Outdoor Lighting – A Buyer’s Guide

outdoor lightingAs summer approaches, people are moving out of their living rooms and onto their patios. There are a variety of choices when it comes to outdoor lighting, depending on your taste, price range, desired function, and the size of your space.

As a smart shopper, it’s hard to know where you’ll get the best value on a home essential light lighting. Home Lighting Mart offers a variety of outdoor lamps at hard-to-beat prices.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING

  • How much light do you want? Are you lighting up a backyard for the kids to play tag, or will it be a serene space to enjoy a warm summer evening?
  • What sort of time are you willing to dedicate to installing it? Some types might be cheaper, but require you to get up on a ladder and hang them. You’ll have to do the same every time a bulb needs changing.
  • What is the weather like in your area? If you regularly get high winds or rain, you’ll need sturdier lighting with words like “weatherproof” in the description.
  • How long will you be living at your residence? If you don’t intend to stay for a long time, consider a light fixture that will be easy to take down and move – or that you don’t mind leaving behind.

TYPES OF LIGHT FIXTURES

There are three main types of outdoor light fixtures: post, ceiling, and wall.

POST

  • Post lighting is the traditional “streetlamp” style of light fixture.
  • These tend to illuminate a larger area, since they radiate light from all sides.
  • They are more expensive, but also easier to install, maintain, and move.

CEILING

  • Ceiling lights hang from the inside of your deck or porch’s roof.
  • Most require extra wiring, which a professional would need to install.
  • They stay out of the way – no risk of the kids knocking it over or someone bumping into it.

WALL

  • Wall (or hanging) lights are more subtle and understated than post lights. You don’t have to worry about them being knocked over, or getting around them with your lawn mower.
  • They create a more relaxed ambiance. You can change the amount of light they give off by trying different wattage.
  • They are cheaper than post lights, but they usually need to be installed by the buyer. If they’re more than seven feet off the ground, you’ll need a ladder to put them on and change the bulbs.

Another kind of fixture to consider is garden lights. These are generally low to the ground and serve to illuminate a pathway or garden. Like post lights, they are easy to install and move.

NON-PERMANENT LIGHTING

If you really don’t want to bother with installation, consider a lantern-style portable light. To add ambiance (and prevent mosquito bites!), you might think about candles or torch lights.

LANTERNS

  • Most modern lantern-style lights are different from the old kerosene red aluminum ones in horror movies. They are usually metallic and stylish, and add flair to a small space.
  • Like post lights, lanterns give off light in all directions.
  • Because of their small size, they’re incredibly versatile: you can light up your picnic table, take it camping, or bring it indoors to cut down on your electricity bill.

outdoor lightingCANDLES AND TORCHES

  • If you don’t have any small children around, candles and torches are nice ways to set a fun, summery mood.
  • Using citronella candles helps ward off pesky mosquitoes.
  • Be sure to exercise caution whenever you have an open flame. If you use torch lights, put them around the furthest perimeter of your back yard. Make sure they aren’t too close to any bushes, shrubs, or low-hanging tree branches.
  • Post lamps are easy to install and can light a large area.
  • Ceiling lights are elegant and unobtrusive.
  • Wall lamps are fairly easy to install, and provide nice ambient light.

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