How to Choose Outdoor Lighting Fixtures for Your Home

How to Choose Outdoor Lighting Fixtures for Your Home

Outdoor lighting is a great addition to any home. It adds curb appeal, improves safety, and increases the value of your home. Before you can start highlighting the outside of your house, there are a few things you need to consider. Use this guide to help you choose the best outdoor lighting fixtures for your home.

Common Outdoor Lighting Options

There are a lot of options for outdoor lighting. These are some of the most common applications of outdoor lighting we have seen:

• Mounted wall lights to provide visibility for your front doors.
• Lighting above the garage door for easier parking.
• Path lights up the front walk so you can watch your step. 
• Motion-activated security lights to keep your property safe.
• Patio lighting to keep the party going after dark. 
• Post lights in the front or back yard to light up dark areas.
• Landscape and water feature lights to emphasize their beauty. 
• Uplighting to highlight the beauty of your home. 

Have another idea not listed above? Run it by us, and we will be happy to help you bring your outdoor lighting ideas to life. 

Figure Out Where You Want to Light 

Deciding where you want to light is one of the most important steps when choosing the right lights for your home. You can light just the front porch and walkway, invest in a system for your whole property, or something in between. Uplighting is a great way to highlight your architecture and can help you if you decide to sell your home. 

It’s important to spread the lights out over an area you want to be lit, so you don’t have too much brightness coming from one point. This will allow you to enjoy a more consistent level of lighting throughout your property. 

Be sure to consult an expert and explore all the available options for your property before making any decisions. Total Home Technologies has been helping homeowners all over Texas realize their home’s full potential with outdoor lights, and we can help you too. 

Pick a Fixture Style That Matches Your Home

Outdoor lighting can bring together the look of your home – especially if you buy lights that compliment the style of your home. Whether your house is traditional, contemporary, or something else, we can help you find the perfect style to complete the look of your home. Don’t just go for the cheapest option – thoughtfully chosen outdoor lights can improve the value of your home.  

This is another reason it’s important to assess all the possibilities for outdoor lighting. If you plan all your lighting at once, you will be able to ensure that all your lighting fixtures match each other and your home. 

Make Sure You Know Your HOA’s Rules

Love them or hate them, Home Owners’ Associations can often have rules about changes to the exterior of your home – even lighting. If you have an HOA, make sure you check the rules before making any significant investments. Your outdoor lighting specialist will help you interpret those rules to make sure everything is up to code. It’s always best to clear these things before you make any investments. 

Keep an Eye on the Wet Area Ratings

Outdoor lights have to be strong enough to face even the toughest elements. Some outdoor lighting is “damp area” rated, while other fixtures are “wet area” rated. If your outdoor lights will not be covered, it’s best to stick with “wet area” rated lights so they can withstand rain and other weather events.

Not sure about the wet rating your space requires? An outdoor lighting specialist at Total Home Technologies will help you find the best option for each light. 

–

Want to learn more about adding outdoor lighting fixtures to your home? Contact us at Total Home Technologies, and one of our experts will help you create the best plan for your space. We are your trusted Greater Austin Area outdoor lighting team.