to accent certain spots in the yard. They should be waterproof to withstand watering systems as well as weather conditions. It is best to aim these lights to shine downward.