Outdoor lighting transforms a home
Create a layered plan to differentiate zones, highlight features and improve security
There's nothing worse than driving up to a home that's dark and uninviting. I love lighting as it can transform any space, particularly the outdoor areas around your house. Outdoor lighting protects your home from break-ins and theft and creates an ambience that is welcoming and inviting.
Your outdoor lighting should have a purpose and function. Some outdoor lighting can highlight a garden or garden feature, like a fountain or a tree. At the same time, other lighting can create an entertainment area or provide safety along walkways and stairs. As with all lighting design, a layered approach is the best, using a combination of ambient lighting, accent lighting, and task lighting.
When designing an outdoor space, I always create “zones.” Zones allow you to create different ambiences depending on the use of your space.
For example, an outdoor kitchen should have brighter lights for cooking, while the entertainment area or patio may call for softer lighting.
When choosing outdoor lighting, ensure they are graded for outdoor use and low voltage. Low voltage lighting systems use very little electricity, but a special isolating transformer may be required. An isolating transformer prevents shocks and short circuits. There are also low-voltage plug-ins that plug into any outdoor outlet. These simple plug-ins come in a variety of fixtures like spotlights, floodlights, and wall lights, which give you easy options when it comes to designing your outdoor space.
Other options are line-voltage which operates at 120 volts and requires you to be connected to your home's electrical system by cables and junction boxes. Self-powered solar lighting requires no wiring, but installation in a sunny spot is needed. They are easy to install and ideal in areas with no or poor electrical source.
According to the National Electrical Code, all outdoor outlets must be GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter). When a difference in current or short circuit is detected, GFCI outlets trip and turn off automatically, helping to prevent fires and accidental shocks. A cover plate is also required for all outdoor outlets.
Always double-check that the light fixture is labelled as outdoor lighting. There are many outdoor lighting features to choose from, including lanterns, string lighting, downlight floodlighting, various water features and garden lighting, and more.
Outdoor lighting fixtures are either wet or damp rated. Wet rated is intended for use in areas directly exposed to Mother Nature, including wall lights, post lights, and motion sensor lights. Damp-rated is intended for use in covered areas such as patios and pergolas and any other location that is not directly exposed to the elements.
The possibilities for outdoor lighting are endless but smart technology is something you should consider.
I love the idea of smart lighting, especially if you can put them on a schedule and control them with your phone. Some brands will even work with other security features, such as a security camera to switch on when motion is detected. Smart lighting enables me to turn my lights on as soon as I pull into my driveway. I can even program a series of colourful scenes on my deck and walkways.
There are a variety of innovative smart wireless lighting systems that allow you to easily control your lighting and create the ideal environment for any occasion, both inside and outside your home all from your phone. These systems allow you to customize the ambience for any occasion, whether it's a large gathering, an intimate dinner, or simply a relaxing evening on a summer evening. With the ability to change the light's colour and intensity, you can customize the environment.
Coloured fixtures, ranging from path lighting and wall lights to spotlights and beyond, should be strategically placed throughout your yard to create fun, vibrant splashes of colour or glowing tones that will create an unforgettable outdoor experience.
Do your homework, and consider the many lighting options available. It would be best to have an electrical plan for any outdoor lighting project and always consult with a LEC, a licensed electrical contractor, before installing. I highly recommend looking into a smart lighting system as you can easily create a welcoming and inviting outdoor space all year round for your home.