Polly Wooldridge
From Your President of The Lynchburg REALTORS ® Association
7 Ways to Get That Warm Exterior Glow
Outdoor Lighting Ideas for a Warm & Inviting Glow
1 . Use uplights . Uplighting is dramatic because we expect light to shine downward . Used in moderation , it ’ s a great way to highlight architectural and landscaping features .
2 . Have a focus . The entryway is often center stage , a way of saying , “ Welcome , this way in .”
3 . Combine beauty and function . For example , adding lighting to plantings along a pathway breaks up the “ runway ” look of too many lights strung alongside a walk .
4 . Vary the fixtures . While the workhorses are spots and floods , designers turn to a wide range of fixtures , area lights , step lights , and bollards or post lights .
5 . Stick to warm light . A rainbow of colors is possible , but most designers avoid anything but warm white light , preferring to showcase the house and its landscape rather than create a light show .
6 . Orchestrate . A timer , with confirmation from a photocell , brings the display to life as the sun sets . At midnight it shuts down everything but security lighting . Some homeowners even set the timer to light things up an hour or so before dawn .
How Outdoor Lighting Helps Security
Soft , overall landscape lighting eliminates dark areas that might hide an intruder , exposing any movement on your property . Overly bright lights actually have a negative effect , creating undesirable pockets of deep shadow .
The Best Outdoor Lights Designers Recommend Once disparaged for their high cost and cold , bluish glow , LEDs are now the light source of choice for lighting designers .
“ They ’ ve come down in price and now have that warm light people love in incandescent bulbs ,” says Paul Gosselin , owner of Night Scenes Landscape Lighting Professionals in Kingsland , Texas .
Although LED fixtures remain twice as expensive as incandescents , installation is simpler because they use low-voltage wiring .
Another advantage is long life . LEDs last at least 40,000 hours , or about 18 years of nighttime service . With that kind of longevity , “ why should a fixture have only a two-year warranty ?” asks Gosselin .
He advises buying only fixtures with a 15-year warranty — proof that the fixture ’ s housing is designed to live as long as the LED bulbs inside . The Cost of Outdoor Lighting Total outdoor lighting costs will vary according to the size of your home and the complexity of your lighting scheme . Expect to pay about $ 100 to $ 200 per LED fixture including installation . LEDs also require a transformer ; together , they ’ ll cost $ 300 to $ 500 with installation .
A motion detector security light costs an average of $ 300 to $ 400 each , with installation . Porch lights range from $ 65 to $ 200 including installation . Sconces range from $ 100 to $ 2,500 installed . Prices depend on the fixture and whether running new cable is necessary .
That kind of variation isn ’ t limited to porch lights and sconces . Outdoor lighting costs range considerably based on factors like square footage , DIY versus contractor installation , and high-end versus more ordinary fixtures . If you ’ re getting ready to add some glow to your yard , spend wisely and by considering :
Durability — Your outdoor fixtures will be exposed to the elements , so make sure they can hold up to extreme heat and cold , wind , and rain . Look for wet-rated fixtures , which can withstand harsh weather .
The scale — Before you go shopping , measure the space you want to fill . Also , keep in mind that extra large fixtures can detract from the beauty you ’ re creating .
Color and style — You ’ ll want your outdoor fixtures to complement your home ’ s exterior .