Outdoor lighting is an effective way to enhance your home’s curb appeal while improving its safety. It’s crucial to strategically place the lights where you need them the most for maximum efficiency, such as near driveways, walkways, and entrances. Whether you want outdoor lighting for safety purposes, to enhance curb appeal, or a combination of both, there are multiple options to consider that can help you make the most of the many lighting options available.
How Outdoor Lighting Enhances Safety
The primary way outdoor lighting enhances safety is by improving visibility throughout your property, especially near your home. Illuminating walkways, driveways, and entrances makes it easier to notice hazards so you can avoid tripping or stepping on them. Hazards such as uneven surfaces, steps, toys in the middle of the walkway, or other obstacles can easily cause you to trip or fall.
A well-lit property can also help discourage criminal activity, as intruders are usually less likely to approach a well-illuminated property. Strategically placed lights can also help you notice if any criminals are near your home as you’re walking toward your entrances. Motion sensor lights can be especially beneficial as they can alert you to movement and act as deterrents. You can also use motion sensor lights in conjunction with any security systems you have. For example, if your motion sensor light goes off, you can look at the live security feed on your phone to determine what caused it to go off so you can take appropriate action if needed.
Outdoor lighting options can also be helpful during a power outage, depending on the types you have on your property. For instance, solar or battery-powered lights can ensure that your property is always well-lit and you have reliable lighting even when electricity isn’t available.
Ways Outdoor Lighting Improves Curb Appeal
Outdoor lighting can improve curb appeal by highlighting the best features of your home and property, creating an inviting and visually appealing atmosphere.
Many homeowners use outdoor lighting to showcase exceptional landscaping, such as special trees, well-designed flower beds, memorial gardens, and shrubs. Placing the lights in certain spots can allow you to draw attention to the greenery’s beauty while also helping you make your property brighter for security purposes.
You can also use outdoor lighting installed by professional local electricians to accentuate architectural features on your home. For instance, if you have columns or arches, outdoor lighting can highlight them in the evening and make them look more dramatic. This helps create visual interest, which can be particularly useful if you’re planning on selling your house and you want to attract the attention of potential home buyers driving or walking past.
Lighting can also easily change the vibe of a home or property. You can use outdoor lighting to create a more welcoming ambiance, such as putting soft lighting around your entryways. It can also be a great option during holidays as you can change the lighting color to coincide with the hues of the holidays, like using pink for Valentine’s Day or orange and purple for Halloween.
Types of Outdoor Lighting for Safety and Aesthetics
Several types of outdoor lighting can allow you to accommodate safety and aesthetics. Pathway lighting is popular for those who want to line and illuminate driveways, walkways, garden paths, and patios. In addition to providing better visibility for foot traffic, the lights highlight landscaping elements like flowers and shrubs. Homeowners can use spotlights to emphasize architectural elements and trees, creating dramatic focal points that are visible from a distance.
Flood lights are popular for homeowners who want to concentrate on illuminating large areas of their property, especially the front or back yards. They provide a bright, wide area designed to improve security and visibility. These lights can also help deter unwanted criminal activity and make it safer to navigate your property after dusk.
Wall lights, such as sconces, are lovely for putting on the exterior of your home. They add charm and curb appeal while illuminating areas like doorways. Step lighting is designed to be installed on stairways to reduce the risk of tripping at night. They illuminate each step, making it easier to navigate in the dark while also adding a touch of elegance.
String lights are another popular option, and while they do offer some added visibility, they’re primarily for aesthetics. Many homeowners use them to add a decorative touch to their outdoor spaces, such as hanging them on patios, decks, and trees. They’re also a popular holiday option for a festive touch.
Regarding safety, homeowners often opt for motion sensor lights that will instantly go on if someone or something on their property has triggered them. These are ideal to install in areas like entrances and near garages and windows.
Tips for Choosing the Right Outdoor Lighting
Choosing the ideal outdoor lighting may seem complex, but it’s easy when you consider your primary goals, such as improving safety, creating a specific mood, or highlighting landscaping. To simplify the process, we can inspect your property and help you decide which options are optimal for your needs, concerns, and preferences. Our team can also discuss your budget and choose options that fit within it.
Ways to Maintain Your Outdoor Lighting
Keeping your outdoor lighting clean is one of the best ways to extend its lifespan. Dirt and debris can quickly accumulate on it, reducing its efficiency and how well it highlights your home, property, or landscaping. It’s ideal to clean them at least once a month to ensure they look their best and continue to work properly.
Self-inspections can also be beneficial for ensuring that your outdoor lighting isn’t damaged. Look for issues, such as broken bulbs, cracked surfaces, or frayed wiring, that could affect the outdoor lighting’s safety, appearance, and efficiency. Call us if you notice any damage or other issues and schedule an appointment so we can evaluate the problem.
We recommend having bulbs available for all the outdoor lighting sources on your property. This ensures that you’re not left in the dark if a bulb goes out. You can easily swap out the old bulb for a new one so the outdoor lighting works appropriately once again.
Should You Hire Professional Installers?
Consider us your experts for all your outdoor lighting needs. We can help you with every stage of the process, including choosing which outdoor lighting is ideal for your property, helping you maintain it efficiently, deciding when it’s time to replace it, repairing any light switch damage or malfunctioning fixtures, and determining the best spots for maximum curb appeal and safety. This can help give you peace of mind that you’re showcasing your home and property in the best light while also taking the appropriate steps to enhance safety.
Now is the best time to improve your outdoor lighting, especially if you plan on enjoying your property more during the warmer weather. Childers Air Plumbing & Electric in Beckley, West Virginia, can help with all your electrical needs, including your outdoor lighting. Schedule an appointment with our family-owned business today.
