- 3 min read

The Benefits of Outdoor Lighting

Lighting is one of the key features in design. It can make a space look soft or harsh, it can create pockets of interest in the room by drawing the attention to the right place, and it can help accentuate a certain ambience. Outdoors lighting should be given the same consideration as indoors lighting and include general, accent and task lights. With summer ahead of us, this is the perfect time to consider upgrading your garden and front porch lights.

Outdoors lights make your home unattractive to burglars

It is said that well-lit homes are less attractive to burglars who wish to move about hidden in the shadows. When your property is lit in the front and back, unwanted guests are less likely to wonder about. If you have a large property with a front garden, you can use spotlights on a timer, that aim upwards towards your property, lighting it up; or add motion detecting floodlights that come up when someone comes too close.

A home with front porch lights sets a welcoming tone

Interior designer Abigail Ahern said in this lighting and design workshop that she adds as many as 13 light sources in each room; she uses lights to evoke different a mood depending on the time of the day. Ahern puts equally a lot of attention on outdoors lighting. For example, a well lit front porch can set a welcoming tone for you and guests.

Do not be afraid to add big lantern like lights to the sides of your front door, although this requires hard wiring and it cannot be easily done. If there is existing hardwiring, use what you have and upgrade tired or rusty (or non working!) lights with something contemporary to increase your curb appeal.

Image Credit: Beneath My Hearth Interiors Blog, Front porch lights makeover

SHOP THE LOOK

Our favourite lights - Clockwise: Belgrave lantern tall podwer coated steel light from Garden Trading, £100 | Box Lantern 350 Outdoor Wall Light by ASTRO, £164 | Endon 90413 Dean 1 Light Small Exterior Wall Light In Matt Black And Clear Glass. £35 | Firstlight Dallas 3424 Black Exterior Box wall Light IP44 | Salerno E14 IP44 Exterior Wall Light in Textured Black (Dusk Lights) | The Beckham, by Troy Lighting in forged iron, circa £280, Hudson Valley Lighting Group

Above: The Beckham light from Hudson Valley Group, image credit: Melanie Lissack Interiors

Image credit: Victoria Smith, SF Girl by Bay showing the Allegheny by Troy Lighting.

Outdoors light help you enjoy your garden longer

In the garden, lighting can help you enjoy the outdoors for longer in the day, as well as throughout the year. Is there anything better than sitting outside with the music on, next to the fire pit while your house walls are lit up with gorgeous lights like these below by Garden Trading? Of course, it is equally unattractive having to find your way back into your property with a flashlight.

If your seating area is away from the house, e.g. at the end of the garden, consider lighting up the pathway between the seating area and your home with downlights that are spread evenly across the path. These are best hardwired (use a professional for this, always) and can even be put on a timer or be controlled remotely.

Add a touch of nautical styling to your outdoor spaces with the Devonport Round Bulk Head Light. Crafted in Brass, from around £80. Find them on Dusk Lights.

With another uncertain summer in terms of holidaying abroad or even in the country, gardens will once more play a key role in providing us with a space to relax and enjoy. Get your garden ready with a good clean up, touching up fences and decks with the right paint and with beautiful garden fixtures.