The Do’s and Don’ts Guide to Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting is essential to any property, whether a residential or commercial space. It enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of the area and serves a practical purpose, such as providing safety and security. With proper planning and design, outdoor lighting can be a valuable asset to any property, making it more functional and beautiful.

Purpose of the guide

The purpose of this guide is to provide a comprehensive overview of the dos and don’ts of outdoor lighting. Discover some of the best practices for creating an effective and efficient outdoor lighting system, and learn about those to avoid.

The guide covers everything from planning and design to energy efficiency, safety, and security, providing valuable information that can help you create the perfect outdoor lighting design.

Importance of outdoor lighting

Outdoor lighting plays a crucial role in a property’s overall functionality and aesthetic appeal. Not only does it improve visibility and safety, but it also helps to define and highlight key features of the landscape, such as a garden or architectural elements. You can create a warm and inviting ambience with the right outdoor lighting, making the area more enjoyable for residents and visitors.

Effective outdoor lighting can also provide added security to a property. Properly lit walkways and high-traffic areas can deter crime and enhance the overall safety of the area.

Additionally, with the advent of energy-efficient lighting options, such as LED bulbs, outdoor lighting can also help to reduce energy costs and lower the property’s environmental footprint.

The do’s of outdoor lighting

To make the most of your outdoor lighting, we suggest following some key do’s of outdoor lighting.

1. Planning and Design

Proper planning and design are crucial when creating an effective outdoor lighting system. This planning will take some of the below key factors into consideration.

Assessing the area to be lit

The first step is to assess the area to be lit, identifying key features that need to be highlighted and areas that require additional visibility. This includes considering factors such as the size of the area, the surrounding landscape, and the property’s architectural features.

Identifying key areas to focus on

Once you have assessed the area to be lit, the next step is to identify the key areas that need to be focused on. This may include walkways, stairways, entrances, and other high-traffic areas that require added visibility and safety. Additionally, it is important to consider areas that need to be highlighted, such as a garden, architectural elements, or other unique property features.

Choosing the right fixtures

Choosing the right fixtures is essential when creating an effective outdoor lighting system. It is important to choose fixtures that are durable, weather-resistant, and designed to withstand the elements.

2. Adequate lighting levels

Adequate lighting levels are crucial for creating a functional and safe outdoor lighting system. Understanding light levels is essential to ensure that the appropriate level of light is provided for the area.

Determining the appropriate level of light for different areas

It is important to determine the appropriate light level for different areas of the property. For example, walkways and high-traffic areas may require a higher, or brighter, level of light than a garden or other landscaped areas. This can be achieved by varying the intensity of the light to create the desired effect, or by selecting a “cooler” or “warmer” colour temperature, dependent on the need. For instance, cool white might be better for use in areas that require lighting for safety.

Using multiple light sources to achieve desired levels

Using multiple light sources can also be an effective way to achieve the desired light level. This can include combining downlights, uplights, and wall-mounted fixtures to create a layered lighting effect. This allows you to highlight specific features of the property while providing adequate visibility and safety.

3. Energy efficiency

As with any good lighting plan, energy efficiency is an important consideration when it comes to outdoor lighting.

Using LED and other energy-efficient lighting options

LED globes and other energy-efficient lighting options can lower energy costs and reduce the property’s environmental footprint. These options typically have a longer lifespan than traditional incandescent globes, which can also help to reduce maintenance costs.

Properly maintaining and cleaning fixtures

Properly maintaining and cleaning fixtures is also essential for ensuring energy efficiency. This includes regularly inspecting fixtures and globes to ensure that they are functioning correctly and cleaning them to remove dust and debris that can impede the light output.

Using timers and motion sensors to conserve energy

Using timers and motion sensors can also be an effective way to conserve energy and reduce costs. Timers can be used to turn the lights on and off at specific times, while motion sensors can be used to turn the lights on only when needed. This can be particularly useful in areas that are not frequently used, such as a side path or corner garden.

4. Safety and security

Properly lighting walkways and stairs, in particular, are essential for ensuring the safety of residents and visitors. The same can be said, however, for any dark spots in your outdoor spaces that will receive traffic.

Lighting walkways and stairs to improve visibility

Adequate lighting in these areas can improve visibility and reduce the risk of accidents. It is important to choose fixtures that provide a wide and even light distribution and place them at the appropriate height and distance to ensure maximum visibility.

Lighting parking areas and other high-traffic areas

In addition to walkways and stairs, it is important to light parking and other high-traffic areas properly. Adequate lighting in these areas can improve visibility and reduce the risk of accidents. It is also important to choose durable and weather-resistant fixtures to withstand the elements.

Using lighting to deter crime and improve overall safety

Properly lighting a property can also help to deter crime and improve overall safety. Adequate lighting can make it more difficult for criminals to hide in the shadows and make it easier for residents and visitors to identify potential threats. It is important to choose fixtures that provide a wide and even light distribution and place them in strategic locations, such as near entrances and exits, to provide maximum visibility and security.

The don’ts of outdoor lighting

Here are things that you should avoid when putting together your outdoor lighting plan.

1. Over lighting

One of the most common mistakes in outdoor lighting is over lighting, or using excessive lighting that can be harsh and unappealing.

Understanding the negative effects of excessive lighting

Overlighting can cause glare and light pollution, which can be detrimental to the environment and the human eye. It can also be costly, as it increases energy usage and maintenance costs.

2. Avoiding glare and light pollution

To avoid glare and light pollution, it is important to choose fixtures that provide a wide and even light distribution and place them at the appropriate height and distance to ensure maximum visibility without excessive brightness. It is also important to use shielding to direct light where it is needed and to prevent it from shining into the eyes of residents or visitors.

3. Ignoring aesthetics

Aesthetics are an important consideration when it comes to outdoor lighting, and ignoring them is a big no when it comes to outdoor lighting. Lighting plays as much a role in creating an aesthetic and ambience, as it does in fulfilling a functional role.

Avoiding harsh or unappealing lighting, such as bright white or blue-toned light that can be uninviting and harsh on the eyes is a good rule of thumb for outdoor lighting. Instead, it is recommended to use warm-toned light, such as yellow or orange, to create a warm and inviting ambiance. This is particularly the case in areas you want to use to relax and entertain in.

4. Skipping maintenance

Proper maintenance is crucial for ensuring the longevity and efficiency of an outdoor lighting system. This is particularly the case with outdoor lighting, as it is subjected to the outdoor elements, and so more susceptible to wear and tear, and damage. Cleaning and regular maintenance of your outdoor lighting will ensure your lights function correctly, and will function for longer.

It is also important to troubleshoot and replace faulty fixtures or globes as needed. This helps ensure that the outdoor lighting system is functioning at optimal levels and can also help to reduce energy costs and maintenance expenses.

5. Ignoring local regulations

Local regulations are also a must when building your outdoor lighting plan.

It is important to comply with local regulations regarding outdoor lighting. This includes understanding and adhering to local lighting ordinances, such as restrictions on using certain types of fixtures or the maximum level of light allowed in a particular area. This is all good practice when it comes to relations with your neighbours!

Outdoor lighting can be a valuable asset to any property, enhancing its overall functionality and aesthetic appeal. With proper planning and design, it can provide added safety and security, as well as energy efficiency.

If you need help choosing the right outdoor lights for your property, contact the lighting experts at Rovert Lighting & Electrical. We can help you make the appropriate choices for your outdoor lighting, or complete a full in-store outdoor lighting plan.