Outdoor lighting at 4 strategic points

It is just as important to light the outside of your home as it is the inside. Not only is outdoor lighting a security feature, but it also helps to beautify your property. Every area of your home, whether it's your yard, patio, facade, or entryway, can benefit from distinct lighting. Outdoor wall lights, spotlights, post lights, and ground lighting will each bring style and warmth to your home environment in their own way.

Not to mention the growing enthusiasm in Quebec for outdooring, this trend of moving one's living room, playroom, or dining room into the garden and thus enjoying the pleasure of being at home... outdoors. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your outdoor lighting once night falls.

1 – Outdoor lighting for the house entrance or a facade

Good night lighting for the home fulfills two needs: security and style. From the very economical grilled porthole designed to illuminate a garage door, to the designer stainless steel wall lamp installed above the entrance, and a whole range of intermediate products, including illuminated addresses, you will certainly find the fixture that will enhance your home. It's up to you to create an ambiance that reflects your personality! Most recently, wall lamps have been gaining popularity. Similar to interior lighting, they are mounted directly on the wall to illuminate the most strategic areas of the house, such as the entrance or access to the patio. They should be installed high enough (at eye level or slightly above) to avoid dazzling your guests. There are even models equipped with motion detectors, which light up if unwanted visitors are present! Finally, taller outdoor lighting, such as a lamppost with a charmingly old-fashioned feel, will be perfect for framing an entrance or illuminating a wider path for a car.

2 – Lighting for a pathway

Since pathway lighting doesn't require much power, LED bulbs have been very popular for several years for discreet yet secure lighting. Planted at equal distances directly in the ground or embedded in the surface, they instantly enhance the path's decor, guiding visitors' steps in a pleasant atmosphere to your entrance. With a long lifespan, LED bulbs will be very kind to your wallet and the environment. However, if you want to light a wooden or reconstructed stone slab path, use classic recessed stainless steel spotlights with energy-saving lamps. You can also use post lights planted in the ground, cheerfully outlining the way and offering a vintage charm. To light stair steps, recessed LED spotlights in the risers effectively illuminate the path without blinding. In all cases, the light should remain discreet. Make your choice based on your preferences and budget.

3 – Outdoor lighting for the backyard, garden side

To properly light your outdoor space, consider creating different levels of lighting (LED, halogen, string lights, spotlights, etc.). First, a main spotlight should be placed high up to generally illuminate your area, then a second, lower and more focused, will be arranged to illuminate a specific area, such as the dining area, a rock garden, the BBQ corner, or the edges of a pool. And finally, a purely decorative but truly necessary lighting, would consist of a multitude of small light sources, which by focusing on accumulation, will highlight different points in the garden or yard. If you have a garden, natural elements (tree, thicket, rock garden) can be illuminated to give it depth. Spotlights are ideal for this function. For trees, choose the densest and most imposing ones and illuminate them with spotlights, either a powerful unidirectional spotlight or several directional spotlights. You will then direct the light towards the tree trunk and the underside of the foliage. In terms of power, halogen is preferable, but LED bulbs, which have softer lighting and are more cost-effective in the long run, are a very good second choice. As for decorative lighting (such as string lights or lanterns), they can be arranged according to individual tastes, especially when suspended around the patio or pergola. Before coming to our store, be sure to take measurements and identify the areas you wish to illuminate. This way, our salesperson can estimate the necessary cable length and the type of fixtures required.

4 – Outdoor lighting for the patio area

To achieve beautiful lighting for your patio, deck, or balcony, wall lights are the most popular, provided they offer a sufficiently wide beam of light. They should be able to be controlled from both inside and outside, but the motion detector remains the most practical solution. Depending on the size of the space to be illuminated, it is necessary to opt for general lighting and avoid the most common mistakes: 1) Choosing high-density light. Too bright a light is too aggressive and does not promote relaxation. However, there is a way to adequately light the entire surface with medium-density wall lights and pendants. It is also possible to install dimmer switches. 2) Not providing enough light. If you are lucky enough to have a large patio with a play area for children, you can choose to install floor lamps, which you can move as you wish, to delineate certain specific areas. It is also clever to redesign the perimeter of the patio with low-density recessed spotlights, especially if there is a staircase. 3) Overusing colors. It is possible to add a joyful touch by adding color, but in moderation. Overuse of small colored lights risks creating a "Christmas decoration" effect. Consider linear or LED strips that you can place in strategic locations to structure your patio or balcony. In addition, with a remote control, you can choose the lighting color according to your mood.

Harmoniously lighting so many disparate areas outside your home is not as simple as it seems! Visit our store to ask for advice from one of Luminaires & cie's experts. You will certainly find inspiration there. You can also consult our online flyer and our virtual store.

Written by Joe L'ampoule

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